You're invited to join Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022 and a panel of expert speakers for an exclusive online press conference discussing the role of culture in promoting democracy within the EU. Key talking points will include:

- The important role of the European Capital of Culture title in helping to communicate and promote democracy and freedom within the EU 
- Promoting social behavioural change through the medium of culture 
- Understanding past atrocities to educate today's audiences 
- Updates and key news from the Kaunas22 team 

Expert speakers will include:

- Dr Virginija Vitkienė, CEO of Kaunas2022
- Sylvain Pasqua, Team Leader for Cultural and Creative Industries at the European Commission
- Dr. Daiva Price, Curator of Kaunas' Memory Office programme
- Renowned artist Jenny Kagan 

The webinar will take place on Wednesday the 5th of October at 2pm (UK time) and will present important ideas and facts around how Kaunas is learning from past traumas and using the title of European Capital of Culture to ensure a legacy of open, democratic debate.

For further information and to register your interest in attending, please email malin@welcometoama.com

More about the speakers:

Dr Virginija Vitkienė, CEO Kaunas2022 - art critic and curator, lecturer, editor of art publications and head of the Kaunas European Capital of Culture project since 2015. Dr Vitkienė has overseen the implementation of the city's comprehensive Capital of Culture programme, as well as directly curating the William Kentridge exhibition “That which we do not remember”.

Sylvain Pasqua, Team Leader for Cultural and Creative Industries at the European Commission - A senior expert in the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture since 2002. He is now in charge of coordinating the “European Capital of Culture”, particularly of the selection, monitoring and evaluation of the European Capitals of Culture in the European Union.

Dr. Daiva Price, Curator, Memory Office programme - Kaunas' Memory Office programme evokes the historical memory of the city and its surrounding settlements through storytelling, installations, performances, concerts, guided tours and murals.

Jenny Kagan, artist - Litvak descendant and artist Jenny Kagan's exhibition 'Out of Darkness' relives the story of the infamous Lord Kagan's struggle for survival and escape from Lithuania during the Second World War, as seen through the eyes of his daughter.