City of Novi Sad filed an application for the prestigious competition for the European Capital of Culture 2021. That year, for the first time, beside the city from the EU the city from the country that is not yet a full-fledged part of the „European family“ will be chosen. In this selection Novi Sad is with Herceg Novi, and who will win the title of European Capital of Culture in 2021, will be known on October 13th at the final presentation in Brussels.
What is known so far is that (on September16th), Timisoara was declared the European Capital of Culture for the same year Novi Sad wants to become. If Novi Sad is elected for European Capital of Culture in 2021, Europe will, for the first time, in addition to the two cities that will – in their own way, but also through a number of joint projects – represent European cultural centers, get a cultural region that connects two cities and nations!!!
Timisoara and Novi Sad – now and then – have a lot in common.
Timisoara is the biggest cultural and historical center of the Serbs in Romania and most of the Serbs in Romania live there, almost 25,000. Timisoara is located in the part of Romania called „Historical Banat“, and in Banat in Vojvodina there are more than 30,000 Romanians. In Timisoara there is a Church of Timisoara Eparchy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Serbian Grammar School „Dositej Obradović“ and elementary school. Radio Timisoara broadcast program in the Serbian language, and Radio Novi Sad program in Romanian. Numerous events on both sides of the border are held, constant meetings of artists, folk groups, sports clubs, students, businessmen, Novi Sad and Timisoara are twin cities, and between the two cities there is a high economic cooperation mostly seen the IT industry. Interesting is the fact that one of the squares, which is located near the City Hall of Timisoara is called the Liberty Square likewise in Novi Sad where the Novi Sad City Hall is located.
The historic friendship and connection between Novi Sad and Timisoara has been confirmed by the new generations. In fact, one of the best music festivals in Europe which has been over 16 years organized in Novi Sad for the second consecutive year organize Revolution Festival in Timisoara. In this way the Exit Team connects young people from the two countries, but also the whole Region of Southeast Europe and beyond at the Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad and the Village Museum in Timisoara park.
Cultural, historical and economic closeness of the two cities is reflected in the fact that preparation of five joint projects within the framework of the candidacy of Novi Sad and Timisoara for the European Capital of Culture 2021has already been started. The teams for the candidacy of Novi Sad and Timisoara are convinced that this cooperation will further expand and strengthen if both cities carry the title.
On this occasion, the mayor of Timisoara, Nicolae Robu, visited Novi Sad on September 7th, where he met among others, with the Mayor of Novi Sad, Mr. Miloš Vučević, and President of the Organizing Committee of „Novi Sad 2021“, Mr. Nemanja Milenkovic. The mayor of Timisoara, Nicolae Robu, said he was happy to be in Novi Sad, which is close to Timisoara in multiple sectors and with which it has a common history, as well as a good basis for future relations.
If Novi Sad, together with Timisoara, bear the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture 2021, thanks to the vicinity (144 kilometers), it will be a unique opportunity to attend the opening of the exhibition in Novi Sad, and in the evening visit the play in Timisoara, or vice versa.
President of the Organizing Committee of Novi Sad 2021, Nemanja Milenkovic, said that the victory of Timisoara and Novi Sad would give Europe not only two new Capitals of Culture, but a unique European region of culture, connected not only with historical ties, economic cooperation, but also through concrete projects which are specified in both applications.
