Every year, the EU selects at least one city as “Capital of Culture of the Year”. The aim is to strengthen citizens’ identification with the EU and attract tourists to the selected cities. This year, three cities in southeastern Europe were honoured: Timisoara in Romania, Veszprém in Hungary and Eleusis in Greece.
Romania, Timisoara
The Romanian city of Timisoara with its approximately 300,000 inhabitants is located in the far west of the country, where Romania borders on Hungary and Serbia. In addition to Romanians, Hungarians, Serbs, Czechs, Bulgarians and Germans also live in Timisoara. Even today, much in Timisoara is reminiscent of the Habsburg monarchy, to which the city belonged until the end of the First World War. The ethnic German population in the Banat dates back to organised settlement in the 18th century, with mainly Germans from the West, especially Swabians. A number of celebrities come from Timisoara. Hollywood star Johnny Weissmüller (Tarzan) was born here, as were two Nobel Prize winners: writer Herta Müller and biophysicist and chemist Stefan Hell. Numerous events are planned for the Capital of Culture year 2023, including an exhibition of the Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957) and the “Paths of Revolution” project, which will commemorate the popular uprising of 1989. The opening of “Timisoara Capital of Culture 2023” is planned for 17 February 2023.
Hungary, Veszprém
Veszprém is located only 15 km from the northern part of Lake Balaton. The city has over 60,000 inhabitants, many 18th and 19th century buildings can be found in the city centre. “Capital of Culture means finding cultural answers to the challenges of the time,” said the mayor in a conversation with media representatives. The challenges: The young, who are increasingly leaving the region, and Lake Balaton, which is a reliable guarantor of tourists only in the summer months. Culture, on the other hand, is attractive all year round. Up to now, this has meant music – jazz, choir music, street music and festivals. Music will also play the main role in 2023, along with the diverse gastronomy and – wine. The region north of Lake Balaton is famous for excellent wines.
Greece, Eleusis
Eleusis, about 20 km east of Athens, with 30,000 inhabitants, has been in the shadow of the Greek capital for too long. This is supposed to change in 2023. At the turn of the 20th century, Eleusis was one of the most important industrial centres in Greece because of its harbour: manufactories, foodstuffs, cement – Eleusis was the central trade centre. The new port of Piraeus meant the end of the port of Eleusis. From then on, discarded ships gathered there. Until today. As European Capital of Culture, Eleusis wants to reinvent itself.