Bucharest: The Heartbeat of Festivities

In the capital, Bucharest transforms into a cultural playground. The Romanian Athenaeum hosts a marquee gala featuring orchestral renditions of compositions inspired by Eminescu, with renowned conductors leading choirs in harmonious odes.

Nearby, Cișmigiu Gardens host pop-up poetry slams where young artists remix classic lines into rap and spoken word, drawing diverse crowds under the winter sun. Street performers in the Old Town wear traditional costumes, blending hora dances with modern electronic folk to create Instagram-worthy moments that seamlessly blend eras.

Museums join the fervour, too, as selected museums in Bucharest offer free entry on January 15. The National Museum of Art unveils temporary exhibitions of paintings from the Eminescu era, while the George Enescu Museum offers guided tours spotlighting the poet’s influence on Romania’s musical giants.

For families, interactive workshops at the National Library teach calligraphy and folklore crafts, ensuring the day’s joy spans generations.

Regional Echoes and Modern Twists

The celebrations extend far beyond Bucharest, painting Romania in festive hues. In Cluj-Napoca, Transylvanian theatres stage full productions of Eminescu’s dramas, packed with standing ovations. Iași, the poet’s hometown, hosts dawn recitals at his statue, followed by literary marathons that run late into the night. Down south in Constanța, communities in Dobrogea share multicultural tales around bonfires, weaving Turkish, Tatar, and Romanian threads into the narrative. Even remote mountain villages light up with bonfires and ballad sing-alongs, proving culture thrives in every corner.

This year, digital innovation amplifies the reach. Live streams on platforms like YouTube and TikTok feature virtual reality tours of Eminescu landmarks, while AI-generated art contests invite users to reinterpret his poems through neural networks – a nod to Romania’s growing tech scene intersecting with tradition.

In an era of global challenges, the National Day of Culture stands as a beacon of resilience. It counters fast-paced modernity by reclaiming time for reflection, community, and creation. Organisers highlight their role in youth engagement, with school programs fostering pride amid EU cultural exchanges. As Romania eyes 2026’s cultural milestones, today’s events set the stage for bolder artistic ambitions.

From candlelit vigils at midnight to social media hashtags like #ZiuaCulturiiRO trending nationwide, Romanians are not just commemorating – they’re evolving their story. Join the wave: pick up a book of Eminescu’s poetry, attend a local event, or share your own cultural memory. Romania’s spirit endures, one verse at a time.

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Details of the Robbery

At approximately 3:45 AM, an explosion was reported at the museum, which shattered windows and allowed thieves to gain access. Among the stolen items were three gold bracelets and the exhibition’s centrepiece, the golden Helmet of Coțofenești, dating back to around 450 BC. This helmet, a significant artefact from Romania’s Dacian civilization, had been prominently featured in promotional materials for the exhibition. The museum’s director expressed profound shock and sadness over the incident, emphasizing that such a significant theft had never occurred in the museum’s 170-year history. While extra security measures were in place for the exhibition, no guard was stationed directly in the exhibit hall during the robbery.

Investigation Underway

Authorities are treating this incident as a carefully planned operation. Dutch police are currently investigating a suspicious vehicle linked to a car fire reported shortly after the explosion. They are urging residents to come forward with any footage or information that could assist in identifying the suspects. The Dutch police have joined Interpol to track down the stolen artefacts and apprehend those responsibly. Art historians have highlighted that such thefts are troubling in the Netherlands, where explosive break-ins have become increasingly common. Gold artefacts are often melted down for their material value, making a recovery challenging.

Cultural Impact

The loss of these artefacts is a blow to the Drents Museum and Romania’s cultural heritage. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been notified and works closely with Dutch authorities to recover these irreplaceable pieces. The theft has sparked outrage and concern among cultural institutions about the safety of their collections and has prompted discussions about enhancing security measures across museums. As investigations continue, Romanian and Dutch officials remain committed to recovering these invaluable artefacts and ensuring that such incidents do not undermine efforts to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

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In this article, we will explore some of the most intriguing aspects of Romanian mythology, offering readers a glimpse into this enchanting world.

Dracula – Vlad the Impaler

Without mentioning Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, no discussion of Romanian mythology is complete. Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, was known for his brutal methods of punishing enemies, earning him the nickname “Vlad the Impaler.” His fearsome reputation and the tales of his cruelty became the basis for the legendary vampire Dracula. This fusion of history and myth has given Romania one of its most iconic figures, fascinating people worldwide with tales of vampirism and dark folklore.

The Iele [iele]

The Iele are beautiful, ethereal female spirits known for their enchanting dances. According to legend, these mystical beings live in forests, caves, or mountain meadows and appear during the night to dance in circles. Those who witness their dances or try to join them are often struck by madness or paralysis. The Iele are revered and feared, embodying nature’s mysterious and unpredictable aspects.

The Solomonari

The Solomonari are wizard-like figures in Romanian mythology, believed to control the weather and wield great magical power. Often depicted as mysterious, reclusive men, the Solomonari are said to be able to summon storms and command dragons. They are also known to possess secret knowledge and magical books. The tales of the Solomonari reflect a deep respect for the natural forces and the world’s mysteries.

Strigoi

Strigoi are restless spirits that rise from their graves, causing havoc among the living. These undead beings are often associated with vampirism, drawing parallels to the more widely known vampire legends. Strigoi can transform into animals, become invisible, and drain the life force from their victims. These terrifying entities reflect the fears and superstitions of ancient Romanian society.

Zmei

The Zmei are dragon-like creatures often depicted as villains in Romanian folktales. These formidable beings usually capture maidens or treasures, only to be defeated by brave heroes. The Zmei are known for their incredible strength and fiery breath. They symbolize the challenges and obstacles that heroes must overcome in their quests.

Muma Pădurii

Muma Pădurii, or the Mother of the Forest, is a fearsome witch who dwells in the forest’s depths. She is often portrayed as an old, haggard woman who lures children into her lair. Despite her menacing nature, she is also considered a forest protector. Her story highlights the dual nature of wilderness as a place of danger and refuge.

Romanian Mythology: Enchanting Tales and Legendary Creatures

Romanian mythology is a rich tapestry of enchanting tales and legendary creatures that continue to capture the imagination of those who explore it. From the fearsome Strigoi and Zmei to the mystical Iele, these stories offer a fascinating glimpse into Romania’s cultural heritage. Whether you are a history buff, a folklore enthusiast, or simply curious, the world of Romanian mythology is a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered.

Dive deeper into the captivating world of Romanian mythology by exploring more legends and tales.

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Visit Bucharest, the only platform promoting Bucharest in English warns its readers about the situation. Also, the page dedicated to the Night of Museums in Bucharest will be modified later according to the latest museum announcements.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The selection you see below is not the definitive one. Because of the protests of the museums’ staff, as they demand higher salaries, the Night of the Museums in Bucharest could be affected. Many museums’ representatives announced they would skip this edition, and chances are they will keep it like this, or they might change their minds and agree to open on Saturday night. Either way, stay tuned for the latest changes in this year’s lineup.

Visit Bucharest warning to the foreign tourists in Bucharest

Other cities’ museums rallied to protest against the museums’ employees who demanded increased salaries. Four museums in Cluj, including the Museum of Art, announced their boycotting the event, while in Constanta, near the Black Sea, only two museums will have their doors open.

The Art Museum in Cluj shared a “See you in 2025” banner across the Night of the Museums logo.

On May 18, 2024, the Art Museum should have participated in the Night of Museums event to promote culture and museum heritage. Unfortunately, our institution will stand in solidarity with colleagues from the National Federation of Culture and Media Trade Unions (Culturmedia), organizing a protest in Bucharest on May 18. This approach wants to draw attention to the financial shortages within museum institutions and libraries in Romania

Official communication of the Museum of Art in Cluj Napoca

The situation mirrors the sub-financing of the cultural activities and institutions in the country. Yet, the ones who will suffer from this boycott are the culture and art lovers in Romania and the foreign tourists who want to visit Bucharest museums.

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Under the baton of Maestro Daisuke Soga, a long-time friend of the Brasov Philharmonic, and with the evening’s guests – soprano Alessia Schumacher, contralto Flaka Goranci, tenor Benjamin Glaubitz, bass Oscar Hillebrandt, and the German-Japanese Choir, the orchestra gave a vibrant and profoundly moving performance of the work.

The Berliner Philharmoniker’s Großer Saal Hall, which has hosted memorable performances by world-renowned orchestras such as the Wiener Stadtorchester and the Royal Concertgebouw, played host to an evening full of energy and emotion, where every note was heard with breathless enthusiasm by a large and enthusiastic audience. The presence of the Brasov Philharmonic Orchestra on this renowned stage confirmed its quality and the dedication with which the Brasov Philharmonic follows its mission to bring classical music closer to the hearts of people worldwide.

The Brașov Philharmonic Orchestra will return to the stage of the Patria Hall on 18 April in a concert conducted by Yiwen Shen, with saxophonist Marko Džomba as soloist, promising another unforgettable evening.

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The Romanian Athenaeum is a major Bucharest landmark. It was built by the Romanian Athenaeum Society at the end of the 19th century to host a public library, conferences, classical music concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural-artistic activities as part of its mission to spread culture by any means.

The Romanian Athenaeum, nicknamed the Romanian Temple of Arts, is an architectural jewel whose uniqueness and merits were recognized because it was classified as a historical monument in 2004. Located on Calea Victoriei, the Romanian Athenaeum is an important cultural center and a must-see architectural gem. Still, it is also defined by the fact that it is one of the oldest and most important cultural institutions in Bucharest.
This edifice hosts remarkable events, such as George Enescu’s classic music festival, an international event for classical music lovers.

The chief architect was Albert Galleron, who designed the building by following the valuable guidelines a team of Romanian architects provided. It must be mentioned that the famous Romanian composer George Enescu (1881-1955) conducted on March 1st, 1898, on the scene of the Athenaeum, the premiere of his enthusiastically acclaimed “Romanian Poem” and in 1914, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was played for the first time in the Romanian Principalities.

The 800 seats ensure perfect stage visibility from every point and impeccable acoustics. Its exceptional acoustics place the Romanian Athenaeum Hall among the most successful constructions of its kind worldwide.

Since 1889, the Athenaeum has been home to the Romanian Philharmonic Society (now the “George Enescu” Philharmonic), founded nearly two decades previously to disseminate musical culture and popularize the masterpieces of classical composers. These cultural societies and their emblematic building are part of the modernization process in the United Principalities of Romania. They declared a Kingdom in 1881 after gaining state independence from the Ottoman Empire at the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). Hosting concerts by great European composers and orchestras, the Romanian Athenaeum has been instrumental in disseminating European classical music since its creation. Since 1958, the Romanian Athenaeum has been hosting one of the world’s most important classical music events, the „George Enescu” International Festival and Competition, named in honour of the great Romanian composer. The Athenaeum also hosts public lectures by Nobel Prize laureates, renowned writers, and professionals from Europe, highlighting democracy and European values and promoting culture and science.

EC communication on awarding Romanian Athenaeum the European Heritage Label

More than a decade after the European Heritage Label started in 2011, independent European experts recommended these sites from a pool of sixteen sites that participating EU countries pre-selected.

Other European sites have received the same distinction and will be awarded in a ceremony on 17 April 2024 in Antwerp, Belgium.

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Romanian Art Market: A trend of modernism and impressionism coming back into focus

2023 was the year in which the classical and modern Romanian art market segment, stagnant for the past three years in the face of the momentum of the contemporary art segment, returned vigorously to the fore. There were significant sales of some exponents of Romanian modernism and impressionism, achieving (or being in the area of older) thematic records, with artists such as:

• Nicolae Tonitza (we mention here the awarding of the work “Little girl with a pink bow”, 110,000 euros – March 2023, boosted by the record achieved by “Child’s head”, which, although small in size, was given for 42,500 euros – December 2023 )
• Francisc Șirato (“Interior with poppies and daisies”, 22,000 euros – December 2023, together with “Lilac in interior” and “View from Balcic”, each 22,000 euros – March 2023)
• Jean Alexandru Steriadi (“Boats in the port of Deauville”, 19,000 euros – March 2023)
• Camil Ressu (“At the close of the harvest”, 17,000 euros – March 2023)
• Gheorghe Petrașcu (“Interior with family portrait”, 35,000 euros – December 2023)
• Octav Băncilă (“Peticarul”, 19,000 euros – October 2023)
• Arthur Verona (“Country Celebration”, 17,000 euros – December 2023)
• Paul Miracovici (“Nude”, with 13,500 euros – in June 2023)
• Magdalena Rădulescu (“The Great Cavalcade”, 7,500 euros – June 2023) etc.

The Romanian art market in 2023: new absolute records for the great Romanian masters

2023 was also the year in which several Romanian artists sold the best, marking, through exceptional transactions, their peak of adjudication in a public auction.
Among them, Oscan Han achieved a shared record by awarding, in March 2023, for 16,500 euros, the nude “After the Bath”, and the symbolist sculptor Ion Faur-Schmidt achieves an artist’s record by the public sale of the Gothic scene “Faust and Mephisto” “, awarded in December 2023 for 5,000 euros.

Among the classical artists with absolute records in 2023: Ștefan Luchian obtained the record for the best-selling pastel – “Innocence” and was awarded in October 2023 for 26,000 euros, Carol Popp de Szathmari obtained a personal record for “Elegance (Portrait of Marthei Bibescu) ( 7,500 euros – October 2023), and Constantin Lecca manages 10,000 euros for the “Portrait of Eufrosina Lecca”, also in October 2023.

The Romanian art market: new absolute records for Romanian contemporaries

The contemporary art segment of the market performed well, achieving some absolute records for the artists forming the art scene – and the cultural market. Thus, Horia Bernea achieved two successive records this year, culminating in the award in October 2023, with 28,000 euros, for “Garden Evening,”; and Horia Damian obtained the best auction price for a painting, 22,000 euros in May 2023, for a “Galaxie” (among the first, from 1959).
Moreover, contemporary sculpture artists have achieved sales records – in May 2023, Ioan Pârvan achieved 30,000 euros for “The Great Harlequins”; in November 2023, Felix Aftene obtained 26,000 euros for “Cronos”.

Romanian Sacred Art in 2023

For sacred art, 2023 is the year of the best-selling Romanian icon on wood – the imperial icon “Deisis”, from the XVI, which comes from the collection of the former Minister of Industry and Trade Ion Manolescu-Strunga, awarded, in December 2023, for 17,000 euros, but also of the best-selling Venetian-Cretan icon – “The Nativity”, from the beginning of the century. XVI, awarded in December 2023, for 11,000 euros.
At the same time, we should mention the absolute author records obtained in 2023 by several master Romanian glass icon painters: Nicolae Cațavei, Nicolae Oancea, Costea Verman, Ioan Pop from Făgăraș and Matei Popa from Vale (awards of several thousand euros – record! ).

The Romanian Art Book in 2023

The book market segment was particularly well represented, with 2023 bringing some absolute records here as well, including the best-selling 3 Romanian books – twice the “Bible from Bucharest” by Șerban Cantacuzino, from 1688, sold for 50,000 euros, as well as for 36,250 euros (the variation due to the state of preservation), in April, then July 2023; as well as “Cazania de la Govora” by Matei Basarab, 1642, awarded for 16,000 euros, in November 2023.
Regarding manuscripts, the record of the year is held by a notebook of Emil Cioran, which contains the manuscript of a part of “Twilight of Thoughts”, approx. 1940, sold for 10,000 euros, and the best-selling map was the “Tabula Peutingeriana”, from 1598, sold in March 2023 for 6,000 euros.

Romanian luxury and decorative art in 2023

A limited segment of educated taste, the fruit of a broader culture of beauty, the decorative arts, from furniture and designer design to Art Nouveau glassware and Art Deco or Bauhaus goldsmithing, achieved some notable results in 2023, such as 3,300 euros for the office Boulle type in Napoleon III style, made with bronze inlays and decorations, c. 19th century, 4,250 euros for a pair of onyx and marble pedestals, decorated with multicoloured enamel, c. 19th century and 3,000 euros for an elegant gilded bronze mantelpiece, consisting of a pair of candlesticks and a Hippolyte Azur clock, with chinoiserie decoration, approx. 1850 etc.

Vintage jewelry in the art auctions of 2023

In 2023, several vintage jewellery sold at record prices, such as a tennis bracelet in white gold decorated with diamonds, which fetched €20,000 (February 2023), a splendid necklace in white gold decorated with diamonds, awarded for €17,000 (May 2023), a Jaeger LeCoultre ladies’ white gold watch, decorated with 58 diamonds, totalling 4.5 ct. (which belonged to Zoia Ceaușescu, the daughter of the last communist leader of Romania), awarded for 14,000 euros (May 2023), but also a white gold pendant chain decorated with a large emerald, surrounded by diamonds, awarded for 17,000 euros (December 2023).

Watch auctions in Romania

Artmark auctions sold luxury and collectible watches, including an Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak, rose gold, from 2014, sold for 37,500 euros, in October 2023, a limited edition F.A. Jones of the classic IWC Portuguese, in gold, with a tourbillon movement, sold for 21,000 euros, in February 2023, but also an Annual Calendar edition, from 2002, of the famous Patek Philippe, made of gold, sold for 30,000 euros, in May 2023.

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Via Transilvanica wins in Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-raising category, while Pathfinders of the Waters, Danube Delta wins in Education, Training & Skills.

The annual EU prize for cultural heritage rewards 28 excellent initiatives and outstanding personalities from 20 European countries representing the latest developments and priorities related to European heritage policy and practice.

Winners in each category of European Heritage Awards 2023

Conservation & Adaptive Reuse

Steam Engine Brewery, Lobeč, CZECHIA

Friluftsskolen Open-Air School, Copenhagen, DENMARK

Hôtel de la Marine, Paris, FRANCE

Royal Gardens of Venice, ITALY

Museum of Urban Wooden Architecture, Vilnius, LITHUANIA

Wit Stwosz Altarpiece in St. Mary’s Basilica, Kraków, POLAND

Mudéjar Ceilings of the Cathedral of Funchal, Madeira, PORTUGAL

Deba Bridge, Gipuzkoa, SPAIN

Ruins of the Monastery of San Pedro de Eslonza, Gradefes, SPAIN

Research

Scientific-Archaeological Studies for the Preservation of Ererouyk, ARMENIA/FRANCE

Proto-Industrial Architecture of the Veneto in the Age of Palladio, ITALY

Safeguarding of the Artisanal Fishing Technique “Arte-Xávega”, PORTUGAL

Education, Training & Skills

MADE IN: Crafts and Design Narratives, AUSTRIA/CROATIA/SLOVENIA/SERBIA

ACTA VISTA, Marseille, FRANCE

Carpenters without Borders, Paris, FRANCE

National Centres for Restoration of Historic Vessels, NORWAY

Pathfinders of the Waters, Danube Delta, ROMANIA

Citizens’ Engagement & Awareness-raising

Village Square Meer, Antwerp, BELGIUM

Budapest100, HUNGARY

Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), Dublin, IRELAND

Open for You, ITALY

ALMADA Project, Lisbon, PORTUGAL

Via Transilvanica, ROMANIA

Un-archiving Post-industry, UKRAINE

Heritage Champions

Hambis Tsangaris, CYPRUS

Sergio Ragni, ITALY

Cláudio Torres, PORTUGAL

Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online (SUCHO), UKRAINE/INTERNATIONAL PROJECT.

Each winning achievement of this year’s European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards results from extraordinary skills and commitment, collective and individual, spanning European heritage places and traditions. By honouring these achievements, we also reiterate our firm commitment to protecting our shared cultural heritage, which is vital for our sense of togetherness as citizens and communities of Europe.

Margaritis Schinas, European Commission Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life

The award ceremony will take place on 28 September in Venice at the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2023. The summit that Europa Nostra organizes with the support of the European Commission takes place from 27 to 30 September.

About Via Transilvanica

Via Transilvanica is a long-distance trail of 1,400 kilometers that crosses Romania diagonally, from Putna to Drobeta Turnu Severin and is suitable for hiking, cycling or horseback riding.

About Pathfinders of the Waters

Pathfinders of the Waters represents a group of children who have built life-size wooden boats with their own hands, with which they explore the waters of the localities they belong to learn as much as possible about these natural spaces. In years to come, with their passion for nature and accumulated knowledge, they will be able to become capable guides for visitors. The guides come from Mila 23, Drobeta Turnu Severin, Eșelnita, Sfântu Gheorghe, Sulina, Piscu, Chilia Veche, and Comana. They built their canoes and paddles in “meaningful learning” workshops, in 4-week sessions, under the guidance of the carpenter Viorel Gheorghe of the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association.

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Each Friday, Visit Bucharest presents its recommended Bucharest events, for the English-speaking tourists in the Capital to attend.

Some of the most exciting events this weekend include Bookfest, the international book fair organized at Romexpo, where Italy is the featured country.

Also, Cotroceni Bazaar is one of the most enjoyable open-air events this spring, with tens of old houses opening their doors and courtyards to be visited by those interested in the old lifestyle and architecture.

Not to forget that Bucharest hosts Open Streets 2023 each weekend, where Calea Victoriei and other boulevards become pedestrian and offer an opportunity to enjoy life at its maximum.

Women on Matasari – Femei pe Matasari is another event recommended by Visit Bucharest. This is similar to the Cotroceni Bazaar and offers a range of open street activities and yard sales, from vintage clothing to concerts, from food vans to cityscape areas.

Besides, Bucharest Fountain Show will entertain tourists and locals like any other weekend. For a detailed schedule of the shows, check Visit Bucharest.

Bucharest seems to have started a series of exciting events, cultural and entertaining, celebrating the coming summer at its best.

For those planning to visit the city, we recommend this Bucharest Travel Guide, compiled in 2023, with many attractions, recommendations and more.

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Painting exhibitions, photography, scenography and costumes exhibition, book fairs and book launches, street performances, happenings – music, dance, poetry, motorcycle parade and period costume parade, and theatre workshops for adults and children, are just some of the activities that will take place during the three weeks of the festival.

There will be nine festival days: June 30-July 2, July 7-9, July 14-16 and over 30 events: theatre, concerts, book launches, street parades, street performances, photography and painting exhibitions, happenings and many others.

The festival program can be consulted on the website.

Tickets for the Teatru sub Luna 2023 art festival are available through the official ticketing partners: mySTAGE, Bilete.ro, Theatrum, ambilet.ro.

About InDART

The InDArt Theater is among the first independent theatres opened in Romania. With a cultural experience of over a decade, InDArt has a great repertoire of shows; since 2015, it has been organizing the „Teatru sub Luna” Art Festival in Bucharest, and from 2021 the festival is also organized in Moinești. In 2006, a cultural NGO offered young people free expression in a unique artistic space. With a constant activity for 16 years, the InDArt Cultural Association has matured artistically, contributing to the development of independent theatre with approximately 1500 events.
The purpose of InDArt is to create bridges between artistic fields. The organization focused its activity on two levels: cultural and social. Culturally, we aim to open new access paths to a poorly supported field in Romania the independent theatre. Socially, our mission is to open the art world to young people, to make it accessible, and to educate them. Supporting young artists, bringing theatre to the attention of young audiences, and guiding children toward the creative environment, are the primary means by which we operate.

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