In 2009, the cities of Linz, Austria and Vilnius, Lithuania will act as the European Capitals of Culture. Each city will host many events that showcase Europe's rich and varied culture, and this book contains the full program of those events.

2009 is an important year for Linz. The capital of the Federal Land of Upper Austria will be the European Capital of Culture along with Vilnius, the capital Lithuania. Many events will showcase Europe's rich variety, and the spectrum of themes will be as broad as possible. Architecture, the fine arts, education and science, the performing arts, design, Europe, film and the movie industry, gender studies, history, society and politics, industry and infrastructure, youth issues, children, communication, culinary art, literature, media, music, the public space, nature, and ecology, regions, religions, social studies, migration, sports, city areas, tourism, Vilnius, folk culture and economic affairs are the key words. The connection between industry, culture and nature is of particular interest. The book contains the full program and also shows why the capital of culture year is a milestone for the time afterwards as well.