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The Lithuanian city of Vilnius is home to 63% of all Lithuanian’s publishing houses. From 2017, 63% of all the country’s books and brochures were published in the Vilnius district. Consequently, the city is seeing an increasing number of residents with a growing interest in literature and notably amongst its young generation of citizens. Vilnius boasts several research and professional writing institutions, such as Vilnius University, the Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore, Lithuanian Writers’ Union, Lithuanian Association of Literary Translators, and the Lithuanian Section of the International Board on Books for Young People. Drawn by the city’s rich literary culture, the number of tourists visiting Vilnius have been steadily growing, with over one million tourists visiting Vilnius in 2019. Some of the most popular Vilnius city tours based heavily on literature: ´Žymiausios Vilniaus moterys´ (the Famous Women of Vilnius), ´Vilniaus senamiesčio kiemelių paslaptys´ (Secrets of the Vilnius Old Town Courtyards), and ´Žydų istorija ir kultūra Vilniuje´ (the Jewish History and Culture of Vilnius).

As a Creative City of Literature, the following steps will be important: • Contributing to the establishment of the UCCN literature centre which will launch international literature projects in collaboration with other UCCN member cities; • Delivering relevant cultural and creative strategies and plans, especially regarding the literature sector; • Creating a residency programme and developing an infrastructure for writers; • Hosting writers from conflict zones and challenged regions; • Supporting the development of a touristic literature programme and an educational literature programme;Supporting the professional literature field by establishing a system of art residencies and funding for emerging writers; and extending bibliotherapy and similar programmes for vulnerable groups and individuals to increase their well-being.