On Jan. 25, 2022, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, started the official countdown to its 700th anniversary year in 2023. As the celebratory anniversary has also been included in UNESCO’s 67 “most noteworthy anniversaries” of 2022–2023, the preparations for next year’s big date are already underway, and will include many cultural, educational, art and musical events.

© Go Vilnius and Olga Posaskova

The countdown included lighting a specifically designed, 21-foot clock in the city’s central Cathedral Square. The clock was launched by Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius, and the event included hot-air balloons, music and the Vilnius Light Festival. The clock will remind residents and visitors how many days are left till the grand anniversary in 2023.

The history of Vilnius began in 1323 when Gediminas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, mentioned the city for the first time in letters dated Jan. 25 to foreign merchants and craftsmen. The 700th anniversary in 2023 will present opportunities to highlight the colorful history of Vilnius, strengthen the ties with the city residents and guests, and boost the global recognition of the capital.

Among the events organized for the anniversary in 2023 will be performance festivals, the AI-driven reconstruction of the first opera ever performed in Vilnius in the 17^th century, and other large-scale events by the National Museum of Lithuania and the city’s Modern Art Museum, designed by the U.S.-based Studio Libeskind.