Vilnius is shaped every day not only by people born here, but also by those who have come to the city from countries around the world. Some have built global businesses in the capital, others have brought communities together, opened restaurants, enriched the city’s cultural scene or introduced Vilnius to international audiences. Soon, we will find out who will become the winners of the first-ever “Vilnius Is My City Awards”, and all residents are invited to have their say.
Among the nominees in the cultural category is also Hatice Kübra Kaya from ESN VILNIUS TECH. You can vote for her HERE.
Hatice Kübra Kaya
Public voting is now open, giving everyone the opportunity to vote for the foreign-born Vilnius residents, businesses they have established or initiatives they have launched that they believe have contributed most to the capital. Two weeks ago, the Vilnius city tourism and business development agency “Go Vilnius” invited residents to nominate candidates for the new awards. Nearly 800 nominations were received, from which a jury selected three finalists in each of the four categories.
“Each of the nominees who made it to the final three demonstrates that Vilnius is a place where ideas can find a home. International talent and businesses have become an integral part of our city’s identity, while Vilnius itself is shaped by the very different stories of the people who live here. The ‘Vilnius Is My City Awards’ are a way to recognise and thank those who have chosen our capital not only as a place to live, but also as a city they actively contribute to building,” says Indrė Laučienė, Head of the International Talent Department at “Go Vilnius”.
Businesses shaping Vilnius
The nominees in the “For a Business Creating Vilnius” category represent different sides of the capital’s economic life – from a global business that grew out of Vilnius to a social restaurant and an international game development community.
One of the most prominent names in Vilnius’ technology ecosystem is “Vinted”. Founded in the Lithuanian capital, the company has grown from a local start-up into one of Europe’s best-known technology companies, while its headquarters remain in Vilnius. “Vinted” creates highly skilled jobs, attracts international talent and helps establish Vilnius on the global map as a city where global businesses can be born.
Another nominee is Dutch-born Tim van Wijk, who founded the social restaurant “Pirmas blynas” in Vilnius. The restaurant provides people with disabilities with real employment and professional development opportunities. The initiative is changing not only the lives of the people directly involved, but also the city itself – encouraging a more open approach to disability and demonstrating that social responsibility can form the foundation of a successful business.
The nominees also include international game developer “Wargaming”, for which Vilnius has become one of its key locations. The company has built a large community of game developers in the capital, creates highly skilled jobs, contributes to the development of new industry talent and helps establish Vilnius as an international technology and game development hub.
People enriching Vilnius’ cultural life
The nominees in the “For a Cultural Vilnius” category remind us that a city’s culture is created not only on stages, in galleries or museums. It also grows through community building, the information space, education and opportunities for people to get to know one another.
One of the nominees in this category is “SPEAK Lithuania”, an organisation that helps people arriving from abroad overcome language barriers and integrate more easily into city life. In Vilnius, it brings together people from different cultural backgrounds to learn languages, share experiences and build a community through cultural events and other activities. Operating for five years, the initiative helps reduce social exclusion and contributes to a more open and international capital.
Vilnius’ cultural diversity is also brought vividly to life by Belgian-born Matthieu Bruyndonckx, founder and conductor of “The Garfunkels – International Choir of Vilnius”. The choir he founded has grown from an initial 25 members into a community of around 80 singers, bringing together Lithuanians and foreigners living in Vilnius. Its multilingual repertoire and performances at city events make the choir a living example of intercultural dialogue and help different communities create Vilnius’ cultural life together.
Among the nominees in the cultural category is also Hatice Kübra Kaya. She came to Vilnius from Türkiye to study and is now actively contributing to the city’s international student community. As the head of ESN VILNIUS TECH, she brings together students from different countries, promotes intercultural dialogue and helps create a community where foreigners living in Vilnius can feel at home.
People shaping the taste of Vilnius
Meanwhile, the nominees in the “For a Delicious Vilnius” category help Vilnius grow as a city that can be experienced not only through its history, architecture and culture, but also through its flavours. The places and experiences they create strengthen the capital’s reputation as a diverse and internationally appealing gastronomic destination.
Danish entrepreneur Niels Peter Pretzmann founded “Senatorių pasažas” in Vilnius Old Town, bringing together the restaurants located there with the regenerative “Farmers Circle” farm. His farm-to-table philosophy promotes local produce, seasonality and sustainability, while the restaurants operating in the complex have received international recognition in the world of gastronomy.
Another nominee is Gaspar Fernandes, a chef born in India with Portuguese roots. In Vilnius, he has developed a distinctive culinary identity combining his Indian and Portuguese heritage with the contemporary restaurant culture of the city. His restaurant “Gaspar’s” has become one of the best-known names in Vilnius gastronomy, while the chef himself contributes to the capital’s culinary diversity and international visibility.
Vilnius’ gastronomic culture has also been shaped for more than two decades by Francesco di Marco, a sommelier born in Sicily. Through tastings, education, restaurant projects and international connections, he helps Vilnius’ gastronomic community discover European wine culture and creates a living connection between Lithuania and the wider European gastronomic scene.
Storytellers of Vilnius
The “Vilnius Ambassador” category recognises people who introduce the Lithuanian capital to international audiences through science, culture, language, investor networks and their personal connection with the city.
Polish art historian Anna Sylwia Czyż has spent many years researching the artistic and architectural heritage of Vilnius and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Her work on Vilnius’ sacred architecture, the cultural heritage of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and historical figures connected with the city helps rediscover Vilnius’ history and presents its cultural heritage to international audiences.
Alessandro Sposato, originally from Calabria, has lived in Vilnius since 2010. He teaches Italian language and culture, creates a living connection between Italy and Lithuania and, by choosing Vilnius as his home and sharing his experiences of life here, contributes to presenting the city to the international community.
Born and raised in Canada, Rita Sakus is one of the most active figures in Lithuania’s start-up and business angel ecosystem and an international ambassador for it. Through her involvement with “LitBAN”, by bringing together international investors and helping organise high-level business community events in Vilnius, she presents the capital as an open, global and ambitious city of innovation.
The winners will be chosen by the public
You can vote for your favourites in the “Vilnius Is My City Awards” HERE. The nominees receiving the most votes in each category will become the winners of the first-ever “Vilnius Is My City Awards”. The winners will be announced on 5 September at the international community celebration “Vilnius Is My City”, taking place in Bernardine Garden.
“Vilnius Is My City” is an annual celebration of the capital’s international community, bringing together foreigners living in Vilnius, local communities, organisations, Vilnius residents and city visitors. This year, the event will become part of the “Vilniaus dienos” festival and will invite visitors to discover the capital’s multicultural character through people’s stories, music, flavours, creativity and a sense of community. More information and the event programme can be found HERE.
