About Sibiu

Sibiu -2007 European Capital of Culture


According to the European Commission for Culture and Education, a city could be declared European Capital of Culture if it respects some specific criteria. The city must reflect the European character of the event and involve the participation of the people who live there. 

The European flavour can be seen in the themes chosen and the artists and cultural organisers from different countries cooperating to put together the event. The programme must also have a lasting and sustainable impact on the city's long-term cultural, economic and social development.

These criteria were achieved by Sibiu, being in 2007 European Capital of Culture, together with Luxembourg.
Under the aegis of the programme – European Capital of Culture 2007, 337 projects summating 2026 events were presented in Sibiu – a kaleidoscope with cultural genders and directions for all tastes; from theatre to painting, music, film, dance, literature and architecture, contemporary art- to gastronomy. The events mirrored the multicultural and multilingual character of the city and confirmed the chosen slogan: “City of Culture – City of Cultures”. The cultural partnership with Luxembourg was characterised by 40 common projects Sibiu - Luxembourg, reproducing the European character of the programme.
 
A number of 301 different bodies had proposed projects for this programme.
The most positive result for Sibiu from this programme was the cultural image and new optics concerning Sibiu among the European Cities, becoming in a short period quite “famous”. Even if outward this status could be only honorary, the investments in the city’s infrastructure made in 2007 represent the investments that would be continued in the future.
 
Another positive impact of the Programme Sibiu – European Capital of Culture in 2007 is the development of the city’s cultural perspective, both at national and international level, despite the small number of cultural events that have implied Romanian and European actors throughout time. The programme proved that the cultural act in Romania and especially in Sibiu can rise at an European level of  culture.

 

History

Medieval history
 
The first attested document concerning Sibiu District belonged to Pope Celestin The Third from the XIIth Century and the first fortress was made at the end of  the XIIth Century. At the beginning of the XIIIth century apparently, the wall around the basilica was renewed and also fortress extensions were made.
 

Contemporary history

The Leopold’s Diploma (1961) had approved the Austrian occupation in Transylvania, when the principality entered under the domination of Hapsburg Empire. Herby, Transylvania’s autonomy was recognised, and Sibiu had become the capital for one century.
 
In 1781, the Emperor Joseph the 2nd issued a decree regarding the right of living for all principalities’ citizens and they had been allowed to build only wooden churches. In virtue of this decree, the Romanian bishop Vasile Moga has settled in the town, therefore Sibiu became the religious center of Orthodox Romanian Church from Transylvenia.