LINZ/VILNIUS 1 January 2009 Two European Union capitals share title of European Capital of Culture for first time. Also Lithuania's 1000th birthday

But for the enlargement of the European Union, Linz, the capital of Upper Austria would not have had to share the throne as European Capital of Culture 2009. Starting in 2009, the culture capitals will have to double up to accommodate candidate cities from the new EU members. Consequently, Linz has to share with Vilnius, Lithuania's capital. And Vilnius could get most of the attention because Lithuania celebrates its millineum in 2009.

Lithuania was first mentioned on 9 March 1009 in Quedlinburg’s annals -- other sources say first mention was Feb 14. The Annals were the account of the journey of St. Bruno (Boniface) of Querfurt, which terminated in Lithuania. Some millennium events begin in 2008, but the real kickoff of the celebrations is on New Year's Eve. A Winter Feast and laser and light show in Vilnius by light artist Gert Hof are planned. The event will be broadcast live on television. According to the promotion, "light effects will radically change the familiar face of our city, Vilnius will become an ice palace or an island lit up by fiery flames."

The schedule for Linz' cultural events includes high-brow entertainment, such as opera and orchestral concerts, art shows and a film festival, plus a host of less expected events such as circus performances that run from May to September and Ars Electronica, an exhibition focusing on the digital world in September.

The European City of Culture was designed to bring European peoples closer. It was launched by the Council of Ministers on 13 Jun 1985 on the initiative of the Greek singer and actress Melina Mercouri, who migrated into politics from the entertainment world and was Greek Minister of Culture for most of the years from 1981 until she died in 1994. The title was renamed "European Capital of Culture" from 2005.

The city has agreed to purchase the Soviet-era Sports Hall and plans to construct a modern arts centre in its place. It is considering private co-operation in this endeavour and hopes to have its tram concession in place by 2009 to handle the influx of tourists.

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Vilnius European Capital web
http://www.culturelive.lt/en/

Linz European Capital info
http://www.austria.info/xxl/_site/us/_area/417417/_subArea/417437/_subArea2/839608/_sid/en,801865/home.html