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(Image source) I wasn't going to add to the already multiple articles on the controversial statue of Emperor Traian and the She-Wolf on the steps of Bucharest's National History Museum inaugurated last week by Sorin Oprescu, but... I just can't help myself and anyway, it's a rather amusing (if not hideous) diversion from what's happening in government right now. Dear, oh dear, oh dear... The capital has been 'adorned' with so many eye-sores these last few years that it begs comprehension - Charles de Gaulle in Herastrau (the General... [Lire la suite]

(Image source) The list of ministers in Victor Ponta's proposed government was announced this evening. Ponta was named to form a new government after the Democratic Liberal-dominated government (PDL) headed by Mihai Razvan Ungureanu lost to a vote of no-confidence in Parliament last Friday.  The Parliamentary vote is scheduled for next Monday (May 7th), whilst the new ministers will establish the governing plan on Friday this week (May 4th). Ponta said that the political union of Social Democrats and Liberals (USL) now numbers... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source) I can't quite get my head around events in Bucharest today and so I'm reserving any comment until things become clearer. For sure, much has been made by the Romanian press of handshakes between Ponta and Voicu, outrageous accusations, insults and mud-flinging from all sides along with Sorina Placinta being blackmailed by Udrea (according to Ponta) to vote against the motion and then locked in Raluca Turcan's office so she couldn't vote anyway. Sorina Placinta herself denies all this, however, so who knows what really... [Lire la suite]

Anyone passing through the Schei Gate of Brasov can stop to admire the impressive synagogue on Str Poarta Schei, 29, but only a few know about a gem - Sinagoga Albastra - hidden in a courtyard at str Castelului, 64 built by the orthodox jews of the city early on in the 20th century. Today, it stands alone and horribly neglected, window panes broken, paint chipped and washed away by years of inattention, rusted fencing and rotting woodwork - and only those who love history enough to bother, I'm told, pass through the heavy wooden door... [Lire la suite]

(Image: Povesti cu plimbari- November, 2011) The willful neglect of beauty and the determination to destroy Bucharest's patrimony never seems to let up... This once-gorgeous house stands close to Hala Matache in sector 1 and was built at the end of XIXc./ beginning of XXc. in architectural ecclectic style by an unknown architect. Those I have spoken to cannot remember it ever being anything but a ruin, growing progressively more dilapidated as years have passed. Certainly, nobody but gypsies have lived in it for at least the last... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source: Reptilianul / Hasnas from Radu Miclescu's Archive) My thanks to the dedication of Florina and the work by passionate bloggers for the following historic information of what used to be the very beautiful Casa Miclescu on bdul Kiseleff - Bucharest's most beautiful avenue. Today, Casa Miclescu looks as if it has been hit by an unimaginably vicious tornado. The roof is no more, allowing for snow to pile up in the once stunning ballroom where the painter Mirea lived and decorated the ceilings himself, doors hang off their... [Lire la suite]

The following message comes from Serban Sturdza condemning the (willful?) destruction of one of Bucharest's historic monuments, Hala Matache, earlier this month. We are asked to disseminate this message far and wide - particularly on an international level - to architects, journalists, members of the EUP and anyone else we can think of. My thanks to you in advance. Şerban Sturdza, Fundaţia ProPatrimonio DISTRUGERE (VOITĂ ?) A UNUI MONUMENT ISTORIC, ora 11, sâmbata 3 martie 2012 HALA MATACHE, BUCUREŞTI, ROMÂNIA Eliberarea... [Lire la suite]

Many thanks to Mihaela Mihaila for this translation into Romanian from the original article posted HERE dating from 1st December, 2011. Today, with the news of the attempted demolition of Hala Matache (see post below HERE), Nicusor Dan is no longer a CHOICE for mayor of Bucharest, but a NECESSITY. Please share, distribute and post. Nicusor Dan's name can no longer remain a whisper. The elections are in June - just around the corner - and, by now, EVERYONE should know the name of Nicusor Dan. Once again,my thanks to Mihaela... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source: Observatorul Urban) Very troubling news just in from the Matake cause site on Facebook (see also Arhi Forum HERE) - it appears, as reported by architect Raluca Munteanu, that demolition of Hala Matache began early this morning, perhaps even during the night. Two holes have been made on the south side which could lead to the collapse of the rest of the building at any moment. It's not exactly clear WHO is responsible for this (owners: PMB) since they vanished when cameras appeared to photograph what was going on. It's... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source) "Aaaaah, Rumania, Rumania, Rumania, Rumaaaaaaaaaaania!!!" As I worked this morning, the Barry Sisters (Claire and Merna Barry - originally Clara and Minnie Bagelman, born in the Bronx in a Yiddish-speaking home) came on the radio with their marvellous rendition of Aaron Lebedeff's ode (first recorded in 1925) to the country of my heart. According to THIS site, "Aaron Lebedeff (1897-1958) was the Maurice Chevalier of the Yiddish stage and one of the top song-and-dance men of the Yiddish theatre. A star of the Second... [Lire la suite]