[Romania-News] Sibiu
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)
[Romania-News] Sibiu, Romania - Europe's Capital of Culture in 2007
Sibiu, http://www.romaniatourism.com/sibiu2007.html Romania - Europe's Capital of Culture in 2007 Sibiu - once one of the easternmost cities of the glittering Hapsburg Empire, is celebrating its status as European Cultural Capital for 2007. Nine centuries of cultural treasures await discovery Sibiu, or Hermannstadt as it is known in German, - one of the Siebenburgen built by German settlers in Transylvania in early 1200s - is planning a year of festivals and events that will make this charming town the European Center of Culture in 2007. Music, dance, theatre, visual arts and other events will be offered in concert halls, theaters exhibition centers as well as in the streets and squares, lofts and cellars, fortification walls and churches of Sibiu. Sibiu has always been a place for the spectacular. The squares are lined with grand architecture and the lower town is one of Europe?s best examples of a medieval neighborhood, full of narrow streets and colorful ancient houses. The opening of the 2007 year of cultural festivities will coincide with Romania's entry into membership of the European Union, scheduled for January. Sibiu has its own Philharmonic orchestra that performs weekly concerts of classical and modern symphonic music. It is home to two drama theatres: Radu Stanca - which specializes in classical and modern drama - and Theatre Gong - which presents puppet shows, mime and non-conventional theatrical events. Sibiu is also home to one of Romania's finest art museums, the Bruckenthal. Founded in 1790 by Baron Samuel Von Bruckenthal, the governor of Transylvania, the museum opened to the public in 1817. It is the oldest museum in Romania and one of the first museums in Europe. The art collection includes paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Teniers, as well as works of German, Austrian and Romanian masters. The museum also features a 16th century silverware collection, painted glass icons and 350 rare books, many dating to the days of the first printing press Sibiu is already home to several annual cultural events including a theatre festival, a jazz festival, a traditional art fair, a folk dance and music festival and numerous outdoor concerts on temporary stages in the Big Square. Due to its unique architectural heritage, Sibiu is a perfect platform for events taking place in public spaces. Street parades and festivals are planned across the board. Hundreds of major and smaller events have been scheduled during 2007. Many of the events will display Romanian art and music, but international artists will be well represented also. Just outside the old city is the Astra Museum Complex - Museum of Traditional Folk Civilization - the second largest open air museum in the world, set in over 100 acres of forest and parkland around a swan-dotted lake. Divided into 6 sections it features over 300 buildings, including watermills and windmills, gigantic wine, fruit and oil presses, hydraulic forges and structures representing architectural styles from many parts of Romania? It's even got a traditional witch's house. The best way to tour the grounds is the old fashioned way--by horse drawn cart. Already a popular attraction for visitors ASTRA Museum will be a major venue for events in 2007. Sibiu is easily accessible from Bucharest (Bucuresti), Brasov, Cluj and Targu Mures. Austrian Airlines (www.austrianairlines.com) http://www.austrianairlines.com/ , Tarom (www.tarom.ro) http://www.tarom.ro/ , and Carpat Air (www.carpatair.ro) http://www.carpatair.ro/ all offer service to Sibiu International Airport, 10 miles away from the city center. There are daily direct and connecting flights from Bucharest and several cities in Austria, Germany and Italy (Ancona, Bologna, Dusselorf, Florence, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Naples, Paris, Rome, Stuttgart, Turin, Venice, Verona, and Vienna). For a list of events please visit: www.romaniatourism.com/festivals.html C 1998-2006 the Romanian Tourist Office 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)
[Romania-News] Festivals Events
Festivals http://www.visitromania.com/ Events Throughout the year, Romanians celebrate their ancient heritage, changing seasons, religious holidays and life-cycle events, such as birth, marriage and death, with festivals that have remained unchanged for centuries. Some of Europe's most traditional folkways are meticulously preserved here, with young celebrants wearing the same costumes and dancing the same steps to tunes played on instruments traditional to their forefathers since time immemorial. Festivals provide wonderful opportunities for visitors to experience the amalgam of the people who make up this country ? whose Latin roots dating from the Roman Empire make it unique in East-Central Europe. Major festivals throughout the year include: June The Traditional Crafts Fair - Crafts enthusiasts from all over Romania gather at the Village Museum in Bucharest to offer free demonstrations of traditional woodcarving, rug weaving, textile weaving and embroidering, pottery molding, glass blowing, egg painting and more. July Bucharest of Old - Celebration of the city as it was 150 years ago. Parade of 1800s costumes, horse-drawn carriages, traditional food, music and special performances. Medieval Days - Three-day celebration of medieval arts, crafts, music. Recreating the atmosphere of medieval Sighisoara using medieval arts, music, and crafts. The Maidens' Fair (Targul de Fete) - Traditional matchmaking festival where villagers in traditional costume walk up to Gaina Mountain for dancing, feasting and choosing a mate. August Dance at Prislop (Hora de la Prislop) - Traditional celebration of ties among three of Romania's main regions: Transylvania, Moldova and Maramures; villagers parade in traditional costume to Prislop Pass in the Carpathian Mountains, then participate in traditional dances, singing and feasting. Romania's Folk Art Festival - Initiation in folk art creation (pottery molding, textile embroidering, woodcarving and more) offered, for free, by preeminent folk artists to those interested in traditional crafts. September Sambra Oilor - festival marking the return of the sheep herds from the Mountains. October Wine Making Festival - Celebration marking beginning of the grape harvest. Halloween in Transylvania - Tours, shows and celebrations following the footsteps of Bram Stoker's novel character, Count Dracula. December Christmas Traditions Festival. Of all the events enjoyed during the year, folk festivals are without a doubt the most spectacular. While some festival dates remain fixed, others change year by year so it's wise to check before your trip. For a complete list of events please contact the nearest Romanian Tourist Information http://www.romaniatourism.com/worldwide.html Office. C 1998-2006 the Romanian Tourist Office 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)
