In 2024, Lithuania excelled across various domains, showcasing its strength in innovation, education, cultural diplomacy, and sports. Below are ten impactful highlights from Lithuania’s remarkable year:
Achieving High Ranks in the World Happiness Ranking
Lithuania achieved a significant milestone by securing the 20th position in the World Happiness Report, with a score of 6.749, marking its highest ranking ever. Remarkably, Lithuania ranked first globally in the youth happiness category, reflecting its dedication to supporting young people’s well-being and opportunities for growth.
Baltics’ First Gene Therapy Center Opens in Vilnius
In 2024, Lithuania celebrated the opening of the Baltics’ first gene therapy centre, Celltechna, in Vilnius. This cutting-edge center represents a EUR 50 million investment as part of the Bio City project. It will provide advanced gene therapy drug development and manufacturing services to pharmaceutical companies across Europe and the United States. Bio City is Europe’s largest biotechnology campus, with projected investments of EUR 7 billion over the next decade, creating over 2,000 jobs.
Science Island Opens Its Doors in Kaunas
The newly opened Science Island in Kaunas, a EUR 30 million interactive science museum, became a beacon for innovation and education. With over 200,000 visitors in its first three months, the museum underscored Lithuania’s commitment to fostering curiosity and technological advancement.
Cultural Diplomacy in France
For three months, from 12th September to 12th December 2024, Lithuania’s largest cultural project outside the country to date, Season of Lithuania in France 2024,took place across France. With over 300 events and the participation of more than 500 Lithuanian artists, the season featured a diverse array of cultural and creative expressions, including visual arts, architecture, performing arts, classical and contemporary music, cinema, literature, and gastro
Students Shine in International Competition
Lithuanian students excelled globally, achieving notable victories such as Vilnius University’s iGEM team earning second place at the prestigious Synthetic Biology Competition in Paris. Their project, focused on innovative bacterial cellulose applications, showcased Lithuania’s scientific ingenuity. Additionally, the Vytautas Magnus University athletes dominated the SELL Student Games, winning 52 medals, further highlighting the country’s talent in sports and academics.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Lithuanian Song Celebration
In 2024, Lithuania celebrated the centenary of the Lithuanian Song Celebration, a UNESCO-recognized tradition, bringing together over 37,000 performers and an audience of more than 300,000. This historic event, held from June 29 to July 6, showcased Lithuania’s rich cultural heritage through grand performances of song, dance, and art, while symbolizing resilience, unity, and the nation’s enduring spirit.
Outstanding Performance in the 2024 Summer Olympics
Lithuania celebrated a successful campaign at the Paris Summer Olympics, earning a total of four medals and solidifying its position on the global sports stage.
The country’s first medal came from Viktorija Senkutė, who claimed a bronze medal in the women’s single sculls rowing event, setting the tone for Lithuania’s achievements. Shortly after, the Men’s 3×3 Basketball Team—featuring Evaldas Džiaugys, Gintautas Matulis, Aurelijus Pukelis, and Šarūnas Vingelis—secured another bronze medal, showcasing Lithuania’s deep-rooted basketball talent.
The highlight of the Games was Mykolas Alekna’s performance in the discus throw, earning a silver medal and continuing his family’s legacy in athletics. Adding to the excitement, B-Girl Nicka (Dominika Banevič) brought Lithuania its second silver medal in breaking, a dynamic sport making its Olympic debut.
Introducing Lithuania: The Meatball Initiative in Japan
In a unique culinary diplomacy effort, Lithuanian-inspired meatballs with mushroom sauce were introduced in over 1,000 locations of Japan’s Matsuya fast-food chain. Spearheaded by Ambassador Aurelijus Zykas, the campaign bridged cultures through food, raising awareness of Lithuania’s heritage among Japanese audiences.
Lithuanian Cinema Shines Again on the World Stage
Lithuania gained international acclaim in cinema during 2024 with the film Piligrimai (Pilgrims) directed by Laurynas Bareiša winning accolades at several prestigious film festivals, including the Venice Film Festival and Berlin International Film Festival.
Additionally, Saulė Bliuvaitė’s debut feature film Toxic won the Golden Leopard at the 77th Locarno Film Festival and the Golden Peacock at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Laurynas Bareiša’s Sesės (Drowning Dry) received the Best Director Award at Locarno, further demonstrating Lithuania’s cinematic prowess.
Rising Lithuanian actor Eimantas Belickas, known for his breakout role in Toxic, was hailed as a new star to watch, earning the Best Emerging Actor Award at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
Lithuania’s Global Recognition: Second Place in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025
In 2024, Lithuania achieved a remarkable milestone, being recognized as the second-best country in the world in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 list. The capital city, Vilnius, served as a gateway for travelers eager to explore its rich history, burgeoning food scene, and vibrant culture. From its Michelin-starred restaurants to iconic landmarks like Cathedral Square and the self-proclaimed republic of Užupis, Vilnius solidified its position as a top destination for global travelers.
From scientific breakthroughs and student achievements to cultural diplomacy and international sports, Lithuania demonstrated its ability to excel in 2024. These accomplishments reflect the nation’s forward-thinking vision and commitment to making an impact on the global stage.
