Page "Vilnius" Paragraph 33

Vilnius was selected as a 2009 European Capital of Culture, along with Linz, the capital of Upper Austria.

Its 2009 New Year's Eve celebration, marking the event, featured a light show said to be " visible from outer space ".

In preparation, the historical centre of the city was restored, and its main monuments were renewed.

The global economic crisis led to a drop in tourism which prevented many of the projects going ahead to their planned extent, and allegations of corruption and incompetence were made against the organisers, while tax increases for cultural activity led to public protests and the general economic conditions sparked riots.

In 2011, Arturas Zuokas was elected Mayor.