Minister of Culture Vaida Aleknavičienė, following discussions with members of the architectural community, took the lead and identified solutions that will enable Lithuania to participate in the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2027.
Following extensive discussions with representatives of the architectural field, listening to the community’s arguments, and assessing the strategic importance of Lithuania’s architectural representation, the Ministry of Culture has taken a final decision to ensure the continuity of Lithuania’s participation. This decision is a clear sign of the Minister’s leadership and accountability, enabling financial discipline to be aligned with the long-term objectives of cultural policy.
The implementation of Lithuania’s participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale has been entrusted to the newly established National Institute of Architecture. Approximately EUR 300,000 is planned to be allocated to the Biennale over a two-year period.
“After thorough discussion, we decided that we cannot afford to miss a single year. Continuity is essential not only for the project itself, but also for the trust we must maintain with the architectural community and our international partners. We will take part in next year’s competition – this is an important long-term investment in Lithuania’s architectural culture and its visibility worldwide,” emphasised Minister of Culture Vaida Aleknavičienė.
Kęstutis Kuizinas, Director of the National Institute of Architecture, who attended the meeting, welcomed the positive progress in addressing this issue.
“Today’s meeting is good news for the entire architectural field, and especially for the architectural community. It was agreed today that Lithuania’s representation at the Biennale will not be interrupted,” said Kęstutis Kuizinas, Director of the National Institute of Architecture.
According to him, as the project is implemented, the organisational model itself is likely to change – the Institute will seek greater flexibility, a wider range of options, and a more open dialogue with the architectural community. It is expected that the community will understand the need for these changes and will actively engage in the renewed process.
Until now, competitions for the national pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale were organised by the Lithuanian Council for Culture. The architecture field – and, accordingly, the Biennale – was overseen within the Ministry by Vice-Minister Matas Drukteinis. Following this meeting, the coordination of decisions and political responsibility for Lithuania’s participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale will be assumed directly by the Minister of Culture, thereby reinforcing the strategic importance of this issue on the Ministry’s agenda.
