Lithuania is the most southern of the Baltic States, home to the breathtaking sand dunes known as the Curonian Spit. Located above Poland and Belarus, it has managed to create an identity of its own while simultaneously drawing on influences from its neighbours.

In the middle of the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, stands the world's first statue honoring American rock-legend Frank Zappa. The same city is also the proud keeper of the beautifully preserved Old Town. Lithuania can be summed up as a country where old and new collide in an awe-inspiring fashion.

Sadly much Lithuanian literature has never been translated, but a works of Lithuanian origin have found their way through to an international audience. Polish-Lithuanian poets Czeslaw Milozs and Adam Mickiewicz may be claimed by both countries. Milozs' Vilnius-based memoir Beginning With My Streets and Mickiewicz' national epic Pan Tadeusz both have very strong Lithuanian links.

Lithuania has a long tradition of folk music, but they can certainly also compete on the contemporary scene. TrioVD are a good example of this, with their daring jazz-compositions that just have to be explored like so many other interesting aspects of Lithuania and its culture.