Lithuanian cultural diplomacy : challenges and achievements

Abstract

Cultural diplomacy is rightly considered to be one of the most interesting and challenging issues within the realm of international relations. Many distinguished and prominent analysts, including Cynthia P. Schneider and Milton C. Cummings, have already endeavored to give this phenomenon a clear and comprehensive explanation. Different interpretations of cultural diplomacy have also been introduced on the basis of practical examples. According to Irini Stamatoudi, it is simply no longer possible to ignore the obvious fact that culture has gradually been transformed into “perhaps the only vehicle that allows nations to work more closely together and successfully to share common interests”.1 1 Stamatoudi, Irini. (2009). Mediation and Cultural Diplomacy. Museum International, Vol. 61, No. 1-2, p. 116. In general terms, cultural diplomacy is not only an effective instrument of soft power, but also a very beneficial means to forge mutual understanding between different societies. Fresh ideas and unexpected solutions can sometimes assist in overcoming well-entrenched political problems inherited from the past. However, in certain cases, it might still be difficult to fully comprehend the extent to which cultural diplomacy affects complex political processes and governmental decisions that often make a huge impact on people’s attitudes towards other countries as well as their own.