"The need for practical information is obvious – surveys suggest that part of Lithuania's population have never seen euros. Therefore, we highly appreciate the assistance of our partners, their feeling of social responsibility and clear understanding that proper informing of the public is the common objective important for everyone. The better the public memorises the appearance and security features of euros, the more successful we will be in the changeover to the single European currency," says Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania.
At the core of the social action being implemented jointly with the partners are the short information clips Lithuania Introduces the Euro – Meet Our Money and Lithuania Introduces the Euro – Journey. These clips briefly and in an attractive way inform the public about the euro banknotes that will shortly appear in our wallets.
The municipalities of Vilnius and Kaunas, VI Lietuvos Oro Uuostai , food retail chains UAB Maxima LT, UAB Palink, UAB Rimi Lietuva and the construction, repair and household goods network Senukai, AB SEB Bankas, AB Citadele bankas, AB DNB Bankas, public limited liability company Siauliu Bankas, Swedbank, AB, UAB Medicinos Bankas and the Danske Bank A/S Lithuania branch, the big mobile operators Bite Lietuva, Omnitel and Tele2, the filling-station networks Lukoil Baltija and Statoil Fuel & Retail Lietuva, the restaurant network UAB Cili Pica, UAB Reitan Convenience Lithuania, which manages the network of Lietuvos Spaudos Kioskai and Narvesen shops; UAB Eurovaistine, which manages the network of pharmacies; Gariunai Business Park, UAB Media Traffic, which manages the screens in public transport; and the network of cinemas UAB Forum Cinemas have already engaged in this social euro information action.
In Vilnius, on the initiative of the Municipality of Vilnius, the visual material will be demonstrated on the outdoor screens above the National Opera and Ballet Theatre, in the cross-section of Savanoriu ave. and Vilkpedes st., near the Akropolis shopping centre and the Senukai shopping centre in Ukmerges st., where the biggest flows of drivers are.
The aim of the information campaign, run by the Bank of Lithuania jointly with the ECB, is to introduce the public to the security features of the new currency. The joint information campaign was launched on 23 October 2014 starting from the Euro Exhibition, which opened at the National Museum Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania; it will be open until 5 January 2015. Admission is free.
This information campaign also comprises of distribution of publications on the euro across Lithuania. In December, 1.3 million information packages about the euro banknotes will be delivered to all post boxes: a special publication of the ECB and cards with the litas and euro exchange rates. Other public information activities have also been projected.