Integrating national minorities and fostering their culture through events and training activities

Coordinating state policy of national minorities is currently regarded as one of the main goals of
the Ministry of Culture. This concept is stated in the new Regulations of the Ministry of Culture
that entered into force in 2010. Before 2010, the affairs of national minorities were coordinated
by the Department for National Minorities and Lithuanians Living Abroad under the
Government of the Republic of Lithuania. As of I January 2010 the aforementioned institution
no longer exists and its functions have been taken over by the newly created Division for
National Minorities Affairs in the Ministry of Culture. This division is directly responsible to the
vice-minister for national minorities affairs.

The Ministry of Culture funds centres for national minorities that carry out activities for national
minorities. In 2010-2011 more than 180 events were organised at national, regionaI and local
level to promote culturai expressions of minorities: concertS' book launches, discussions,
presentation of the works of minority artists, meetings with minority, Lithuanian and foreign
artists, exhibitions etc. Some of the events were dedicated to introducing the culturai expressions
of minorities to the wider society. Another group of events was aimed at integration of national
minorities: Lithuanian language courses, management courses, and courses on administration of
projects. A periodic information bulletin about national minorities in Lithuania is also supported.
The Ministry of Culture introduced this measure and is responsible for its implementation.