The events dedicated to the official opening of the Timisoara European Capital of Culture 2023 Programme will continue on Sunday, with the organisers preparing a diverse range of events - outdoor theatre performances, concerts, exhibitions and book launches.

The three ultracentral squares of TM2023, Operei/Victoriei - Libertatii and Unirii are full of tourists and locals, who, cumulatively, exceeded 15,000 people on the opening night, Friday, and on Saturday only the exhibition - "Victor Brauner" retrospective at the Timisoara National Museum of Art saw more than 2,000 visitors who waited in an impressive line to enter.

The sunny weather, disturbed only by a brief drizzle, allowed the public of all ages to enjoy a parade of giant puppets brought by the cultural partners of the European Capital of Culture 2023 Veszprem from Hungary, as well as actors on stilts.

The puppet show also had an educational role, drawing attention to environmental protection.

"It is a project that started three years ago, in collaboration and co-production with the Csiky Gergely State Theatre in Timisoara, with a performance 'Romeo and Juliet' for teenagers and adults, after which we continued with 'The Enchanted Stag' and 'Cinderella'. With both cities winning the title of European Capital of Culture 2023, we decided to do a bigger project, more visible, with giant puppets. We wanted to draw attention to the animals that are in danger, the microscopic ones, which we measured at the size of 1/20,000 and will be illuminated, we also have dragonflies that are still found on the banks of the Bega Canal and seven other species that are in danger because of the environment on Balaton Lake," explained Szoke Kaminski Andrei, director of the 'Kaboka' Theatre in Veszprem.

According to him, another element of the parade is the giant puppets on stilts, handled by actors who put on an extraordinary circus show. "The project started last year with several Hungarian theatres and the Hungarian State Theatre in Timisoara, several stage designers. They did a workshop for handling, and the stilts are on iron skeleton, dressed in silk. The children like it, but we also give them explanations on how to live in a protected environment," said the director of the "Kaboka" Theatre in Veszprem.

At the same time, performances and concerts are taking place on several stages in the city. The evening will not end with fireworks, but with an invitation from the TM2023 hosts to all those who want to come to Timisoara, which is prepared with over 1,000 events until February 2024. AGERPRES (RO - author: Otilia Halunga, editor: Claudia Stanescu; EN - editor: Adina Panaitescu)

Photo: (c) CONSTANTIN DUMA / AGERPRES FOTO