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(photo source) Newspapers on Wednesday reported en masse of how Roumanian authorities have started proceedings to repatriate a child sold in France in 2004, paid for in installments. The Rroma family from Salaj sold their baby for EUR 5,100 to another Rroma family, the Zimbrus, already settled in Alfortville, France. It appears that the baby's parents went to France to find work when Rodica Lacatus (29) was expecting the little boy. The couple could not find work and the Zimbru family whom they had known in Roumania promised to help... [Lire la suite]

Florentina's trial date has been moved to 7th February and she is accused of involuntary manslaughter. Apparently, the 'negligence' plea does not exist in Roumanian legislation which is a massive omission in my humble opinion. She will be joined in the dock by Marinescu, Dima, Oprea and Tomas and depending on the papers you read, the order of culprits changes... Skip Can-Can, Prima and the motley gutter press who have gone back to their old ways of feeding Florentina to the wolves. Cries on the news and in comments below articles... [Lire la suite]

Raul Volcinschi, a former anti-communist Romanian dissident, dies at 89 By: Alison Mutler, The Associated Press 01/11/2011   Raul Volcinschi, an anti-communist dissident who risked his life to fight for democracy in Romania, has died. He was 89.   Volcinschi died Sunday at his home in Cluj city, said Octav Bjoza, head of Romania's Former Political Prisoners Association. The cause of death was not given. ... [Lire la suite]

How lovely! This from Bucharest Herald: Verdi at Bucharest National Opera in January     Giuseppe Verdi, who died 110 years ago on January 27, will be celebrated by the Bucharest National Opera (ONB) with four performances based on the composer's works. The series of operas dedicated to Verdi opened on Saturday with 'Rigoletto,' with special guest tenor Robert Nagy as the Duke. On January 16, ONB scheduled one of the newest titles in its repertoire: "I due... [Lire la suite]

Another house destroyed by much the same shameful and needless methods in 2010 was the Memorial House of Ionel Teodoreanu in Iasi. Even looking at the photo where the decay and lamentable state is evident, one can still imagine how beautiful it once was even without knowing who it had belonged to. What a tragedy for Roumania's history and culture. The following article from Iasi Plus: Casa lui Ionel Teodoreanu, daramata de interese imobiliare Cristian Matasa, Gabi Toma, Diana Elisei 29 Mar 2010 Casa in care s-a nascut si a ... [Lire la suite]

This is such an outrage... the house (photo source) lived in by the Roumanian poet, Vasile Alecsandri was attacked by arsonists not once but twice in 24h. One cannot help but jump to the conclusion that it was done on the 'ok' of the owners. Where was the minister of culture? Where was the mayor. It's simply unbelievable... One thing should be cleared up at once, however, as the journalists are reporting erroneously once again.... This is NOT the memorial house of the poet. The true memorial house is found near Iasi in... [Lire la suite]

Working pretty hard on British Victorian literature (becoming a bit bored with it after 3h) and analysing various styles such as the Gothic novel and the Bildungsroman, I started wondering what the Roumanian equivalent in literature would have been. Of course, one thinks Gothic-Roumania-Dracula, but apart from the obvious, I mean, since that wasn't written by a Roumanian. Let's face it - it was written by a Brit who never even bothered to visit Roumania. Who were the writers in the country of my heart in the 19th century? What was... [Lire la suite]

A very happy Christmas, one and all, and may the new year bring you good health, love, success and days filled with happiness. With love,Sarah

(photo source) Nicusor Dan, president of the association Salvati Bucurestiul, tried to stop the demolitions of Friday night and Saturday morning on Berzei/Stirbei Voda. The foreman didn't have copies of the demolition order and the police were called. Unfortunately a little later, police arrived from sector 3 saying they had the order from Oprescu to continue the demolition and  if he didn't get out of the way and let the demolition team do their job, he would be fined and charged with disturbing the peace... The police stood... [Lire la suite]