Transylvanian city to compete for 2020 Cultural Capital title 

Romanian city Cluj Napoca will candidate for the 2020 Cultural Capital title, mayor Sorin Apostu announced on Wednesday, March 10 2010, according to Agerpres. The local authority will need to prepare the competing project (first at a national level) by 2013. It is expected for several Romanian cities to enter the competition: Timisoara (West) also announced its intention to candidate.

„Although the date seems very far away, the efforts need be made from an early stage. We won’t be alone: there will be a working group that will feature not only council staff, but also other important persons who will support this endeavour”, Sorin Apostu said on Wednesday. He meant Carpatica Cultural Foundation, Cluj Universities Assembly and Lion and Rotary clubs.

„From now on, those of us here, and also Cluj citizens, start a new, joint action. I am convinced hat it is the mayor who will lead the battle to fulfil this objective and we will support him”, Vitoc Foundation president architect Ioan Vitoc declared. He was the one with the initiative to register Cluj-Napoca in the run for European cultural city title.

Lions Club member Razvan Rotta believes that the challenge can bring only a positive impact on the city. The project is being supported by the Cluj Universities Assembly as well.

Until the project is carried out, the local council intends to use several monuments and cultural and touristy objectives. Currently Cluj-Napoca is the place of transit tourism. Should the Transylvanian city be named European cultural Capital, the cultural tourism could go up 100%, mayor Sorin Apostu estimates.