Timisoara, European Capital of Culture 2021
The city of Timisoara, in western Romania, has been designated European Capital of Culture 2021. This is the second Romanian city to be designated European Capital of Culture, after Sibiu, which held the title in 2007
Mihai Pelin, 19.09.2016, 14:09
Timisoara was designated European Capital of Culture 2021, by an international jury, alongside a city from Greece, and another one from either Serbia or Montenegro. Initially, more cities from Romania submitted their candidacy for this title, but only four were short listed for the title: Baia Mare, in the northwest, which focused on traditions, the capital Bucharest which counted on the reconstruction of neighborhoods located on the city’s outskirts, Cluj Napoca, in the northwest, which focused on the relationship between East and West and Timisoara, which focused on the promotion of all ethnic communities through culture.
The Romanian Culture Minister, Corina Suteu, has more on this competition for the title of European Capital of Culture 2021: “It is for the first time that the mayors of Romanian cities thought of the fact that a cultural strategy could be a strategy for development. It is for the first time that the link between architecture, urbanism, innovation, education, culture and the environment was seen as an integrated entity and it is also for the first time that some long-term plans meant to develop the concept of capital were translated into operational, financial and human resources terms”.
Upon hearing the news that Timisoara was designated European Capital of Culture 2021, mayor Nicolae Robu talked about their city’s great victory: “I am very excited. And I am equally happy just as all the citizens of Timisoara are. I want to thank the people of Timisoara for their effort, for their efficiency in drafting this project and in supporting it so far. This is the victory of a team, of a great team, made up of the people of Timisoara”.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry has hailed the fact that Timisoara was designated European Capital of Culture 2021 and announced it would include the promotion of Timisoara among its public and cultural diplomacy priorities. Therefore, the Romanian diplomatic missions, consular offices and cultural institutes abroad will contribute to preparing and promoting the prestigious status obtained by Timisoara, a model of multiculturalism, diversity, contemporary creativity, innovation and European spirit, shows a Romanian Foreign Ministry communiqué.
In 2007, Sibiu, in central Romania, shared the title of European Capital of Culture with Luxembourg. The program is considered to be an emblematic cultural initiative of the EU. (Edited by D. Vijeu)
