Cultural Diplomacy: the Case Analysis of Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013
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CULTURAL DIPLOMACY: THE CASE ANALYSIS OF LITHUANIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN 2013 Master’s Thesis University of Jyvaskyla Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy Social and Public Policy Cultural Policy Laura Dirmaite Supervisor: Kia Lindroos Autumn 2015 ABSTRACT Cultural Diplomacy: The Case Analysis of Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013. Laura Dirmaitė Master’s Thesis Social and Public Policy Cultural Policy Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy University of Jyvaskyla Supervisor: Kia Lindroos Autumn 2015 Pages: 80 pages + 1 appendix A great range of various cultural events was presented in all member states of the European Union and overseas during the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013. The greatest part of the cultural programme was implemented with the help of Lithuanian cultural attachés. The present Thesis focuses on cultural actors and projects involved in such particular term. Qualitative research through expert interviews (i.e. with Lithuanian cultural attachés in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Poland and the Permanent Representation of The Republic of Lithuania in the European Union in Belgium) was the research method used for this Master’s Thesis. The source material in this Master´s Thesis consists largely of recent books and articles about cultural diplomacy written by significant authors and scholars who greatly contributed to this issue. Also, some Lithuanian authors are presented in this paper when analysing the meaning of cultural diplomacy at Lithuanian level. In addition, some of the legal documents of the Republic of Lithuania must be interpreted when talking about the organizational structure of cultural diplomacy in Lithuania. Results indicate that a cultural attaché as individual institution abroad significantly contributes to various dynamic cultural processes. Lithuanian cultural attachés were strongly involved in processes of the Presidency regarding planning, organization and implementation in various level of the cultural programme. From the results of the thesis it can be concluded that cultural attachés are active, open and cooperating participants in cultural field that attract attention of Lithuanian organizations and artists as well as international cultural actors. Also, they are noticeable cultural disseminators outside Lithuanian borders. An attaché throughout cultural projects and activities introduces both international community and Lithuanian diaspora abroad with Lithuanian culture, arts and heritage. Key Words: cultural diplomacy, cultural attaché, cultural programme, Presidency, Council of the EU. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 4 1.1.Research Question ..................................................................................................... 5 1.2.Source Material .......................................................................................................... 6 2. Theory & Concepts .................................................................................................... 8 2.1.Cultural diplomacy of the European Union ............................................................... 8 2.2.Cultural diplomacy of the Republic of Lithuania .................................................... 14 2.3.The role of cultural attaché in cultural diplomacy ................................................... 20 3. Organizational Structure of Cultural Diplomacy in the Republic of Lithuania ...... 27 3.1.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania ................................ 28 3.2.The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania ............................................. 32 3.3.The Lithuanian Culture Institute .............................................................................. 37 3.4.Lithuanian Cultural Attachés ................................................................................... 41 4. Research ......................................................................................................... 47 4.1.Research Methodology ............................................................................................ 47 4.2.Discussion: The Case Analysis of Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of The European Union in 2013 ................................................................................... 52 4.2.1. The Most Significant Cultural Events ............................................................... 53 4.2.2. Financial & Cultural Partners ............................................................................ 58 4.2.3. Social Media & ICT .......................................................................................... 62 4.2.4. Problems & Future Perspectives........................................................................ 64 4.3.Findings ................................................................................................................... 69 5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 71 List of References ......................................................................................................... 73 Appendixes ..................................................................................................................... 81 3 INTRODUCTION The name of Lithuania was for the first time mentioned in a written source more than one thousand years ago, namely, in the Annals of Quedlinburg in 1009. The name appeared as the place where the archbishop Brunonus was struck on the head by pagans during his mission to the lands of the Yatvingians, and was found dead near the border of Lithuania and Prussia (Baranauskas, 2009). Unfortunately, Lithuania was highlighted in the above-mentioned source not in a very reassuring way. Although, Lithuania celebrated its one thousand years symbolic celebration in 2009, The Republic of Lithuania is a relatively young state counting 25 years of regained independence in 1990. The past quarter of century has been full of significant challenges and important decisions, the country undergoing simultaneous economic, political and social transitions, involving also an external image transformation and identity change. In 2004, The Republic of Lithuania together with other nine countries became a full-fledged member of the European Union. In 2009, Vilnius – the capital of Lithuania - was the European Capital of Culture. Moreover, Lithuania had the honour to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months in the second half of 2013. Later in 2015, the state finally became a member of the Eurozone. During the 25 years of independence Lithuania has gained its recognition and credibility in Europe and other countries all over the world as a young but reliable partner. The country is seen as a competent member, which is active and involved in significant activities and events at various levels of the European Union. One thousand years passed since that miserable appearance when Lithuania´s name spread in Europe for the first time. Despite, even today we occasionally can hear discreditable stories about Lithuanians abroad, more and more talented Lithuanians spread a reputable message about their country and its culture. Culture has many different significances and meanings. In this paper, the stress will be addressed on cultural diplomacy and the context is the context of the Republic of Lithuania. Cultural diplomacy describes the use and transfer of cultural ideas between different group to achieve rapport and understanding. It reveals itself in a great range of practices and policies in many fields. Although, there is no specific number of adherents involved in cultural diplomacy, the latter is mostly conducted by governments and rulers of nations that have the greatest effect on the lives of ordinary citizens and current events, and provide the most comprehensive records of its use (McBrewster, Miller & Vandome 2009, 2). 4 1.1.RESEARCH QUESTION This Master’s Thesis paper aims to analyse the condition of cultural diplomacy of Lithuania during the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2013. The Republic of Lithuania was the first of three Baltic States to hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. A great range of various cultural events was presented in all member states of the European Union as well as Canada, The U.S., Russia and so on. The greatest part of the cultural programme abroad was implemented with the help of Lithuanian Embassies and Lithuanian cultural attachés. Due to the fact that the Presidency was seen as one of the most significant stages of Lithuania´s presence in the European Union, it inspired me to analyse Lithuanian cultural programme during such period, focusing on cultural actors and projects involved in this particular process. In order to achieve the goal of this Thesis it was important to determine the meaning of cultural diplomacy in the level of the EU and Lithuania, and to define the role of cultural attachés in cultural diplomacy; to identify the institutions involved in the processes of Lithuanian cultural diplomacy; and to ascertain the interaction between Lithuanian cultural attachés and the main cultural projects presented during the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2013. All of these aspects reflect in the main three parts of