To the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Inga Ruginienė

To the Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania

To the Committee on Culture of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania

To the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania

To the Board of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party

The National Association of Cultural and Creative Industries of Lithuania (KIK Lithuania) expresses its concern regarding the prolonged situation in which the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania remains without a permanent minister and without a fully formed political leadership team. This situation creates uncertainty within the cultural sector, delays decision-making processes, and hinders the implementation of the state’s strategic cultural policy objectives.

Following the transfer of responsibility for the Ministry of Culture from Nemuno Aušra to the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the cultural community expected decisive action, a clear strategic direction, and a professional political team capable of restoring confidence and strengthening dialogue with the creative sector.

However, a permanent minister has not yet been appointed, and the formation of the political team is not taking place in a transparent and publicly visible manner. As a result, concerns regarding institutional stability and policy continuity within the sector continue to grow.

Particular concern arises from the Government’s draft state budget for 2026–2028, which foresees a gradual reduction in appropriations allocated to the Ministry of Culture:

• 2026: €255.776 million
• 2027: €246.780 million
• 2028: €200.897 million

Such reductions are incompatible with the Government’s stated commitments to strengthen culture, creativity, and national resilience.

The National Association of Cultural and Creative Industries of Lithuania emphasizes that this decision contradicts not only Lithuania’s long-term strategic objectives but also the realities of today’s geopolitical environment.

In the current security context, where hostile states actively use culture and the information space as instruments of “soft power” to influence public opinion, strengthening Lithuanian culture is not merely a cultural objective—it is a matter of national security and societal resilience. By reducing cultural funding, the state weakens its capacity to foster civic awareness and shared values, counter the influence of external propaganda, strengthen public trust in democracy and institutions, and promote creativity, which directly contributes to economic growth and innovation.

In light of the above, we call for:

• The immediate appointment of a permanent Minister of Culture and the formation of a political team capable of ensuring coherent policymaking and sustainable dialogue with the cultural community;
• A review of the 2026–2028 budget proposal to ensure that funding for the cultural sector is not reduced, but instead increased in recognition of its strategic importance;
• Recognition of cultural funding as a strategic national priority, particularly in the current geopolitical environment, where culture serves as a cornerstone of national security and societal resilience.

We urge the Government to take these arguments into consideration and to undertake concrete actions that ensure culture remains a genuine state priority—not only in political declarations, but also in practice.