Tourism

The boundaries of Lithuanian cultural identity have always exceeded the boundaries of the ethnic territory of Lithuania: at different times, the Lithuanian culture has experienced numerous influences from guest artists, forced and strategic unions, and cultural and scientific exchanges. Lithuania, known for its exceptionally tolerant attitude to different peoples, may undoubtedly be called a guardian of Russian, Polish, Jewish, and other cultures.

Lithuanians also preserve the regional differences of their own culture in the four cultural regions of Aukstaitija, Zemaitija, Dzukija, and Suvalkija. Different multi-coloured traditional costumes, melodious songs, folk-tales and stories, dialects, and even vocabulary form an individual culture of every region.

Lithuania is a land of exceptional scenic beauty with thousands of lakes, rivers, and ancient woodlands. The possibilities of where to get away and what to see are endless. Four UNESCO World Heritage sites - the old town of Vilnius, the largest “living old town” in Eastern Europe, the highest sand dunes in Eastern Europe, five unusual grassy mounds in Lithuania’s ancient capital Kernave and the world-famous Hill of Crosses, a unique Christian pilgrimage site, blessed by Pope John Paul II himself - will surprise even the most experienced travellers.

Music and theatre performances have always been world-class in Lithuania. And what is more, world-class foreign theatre groups, opera and ballet companies and popular music groups always include Lithuania in their international touring schedules. Lithuania and the world also enjoy the talents of famous Lithuanians, such as, Jonas Mekas, a famous Lithuanian filmmaker and the godfather of American avant-garde cinema, Violeta Urmanaviciute-Urmana, a world-reknowned opera singer (soprano-mezzosoprano) appearing internationally, Eimuntas Nekrosius, Rimas Tuminas and Oskaras Korsunovas, famous Lithuanian theatre directors, and Ingeborga Dapkunaite, an internationally succesful actress.