LITHUANIA: REINVIGORATING PD CULTURAL AND SPORTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 VILNIUS 001328 SIPDIS STATE FOR R, ECA, EUR/PPD AND EUR/NB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OEXC SCUL LH SUBJECT: LITHUANIA: REINVIGORATING PD CULTURAL AND SPORTS PROGRAMS Ref: State 222516 THE MORE THE BETTER -------------- 1.Summary: Post has stretched its resources for cultural programming by routinely partnering with private entities to co-sponsor programs. We rely on, and are grateful for, Washington-funded cultural programs to bring U.S. performers to Lithuania. Our annual Jazz Night, in particular, attracts cabinet ministers and other important contacts, both earning us good will and creating an opportunity for high-level discussion of serious issues. Lithuanians love jazz and basketball. We encourage continued funding for regional jazz programs and an increase in sports programming -- especially basketball. Most of all, we request Washington assistance in professionally producing a short video aimed at high school audiences to advertise the benefits of study and tourism in the US such a video could form the basis of public diplomacy outreach to youth audiences throughout Europe and beyond at relatively low cost. End Summary. PREVENTING A CULTURAL DIVIDE -------------- 2.Lithuanians love movies, basketball, and jazz--all of whose roots are American. Cultural and sports programming is a great way to reach out to younger Lithuanians who are increasingly turning to other EU member states for educational, work, and tourism opportunities. Cultural and sports programming also provides a means to present a more multidimensional image of America and Americans than media and news affords. The GOL is a close ally in the GWOT, and our military cooperation is a paramount dimension of our bilateral relationship. The image of our soldiers fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with Lithuanians is s powerful. Americans are not only soldiers, however and it is important that Lithuanians be able to call up other images of American culture and values. Bringing more sports and cultural events here will help Lithuanians see a well-rounded picture of Americans. UNDERSCORING MPP GOALS -------------- 3.We have used cultural events to promote the protection of IPR as well as to bring top contacts together to enjoy an evening of basketball or jazz in settings that allowed for relaxed discussions over other key objectives. In some cases the payoff has been direct, in others developmental. 4.We partnered with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the largest chain of movie theaters in Lithuania to hold a movie premier in Lithuania. The MPAA representative brought the movie, the theater provided the venue, and the Embassy provided the high-level guest list. We invited media to cover the opening remarks of the MPAA, government official, and an industry representative, all l of whom focused on protecting intellectual property so that people will continue to create high-quality films. 5.The Marlon Jordan Jazz quartet visit to Lithuania in November is a great example of culture supporting other MPP goals. The quartet performed, impromptu, at a nightclub in the capital and went way "outside the beltway" to Siauliai, a northwestern city in which USAF pilots were deployed to perform an air policing mission. The Ambassador delivered introductory remarks before the performance to introduce some of the airmen and to raise awareness of the importance of NATO's role in collective defense. 6.Earlier the same day, the Ambassador opened Lithuania's first American Corner in Siauliai with a speech emphasizing links to America as a way to better mutual understanding. He also spoke about the importance of our bilateral relations while boosting support for the GOL's participation in OIF and OEF. In a subsequent nationally televised interview, the PAO echoed the e Ambassador's points from Siauliai. The Jordans participated in the broadcast as true cultural ambassadors, discussing their experiences during hurricane Katrina and thanking Lithuania for its offer of support to relief efforts. 7.Post could not have afforded to bring the Jordan quartet to Lithuania -- but, in retrospect, we could not afford not to bring them. We gained immensely from the event and strongly recommend making more Jazz performance groups available on a regional basis. Our costs for the event were limited since we partnered with the Philharmonic Hall for a venue, instruments, and other logistical requirements. PARTNERING SUCCESS STORIES -------------- 8.Last year's visit of the Harlem Gospel Choir (HGC) to typifies our general method of partnering to bring groups to Vilnius. We helped fund the ticket of one of the 13 members of the traveling choir. An organizer obtained funding from the city and others to help finance the e program, and we worked with the city to use an outdoor venue in the middle of the old town for the performance. The city also loaned a sound system. When the choir arrived, the Ambassador held a reception for the group to which he invited many high-level contacts who were delighted to listen to a short performance by the choir. The main event outside City Hall attracted thousands and was a huge success -- so much so that a commercial concert producer has brought the HGC back to Lithuania for a three-concert tour in December. We used this same model to bring the Johnny Thompson singers to Lithuania, and they, too, returned to Lithuania on invitation without our assistance. 9.Lithuania has the most foreign-born NBA players per capita and Lithuanians love the sport. Any basketball- related event that we can support would be a big plus here. This is the type of event that post cannot afford, but would pay big dividends with youth, politicians, and the media. One of the most successful sports programs we organized focused on the Olympics. In cooperation with a Lithuanian former NBA player who owns a sports bar, the Ambassador hosted a reception to watch the U.S. and Lithuanian Olympic basketball teams play a preliminary- round game. The event drew a packed audience and included a number of ministers. The Ambassador promoted U.S. wines in a symbolic bet with the president over the contest as mayors of competing cities do in the U.S. CNN picked up the wager and put it on its tickertape, bringing added attention to the match (and the American wine). OBSTACLES: THE U$UAL $U$PECT$ -------------- 10.We have a very receptive audience in Lithuania and we have used almost every type of programming effectively here. The only obstacle to more programming is the lack of resources. Still, we have managed to counter that with co-sponsoring events or using the public space in our Embassy to host some events. There is precious little more we can do on the partnering front, but we will look to. We look forward to hearing about best practices at other posts and new ideas this review of State's cultural programs generates. 11.If we did have more funding for cultural activities, we would invite basketball players to come to Lithuania to play and/or hold youth clinics. We would also bring more live performers to Lithuania and include TV coverage of their visit. During a modern dance festival in 2004, the PAO observed a group of 250 university students electrified by a dance company out of San Francisco whose performance was captivating. We tried to get them to come out on a regionally funded basis, but were not successful due to lack of funds. TARGETING YOUTH BEYOND THE BELTWAY -------------- 12.A recent poll we took in Lithuania shows that, despite all the traveling embassy officers do, a majority of Lithuanians have never met an American. Live e performances outside the capital will generate goodwill with people with whom we have had less contact, help bring more people in contact with our culture, and give them a chance to meet a real live American. 13.Youth outreach is high on our list of priorities and we have developed a high school stump speech with accompanying multi-media presentation focused on study and tourism opportunities in America that allows us to reach out to more schools with a more targeted message. The multimedia presentation is currently in PowerPoint format with narration. We would like to be able to show a higher-quality, digital video presentation with music to have a stronger impact in attracting youth and teachers to America. We believe Washington-provided video materials and soundtracks could realize cost-savings for posts worldwide. 14.We have had some success placing videos on U.S. subject with regional TV stations in need of broadcast material. We would like to see the Washington-based film m library (with broadcast rights) increase if possible. We think films on the history of Jazz, the civil rights movement, other historical milestones (the space program), national parks, or biographies of famous Americans can be used to help garner goodwill with the regional media and, at the same time, expose viewers to U.S. content. MAINTAINING LINKS WITH A CLOSE ALLY -------------- 15.Lithuanians are onboard with us in the GWOT. The GOL has supported us with contributions not only in OEF and OIF but in support of transformation in Belarus and strengthening democracy in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. Many adults remember our policy of non-recognition of the Soviet annexation of the Baltic states, and the million- strong Lithuanian-American community helps to maintain bilateral ties. Yet, as EU membership naturally draws Lithuanians into greater routine cooperation with the rest of Europe, we face the challenge of keeping the U.S. relevant to Lithuanian youth. Cultural and sports programming is an essential way to show the diversity, richness and relevance of the USA to the next generation of Lithuanians. MULL