A sign of solidarity – Timisoara’s doctors fighting against COVID-19 shown appreciation from citizens who filled the city with light

Timișoara’s citizens are urged to go to their balconies or windows and turn on their flashlights or other light sources for a quarter of an hour, on Wednesday, April 8th, starting at 9pm, as a sign of solidarity with those that are on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, but also to serve as a message of hope and courage to Romanians that are confined in their homes. This is a Timișoara 2021 – European Capital of Culture Association initiative.

Through the ‘Light up your city!’ event – a title inspired by the “Timișoara 2021” project slogan – organizers want to give new hope and courage to the people of Romania in a time marked by personal trials brought on by the restrictive measures put in place by authorities; measures that aim to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

“The Timișoara 2021 – European Capital of Culture Association wishes to transmit a message of unity to the entire community, as each one of us now has an important role to play in the fight against this virus. Those that stay at home are halting the spread of coronavirus, and those that are on duty are protecting, helping, and healing us. Only together can we emerge as the victor in this battle; only together can we light up our city!”, declared Hortațiu Rada, president of the Timișoara 2021 Association.

Timișoara’s homeowner’s associations are asked to support this endeavor by spreading the word through their respective stairwell noticeboards. Likewise, the appeal has been published on the Association’s Facebook and Instagram pages, so that Timișoara’s citizenry can better join the initiative in large numbers.

“‘Light up your city!’ speaks of our strength to hold on to hope and come together again, the way only Timișoara knows how. Throughout our history, we have proven, so many times over, that we can create meaningful change; a change for the better. Today’s Romania would not have come to be without the revolution that started in Timișoara. Romania and Europe will not be able to have a Capital of Culture in 2021 if we don’t halt the spread of this virus. Together, we stand in our homes and go to our windows; together we Light up our city!”, said Simona Neumann, the Association’s executive director.

The Timișoara 2021 – European Capital of Culture Association was founded in 2011, with the goal of preparing Timișoara’s candidacy dossier for European Capital of Culture status. In 2016, Timișoara won the title of European Capital of Culture for the year 2021, and as such the Association has continued its mission of developing a cultural program and planning events, as well as gathering the funds needed for the organization, promotion, and implementation of the program. Going beyond the year 2021, the Association will aim to support and develop cultural projects for the benefit of the community.

About Timisoara 2021 – European Capital of Culture Association

Timisoara was designated as European Capital of Culture in 2021, thus preparing the cultural program, planning of the events, coordination and the implementation of the measures necessary for their development, as well as raising the funds required for the organization, promotion and realization of all events the main purpose of the Association.