The NATO forum's cultural program offered participants and their spouses a number of items; from high politics to haute couture, to official meetings and a formal dinner at Chodkeviciai Palace, accompanied by jazz.
The cultural program also included a bit of local culture, showing NATO officials' 24 spouses how to prepare Lithuanian-style meals. They also went sightseeing around the Old Town of Vilnius and visited the shops of Lithuanian fashion designers Juozas Statkevicius and Julija Zileniene, an amber gallery, and the medieval Lithuanian capital of Trakai.
The distinguished visitors said they were surprised to find a designer of haute couture in Lithuania. Some of them even purchased items from Juozas Statkevicius during a visit to his boutique in Vilnius. The ladies also paid a visit to Vilniaus Kailiai, to acquire fur coats made in Lithuania.
Scheffer and Foreign Minister Antanas Valionis, both dedicated jazz fans, had a chance to listen to Lithuanian jazz performers after the long discussions about NATO matters.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Algirdas Brazauskas, who has spent some time at home recovering from an illness, showed special attention to only one Vilnius guest - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Brazauskas invited the Russian minister to join him for dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is owned by his spouse Kristina. The two officials dined in private in the hotel's "green room."
