{"id":17893,"date":"2025-10-23T12:59:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T09:59:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dance.lt\/new\/?p=17893"},"modified":"2025-10-23T13:41:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T10:41:59","slug":"17893","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dance.lt\/new\/en\/2025\/10\/23\/17893\/","title":{"rendered":"Culture at Risk: A Call for Solidarity from Lithuania"},"content":{"rendered":"

Source: Kult\u016bros asambl\u0117ja.<\/a><\/p>\n

Culture at Risk: A Call for Solidarity from Lithuania<\/strong><\/p>\n

We, members of Lithuania\u2019s cultural sector \u2013 including artists, scholars, and cultural workers gathered in protest \u2013 write to draw your attention to alarming developments in our country\u2019s political and cultural life that threaten European democratic values, minority rights, freedom of expression, and cultural autonomy. We respectfully seek your attention, expertise, and possible public support.<\/p>\n

What is happening<\/strong><\/p>\n

On September 23, Lithuania\u2019s cultural community formed an assembly to oppose the transfer of the Ministry of Culture to the populist party Nemuno Au\u0161ra<\/em> (\u201cDawn of Nemunas\u201d).<\/p>\n

Nemuno Au\u0161ra<\/em> is a pro-Russian party which employs a divisive and violent nationalist, Eurosceptic, and anti-Semitic rhetoric that undermines social trust, democratic values, and minority rights. Nemuno Au\u0161ra\u2019s<\/em> leader has already been found in breach of constitutional oath, raising doubts about their respect for democratic norms.Its growing influence over cultural policy raises the risk of censorship, marginalization of minority voices, distortion of historical memory, deepening polarization, and greater Kremlin influence. Moreover, that the Ministry of Culture functions include the supervision of the national broadcasting and media and decisions on the disinformation-prevention policy: this handover is also a direct threat to the freedom of speech.<\/p>\n

This handover is the result of cynical political bargaining that places Lithuania\u2019s culture in the hands of a party lacking cultural expertise and promoting exclusionary rhetoric. We insist that culture must not be reduced to a bargaining chip. It is both the foundation of our democratic values and the battlefield where those values are defended.<\/p>\n

We call on civic society in Lithuania and across Europe to stand with us in defending these shared values. The sequence of events unfolding in Lithuania mirrors those in Hungary, Slovakia, and Georgia, where pro-Kremlin, anti-democratic forces seized control of culture, media, and communication to subjugate free societies. We stand now to prevent that outcome here.<\/p>\n

Why this matters<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cultural policy is never neutral.<\/span><\/strong> Who shapes it, and on what basis, determines how history, identity, diversity, and values are expressed and preserved. <\/span><\/p>\n

Freedom of artistic expression.<\/span><\/strong> When cultural leadership is politicized to serve ideology, dissenting voices, minorities, and non-conforming art are silenced.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Democratic and constitutional norms.<\/span><\/strong> Nemuno Au\u0161ra<\/span>\u2019s leader has already been found in breach of constitutional obligations, raising doubts about their respect for democratic norms.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Social cohesion and minority rights.<\/span><\/strong> Anti-Semitic and discriminatory rhetoric threatens Jewish communities, other minorities, and Lithuania\u2019s ability to uphold international obligations.<\/span><\/p>\n

How your organization and the international community can help<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n