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BAIA MARE Candidate CITY for the European Capital of Culture 2021 Title Proposed Application for the Title of European Capital of Culture

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BAIA MARE Candidate CITY for the European Capital of Culture 2021 Title Proposed Application for the Title of European Capital of Culture BAIA MARE CANDIDATE CITY FOR THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2021 TITLE Proposed Application for the Title of European Capital of Culture Culture of Hosting WHY DOES YOUR CITY We are facing a tipping point, the top of a development cycle. Baia Mare is rediscovering and affirming, year by year, its potential and its cultural roots, reinventing itself as a user- friendly city, a host to creative industries and an appealing playground for artists and cultural operators from all over the country. This former industrial center is converting naturally into a welcoming harbour for national and international tourists, attracting, in the meantime, the WISH TO TAKE PART IN interest and involvement of investors, both local and international. We have proven ourselves to be adaptable and versatile. The once Our geographical position – in the immediate proximity of Hungary THE COMPETITION FOR heavy-polluted city has become, in the last twenty years, a case study and Ukraine, and also in the close vicinity of Poland, Slovakia and for sustainable development in terms of traffic, urban open spaces Moldova – is a clear testimony of our tradition of intercultural or natural preservation, a blooming headquarter for high profile dialogue and intimate understanding of cultural diversity. Baia Mare environmental NGOs. The rediscovered sport traditions have projected and the surrounding region have always provided shelter for a mixture us on the charts of European competitions and have dramatically raised of ethnical and religious groups. In present days, besides the three- the citizens’ interest for an active and dynamic life. The evolution that quarters of the population represented by Romanian ethnics, Baia Mare both locals and visitors witness every day is undeniable. Baia Mare can is called home by Hungarians, Germans, Jews, Roma and Rutens. This change and is changing. We believe that culture and education can constant practice of tolerance, reflected by the fruitful cohabitation of THE TITLE OF EUROPEAN accelerate and catalyze this change, can shape the destiny of our city more than eight confessions, is also confirmed by the presence of one and the perspectives of our citizens. of the most important center for immigrants in Romania, based in Șomcuta Mare, in the close vicinity of the city. The title of European Capital of Culture can provide us with the power of context, can convert the momentum that we are witnessing We believe that our proven experience as hosts and mediators can be into results with a long-lasting, multipliable impact. Because it is a valuable asset considering the latest political instability and unrest impact that we are aiming for. The dimensions of the city are our first in the neighbouring countries: Hungary and Ukraine, as well as CAPITAL OF CULTURE? credentials. To start with, let’s consider the impact of the incoming the current wave of refugee and asylum seekers. Please consider our visitor flow of around one million people during the year of the title candidacy as an open platform to research, develop, test and implement on the 135.000 city inhabitants. Let’s take into account the adrenaline new mediation and communication platforms that use culture as a injection of a confirmed title for local entrepreneurs and for the medium to address these pressing issues. established creative industries companies, the boost of confidence for the city’s non-governmental organizations and cultural institutions. Let’s consider the immediate and long term effects of over 100.000.000 euros of impact investments in infrastructure, organizational capacity, and continuous education and training. Last but not least, let us consider the effects of the exposure to the highlights of contemporary culture, art and cultural management, for the 15.000 youths currently developing their taste and exploring their options for profiling and growth. Introduction Baia Mare 2021 - European Capital of Culture 1 The road to the podium or to the title of European By this candidacy, Baia Mare is approaching DOES YOUR CITY Capital of Culture is as important as the title an important reconvention opportunity in the To summarize we will involve itself. In the short term, the decision to enter this long run. Judged by its magnitude, the chance our surrounding area by: competition was already a great opportunity for to host the title of European Capital of Culture PLAN TO INVOLVE ITS us: in 2021 is similar to the industrial reconversion of the 70s, an impulse needed to recalibrate the • using and promoting local traditions and vocation and destination of this city. By entering SURROUNDING AREA? traditional cultural products of Maramureș: • To promoTe and puT To work a long Term this competition, we take into account several folklore, crafts, culinary heritage, archaic comprehensive culTural sTraTegy, unifying medium-term goals: seasonal rituals or vernacular architecture; Another important motivation for our mulTiple developmenT direcTions • To sTabilize The local economy by focusing on candidacy is the enthusiastic response • increasing the collaboration between The creaTive indusTries and The innovaTion secTor, All the cultural programs subsumed under the Baia Mare candidacy Baia Mare is the main gateway to Maramureș County, ranked by urban and rural communities, in sustainable that we received from our citizens. Close • To build culTural consumpTion, expand our Thus bringing abouT a shifT ThaT can increase The are hosted, developed, funded and managed within the city, in close National Geographic as one of the 20 must-see places for 2015, and to 70% of the respondents to a relevant culTural offer, and explore new ways of collaboration with the local administration and in mixed partnerships a constant choice for Romanian and European backpack travellers, projects that value preservation and local producTion added value with the local NGOs, cultural producers or creative industries’ nature and astronomy enthusiasts, as well as adventure seekers from conservation; sociological survey were aware of our inTeracTion wiTh our audiences representatives. Our decision to keep our programs contained under all over the world. Eight wooden churches listed as UNESCO World a single urban jurisdiction has multiple reasons, prominently our Heritage sites are accessible by car or public transportation in a 30 project, and 93% of the respondents • To raise The general qualiTy of life for all • linking the urban and the rural area – Țara • To charT culTural and TourisTic objecTives commitment to guarantee the political, institutional and public minute drive radius. Two unique private museums – the contemporary expressed their appreciation and their ciTizens consensus regarding our assumed strategy, as well as to ensure the art Florean Museum and the only private ethnology museum in Lăpușului, Valea Izei, Sighet, Baia Sprie – and unexpecTed places To be discovered, relived, support for it. This enthusiasm and predictability of the financial exercise. We don’t want to risk weakening Romania – are also accessible inside a 40 minutes drive radius. The through cultural and touristic programs, in conquered, Thus upgrading our TourisTic offer the solid network of local stakeholders that we have developed, as we same accessibility criteria apply to at least four tested open-air concert order to promote alternative event spaces, • To decrease social inequiTy and To eliminaTe have invested a great deal of effort in the induction process in order to sites, suitable for festivals or one-time events that can take advantage availability to mobilization is shared by empower the local infrastructure and The wage gap Through access To culTure and implement a coherent communication strategy, as well as to coordinate of the existing accommodation infrastructure. More than 350 the vast majority of the local cultural encourage local and touristic mobility; • To run an exTensive audiT on all The culTural educaTion the cross-organizational programs. kilometres of marked biking tracks zigzag across the environs, on four institutions, which declared themselves fields and build a solid and long-lasTing culTural mountain passes, crossing picturesque villages and landscapes favoured However, Baia Mare includes a quick developing urban space, and we by photography enthusiasts, as well as historical sites or unique • putting the love brands of the region into eager to participate and collaborate. brand • To reconnecT The norTh of The counTry To The are facing an accelerated process of urbanization of the surrounding preservation areas already part of eco-tours. new light through technology and innovative These facts build and support our naTional and european economical and culTural area. In a five year timeframe, depending on the economic evolution • To sTrengThen The capaciTy of our culTural of the region and of the country we can expect small, yet significant, As a touristic destination, Baia Mare is even more appealing because of touristic approaches: namely the eight confidence to the significant effects circuiT, proposing a funcTional regional hub for urban border shifts. the easy-to-reach, lush cultural and leisure offer of its surroundings. In churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage operaTors Through consulTaTion, Training, and order to valorize this mobility advantage we designed special programs that our presence on the shortlist and, creaTive indusTries sites events and the Merry Cemetery of faciliTaTion of know-how Transfer from ouTside Furthermore, NGOs activities based in Baia Mare
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