Pitesti, a Romanian Detroit

The Romanian city of Pitesti is easy comparable with Detroit. Based mainly on the automotive industry it was bad hit by the major crisis in this branch. But we must nevertheless keep the right proportion, as Pitesti only counts nowadays 150 000 inhabitants, registering 10 % decrease within the last decade.

Pitesti enjoyed during the 50's  an unexpected international publicity. In the local jail people from Pitesti the feared Securitate (Romanian Secret Service) ran one of the darkest page in the contemporary history of Romania. Namely, the prisoners should mutually torture each other, reporting directly to the head Nicolschi the progress made on the right path! Known as the Experiment Pitesti, has been documented in many books, and I would mention and recommend as a good one this specific title written by Paul Goma. He succeeded to escape alive and emigrated later, but many people lost their lives or their minds there.

The St George Church from Pitesti has a strange beauty, inside and outside

But not all the local history is so dark, on the contrary. On the hills surrounding Pitesti there are many orchards and vineyards (Stefanesti is the best renowned all over Romania). The local plum brandy "Tuica de Pitesti" is turning to a national and international brand. A local legendary football player, namely Nicolae Dobrin, had a soft spot for it. Another prominent with his origin in Pitesti is the former Romanian dictator during WWII Ion Antonescu.

A few centuries ago the city was surrounded by thick oak forests. The huge Trivale park is a wonderful remnant and visiting it is really relaxing. It is exceptionally well kept, stretching on impressive 30 hectares (60 acres for the Americans).  You can even find a stadium and a Zoo there.

Mayoralty from Pitesti, only one piece from the interesting downtown

During Middle Age Pitesti was shortly a Royal residence of Wallachia. Very close to it, thus easy reachable through short trips, are other former Capitals, e.g. Targoviste, Curtea de Arges and Campulung. Pitesti has been hosting for centuries the residence of Bratianu family, prominent liberal leaders. The communist regime used and then brutally destroyed their manors, and even demolished a church build by the Bratianu family unfortunately.

But Pitesti still has many things to offer to any tourist coming in the area. The wonderful St George church is the first recommendation I can make. It is really wonderful, inside and outside. City Museum documents the long history of the city, starting with the Paleolithic age. Much later, at 1450 the city was for the first time mentioned in writing, as an important trade hub.

If you visit Pitesti in the Spring, and are lucky enough, you can catch the unbelievable local festival "Simfonia Lalelelor" ( or Tulip Symphony), which is really spectacular, much beyond you can imagine.

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Romanian Festivals in 2013 (part III)

October Festivals

 Bran, tree days by the beginning
 The Ancient Celebration of Sheepherds Comeback turns nowadays in a big Festival with lots of food and drinks.

The St Parascheva Church in Iasi is the main target for October

Sibiu, by the middle of the month, but only during the even years: The Movie Festival Astra
Iasi, one week long, by the middle of the month, The Iasi Festival, consisting on a traditional folklore Festival, but also on a church pilgrimage (The Saint Parascheva is the protector of the entire Moldavia). Many visitors, the city and its hotels are overbooked and overcrowded.
Bucharest, the last week, The Bucharest Festival, due to celebration of Saint Dumitru, the protector of the city.

November Festivals

Focsani, the second week: The Vineyard and Wine Festival

The peacefull town of Focsani is in the middle of big vineyard and hosts every Autumn a Wine Festival

Brasov, the third week, The festival of the Romanian and other minorities traditions
Timisoara: The Beer Festival. Yes, you can find in Romania good , even excellent, sorts of beer and become a beer sommelier. In Timisoara the beer production started 300 years ago, and they know what they do indeed.
Odobesti (Vrancea), the last week : The Vrancea Sheepherds Festival, with grill all over the streets. Don't miss the delicious smoked pemmican, which is not soft, and pairs the best with an easy, sweet and young wine (Must).

A cave in Odobesti, don't be shy when drinking, we have some reserves

December Festival

The 1st December is the National Day, and in some places is celebrated with military parades. Best cities to take part are Bucharest or Alba Iulia
Bucharest,the Middle of the month, one week long, The International Theatre Festival
Bucharest, the week before Christmas: Carols and other songs and traditions on Christmas
Tulcea-The Winter festival
Sighetu Marmatiei (Maramures): The Winter Festival (local winter folklore)

Important mention: the December Festivals are also organized this year,  and if you hurry up, you can catch them, keep in touch for it.

Important observation: during the summer months there are more festivals than in winter, and anyone can explain it, the conditions are much more favorable.

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Romanian Festivals in 2013 (Part II)

We have a lot of things to do, our job is to fill all the major festivals in Romania for the coming year. Not an easy task, there are some extra local little unknown festivals, which are even more picturesque than these official ones, sometimes overcrowded due to exaggerated publicity.

June Festivals
Brancovenesti (Transilvania)- Cherry Festival, on the first Sunday.
Bucharest hosts The carnival, consisting on one week long of public street manifestations.
Cluj-Napoca enjoys the International Transilvania Film festival
Bucharest on 21st : The Feast of music
Bucharest again: Beer Festival with music in the Herastrau Park
Avram Iancu (by Oradea): the sheep Festival (Tacasele)
Miercurea Ciuc-Pilgrimage of the Catholic Szekelyi on the Whitsuntide
Odorheiu Secuiesc: Festival and market of skilled artisans

A specific Romanian Dance, Hora (The Round) as you can see in any Romanian traditional festival

July Festivals
Vadu Izei: traditional music festival, four days long
Somcuta Mare (Maramures): The oak festival, popular music and traditions
Sibiu: International festival of popular and country music
Ilisesti (Suceava), the second Sunday, The Folklore Festival of The Rarau mountain
Mount Gaina (Western Carpathians) on the last Sunday before 20th : The Girl Market, a big Festival with concerts and  traditional dances
Sighisoara, the last week: Festival of Medieval Art
Targu-Mures, the last five days: Rock Music festival Felsziget
Mangalia, the third week end: Callatis Music Festival

Traditional Festival in Sibiu

August Festivals
Marginimea Sibiului (Transilvania) -first Saturday: The Bear Day
Bucharest,the second week end, The Hora Festival in Village museum, dedicated to Romanian folkloric groups
Constanta, the first week: National Music Festival
Sibiu, the first week: national festival of popular traditions, hosted in Astra Museum

Baia mare hosts many Traditional Festivals

September Festival
Mamaia, the first week: International Festival of Popular Music
Brasov, the first week: International festival of Chamber Music
Lesu (Transilvania), first Sunday: Traditional Festival (sheepherds)
Bucharest, three weeks long: George Enescu Music Festival
Targoviste (Wallachia), middle of the month: Festival of Folkloric Song Miorita
Biertan (Transilvania): Saxon Festival (Sachsentreffen)
Sibiu, by the end of the month: International Oper Festival
Brasov, the end of month: Golden deer, International Entertainment Music Festival, with many Romanian and international first class stars

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Romanian Festivals in 2013 (part I)

2012 is still on, you (or us) still have some good possibilities to celebrate Christmas, New Year,  with a plenty of wine and food. But we still can celebrate the current days: today, tomorrow. Thus I found some reasons to drink another glass of wine to you, but you are ought to do the same!

Thinking to the next year is not an easy task. First of all, we must reach it in the best shape and mood, which I sincerely wish you, with all my heart. Really hope that the Maya predictions will prove them wrong, and we will pay our taxes next year too.

In downtown Cluj Napoca there is a celebration on Christmas and New Year

I think that would be a good idea to schedule your trip to Romania for the next year based on the many feasts, carnivals and festivals scattered all year long in the most diverse corners of this wonderful country, as it follows

January.
The New Year is everywhere celebrated, in the all country. Every human settlement marks it in its own way, and they will be really happy to welcome you there. The main condition is to drink some tzuica (strong plum brandy) , wine and to eat a lot. In many places these celebrations take place in the streets, and are really spectacular.
During the second week of January in Deva there is a festival of popular dances.
On the 30th of January in Iasi takes place the religious celebration of The Three Saints.
On the last Sunday of January in Campulung Moldovenesc is organized the Festival of the Winter Sports.

Authentic Romanian dresses in the central market of Sibiu

February.
On the third Sunday of the Month in Targu Jiu falls the Festival of the Charming Water Sources (popular traditions and miners orchestras)

March
In Halmagiu (Bihor) The Kissing Festival was once a meeting place for the single, which nowadays turned to popular music and sheepherds' traditions.

These spectators are also performers

April
Resita hosts during the first weekend The Spring Festival, which is a folcloric one.
In the middle of the month in Paltinis-Sibiu we can see the Snow Festival. In Apata /Brasov the strange festival of Cock Killing coming from the XIVth century!

Through all the country you have the unique opportunity to celebrate The eastern, which is by far the most important celebration,in  church or private. Very spectacular indeed.

Also in April an important opportunity for celebration is the day of the Saint George The Warior. It is followed in all Romania, because there are many Romanians carrying this name, but the main target is the town of Saint George, by Brasov.

May.

All this month long in Bucharest, Cluj Napoca, Constanta, Iasi  is celebrated the Festivinum, a Wine Festival. Best place for the wine afficionados, like me!

In a few villages of Maramures find , please, the peasant Festival of Fertility and Nature.

In Sibiu there is the Mayfest, when germans and germanophones gather together in the Dumbrava park.

In Brasov, during the first Sunday after Easter the spectacular festival of Junii Brasovului ( The Brasov Youngs).

Again in Sibiu the Jazz festival.

Allow me to continue tomorrow with the rest of the year!

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