Timisoara2023: Exploring the next frontier for idea platforms

The grand inauguration of Timisoara as the Capital of Culture attracted a gathering of over 60,000 people, with the Victor Brauner exhibition delighting more than 12,000 visitors. The temporary installation “Pepiniera – 1306 Plants for Timisoara,” featuring a modular metal structure that allowed the public to explore various uses of public space, saw an impressive attendance of over 100,000 visitors in Opera Square. Additionally, since its launch in October 2023, more than 45,000 exhibition tickets for Constantin Brancusi’s oeuvre have been reserved. However, this is merely the surface. This article emphasizes the influential figures in the city as a platform for cultivating ideas.

A platform for ideas

With a generous cultural programme all throughout this year, Timisoara managed to add some extremely interesting debates focusing on an ever-evolving world driven by innovation and the exchange of knowledge, emerging as a dynamic and inclusive space designed to celebrate, explore, and amplify the power of ideas.

A pivotal discussion revolved around Bright Cityscapes, a dynamic and multifaceted programme situated within the Timisoara 2023 European Capital of Culture initiative. Its primary objective was to establish a design laboratory for the city, one that is deeply committed to observing, responding to, and actively addressing the contemporary challenges within Timisoara and the broader realms of design, architecture, and digital culture.

The programme embarked on its mission through rigorous research within Timisoara’s productive and academic ecosystem, connecting people to foster a deeper understanding of the city’s design landscape. Among other projects, a report titled “Economy in Timisoara: Territorial Distribution of the Economy in the Timisoara Metropolitan Area” was commissioned to draw on statistical and archival research to delve into the forces that shape employment, worker movements, and the overall dynamics within the city. It looks at how the city’s current economy and identity is impacted by the historical legacies of the interwar economy of 1918-1948, the socialist economy of 1950-1989, and the economic restructuring of 1990-2021.

“The report does not specifically look to the future, but based on the findings, I believe Timisoara’s capacity to diversify its economy lies in smart specialisation within its existing sectors. Instead of trying to mimic Cluj, which is seen as a more developed second-tier city focusing on the ICT sector, it would be more beneficial for Timisoara to prioritise the development of the engineering sector. This could involve areas such as automation, robotics, and advanced capital goods for production. Balancing policies to support both the startup sector and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) is important, but relying solely on labour arbitrage and cheap labour is not a sustainable approach. It would require significant investments in public transportation to facilitate commuting, which can be costly. Instead, Timisoara should focus on attracting foreign companies in the technological field, particularly those specialising in mobile robotics and automation. However, I still need more time for reflection and discussion with others to provide a more concrete recommendation,” stated Norbert Petrovici, co-author of the report, on the project’s official website.

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Another initiative within the framework of Timisoara Capital of Culture is reaching out to schools, which are encouraged to submit project proposals for the Creative Schools funding programme, with the goal of enhancing the capabilities of educators, incorporating art into the curriculum, and redesigning school environments to foster creativity. A total budget of RON 2 million has been allocated, and the application window is open until December 4, 2023.

The programme aims to strengthen practices that bring culture closer to children and teenagers and redefine the places of learning by adapting the physical spaces in educational institutions and exploring cultural spaces, including public spaces, as educational resources.

“The experience of cultural players in engaging audiences of all ages and addressing them intelligently to attract them to arts, heritage, and creative expression is worth meeting educators’ capacity and interest to develop skills and shape characters and communities where democratic spirit and openness to diversity are a priority. This funding programme is a support for those who understand that education and culture are the best tools to build an open society in which everyone can achieve their potential, and together, we can be an inspiration and support for those in need,” said Raluca Iacob, monitoring and evaluation coordinator of Power Station, in the press release announcing this programme.

This article was produced through funding from Energie! Creation Grants, awarded by the Municipality of Timișoara, through the Project Center / Centrul de Proiecte, within the Power Station component of the national cultural program “Timișoara – European Capital of Culture in 2023.” The material does not necessarily represent the position of the Project Center of the Municipality of Timișoara, and it is not responsible for its content or how it may be used. The article is part of a series which got published in Business Review’s November 2023 issue.