Banca Transilvania, the largest bank in Romania and in Southeastern Europe, is the main partner of European Capital of Culture 2023 – Timișoara. The title awarded to Timișoara by the European Parliament means the largest cultural mobilization in Romania — events and initiatives throughout next year.

We congratulate Timișoara on this title. For us, Timișoara 2023 is a project of national significance, and it is natural for us to get involved because we feel it is our role to be there, to finance and to support Romania and Romanians. The cultural, tourism and social momentum building around this title can generate investment, prosperity and the start of a virtuous circle. It builds capabilities in different industries — such as the creative industries and tourism — that contribute to the sustainable development of the city and the region. We invite the people of Timișoara to enjoy everything this project entails, and Romanians across the country to visit Timișoara, says Ӧmer Tetik, CEO, Banca Transilvania.

BT’s partnership for Timișoara 2023 includes:

• on the one hand, the bank will centrally support the project’s promotion and communication, as well as the major projects of the Timișoara Projects Center and the Timiș County Center for Culture and Arts, through a sponsorship;
• on the other hand, Banca Transilvania undertakes to support locally the Timișoara 2023 Cultural Programme, the NGOs and the operators implementing Timișoara 2023;
• BT will provide the organisers in the Timișoara 2023 Cultural Programme with products and financing solutions designed to support their activity and the programme.

The European Capital of Culture is an honorary title awarded, for one year, by the European Parliament to one or more cities, following the evaluation of bids submitted by the cities taking part in the competition. It contributes to the cultural, social and economic development of cities and regions across Europe.

Three cities were designated European Capitals of Culture in 2023 — in addition to Timișoara, there are Elefsina (Greece) and Veszprém-Balaton (Hungary).