THE LAST WORD - APRIL 2008 I seem to be lucky. Almost every time I come to Bucharest, I bring good weather with me. And, so it is this week, while it is still a bit chilly as I wrote this, on the first day of spring, there is no denying that spring is here. The early flowers are blooming, the trees are be¬ginning to show some green, and the air is still fresh and clean. Not yet filled with the oppres¬sive combination of summer heat and pollution.
BUCHAREST – NORTH VS SOUTH The land in the south of Bucharest is now the focus of investors’ attention, where lots of over 10 hectares can still be found, at attractive prices no less. Even without the advantages of an airport close by or of forests and lakes, the south has emerged thanks to these very affordable prices. lately, the area has also proven to be safe in case of floods, as it is 20-30 meters higher than the rest of the city. Currently, the northern and central part of the capital rule supreme on the Bucharest real estate market. If in Baneasa, for instance, a square meter of land is well beyond 200 Euro, and can sometimes reach 500 Euro in the most advantageous locations, the poorest area from the point of view of investments remains Southern Bucharest, where the prices per one square meter vary between 20 and 250 Euro, depending on the utilities present. Lots without utilities cost approximately... Read More >>
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce Paul Dyck is analysing the current economic relations between Romania, as a member of the European Union and the US.
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS
U.S.-Romanian commercial relations have increased dramatically in the last five years.During this time, U.S. exports to Romania increased from $375 million to $550 million.
Romania exports to the United States also increased during this time period.In 2001, Romania companies were sending goods worth $520 million to the United States.In 2006, this total was $1.1 billion.
U.S. companies have also decided to invest considerable money into the Romanian economy. Total U.S. investment in Romania was $834 million through 2006. Leading U.S. firms like Coca-Cola, Qualcomm, General Electric, and Selectron have all decided to make Romania an important part of their European stra...
In contrast with the early 90’s, whenprice played the most important role in the general public’s purchasing decision-making process, nowadays, more and more Romanians are influenced in their purchasing decisions by the quality and the notoriety of the brands.
It is certain that, in Romania, the next few years will further increase brand fidelity amongst the public, especially in the upper class market of goods and services, says the study. Regardless of the country’s overall economic shape, which is rather pour compared to European Union standards, a number of “nouveau-riches” already emerged from the economic and political transition, pressuring the local retail market in their quest for expensive luxury goods and services. According to statistics, this demand for luxury goods already reached a critical weight and is now generating a response from ...
People are made to try the change – that’s why they never stop at one single perfume. There is a favorite perfume for each of the four seasons, for each moment of the day, for a certain state of mind or for a special occasion. But beyond all this, the perfume of our first love or teenage years never resembles that of our mature years.
Once you’ve chosen a perfume that you like, it represents you and your personality. It plays, it combines with the scent of your skin, and the result is you, a unique formula. Each country, each culture, each individual has their own favorite scent. Food plays an important role in the skin pH and the reaction between the perfume and your own scent makes the same perfume smell a little differently from one individual to another. But people are made to try change – that’s why they never stop with a single perfume. There is a fav...
Let’s put it bluntly. When it comes to food and to culinary delicacies, it is sometimes hard, if not impossible to make clear distinctions as to the country of origin of this or that dish. This is especially the case in this region, call it Central Europe, call it Eastern Europe, call it the Balkans, call it whatever you may wish. Try the Romanian mici or mititei for example, the minced-meat rolls made from a mixture of meat (beef, pork and mutton). Then try the Serbian (or Bosnian) çevapi or çevapãiçi and tell me whether there is a difference. There might be some difference in form or in the manner they are served, but let’s be serious: essentially, they are the same. The pride with which individuals of various ethnic groups ascribe national identities to the dishes is actually a little hilarious, yet nonetheless charming and fascinating at times....
Most Romanian Easter traditions are the same all over the country. Still, each region has some specific customs and practices. Typically associated with the natural beauty of the areas, some of them legendary, the Easter Holidays should encourage you to explore Romania.
Are you going to be in Romania for Orthodox Easter this year? Then you could spend this holiday in a unique and unforgettable way.
Although staying in Bucharest doesn't mean you are going to be bored, as there are many places to go and a lot of things to do, few of the old traditions have been kept alive here. If you really want to experience Romanian Easter, you need to go to villages or small towns. The local residents will welcome you into their homes with traditional “pasca” and “cozonac” (a sort of pound cake), with coloured eggs, painted in themes which are specific to this part of the...
THE IRISES OF MOGOSOAIA There are few places in Bucharest where something interesting happens all the time, that never make you say: „Ah, I was there last year, what else is there to see?” For me, Mogosoaia is one of those places that simply feel alive, that I never tire visiting time and again... Over time, I have come here in the summer, and I have walked through the many groves, glades and leas of the palace park, all beautifully ready for a picnic or on the shores of the lake that you can reach after passing through a French-style mini-labyrinth of living plants, amongst restored columns from the Brancoveanu era, then down a few steps guarded by two lions carved in stone. I have come here in the fall, to see an exhibition hosted in the halls of one of Brancoveanu’s most beautiful achievements – the Mogosoaia Palace, built way back in 1702, when I decided I couldn’t miss the opp... Read More >>
The 2008 edition of the Festival will include shows by Peter Brook, Robert Wilson, Lev Dodin, Eimuntas Nekrosius and Silviu Purcarete. The motto of this event is: “Great directors, great shows, great theaters in Europe and around the world”.). Bucharest (April 28 – May 16) and Craiova (May 1- 9) will be hosting Shakespeare shows such as: “Troilus and Cresida”, by the Cheek by Jowl Company, directed by Declan Donnellan, the Shakespeare Trilogy (“Hamlet”, “Macbeth” and “Othello”), by the Meno Fortas Company from Vilnius, directed by Eimuntas Nekrosius, “Measure for Measure”, directed by Silviu Purcarete, “King Lear”, directed by Lev Dodin (the Small Theater of Sankt Petersburg), “The 12th night”, by Robert Sturua (the Sota Rustaveli T...
WHAT A CITY OFFERS As much as work and stress as may represent your usual day, as much as you may feel that you are lost between meetings, important decisions, projects and work plans, you must admit that you sometimes think about possible moments of relaxation, with everything that might include. Whether a comfortable sofa suddenly comes to your mind, or you imagine yourself in front of a promising and dynamic tv or movie screen, or you think of the future coffee on a terrace with a dear companion, or new clothes to choose or to try on, the fast workflow is interrupted by such flashes. I would gather this entire complex into a single word: entertainment. There may not be many people who ask themselves “What does entertainment mean today". Once the word covered something far less complicated than today. It designated a way of spending spare time in a pleasant and relaxing way. But now, when everyt... Read More >>
A week of Romanian comedy with the best such shows in the country. Those who have seen it prior years– this event already has a well-earned tradition of its own – know that it must not be missed. The atmosphere is special, awards will be given, by categories, as well as for the best Romanian comedy. Location of the competition – the Comedy Theater. Host - George Mihaita.
A fair under the blue sky, in the museum yard, a fair for trades people, because it is a tradition that fairs are held on Palm Sunday all over the country, right before Easter, to allow everyone to buy new things, and buy whatever is needed for the Holy Days when we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Eggs brushed, painted, painstakingly varnished or decorated with beads. Demonstrations – egg painting workshop, by some of the best tradesmen of the fair. And since it’s a spring feast, there will be many flower girls there too. Roughly 150 tradesmen will come from all around Romania, sitting scattered in the museum yard, under the freshly green trees, with their icons, traditional instruments, blankets and plates, wood sculptures, brass kettles, carpets, traditional blouses and art. It is an opportunity for dickering and ... Read More >>
The first symphonic concert of April brings an exceptional artist to Bucharest, the talented pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, the future pianist, now internationally famous, gave her first concert when she was 11. In 1964 she began studying at the Moscow Conservatory, guided by Jacob Milstein. After wining several international contents in Bucharest (ENESCU), Brussels (QUEEN ELISABETH) and Paris (MARGUERITE LONG), the youngpianist left the Soviet Union in 1978 and relocated to Vienna. It was the beginning of an amazing international career. Elisabeth Leonskaja returns to Bucharest with an extraordinary program: Concerts for piano and orchestra number 1 and 2 by Johannes Brahms. She will be accompanied by the symphonic orchestra of the GEORGE ENESCU Philharmonic, conducted by Horia Andreescu.
The NATO Summit, between the 2nd and the 4th of April is the largest event ever organized in Romania. Approximately 3000 delegates - presidents, prime ministers and ministers – will be debating, in a three-day marathon-program with an extremely heavy political agenda. The president of Romania, Traian Basescu, said that “The Summit targets solutions for Afghanistan, for expansion projects, for the security of the member states, for assuring the security of the Black Sea region, and the energy issues. There must be progress in comparison with the Riga Summit. Beyond possible expansion, the Summit hopes to bring Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro closer to NATO”, and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the General Secretary of the Alliance, has stated that: “I am expecting the chiefs of state and governments to discuss a series of challenges and threat... Read More >>
The NATO Public Diplomacy presents an Exhibition that started in the middle of March and will last until the end of the NATO Summit, in Bucharest. The exhibition, completely new, explains the operation and actions of the Alliance, using video materials, photos, texts, an interactive electronic questionnaire, as well as free DVDs and publications. The exhibition was open to the public at the National History Museum in the city center, from mid-March until the end of the month, and at the beginning of April it was relocated to the building which will host the Summit meetings – the Palace of the Parliament, whee a new module was added to the exhibition, to reflect the role of the Alliance in the fight against terrorism, for a more specialized audience.
In its second season, the TeaM project – team theater and music, created by the GEORGE ENESCU Philharmonic for young artists, scheduled a very special concert for the evening of April 8. Guests from Arad, the members of the GRAFIC band dedicated to old music will play an amazing repertoire of medieval and Celtic music. Unusual instruments, medieval costumes and harmonious dances will turn this into a one-of-a-kind event.
Kings On Ice returns to Bucharest on April 24 and 25, after their huge success last year. The two shows will be at Sala Polivalenta, and the two stars, one from the skating world, Evgeni Plushenko, multiple European and World champion at figure skating, and Edvin Marton, the Hungarian violinist already well known through his concerts in previous years, will join forces to offer a true feast of royal music and dance on ice.
The chords of the Stradivarius violin, lovingly caressed by Edvin Marton, will be the background for Evgeni Plushenko’s dances, together with the famous skater Surya Bonaly and 19 other talented skaters.
After taking part in this year’s New Year celebration at Romexpo, Alphaville decided to perform a real show this time. The “Kings of Hits” will return to Bucharest on the 12th of April, at Arenele Romane. Over the course of time, Alphaville has launched 6 albums selling millions of copies worldwide. “Big in Japan”, “Forever Young”, “Dance With Me”, “The Jet Set”, “Summer in Berlin”, “For A Million” are only some of the hits that made them famous!
Bucuresti What, Where, When
