Bucharest 555
Romanias capital since 1862, Bucharest last weekend celebrated 555 years since it was first mentioned in historical records.
Corina Cristea, 24.09.2014, 13:57
For three days, Bucharest put on its Sunday best, celebrating 555 years since it was first mentioned in an act issued by Vlad the Impaler, the then ruler of Wallachia. Open-air parties, funfairs, exhibitions, shows and parades were organised by the Bucharest City Hall under the slogan “The Bucharest Festival”.
The celebrations kicked off with the inauguration of the Gabroveni Inn, a reinforced historical monument that was streamlined with Norwegian funds and with funds from the local budget and that will become the new cultural centre of Bucharest. The Cismigiu Gardens downtown held a fair providing a diverse range of products, from objects made by craftspeople to those made by local young designers. In terms of cooking, cultural and social activities, a recreation area was made available in the midst of nature, where people could relax and have fun along with their families and friends.
The cultural programme in the Cismigiu Gardens also included a magic show, interactive workshops and the famous “battle of flowers”, as well as a parade of vintage costumes. A folk festival held in the George Enescu Square and a pop-rock music concert in the Constitution Square brought together a large number of people, while in the University Square hosted an alternative music concert.
Last Saturday, one hour before midnight, a multimedia 3D show, which was unique in Europe according to organisers, was screened on the façade of the Parliament Palace. Five shows of 5 minutes and 55 seconds each were screened on the most impressive area that a building can provide, that is about 20,000 square metres.
The historical centre of Bucharest turned into an open-air dance rink. Artists danced on Latino rhythms and ran courses for those willing to grasp the secrets of choreography. “The Brancoveanu Palaces” Cultural Centre in Mogosoaia, 20 km far from the capital, also joined the Bucharest Festival, hosting events for children from schools and orphanages and theatre shows performed in the Palace courtyard decorated with oversized 3D historical and present-day pictures of Bucharest.
