ABOUT US

The Cultural Assembly emerged as a response to concrete political decisions affecting the autonomy of the cultural sector, but quickly grew into a broader civic movement addressing democratic standards, institutional independence, and public accountability. The Culture Assembly does not seek political power and is not affiliated with any political party.

The Assembly’s core long-term directions are civic education, the growth of political culture, the protection of democratic governance, and the strengthening of resilience against disinformation. The Assembly will continue to build a network of civically engaged individuals and collaborate with existing and emerging assemblies, fostering active participation in these areas. The Assembly also reserves the right to formulate political demands if necessary to safeguard democratic order, preserve freedoms, and ensure national security.

Culture remains the foundation of the state, and the Assembly will continue to care for issues affecting the cultural sector. It intends to participate in improving cultural policy formation and implementation, as well as to raise questions about political accountability, adherence to democratic processes, and the long-term vision and competencies required for a sustainable cultural strategy. Ensuring the autonomy of the cultural field remains a central priority. It unites people from all walks of life – artists, educators, scientists, farmers, public sector professionals, and many others – who hold diverse political views. The Assembly does not seek political power; its purpose is to defend the independence of cultural and media institutions, strengthen democratic values, and resist political capture.

How partners can help

We call on civic society in Lithuania and across Europe to stand with us in defending these shared values. The sequence of events unfolding in Lithuania mirrors those in Hungary, Slovakia, and Georgia, where pro-Kremlin, anti-democratic forces seized control of culture, media, and communication to subjugate free societies. We stand now to prevent that outcome in our country.

We ask our international partners to keep watching, keep questioning, and keep collaborating. Your attention, your partnerships, and your public words matter. Visibility, solidarity, and direct engagement can shift the balance from symbolic gestures to real accountability.

Practical actions

• Maintain international scrutiny of the legislative process
  Monitor parliamentary developments related to the LRT law and respond publicly when procedures limit transparency, consultation, or democratic oversight.

• Address institutions directly
  Engage Lithuanian and EU institutions with concrete questions about process, accountability, and compliance with European standards on media freedom and public service broadcasting.

• Raise concerns through democratic and rule-of-law mechanisms
  Bring the situation to relevant European and international bodies responsible for media freedom, democratic governance, and the rule of law, not only cultural platforms.

• Support independent civic and journalistic actors
  Continue cooperation with independent journalists, watchdog organisations, and civic groups who are monitoring and responding to developments on the ground.

• Strengthen public accountability, not symbolism
  Encourage open letters, expert statements, and joint interventions that focus on procedural integrity, independence of institutions, and democratic standards.

• Frame this as a democratic governance issue
  Present developments in Lithuania as part of a broader European pattern of politicisation of independent institutions, rather than a sector-specific dispute.

• Be deliberate in representation
  When inviting Lithuanian participants to international events, prioritise independent journalists, civic representatives, and professionals, rather than political appointees.

• Stay present and informed
  Visit Lithuania, meet civic actors and journalists, attend public discussions, and demonstrate sustained international attention as the process continues.