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Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, has set out to break stereotypes with a humorous new advertising campaign which pokes fun at common misconceptions of the city.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Expectations Vs Reality <\/strong>explores the negative opinions people frequently have about the Capital, and Go Vilnius has created a satirical commercial video that shows the grim preconceived ideas versus the delightful reality of the city. The campaign\u2019s self-deprecating visuals will soon be seen around London\u2019s Tube stations too.<\/p>\n Expectation Vs Reality\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Popular European cities draw hordes of tourists all year round and sometimes reality is different from expectations. A recent press article revealed that some turn out to be overrated and disappointing. But what happens when tourist expectations are already low?<\/p>\n In reality, Vilnius is a modern yet charming city that presents a surprising reality with its vibrant cultural, gastronomical, and artistic life. Visitors\u2019 low expectations are swiftly shattered by seeing how much Vilnius and wider Lithuania differs from the negative Eastern European label. The World Happiness Report has just ranked Lithuania the world\u2019s happiest country for people under 30 <\/strong>so it can\u2019t be that bad, right?<\/p>\n Busting the Eastern Europe stereotype\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n A survey has shown that Britons and Germans are just becoming familiarised with Vilnius: 43% of UK and 62% of German residents are aware of the city and know a little more than just its name. However, only 9% of Britons and 8% of Germans have a deeper understanding of the Lithuanian capital.<\/p>\n Both the capital and the country suffer from misconceptions that stem from the Cold War era and terms such as \u201cRussian backwater,\u201d or \u201ca poor country,\u201d are often still used in reference to Lithuania. Opinions like these are generally formed by pop culture, films, and social media is full of images portraying what this part of Europe supposedly looks like \u2013 vodka, potatoes, grey skies, grey buildings, and pretty dreary all round. However, the initial low opinion of the city is usually reversed after visiting Vilnius with 59% of British visitors,who have already been, say they would happily return.<\/p>\n Let us Change Your Mind\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The new tourism campaign strives to change people\u2019s minds about Vilnius. At first, the commercial depicts the most common expectations of Vilnius \u2014 ugly buildings, drunks defacing the streets,<\/p>\n thieves, and shady market sellers \u2014 while the narrator, satirically, describes the city as an Eastern European pearl and a photographer\u2019s paradise.<\/p>\n The second part breaks these stereotypes, showing Vilnius in its true light \u2013 impressive architecture, colourful streets, tempting gastronomy and thrilling tourist attractions and activities to rival many leading European city break destinations.<\/p>\n Dovil\u0117 Aleksandravi\u010dien\u0117, CEO of Go Vilnius, the official tourism and business development agency of Vilnius which is behind the Expectations vs. Reality campaign, says the commercial is atypical as no tourism agency would ever advertise a destination in a satire if it was close to the truth. However, if the curiosity of potential visitors is piqued after watching the commercial and they search for Vilnius on the internet, the goal has been reached.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen asked about Vilnius, many international residents either don\u2019t know it or know very little about it. It\u2019s normal that our perception of places might be affected by what is featured in media and pop culture. Let\u2019s be fair, Eastern Europe has many stereotypes brought on by the difficulties of the 20th-century geopolitical events,\u201d Aleksandravi\u010dien\u0117 said. \u201cWhat many don\u2019t know is that in the last 30 years, many cities in Eastern Europe have become unrecognisable thanks to rapid changes. We are not patronising or critiquing those who still base their knowledge of Vilnius and Lithuania on the prevailing stereotypes but rather, in a true \u2018Unexpectedly Amazing\u2019 Vilnius style, laugh at them together and ignite people\u2019s desire to see what reality looks like over here.\u201d<\/p>\n So what Can You Expect?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The UNESCO-listed Old Town is buzzing with excitement from visitors and residents alike with a full programme of events and festivals taking place in the spring and summer months such as Street Music Day, Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, As Young as Vilnius Festival and Vilnius City Fiesta. Vilnius is also a foodies paradise and some of the city\u2019s restaurants, such as D\u017eiaugsmas and Nineteen18, have made it on to the world\u2019s best restaurant lists.<\/p>\n And, as the European Green Capital for 2025, the city lives up to its title. Many eco-conscious initiatives like hydrogen-powered buses being launched into the streets by 2026 are continuously implemented, and lush greenery has been incorporated into the city landscape.<\/p>\n The reality of Vilnius is not what people might think. It\u2019s a really cool city that you don\u2019t think you\u2019ll like but turns out to be amazing. Unexpectedly amazing.<\/p>\n A bit like \u0161altibar\u0161\u010diai, that famous pink soup \u2013 don\u2019t knock it \u2018til you\u2019ve tried it!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n