PRICES
\nRomania is the EU member country with the smallest prices for foodstuffs and soft
\ndrinks, according to the European Statistics Office. Specifically, in Romania, such
\nproducts were nearly 30% cheaper than the European average. In fact, Romania
\nalso saw the lowest levels of household end consumer prices. At the opposite
\npole, Ireland, Denmark and Luxembourg are the most expensive countries to live
\nin. The most significant differences were in terms of alcohol and tobacco
\nprices-such products are over 3 times more expensive in Denmark compared to Bulgaria.
\nThe latter country also reports the lowest prices in the hospitality industry.<\/p>\n
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ENERGY The European Commission approved the takeover
\nof the Romanian operations of the Italian utilities group Enel by the Public
\nPower Corporation (PPC) in Greece. The EC reached the conclusion that the
\ntakeover raises no competition concerns, given that the operations of the 2
\ncompanies do not overlap. Enel announced in March it would sell its Romanian
\noperation to PPC for EUR 1.26 bln, in a plan to reduce debt and focus on green
\nenergy. Enel group, which operated in Romania since 2005, is currently a major
\nplayer in energy supply and distribution, in renewable energy and advanced
\nenergy services. It services over 3 million consumers in 3 major regions in
\nRomania. With the takeover completed, the Greek group Public Power Corporation becomes
\nthe largest player in the electricity market in South-Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n
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BLOUSE The Romanian blouse was celebrated this year as
\nwell on 24 June, both in the country and in Romanian communities around the
\nworld. The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse is a cultural diplomacy
\ninstrument and a means to promote Romanian culture and traditions. The country
\nhosted events devoted to the traditional blouse, ia, including an Art Safary
\nexhibition of folk costumes in Bucharest, screenings and creative workshops for
\nchildren, as well as a fashion show featuring the traditional blouse as a street
\nwear element. Some museums, including the Ethnography Museum in Bra\u015fov and ASTRA
\nMuseum in Sibiu, received visitors free of charge if they came dressed in
\ntraditional blouses. Last year the Romanian blouse was included in the UNESCO Heritage list. <\/p>\n
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THEATRE
\nThe central Romanian city of Sibiu, a European capital of culture in 2007, is
\nhosting the International Theatre Festival, currently in its 30th
\nyear. This year’s theme is Miracle.
\nUntil 2 July, 825 indoor and outdoor events
\nwill take place, bringing together some 5,000 artists and guests from 75 countries.
\nAll the outdoor performances are free of charge. The festival also keeps its
\nonline section, which includes 40 shows. The official opening took place on
\nFriday night, with the play A Cathedral Full of Organs staged at the Lutheran
\nCathedral of St. Mary in Sibiu. <\/p>\n
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HOLIDAY Orthodox and Greek-Catholic
\nChristians celebrated on Saturday the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the
\nlast Old Testament prophet. St. John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus;
\nhe urged people to repent their sins and baptised them in the River Jordan. John
\nalso baptised Jesus, presenting him to the world as the Messiah. The Christian
\nfeast day of St. John the Baptist overlaps a pre-Christian tradition in which
\n24 June was devoted to the S\u00e2nziene, gentle fairies believed to bring fertility
\nand wealth. <\/p>\n
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ROWING Romania’s C\u0103t\u0103lin Chiril\u0103 won the silver in the men’s canoe single
\n500m final on Saturday at the European Games in Krakow-Malopolska (Poland). This
\nwas the 4th medal for Romania, after Bianca Ghelber won the silver in
\nthe hammer throw event, athlete Andrea Miklos won the bronze in the 400 m race,
\nand \u015etefan Com\u0103nescu also came in 3rd at the 67 kg kumite.
\nRomania takes part in the European Games in Krakow-Malopolska, between 21 June
\nand 2 July with 150 athletes in 18 disciplines. (AMP)<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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