In 2021, Romania will have once again the right to designate a city as European Capital of Culture. Timisoara , one of the most "cosmopolitan" cities from the West of our country, entered the competition that the Ministry of Culture organized to establish the town which would hold the title in 11 years time from now; in this context, the Timisoara City Hall's spokesman, Flavius Boncea gave us some answers.


What are the benefits of the city compared to other candidate cities?

Timisoara is a multicultural and cosmopolite city, with an architectural heritage and an extremely rich cultural life, and I strongly believe that all these things highly recommend it for such a title.


The Ministry of Culture will organize a contest to establish which city will become European Capital of Culture in 2021. Which could be the criteria that should be taken into consideration when it comes to select a city for such a title?

We are waiting for the Ministry of Culture to announce the opening of the contest for the designation of the Romanian city which will be given the title of European Capital of Culture in 2010, and of course, we will submit an application in accordance with the EU requirements for the granting of this title.


Is it true that the title European Capital of Culture also means a partnership with another city that has the same rank?

It is not necessarily about a partnership - it is a decision the European Union made along with its extending: the European Union considered that the designation of a single city as European Capital of Culture would mean the passing of a very long time in order to complete this "route" through the EU countries; this is the reason why two or three cities are chosen for the title, from different countries each year. Of course, there is certain cooperation between those cities, but it does not necessarily imply a partnership.

Interview by: Alexandra Cebuc
Translated by Alinda - Gabriela Ivanov
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University