Lithuanian cultural season in France
The 2024 Season of Lithuania in France, 12 September to 12 December 2024
The 2024 Season of Lithuania in France, “The Other Same/Se voir en l’autre”, will run from 12 September to 12 December 2024. As agreed by President Emmanuel Macron and President Gitanas Nausėda during the latter’s visit to Paris in November 2021, the 2024 Season of Lithuania in France is an invitation for both countries to come together and understand each other better through cultural partnerships.
France and Lithuania share a common history marked by centuries of cultural, artistic, intellectual and scientific exchanges. French thinkers had a great influence on political, social and cultural life in Lithuania in the 19th and 20th centuries and French modern art has influenced Lithuanian artists, many of whom studied painting, sculpture and architecture in France. The 2024 Season of Lithuania in France is therefore a springboard for renewed cultural exchanges between both countries.
Inaugural events in France
On 12 March 2024, the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, attended a concert by Lithuanian pianists Mūza Rubackytė and Simonas Poška at the Saint Louis des Invalides Cathedral in Paris to mark the start of the Season.
Inaugural speeches by President Emmanuel Macron and President Gitanas Nausėda
For more information: Press release on the launch of the Lithuanian cultural season in France
Organization of the Season
The Season is being jointly organized by the Institut Français and the Lithuanian Culture Institute, in close collaboration with the Lithuanian Embassy in France, the French Embassy in Lithuania and the Institut français in Lithuania and under the supervision of France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Ministry for Culture, as well as the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania. The Commissioner of the Season is Virginija Vitkienė, PhD in Art History and Criticism, curator of contemporary art exhibitions (2004 2022), artistic director of Kaunas Biennial (2009 2017) and CEO of Kaunas 2022 – European Capital of Culture (2018 2023).
A spotlight on unifying themes
The Season of Lithuania in France will present over 200 events in a wide variety of fields – performances, exhibitions, shows, screenings, debates, conferences and more – taking place throughout France, including the highlights or Temps Forts (French and Lithuanian only).
Events have been planned throughout France, focusing on three main themes:
- Global neighbourhood: a polyphonic conversation about the differences between nations, cultures and civilisations
- Diversity and identities: a reflection on gender in contemporary Europe
- Unbridled imagination: an invitation to imagine the 22nd century and come up with scenarios for the future
The 2024 Season of Lithuania in France aims to:
- strengthen and revive essential values for the present and future of Europe such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, human rights, creativity and resilience to climate change;
- give greater visibility to Lithuania and contemporary Lithuanian culture in France;
- act as a collaborative platform that encourages long term partnerships, co-creation and cooperation between institutions and professionals in both countries; and
- create an inclusive project for a broad and diverse audience, and particularly for young people.
To find out about all of the events taking place for the Season of Lithuania in France, go to the official website (French and Lithuanian only) and social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X and Threads).
For more information about the Season of Lithuania in France, see the press kit (French only) and brochure.
Did you know?
The Echo Français en Lituanie (French and Lithuanian only) – “a reflection of France” – will take place concurrently in Lithuania! Planned to mirror the Season of Lithuania in France, the Echo will focus on the themes of heritage and ecology. The programme will be made up of dialogue and discussions, with visits from French artists, academics, filmmakers, architects and designers organized for the general public in Lithuania. The Echo also aims to initiate and maintain cooperation between schools and universities in France and Lithuania.