Sibiu, Romania - Europe's Capital of Culture in 2007
Sibiu - once one of the easternmost cities of the glittering Hapsburg Empire, is celebrating its status as European Cultural Capital for 2007. Nine centuries of cultural treasures await discovery
Sibiu, or Hermannstadt as it is known in German, - one of the “Siebenburgen” built by German settlers in Transylvania in early 1200s - is planning a year of festivals and events that will make this charming town the European Center of Culture in 2007.
Music, dance, theatre, visual arts and other events will be offered in concert halls, theaters & exhibition centers as well as in the streets and squares, lofts and cellars, fortification walls and churches of Sibiu. Sibiu has always been a place for the spectacular. The squares are lined with grand architecture and the lower town is one of Europe’s best examples of a medieval neighborhood, full of narrow streets and colorful ancient houses.
The opening of the 2007 year of cultural festivities will coincide with Romania’s entry into membership of the European Union, scheduled for January.
Sibiu has its own Philharmonic orchestra that performs weekly concerts of classical and modern symphonic music. It is home to Romania’s national theatre Radu Stanca which specializes in classical and modern drama, and also the Theatre Gong, which presents puppet shows, mime and non-conventional theatrical events.
Sibiu is also home to one of Romania’s finest art museums, the Bruckenthal. Founded in 1790 by Baron Samuel Von Bruckenthal, the governor of Transylvania, the museum opened to the public in 1817. It is the oldest museum in Romania and one of the first museums in Europe. The art collection includes paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Teniers, as well as works of German, Austrian and Romanian masters. The museum also features a 16th century silverware collection, painted glass icons and 350 rare books, many dating to the days of the first printing press
Sibiu is already home to several annual cultural events including a theatre festival, a jazz festival, a traditional art fair, a folk dance and music festival and numerous outdoor concerts on temporary stages in the Big Square. Due to its unique architectural heritage, Sibiu is a perfect platform for events taking place in public spaces. Street parades and festivals are planned across the board.
Hundreds of major and smaller events have been scheduled during 2007. Many of the events will display Romanian art and music, but international artists will be well represented also.
Just outside the old city is the Astra Museum Complex - “Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization” - the second largest open air museum in the world, set in over 100 acres of forest and parkland around a swan-dotted lake. Divided into 6 sections it features over 300 buildings, including watermills and windmills, gigantic wine, fruit and oil presses, hydraulic forges and structures representing architectural styles from many parts of Romania It's even got a traditional "witch's house." The best way to tour the grounds is the old fashioned way--by horse drawn cart. Already a popular attraction for visitors ASTRA Museum will be a major venue for events in 2007.
Sibiu is easily accessible from Bucharest (Bucuresti), Brasov, Cluj and Targu Mures.
Austrian Airlines (www.austrianairlines.com), Tarom (www.tarom.ro), and Carpat Air (www.carpatair.ro) all offer service to Sibiu International Airport, 10 miles away from the city center. There are daily direct and connecting flights from Bucharest and destinations in Western Europe (Ancona, Bologna, Düsseldorf, Florence, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Naples, Paris, Rome, Stuttgart, Turin, Venice, Verona, and Vienna).
For a list of events please visit:
www.romaniatourism.com/festivals.html
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