Mucenicii

In the Orthodox calendar, the day of March 9 is dedicated to the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sevastia. It is said that in Emperor Lichinie times in Sevastia, Armenia, lived voivoda Agricolae that has 40 soldiers, all Christians. Hearing about that, forced them to deny their faith and to worship idols. Because they refused to renounce Christianity, were terribly tortured and eventually was burned at the stake. Mucenici or măcinici (Romanian for martyrs) are named also the spirits of ancestors, celebrated on this day.

In the popular calendar, Mucenicii, Moşii de Mărţişor (approx. The Elders from March), Sfinţişorii (The Little Saints) or Sâmbra plugului (untranslatable) (the name varies from one area to another) - means the end of winter, the beginning of spring and and of the agricultural year. On this day, in the rural areas there are a number of rituals in which people still believe: all those who do not have names of saints are celebrating this day their name day; all trash and debris collected over winter are set in fire in the yard or garden, and if the smoke goes straight up into the sky, it is said that in the next 40 days will be good weather to work the land; people give a sort of eight-shaped pretzels, made from pannetone dough, baked in the oven, then smeared with honey and sprinkled with crushed nuts and sugar; people drink 40 glasses of wine (or if they don't support this... treatment, 40 tablespoons of wine); the entire household is sprayed with holy water and incensed, three times, from east to west, as to banish evil, people and animals to be good all year, and the household to prosper.

Costeşti-Blidaru Fortress

The Dacian fortresses of the Sureanu Mountains (also known as the Orăştie Mountains) are famous in Romania (and an UNESCO World Heritage Site). Here was the capital of the ancient Dacian civilization. Many of the stone structures are still well preserved and open for the public to see. The area is also popular with local hikers as the view from the hill tops is breathtaking. While you are in the area, it's worth visiting some of the other Dacian fortresses. The defensive system of the Dacian fortresses of the Orašţie Mountains was built in the 1st centuries B.C. and A.D. under Dacian rule. These six fortresses (Capâlna, Baniţa, Luncani-Piatra Roşie, Costeşti–Blidaru, Costeşti-Cetăţuie, Sarmizegetusa) show an unusual fusion of military and religious architectural techniques and concepts from the classical world and the late European Iron Age. The six defensive works were conquered by the Romans at the beginning of the 2nd century AD; their extensive and well-preserved remains stand in spectacular natural surroundings and give a dramatic picture of a vigorous and innovative civilization. These Dacian fortresses are outstanding examples of this type of defended site.

The Blidaru Fortress [N 45.667765, E 23.162882] is located at 4 km from Costeşti, uphill the Apa Grădiştei Valley, at an altitude of 705 m - and is considered the most powerful fortress of the Dacian defensive fortification system in Orăştie Mountains. It was conquered by the Romans in 102 AD, later it has been rebuilt by Dacian King Decebal and finally completely destroyed by Roman Emperor Trajan in 106 AD.

On an area of 6000 square meters, can be seen the traces of two twin fortresses, built at different times. The first fortress, which covers the higher plateau of the hill, has the form of a trapezoidal with four outer towers, located in the corners. The entrance was through the first tower. The residence tower, of which the outline is preserved, is placed in such a way so as to prevent enemies from spreading their forces on the inside. The fifth tower, isolated, served as guard tower in front of the entrance (Poiana Perţii tower). West of the first fortress, the second one was built in a pentagon shape, with a single tower, others are common to both fortresses. What draws ones attention here are the war platforms on the northern and southern sides. Here were found also traces of small rooms, used to shelter the defenders of the fortress and warehouses for grain and water, walls constructed of stone and connected with earth, stone, etc. On the lower terraces are four sanctuaries, consisting of alignments of tambours. The two fortresses are remarkable by the originality of the building, strategic position and the technique of building.

Here is also another building, unique in the Dacian world and built, most likely, by a Roman craftsman or under its direction. It's a water tank, building erected outside the fortification on one of the western terraces, below the second fortress, as the water source is at a lower level. It has a height of 4 meters and 6.2 m on 8 m inside, with 2 m thick walls. The walls were covered with an impermeable layer consisting of lime, sand and brick crushing, a typical Roman construction. The mortar does not contain Calcium, still has bactericide properties.

 

General layout:
A. Fortress-1;
B. Fortress-2;
1. Access gate;
2. Observation towers;
3. Residence tower;
4. Water tank.

Systematic archaeological researches started in 1953 after a few random explorations in 1925 on the Muchia Chistoarelor and in 1944 on one of the Făeragului terraces. The upper plateau with the fortification was studied from 1953 until 1959. The 2003 campaign was focused on the research of a tower identified along the road leading from Valea Făeragului towards Luncani, at "La Vămi". The length of the tower is 11.90 m at the exterior and 6.80 m in the interior, the width of the wall is 2.60 m, being built in the technique called "murus dacicus". This tower is one of the many towers placed on the terraces of the Blidaru hill, in the Făeragu-Târşa Luncani area, with a view towards Orăştie and Grădiştea valley. The archaeological material consists of fragmentary gutter and roof tiles.

Ideea and photos from Jurnal Românesc.

Emil Loteanu

Emil Loteanu (November 6, 1936 – April 18, 2003) was a renowned film director, film writer and writer (poetry and short stories) from Moldova.

Loteanu was born in Clocuşna, Hotin County, Kingdom of Romania (now Ocniţa district, Moldova Republic). After the annexation of Bessarabia by the USSR in 1944, Emil remained in Rădăuţi, together with his father. He studied at St. Sava College in Bucharest and after the death of his father in 1949 he illegally went in Moldova, but he was caught and handed over to Romanian border guards, who sent him to Bucharest, where his mother worked at the Soviet Embassy. In 1952 he asked to be repatriated and lived his early life on the streets, sleeping in warehouses and hostels. Between 1953-1954 was an actor at the Drama Theater "Pushkin" from Chişinău. He attended acting classes at the School of the Theater Academy of Art (MHAT) in Moscow (1954-1956) and directing at the Union Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in in Moscow (1956-1962). After graduating, Loteanu was hired in 1962 to Moldova-Film studio, working in the period 1973 to 1983 as director at the Mosfilm Studio in Moscow. In 1968 he joined the CPSU.

He made his directorial debut with Bolshaya gora in 1960, then his debut as a writer of feature films was in 1963, with Aşteptaţi-ne în zori (Expect us at dawn, 1963) at the Moldova Film Studio, and continued to make films there until 1975, when he joined Mosfilm. With films such as Lăutarii (English: The Fiddlers, 1971), Şatra (Russian: Tabor ukhodit v nebo English: Queen of the Gypsies, 1975), Gingaşa şi tandra mea fiară (Russian: Moy laskovyy i nezhnyy zver, English: A Hunting Accident, 1977), and Anna Pavlova (1983) Loteanu began to attract international attention. For his films, he received prizes at film festivals in San Sebastian, Naples, Milan, Belgrade, Minsk, Prague, Paris.

Between 1987-1992 Loteanu was president of the 'Filmmakers Union of Moldova'. He was instrumental in the formation of two promotions for film directors in the 'Upper School of Directing'. He founded the 'Phoenix-M Association of Experimental Creation', the theater and film magazine 'Magic Lantern', and was author of the television show 'Searching for a Star'. Emil Loteanu taught at the 'Art Institute of Chişinău'; among the young actors trained by Emil Loteanu were Svetlana Toma, Grigore Grigoriu, and many other.

He received the titles of 'Honored Master of Art in Moldova' (1969), 'People's Artist of Russian Federation' (1980), 'Honorary member of the International Academy of Film Nike'. He also received the 'State Prize' and the 'Order of the Republic'. In 2001, received the 'Award for Excellence in Art Directing', awarded at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest.

Vădastra Project

Vădastra is a small village in Olt County, Oltenia, Romania. During the Late Neolithic the territory of the present-day province Oltenia witnesses a cultural diversity. The area has an abundant hydro-graphic basin which will play an important role in the dynamic of the Neolithic people situated in the southern part of the Carpathians.

Between the Jiu River and the Olt River a complex cultural display can be registered, one can notice settlements belonging to Vădastra culture (6000-3500 BC; first evolution phase surpasses the Olt - including northeastern Bulgaria, in the second phase is restricted only between the two streams). Vădastra culture reached during its evolution a high degree of development, highlighted among other achievements in the field of anthropomorphic art. Representative is the complex pottery excised and heavily encrusted with white substance, of an unprecedented splendor in the Middle Neolithic, highest expression of art of decorative pottery of all European Neo-Eneolithic.

The Vădastra Experimental Archaeology Project, unique to Romania, was initiated in year 2000 by Professor Dr. Dragoş Gheorghiu of the National University of Arts of Bucharest, who is pioneering the research in this field by recreating artifacts and using ancient techniques, but is also re-enacting the use of space, water and fire to reproduce perceptions that are both ancient and inspiring for the new generations. His project is part of a new field in archaeology, often labeled as archaeology / anthropology of perceptions / senses, which merges art, cognitive sciences, archaeology and especially experimental archaeology, anthropology and philosophy, or phenomenology in archaeology. The project was initially supported by the Archaeology Department of the Ministry of Culture.

In Romania the traditional ceramic wasn't studied from the point of experimenting clays and ways of burning like does in European Countries for some years. It is still an unknown domain not only for the Romanian archaeologist but for the foreign ones. The research project initiated by the University of Arts Bucharest is trying to make known the values of prehistoric ceramic art from Romania to Europe, as well as the information about the color, the shape and technology employed. The Vădastra 2000 Project is the first international project in which UAB led the initiative and which involved several important European and American Universities.

The principal method involved was the reconstruction of the technological chains of making and burning the ceramic items, by this meaning the materials analysis and several tests of clay and finally making objects as close to the prehistoric ones as possible. This experimental method is essential for the revival of the traditional ceramic art and also for the experimental archaeology. In Vădastra are developed also a series of pyrotechnic applications and vernacular architecture designed to bring to light and highlight the technologies of the past.

In the archaeological park annually develop new projects and continue the ones initiated in 2000, within an international approach - Dr. Alex Gibson (University of Bradford, United Kingdom), Dr. Richard Carlton (University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK), Dr. George Nash (University of Bristol, UK), Dr. Kevin Andrews, Dr Roger Doonan and Dr. Bruce Induni (Bournemouth University, UK), Dr. Armand Desbat (Center National de la Recherche Scientifique, Lyon), Dr. Ralph Rowlett (University of Missouri - Columbia, USA), Marc van der Linden (Université Libre de Bruxelles). The project is in the database of Prehistoric Ceramic Research Group of United Kingdom, and students from USA, UK, Belgium, France, Finland, Poland, Romania.

Initially, a "World Team" of scientists tried to rediscover the techniques of pottery and ceramics burning practiced about 7,000 years ago - without potter's wheel, in kilns built with technologies and materials available in the Neolithic, using a natural fuel specific to the period. Gradually, were developed experiments of archaeo-metallurgy, eco-design, large ceramic objects, prehistoric architecture, practical lessons for the children from Vişina and Vădastra villages and for students with the purpose of revival the traditional ceramic art.

Photos from here.

Eugen Doga

Eugen Doga or Evgheni Doga (born March 1, 1937) is the most famous Moldovan contemporary composer.

Eugen Doga was born on March 1, 1937, in in Mocra village, Rîbniţa district of Moldova. After graduating from the Conservatoire in Chişinău, he performed as violoncellist in the Orchestra of the State Committee of the Soviet Moldavia for television and radio (1957-1962), taught at the Music College "Ştefan Neaga" from Chişinău (1962-1967), and worked from 1967 to 1972 at the repertory-editorial Board of the Ministry of Culture of Moldova.



He made his debut in the composition art in 1963, with a string quartet, later becoming the author of many priceless musical compositions, film and theater soundtracks. He is the author of many cantatas, composed a symphony, instrumental music, romances, a symphonic poem, many songs for children etc.



Eugen Doga wrote music for over 200 films, spectacles, ballets. He composed music for many prominent films, including "My Sweet and Tender Beast" which is known under its International title "A Hunting Accident"; "Lăutarii" (The Fiddlers); Şatra (after Maxim Gorky); Anna Pavlova.



On December 30, 1992, composer Eugen Doga was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. He is Doctor Honoris Causa of the International Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. 2007 was declared by the Republic of Moldova as "Eugen Doga Year". He was awarded the Order of the Republic (1997), Order of Merit to the Fatherland (provided by Russia in 2008), Order Dinamo Romania in the rank of Commander, Medal "Mihai Eminescu", and Gold Medal "Man of the century XX"(USA, 1998).



He received the titles of Honored Master of Art in Moldova, People's Artist of the MSSR (1967), People's Artist of USSR (1987), Prize Boris Glavan of Moldova, the State Prize of the MSSR (1980) and the State Prize of USSR (1986). On August 26, 2008, Moldovan President awarded the State Prize for 2008 and the title "Laureate of State Prize" for 2008, for "outstanding contribution to the development of national and world musical art".

Ernei Castle

Ernei (Hungarian: Nagyernye; German: Rohrdachen or Arn) is a commune in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is the northernmost commune of the county, and is located at 10 km from Târgu-Mureş.

In 1302, Ernyei István owned the area. Ernei was documentary attested in 1332, as Ernece, and in 1453 as Nagyernye. In 1602, the village was owned by Mósa Gergely, a famous leader. On September 14, 1661, Ali Pasha encamped here and imposed Apaffi Mihály I as Prince of Transylvania. The village belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary Empire. Since 1918 it belongs to Romania, after the re-unification of Transylvania with Romania. It was occupied by Hungary between 1940-1944, time when the Jewish community was exterminated by the Nazis during the Shoah (Holocaust).

The settlement began to develop in the 16th century, when the noble family Balint from Teiuş. It is said that the family changed their name in Balintitt when they were made Barons by the Emperor for bravery. During a battle, captain Balint came in front of soldiers to inspire them, and the soldiers got courage, shouting: "Balint itt" (Balint is here! aid arrived, Balint iss here!). The union of two words formed the last name, which it remained so.

Balintitt family started building the castle in the early 1800s, but during the 19th century it has undergone many changes of style. Although the building was not very high, was a massive construction. The Barons had not a remarkable social life, due to the frequent trips abroad. In those trips they have met many foreign writers - from here the passion of Baron Balintitt Jozsef for writing and books. The favorite and best kept place in the castle was his library. Because that housed his own writings, the letters of the humanist Kovacsoczi Farkas, and many books in English, French and German, which he translated into Hungarian, the library had an inestimable sentimental value for him. After World War II, the books were scattered, most of them being lost forever. All he gained from writing and publishing, was donated to the Red Cross, a foundation that led after World War I.

The last owner of the castle was Baron Balintitt Titkaroly, an officer. On March 4, 1949, the domain was nationalized and the Baron fled to Hungary, where he was arrested and imprisoned. After his release from prison, he emigrated in USA, where he became an economist. He is a survivor of the attack of 9/11 at the World Trade Center. The Baron claims his property in justice. Now, the castle houses a kindergarten and is in a very bad condition.

Mădăraş Castle

Mădăraş (Hungarian: Mezőmadaras) is a commune in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located 10 km north-west from Târgu-Mureş and became an independent commune when it split from Band (Mezőbánd) in 2004. Mădăraş belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary Empire. Since 1918 it belongs to Romania, after the re-unification of Transylvania with Romania. It was occupied by Hungary between 1940-1944, time when the Jewish community was exterminated by the Nazis during the Shoah (Holocaust).

The Alexius and Georgius Bethlen castle was built in 1517, nearly 200 years after the first official document of the locality. Mădăraş was then a village with only 23 houses, but after the arrival of nobles Bethlen it grew rapidly. The domain flourished overnight and soon became one of the largest and most prosperous in Transylvania. The entire area belonged to several members of the Bethlen family, until 1607, when it passed into possession of Borsos Tamás. The last owner of the castle was another Transylvanian noble family, Orban. Its descendants have lived in Mădăraş until 1948, when the whole domain was nationalized.

During the Communist regime, the castle was used in turn by an agricultural association, a restaurant, a barbershop (!). It's present state it is more than pathetic.