Since immigration and integration continue to be key issues in Europe, Vilnius will acknowledge the achievements of successful members of its international community at the first Vilnius Is My City Awards.
The shortlist of the Vilnius Is My City Awards consists of 12 people and organisations commended for their work for the city in business, culture, gastronomy, and international relations. Four winners will be named on 5 September during Vilnius Is My City Festival.
There are already around 78,000 foreigners from 154 countries living in Vilnius, one of the globally recognized best for relocation cities, which has seen 4.4% growth in the number of foreign residents over the year.
Among the shortlisted individuals are Dutch social entrepreneur Tim van Wijk, who founded Pirmas Blynas, a restaurant employing people with disabilities, and Polish scholar Anna Sylwia Czyż, who researches and promotes Vilnius’ cultural heritage internationally.
The shortlist also includes Danish entrepreneur Niels Peter Pretzmann, whose businesses include Senatorių Pasažas and Michelin-recognised restaurants, and chef Gaspar Fernandes, whose restaurant reflects his Indian and Portuguese background. Sicilian-born sommelier Francesco di Marco is also nominated for his work in Vilnius’ wine and gastronomy sector.
“When I moved to Vilnius 10 years ago with my now-wife Karolina, I saw a beautiful city where there was still room to create better opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. I had seen in the Netherlands how much a job and mentoring could change the lives of people with disabilities, so I wanted to bring that experience to Vilnius. Since opening Pirmas Blynas, I’ve watched our employees grow in confidence and independence,” said Tim van Wijk. “Vilnius has given me so much: my family, my two children and the chance to build a business that is very close to my heart. I’m proud and honoured that the city I love is now recognising our work.”
“I fell in love with Vilnius on my very first visit 25 years ago, which is what first inspired me to build a business here. When we started working in food, I saw an opportunity to bring some of what was already working in Denmark to Lithuania and develop a kind of New Baltic Cuisine. For me, it has always been about creating a more sustainable, local, and flavorful alternative to conventional food. The awards were never the goal, but I’m grateful for them because they help us share that idea with a much wider audience,” said Niels Peter Pretzmann.
Other nominees include Italian Alessandro Sposato, who has promoted Lithuania and Vilnius in southern Italy, and Canada-born Rita Sakus, a co-founder of Lithuania’s business angel network LitBAN. Sakus was involved in bringing the 2026 European Business Angels Network Congress to Vilnius.
The shortlist also includes Vinted, a Vilnius-founded company operating in more than 26 European markets, and Wargaming, which moved its operations from Belarus to Vilnius.
Cultural nominees include SPEAK Lithuania, which organises free language-learning groups and community events for international residents. Turkish-born Hatice Kübra Kaya, a Vilnius Tech graduate who teaches biology at Vytautas Magnus Gymnazium, is also shortlisted. Belgian musician and conductor Matthieu Bruyndonckx, founder of the Garfunkels choir in Vilnius, completes the individual nominations.
Vilnius’ international population has grown alongside Lithuania’s technology sector. Companies based in the city include Vinted, Nord Security and Oxylabs, which is valued at $3.6 billion. Lithuania’s startup ecosystem has increased 6.8-fold in value over the past decade, according to the organisers.
The number of US residents registered in Vilnius increased by 6.5% year on year, while the UK’s community grew by 11%.
The awards will be presented during the Vilnius Is My City Festival at Bernardinai Garden. The festival is organised by International House Vilnius, a service centre for international residents, and Go Vilnius as part of Vilnius Fiesta.
About Go Vilnius
Go Vilnius is the official tourism and business development agency of the City of Vilnius. The agency provides information and support for visitors, investors and businesses interested in the Lithuanian capital.
