Welcome to Lithuania!

What do you know about this fascinating Baltic country? Don't worry, if it was not too much before you joined TiSSA. Our colleagues from the TiSSA host university are providing much more than some basic facts & figures.

Vilnius - the Lithuanian Capital and European Capital of Culture 2009

Vilnius is one of several European capital cities at the crossroads between West and East, South and North. This special position is reflected not only by the variety of its architectural styles, but also by the spirit of the city. Tranquil streets of the Old Town abut onto the remnants of the city’s defensive walls and castles, which provide panoramic views of the city’s churches of various styles – Gothic, Renaissance, Classic, and Baroque. These stand alongside noblemen’s mansions of different eras, while buildings of the modernist and socialist realism era are overshadowed by modern skyscrapers.

Vilnius is Lithuania’s capital and also its most important city. It is the seat of Lithuania’s major institutions: the Seimas (Parliament), the Presidency, the Government, the Bank of Lithuania, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court. The population of Vilnius is just over half a million (554,000). The heart of Vilnius is built around certain hills, including one that is home to the basic architectural symbol of Lithuania – the tower of Gediminas’ Castle. Vilnius hides a host of surprise discoveries, something for everybody: all different and unique.

The motto of the Vilnius – European Capital of Culture 2009 programme is Culture Live! Not only artists, but anyone wishing to participate, will be invited to join the celebratory creative process of creating culture and unleashing creative energy in non-traditional spaces. It is intended to present Vilnius as a European capital of the future, although one which has a rich past, and which uses this history as a basis for the creation of a unique cultural vision, contributed to by all Vilnius’ inhabitants and by visitors to the city.

Getting there...

Arriving in Vilnius is fairly simple these days. Vilnius International Airport, situated approximately 5km south of the city centre, is small and easily navigable. The departure hall now has 14 gates, arranged supposedly for flights to Schengen and non-Schengen countries. To get there by bus, take Nº2 from Lukiškių Aikštė or Nº1 from the train station (or vice versa to go to the city center). A taxi from Old Town currently costs around 50Lt using a hotel-booked firm (see more details at www.inyourpocket.com).

... getting around ...

The public transportation system of Vilnius is made up of city and private buses, minibuses and trolleybuses. Most routes run from 05:00 until around 23:00 or a little later, with a few city buses going through the night (find schedules at www.vilniustransport.lt).

TiSSA locations in Vilnius

	The venue of the TiSSA PreConference will be the Social Communication Institute of the Vilnius Pedagogical University, Studentų st. 39.
The 7th TiSSA Plenum will take place in the Lithuanian Parliament Seimas, Gedimino ave, 53 The Seimas homepage: www.lrs.lt

... and keeping in touch!

Mobile phones:
The easiest way for foreigners to lay their hands on a mobile phone is to use its own phone. Mostly you will be able to do it without any problems but a cheapest way to use your mobile phone is to buy a “pay as you go” non-subscription Sim Card.

Making the call:
Call abroad from Lithuania: 00 followed by the relevant country code and telephone number
Call Lithuania from abroad: +370 (Lithuania’s country code)

Wi-fi internet access:
If you are travelling with laptop in town, then you will find internet hotspots around.

More info

We will continuously add helpful information about Vilnius and Lithuania.
So far we suggest that you visit links below.

Vilnius Tourist Information: www.vilnius-tourism.lt/
Vilnius City Municipality: www.vilnius.lt
In your pocket - up-to-date Vilnius city guide: www.inyourpocket.com/city/vilnius.html
Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009: www.culturelive.lt
Lithuania - the official travel and tourism guide by the Lithuanian State department: www.travel.lt
Lithuania - official gateway to Lithuania: lietuva.lt/en/
In your pocket - country information: www.inyourpocket.com/country/lithuania.html