Atterbury Europe is proud of its Romanian footprint in vibrant Timișoara, where a memorable year is about to unfold. Iulius Mall, co-owned with the Iulius group, is the largest regional shopping mall outside of Bucarest, and ideally placed at the centre of the excitement.
Every year since the mid-80s, Europe has celebrated a city or two by designating them as the European Capital of Culture, and in 2023 Timișoara takes its place among the 70 cities in over 30 countries that have been honoured in this way. The grand opening took place on the weekend of 17-19 February, showcasing an exciting programme of events.
Conceptualised in 1985 by the ministers of culture of Greece, Melina Mercouri, and France, Jack Lang, the initiative was designed to support Europe’s rich cultural wealth and diversity and to raise awareness of the continent’s history and common values.
Being named cultural capital serves to boost the chosen city’s status as a tourist destination, and it attracts new investments that fund multiple development, restoration and construction projects. This allows the city the chance to update and modernise its facilities and resources. Scores of cultural events also take place during the year, and the long-term positive effect on the host city can be felt economically, socially and culturally. Lots to look forward to!
As any Timișoaran can tell you, the city is a melting pot of cultures, with people of Romanian, German, Croatian, Italian, Bulgarian, Spanish and Hungarian descent living peacefully together over many generations. Not for nothing does the city have three state theatres that offer productions in three languages. There are eight universities educating over 40 000 students, and a dynamic creative sector.
Light has always played a symbolic as well as a literal role in Timișoara’s history. It was the first city in continental Europe to get electric street lighting, back in 1884. The revolution against the oppressive Ceausescu regime was sparked in 1989 on the streets of Timișoara. The civic vigour of its citizens has initiated transformation when it was most needed in history, and now it hopes to once again stimulate change and contribute to a revitalised Europe.
The motto for its year as Cultural Capital is “Shine your light! Light up your city!”, which serves as an invitation to individuals to join in the journey to become conscious and engaged European citizens.
The programme for the year will include festive events and peaks in celebration that are built around people, places and connections. The first peak will be the opening weekend which will encompass a series of exhibition openings, performances and events throughout the city. Local and international artists have been commissioned to produce works that will unfold in public spaces across all urban nodes.
The second peak will be a city celebration on the first weekend in September, at the transition between summer and autumn. A series of concerts and experiences will take place in the central public space during the day, targeting a wide range of audiences to be as inclusive and diverse as possible.
The third and final peak will be the symbolic closing on the weekend of 16-18 December, during which a series of performances and interactive events will take place across the city. The weekend includes a key milestone in the city’s history, 17 December – a moment of reflection dedicated to those who died in the struggle for freedom in December 1989. The events planned are inspired by the city’s identity as a landmark of revolt in the face of oppression and hope through solidarity.
Workshops, podcasts, theatrical performances, music concerts, art installations, debates on topics from street art to urban regeneration, pop-up events in rural areas to benefit regional cultural tourism, art-science hybrid events, flash mobs in surprising places…. In 2023 Timișoara will have it all, and this cultural capital will be the place to be.
For a detailed list of events, click here