The events staged in Sibiu during 2007, the year in which it was the European Capital of Culture, were truly unique.
It was the first European Capital of Culture (ECOC) to be hosted in one of the countries that joined the European
Union after 2004, and the organizers faced a major challenge in planning the event just as Romania was joining the
EU.The main objectives of the event were: raising the international profile of Sibiu; long- term cultural development;
attracting international visitors; enhancing feelings of pride and self-confidence; growing and expanding the local
audience for culture; improving social cohesion and creating an economic downstream; improving cultural and noncultural
infrastructure;, developing relationships with other European cities/regions and promoting European cultural
co-operation; promoting creativity and innovation.