février 2013

(Photo source) This time of the year is packed with wonderful traditions in Romania. To mark the beginning of a new cycle of life through the arrival of spring, Mărțișor is held on March 1st which, according to the old calendar, is also the Spring Equinox. It is specific to Romania and Moldova and dates back 8000 years, although similar customs are found in Bulgaria (Martenitsa), Albania (mărțiguș), Italy and Greece. So, here is some background for the existence of Mărțișor (from the word for the month of March - Martie,... [Lire la suite]

Really, you couldn't make it up... Two former Romanian Agriculture Ministers, Decebal Traian Remes and Ioan Avram Muresan, were sentenced yesterday to three years in prison without parole for corruption (bribes and influence-peddling) in what has become known as The Sausage Case. The High Court's decision is final. According to the DNA prosecutor’s indictment, on 13th and 23rd September 2007, Remes, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development at the time, received promises for mici and palinca worth 1,500 RON (wow! How much... [Lire la suite]

Dragobete is the Romanian version of Valentine's Day celebrated tomorrow on 24th February. It is sooooo much lovelier than Valentine's without all the commercial bruhaha and is steeped in tradition. Dragobete (also named Dragomir), traditionally the Romanian god of love and well-being, was the son of Baba Dochia, the main character in the pagan myth related to the arrival of spring and the end of the harsh winter. The legend of Dragobete goes as follows: Baba Dochia is said to have been a very cruel mother-in-law, who never missed... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source) Sorin Antohi is a name that chimes controversy. And a lot more besides. He had what should have been an illustrious career ahead of him, but screwed up bigtime. Born in 1957, Antohi is described by Wikipedia as a 'Romanian historian, essayist and journalist'. He held the position of head of history at the Central European University in Budapest and was an active member of GDS (Grupului pentru Dialog Social). He was also a Securitate snitch and should be shoved in the same bag as the likes of Cornel Todea and... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source) 11th Feb (morning): The "fake beef" scandal which has spread to both producers and consumers in at least six countries - Ireland, Britain, Luxembourg, Poland, France and Sweden - seems to be developing into something more and more appalling. Not only has it raised serious questions on food safety, as well as the possibility of outright fraud in an industry with a history of grave, if episodic, lapses despite efforts at stricter regulation and reform, but I've just read that the "fake beef" could, in fact, be... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source) Okay, the time has come to be politically incorrect because I'm sick and tired of hypocrisy. I'm going to just come out and say it. What is REALLY going on for the anti-Romanian and Bulgarian negative ad campaigns in the UK to have come about? Is it truly about foreign workers taking jobs away from the Brits? I don't think so. It is about finding an excuse because everybody with a ha'penny worth of common sense knows perfectly well that the job situation in the UK is due to government policy and nothing whatsoever to do... [Lire la suite]

(Image source) I'm stunned! Speechless! And in SUCH a good way! Ever since the 'potential' negative ad campaign began in the UK on Wednesday with readers of the Guardian newspaper encouraged to send their suggestions for posters aimed at detering Romanians and Bulgarians from moving across the puddle, there has been a massive - and I really mean MASSIVE - outpouring of the most incredible national pride I have ever seen from Romanians for their own country. EVER. The social networks are full of superb articles from journalists such... [Lire la suite]