"Panevėžys takes a great honour and, at the same time, a huge responsibility. I am sure that people working in culture field will make the inhabitants of the city and the guests happy. It is not just the opening event of Lithuanian Capital of Culture but it will last the whole 2014. I greet everybody with a marvellous festivity. O hpe that love to culture and to a cosy, nice Panevėžys will overpower biting cold",- said the Mayor Vitalijus Satkevičius in greeting the people who gathered.

In the evening the trees and spaces in Laisvės Square were illuminated by art installations. Alive sculptures and the countries depicted in the programme of Lithuanian Capital of Culture were represented by the mimes of Kaunas Pantomime Theatre.

The Wind Orchestra  "Panevėžio Garsas" proposed an interactive game to people. It was conducting the orchestra. The fakirs "Ugnies valdovai" played by fire.

The most impressive of all and the most spectators attracted 3D video installation  which was presented for the first time in the city. For several times J. Miltinis Drama Theatre was transformed in a dynamic event. It reminded the most important facts from the city history, special objects, achievements. The year of city foundation is 1503, the letter of land donation of the Grand Duke Alexander to the Dean of Ramygala(the start of the city), Local Lore Museum, the monument to Don Quixotte, famous mills, Puppet Wagon Theatre, Brewary "Kalnapilis", the oild building of the theatre. A legendary Theatre Director Juozas Miltinis became alive again, read a book with his beloved dog Arielis and walked away in his thoughts.

Impressive fireworks accompanied by music were the final point of the opening event of Lithuanian Capital of Culture.