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.

Eugen Pavel

Dr. Eugen Pavel is a Romanian scientist and the inventor of the Hyper CD-ROM, a 3D optical data storage medium with a claimed initial capacity of 10 TB and with a theoretical capacity of 1 PB on a single disc. It is considered by some to be the next revolution in computer storage.

Dr. Pavel graduated with a physics degree from the University of Bucharest in 1976. He obtained his doctorate in Physics from the Romanian Institute of Atomic Physics in 1992. Eugen Pavel has published more than 40 books and articles, and he is the holder of 62 patents and patent applications.

The Hyper CD-ROM is a tridimensional multilayer optical memory, based on the phenomenon of controlled extinction of the fluorescence. The Hyper CD-ROM allows the recording of information inside the “shelves” of a glass disk using laser beams. Such a glass disk has a storing capacity of over 10,000 Gigabytes (GB) of memory - an amazing size in comparison with those developed by the highest level computer firms and benchmarks - that allows storing of approximately 10 million books of standard format. It is in fact, an “optic tridimensional multilevel memory” so it can store data in over 10,000 different levels inside a glass disk 10 mm high and 120 mm in diameter. The most attractive aspect is that the support for storage (i.e. fluorescent photosensitive glass) is a very stable in time medium (information can be read during all the life of the glass - estimated to at least 5,000 years). Great IT companies as IBM, HP Compaq or Philips are very interested in this revolutionary technology.

Eugen Pavel won: The 'WIPO Award for the Best Inventor', granted by World Intellectual Property Organization; 'Prize of the World Periodical Press Organization' and 'Gold Medal' at Brussels Eureka: 48th World Exhibition of Innovation, Research and New Technology; 'Gold Medal' at 32nd International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products of Geneva; 'Prize of the Romanian Academy of Sciences for Physics'; 'Grand Prize of the Kent Premium Lights Annual Awards for Innovation' granted by British American Tobacco; Prize 'Prof. Ing. Dimitrie Leonida' granted by Romanian Technical Museum.

Sângeorgiu de Pădure Castle

Sângeorgiu de Pădure (also spelled Sîngeorgiu de Pădure; Hungarian: Erdőszentgyörgy; German: Sankt Georgen auf der Heide) is a small town in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located 34 km south-east from Târgu Mureş, on Târnava Mică River.

Traces of housing dating from the Bronze Age and Iron Age have been found on the territory of the city. The first written mention of the city dates from 1333, in a document where a priest from Sancto Georgio pays a sum of 6 dinars to the neighboring diocese. The city was then known by its Hungarian name Erdőszentgyörgy. Sângeorgiu de Pădure 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). It received the status of city in 2003.

In the early 17th century the domain came into possession of Counts Rhédey which since 1647 had seized the castle from the village center, the most beautiful and famous building in the area. It was connected to the church across the street with a balcony. The new castle was built in the 18th century on the same spot and was renovated in 1759 and 1809, in Neo-Baroque style. The new building was higher than the old one by one floor, had large vaulted salons and many murals, which fortunately have survived quite well. But after the building was nationalized in the late '40, the castle was reduced, the ceiling was made of wooden beams, and from the park that can compete with the great French gardens, remained only a small garden. In 14th century was built a church in Gothic style, which was restored in 1710 and 1935. Under the castle and the church is an phylum of tunnels and underground rooms, which were built especially for defense and as a refuge from invaders. The building is still functional and quite well maintained.

Count Rhédey János changed his domains in Hungary with his brother István and settled in Sângeorgiu de Pădure. In September 1, 1812, here was born Rhédey Claudine, a daughter of Baroness Inczedi Ágnes and Count Rhédey László, the successor of János. The small girl received a high education, being surrounded by nannies and all sorts of teachers of foreign languages and music. After she turned 15 years, the graceful teenager attended the Imperial court of Vienna, where she participated at the frenetic monden life of the Austrian capital. Chronicles of the time describe her as a predatory beauty, so she was rapidly noticed by the princes and counts from the royal court. At a ball, Claudine met Duke Alexander of Würtemberg, who stole his heart forever. The two fell in love at first sight and they decided to get married. The old Count, Rhédey Ferenc, stubbornly opposed due to the difference of rank of nobility which exists between the two ones. Only in 1835, after the death of Count, Claudine and Alexander married. Their marriage was fulfilled and blessed by the birth of three children: Claudia, Ferenc and Amalia. In 1841 Claudine died prematurely in Vienna and was buried in Sângeorgiu de Pădure. Duke Alexander was so marked by the death of his beautiful wife, that he left the Imperial court and retired for the rest of the days on the estate of Sângeorgiu. Some stories say that, in order to have always his beloved near him, Duke would have put the heart in a box of silver, which he carried with him throughout his life.

The only son of the couple, Ferenc Würtemberg-Rhédey met at a ball Princess Mary Adelaide. A new romance and a wedding like in stories marked the beginning of ascension to the throne of the United Kingdom. Their daughter, Mary Prinzessin von Teck, married George, grandson of Queen Victoria of Great Britain and grandfather of Elizabeth II. Their son, George VI married the Greek princess Marina (Lady Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon), which had a daughter, Elizabeth II, Queen of England.

Voivodeni Castle

Voivodeni (Hungarian: Vajdaszentivány; German: Johannisdorf) is a village in Mureş County, Transylvania, Romania. It is located 25 km north of Târgu Mureş, and it was documentary attested in 1332 as Sancto Johanne, and in 1366 as Marosszentiványa. Voivodeni belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary Empire. During the 1848 Revolution, there was a battle between the Imperial army and the Szeklers. 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.

The Zichy-Horváth complex is a wonderful example of Baroque architecture in the 18th century in Transylvania. The old building was owned by Franciscan order, and the Kemény family is the first known owner of the domain. In 1829, the Voivodeni domain was inherited by Samuel Kemény II, which in 1841 donated the archive of manuscripts to the library of Transylvanian Museum founded in 1842. The single-storey high building has an impressive aspect. Supported by eight columns with Corinthian capitels, indoor portico has a classical triangular fronton decorated with the Bethlen Kata family coat of arms and an urn. The Empire-style windows have frames decorated in the classical Baroque manner.

The next owner was the Klebelsberg family. After the Second World War, the domain was nationalized, but recently was returned to its legitimate owner, Melanie Georgina Huberta Josefa Antonia, Countess of Zich and Vasonkeo, who lived in the castle until 1949. After the nationalization, only two buildings of the complex preserved their original form. The main building is currently in good condition, was recently renovated and now operates as a cultural center, library and ethnographic museum. The manor stables were converted into a mill.