Timișoara 2023 European Capital of Culture had the vision that culture is an important force for the positive transformation of cities and communities, in a period of many political, social, economic and environmental challenges.
The journey of the Timișoara ECoC project started in 2011, and it was a transformative process for the city. It led to increased capacities for cultural production and audience development, and it changed the community, in the spirit of active involvement in the civic life, appreciating cultural diversity and supporting inclusiveness.
Timișoara is a vibrant city, where the public spaces, the arts and heritage create an attractive visiting experience. With a long multicultural tradition, cultural events take place throughout the year in public squares and parks, or in dedicated art spaces. Theatres, museums, cinemas, festivals and private art galleries have a lot to offer to both tourists and locals.
Timișoara 2023 European Capital of Culture
University Network of the European Capitals of Culture
The mission of University Network of the European Capitals of Culture (UNeECC) is to ensure the recognition of the role and contribution of universities to the success of the cities conferred the title “European Capital of Culture”, to provide the member universities with a possibility of continuous and full participation in the European Capitals of Culture movement, and to foster inter-university cooperation to develop and reshape the universities’ regional position to create new activities for cities and universities.
Alliance of Timișoara Universities
The Alliance of Timișoara Universities (ATU) was established on June 19, 2020, by signing the Partnership Agreement between the 4 state universities, being the first structure of its kind in Romania.
The establishment of ATU responds to a natural need of the university environment in Timișoara to coagulate a solid construction, oriented towards the future with the aim of consolidating Timișoara as a strong university city, as well as contributing to the development of Timiș county and the entire region.
The main objective of the alliance is to make available to the community the skills and expertise that the four Timisoara universities have in the field of education, scientific research, innovation and development, as well as in the area of artistic creation and sports performance.
The 4 member universities are: The “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Politehnica University Timisoara, West University of Timișoara, University of Life Sciences "King Michael I" in Timișoara.
Center for Projects of the Municipality of Timișoara
Established in March 2021 as a public institution of the City of Timișoara, the Center was the main implementation structure of the Timișoara 2023 ECoC Programme, by ensuring the transparent and predictable funding of a coherent cultural programme, with stronger international partnerships, based on the artistic independence of cultural operators and the guidance of a central Curatorial Team.
Its work empowered cultural operators to assume artistic independence, while increasing their capacities and skills. The Center also produced unique moments of celebration during the cultural year - Opening Timișoara 2023, City Celebration and Neverending Timișoara 2023.
