Linz/Vilnius  - Both Vilnius and Linz planned to start their terms as 2009's joint European Capitals of Culture in the waning hours of 2008. But the residents of Linz couldn't even wait that long.

Work began Wednesday afternoon on a four-metre tall clock display, one of 220 cultural projects planned across Europe throughout the year to market the city's year as a cultural capital. Appropriately enough, since work will begin in 2008 but end in 2009, the display comes with the motto Time is Being Made.

Vilnius has 120 such projects planned, though none of them seem to have started in 2008.

Otherwise, both cities have major fireworks displays planned to ring in the year. Linz will even have a rocket symphony, synchronizing human singers with fireworks blasts. For its part, Lithuania has commissioned a light architect to put on a 20-minute show at midnight to showcase Lithuania's 1,000-year history.

At least one European city is dubbed the Capital of Culture each year. Liverpool and Stavanger, Norway, were the joint capitals for 2008. In 2010, the capitals will be Essen, Germany, Istanbul and Pecs, Hungary. (dpa)