Due to the recent economic crisis, the government wants to cut back costs, and one of the main cost cutting measures may be the reduction by half of the European Capital of Culture 2009 budget.

According to The Baltic Times:

VILNIUS- Vilnius may have to give up its title as European Capital of Culture 2009, as parliament may decide to cut funding.

The director of the project said she expected 40 million litas. Now the parliament is considering only spending 20 million or nothing at all.

“If, indeed, we receive 20 million litas instead of the planned 40 million, I tell you very responsibly, that this sum will not bring Vilnius European Capital of Culture into existence,” director Elona Bajoriniene told news portal alfa.lt.

Vilnius is the first culture capital of Eastern Europe and the Baltic States. Vilnius was to share the culture title with Linz, Austria.

The European Capital of Culture 2009 (VECC) project financing may cut in half due to the economic crisis. The government has announced that its cost cutting effort will seriously affect the national budget, including the funding for the VECC project. VECC, the public institution responsible for commissioning and implementing the Capital of Culture events, proposed a 12 percent saving plan. This, however, may not meet the Ministry of Culture’s position, which aims to reduce the financing by 50 percent. The Vilnius City Municipality, which is another sponsor, would also reduce financing as a result. “Reducing the funding by 12 percent is the most optimal way, as we could still hold the status of Capital of Culture. If we lose more money, this name will make no sense anymore,

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