Sibiu <http://www.qultures.com/Articles/2006/December/Week%2052/CulturalCapitals/S ibiu.aspx> Medieval fortress town Sibiu of central Romania is not a household name to most travellers, even though its location in Transylvania has given it a history influenced by Germans, Turks and Austrians.
Sibiu has picturesque streets with a mixture of Gothic arcades, Renaissance houses and Baroque churches, which have been the setting for their history as a crafts center and later industrial base and in 2007 their cultural reign as Cultural Capital. A few of their many events to be presented in 2007 are: - Faust, Transylvanian version, Jan. 11 - Sacred Music Festival, Byzantine and Gregorian concerts, March 1-15, Sept. 4-8 - International Chess festival, March 28-April 1 - Jazz Festival, May 7-13 - Romanian folk art demonstrations and medieval fairs, May 1-6 and every other week through October - "Illegal Urban Art", passerbys can express themselves graphically on 50 billboards, June and July - The International Festival of Lyrical Art, July 1-15 - Festival of Medieval Arts and Crafts, July 27-29 in nearby Sighisoara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval villages, as well as Count Dracula's birthplace. - National Festival of Folk Tradition, July 30-Aug. 5 - Craftsmen's Fair, Aug. 15-19 - Christmas Oratory at the Crossroads of Western and Byzantine Cultures," Dec. 5-20 Fore more information: Visit the official City of Culture website with English, German and Romanian versions. <http://www.sibiu2007.ro/index_en.php> www.sibiu2007.ro/index_en.php and Romania's Tourist Office <http://www.visitromania.com/> www.visitromania.com Fast facts and figures Population: Romania approx. 22 million, Sibiu approx. 170,000 Official Language: Romanian Capital: Bucharest (pop. 2.1 million) Main Religion: Christian orthodox C 2007 Qultures ApS ---------------------------- Vali "Noble blood is an accident of fortune; noble actions are the chief mark of greatness." (Carlo Goldoni) "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." (Jimi Hendrix)
