Interview with Klaus Johannis The mayor of Sibiu

For seven years the mayor of Sibiu , Klaus Werner Johannis,48, is since January 1,2007,the mayor of Europe 's cultural capital. He has the merit of having brought the city he leads to the attention of the entire continent.Due to his commitment, Sibiu was named together with Luxembourg ,the European Capital of Culture fort the year 2007.

Johannis graduated physics studies at the Babes-Bolayi University in Cluj.After gratueted from college he was first a physic teacher at the Samuel von Bruckental in Sibiu.After 1989 he became general deputy school inspector and then general school inspector of the Sibiu county.

HOW IS IT LIKE TO BE THE MAYOR OF ONE'S EUROPE 'S CAPITALS?

It's a very nice feeling to be the mayor of a city that draws the attention of so many Europeans.In the same time,it is a great responsibility.The program Sibiu-European Capital 2007 does not have a precedent in our contry and it is a opportunitiy not only for the people in Sibiu, but for Romania: of presenting ourselfs in front of the Europeans with what we do the best-culture.The importance of the event is furthermore important,as 2004 we became members of the European Union.

RECENTLY ,SIBIU WAS INCLUDED BY THE BRITISH DAILY “THE GUARDIAN” ON ONE OF THE FIRST TEN PLACES OF THE “50 FABULOUS LOCATIONS OF THE WORLD” WEBSITE.SIBIU IS ON THE NINETH POSITION, BEING OUTRUN BY NEW YORK,LONDON,PISA,PALERNO, CHICAGO,PARIS.WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE CITY?

For Sibiu it is a recognition of its most attractive sites-the beauty of historical centre and the value of the cultural program preparet for the year 2007.We are glad the British publication draws the readers attention from that part of Europe on Sibiu, which deserves a journey even from the other part of the continent.The arguments and the and appreciations of the top are even more valuable because, as well know it,the British media did not have too many praising words for our country.

WHAT IS SIBIU SPECIAL OFFER FOR THIS YEAR?

In 2007, Sibiu will spoil its visitors with an exceptional offer: a creative,dynamic,young cultural program, based on the game of the large array of populations,cultures,and languages spoken here, which will bring unique experiences.

Visitors will have a chance to enjoy culture in dozens of ways:theater,music ,literature,paitings,dancing,film, architecture,tradition craft,contemporary art, photography and gastronomy.We are preparing a warm welcoming for tourists, a unique urban landscape and the soroundings of the city offer an amazing natural landscape.

HOW MANY TOURISTS ARE YOU EXPECTING IN SIBIU ?

The benefits the title of European Cultural Capital are of many kinds. Sibiu will become a well-known city, maybe the most visible city of Romania after the country's capital.Putting our stakes on this grown visibility,we are sure we will attract more investors in Sibiu, which already has the fame of good economic location due to the industrial area that was created in 2003.The modernized infrastructure-roads,networks,public transport, illumination and so on-all these will remain after 2007 and will improve the life quality in Sibiu.

Thirdly,we will attract a significant number of tourists.Our evaluations are of 400.000-500.000 tourists in comparison with the usual year.In 2005 we had around 350,000tourists. What is important is tha the establishment of the premises that will make the number of tourists in Sibiu to continue to grow naturally even after 2007.

WHICH ARE, ACCORDING TO KLAUS WERNER JOHANNIS, THE FIRST FIVE POINTS OF ATTRACTION IN SIBIU ?

The entire historical centre is a point of attraction,but I am sure the tourists will want to see the Grand Square,the Council Tour,The Bridge of Lies and the Small Square,the Brukental Museum and the Stairs Passage.Besides this, I am sure the entrenched churches surrounding Sibiu will be of interest for the tourists.If I were subjective, I would recommend the baroque building of the Brukental College, a place I visit every time with pleasure.

IF I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE CITY, HOW WOULD YOU DESCREIDE IT TO ME?

Sibiu is a city that combines the precision of the German architecture with an almost Mediterranean charm.Sibiu still keeps the three-century old image of the riches and most influential of the seven Transylvanian citadels, which was in the same time a center of arts and culture.

The historical center,of a special charm,combines buildings of different periods and styles-from Gothic and Renaissance to baroque and Judendstil.Who walks down the historical center sees a real chronicle of the city's eight centuries of history.This is the city's “pearl”, but here will you discover locations that vibrate with youth and modern or unusual places where to enjoy your staying in Sibiu.

TALKING ABOUT CITIES AND TRAVELLING.DO YOU HAVE FAVORED FLIGHT DESTINATION?