Liechtenstein's culture has many roots. Without a doubt, its most profound influence has been Christianity, which gained a foothold in the region already in the 5th century. The appreciation of fundamental Christian values is ubiquitous even today.

Liechtenstein, situated on an important North-South route, was exposed to various external influences over the centuries which left their mark on the cultural life of the country and helped shape its identity: names of meadows going back to the Romans, burial objects bearing witness to past cultures, buildings and churches designed by the architects of the sovereign, contrasting with the rural architecture.

Not to be forgotten in this connection are the German Confederation, the Customs Treaties with Austria and Switzerland, various European agreements in the area of culture, and accession to the European Economic Area (EEA), whose Member States not only cooperate in the fields of politics and economics, but also in educational and cultural matters.

In an important declaration for Liechtenstein on 20 December 1994, the EEA Council recognized "the vital interest of Liechtenstein in preserving its national identity."
National identity cannot exist without culture and cultural heritage, however; they form an important basis of the way a country understands and defines itself. Culture shapes the image of a country and conveys values. Culture also encompasses the encounter with other national identities. Particularly in a Europe that is growing ever closer together, this aspect of getting to know each other is of central importance.

Coming closer within Europe should not mean becoming the same. Rather, the goal should be the coexistence of cultures. Not an abolition of differences, but rather tolerant interaction with differences.
What makes us different constitutes our identity.

The Christian heritage has fundamentally shaped Liechtenstein
and is still omnipresent today

Old Parish Stable and former monastery, Bendern