Timișoara – European Capital of Culture in 2023

Timișoara will be the European Capital of Culture in 2023. Thus, “Timișoara will have 2 years to recalibrate the program with which it won the title”, wrote on Facebook, Simona Neumann, executive director of the TM 2021 Association.

Initially, Timișoara should have held this title in 2021, which is why it had begun some preparations, including the mural painting contest that took place the other day in the city. But the uncertainty created by the Sars Cov-2 virus has affected preparations at all levels, “from the funding perspective to future safety regulations,” according to the European Commission. In addition, new restrictions around the world have drastically reduced tourism flows and opportunities for European and international partnerships.

In these conditions, the postponement of the title of European Capital was proposed and approved as follows:

• until April 30, 2021 the title will be held by Rijeka (Croatia) and Galway (Ireland) 
• in 2022 the title will be held by Novi Sad (Serbia)
• in 2023 the title will be held by Timisoara (Romania), Veszprem (Hungary) and Elefsina ( Greece)

“The European Capital of Culture is more than a symbolic distinction, because this competition has brought in the winning communities not only unique cultural projects, but also economic and social progress. Timișoara, after Sibiu, is the second Romanian city to obtain this title. The extension of the period in which the event takes place will offer European visitors the opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful and full of history Romanian cities “as stated by Adina Vălean, President of the ITRE Commission of the European Parliament.