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(Photo: Cleo) URGENT SOS!!! I've just received this desperate private message via FB: "There is a colony of cats (approx. 20) in sector 6, Bucharest. They're being taken care of by a "cat lady". Unfortunately, in the area, there are also 3 packs of stray dogs and these cats are their victims. At least 2 of them are brutally killed every week and the woman who takes care of them has almost lost her mind trying to keep them safe. She was also threatened by people there that if she scares the dogs away they will kill all her cats." ... [Lire la suite]

(Image source) Alexandre Herlea's letter to UNESCO's CEO dated 14th October concerning Rosia Montana's inclusion on the World Heritage List has been translated into English so that it may be shared yet further still and understood by those who do not speak French. Mr Herlea is President of La Maison Roumaine here in Paris.    LA MAISON ROUMAINE... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source) As I sat waiting for my students to show up this morning, I had a recording of Romica Puceanu and the Gore Brothers playing on my pc.... Simply wonderful. They appeared with their coffee and sat quietly (pretty rare!) to listen, too. The original topic for my lesson sailed promptly out the window and instead, we talked about Romica which lead to a fascinating voyage through music, discussion and debate thanks to the info on the inside of my CD cover noted below, with Romica playing quietly in the background. If you... [Lire la suite]

(Image source) I have just received this letter by e-mail from Alexandre Herlea the President of La Maison Roumaine here in Paris, addressed to UNESCO's CEO Madame Irina Bokova, concerning Rosia Montana's position for World Heritage status. Personally, I do not have a shred of faith that the Romanian government will do the decent thing - and that makes Mr Herlea's letter of all the greater importance, for it asks UNESCO's help in putting on the pressure. Before saying, "but that won't do any good!", let's wait and see. La Maison... [Lire la suite]

It's amazing just how much news there's been in the last few days behind the scenes of the Rosia Montana project. It keeps coming at a rate of knotts. Hoards of it. Revelations, provocations, absurdities... So I'd better get it all down on paper before anything else happens. (Photo source) First of all, the National Audiovisual Council of Romania (CNA) banned all broadcasting of TV spots in favour of the Rosia Montana Project two days after TV presenter Eugenia Voda's open letter became public, insisting on "immediate and complete... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source) UPDATE 19h Thursday evening: News just in: Chevron has announced that activities for shale gas exploration have been suspended in Silistea, Vaslui. The communiqué comes after three days of protests (see below) from local residents who formed a human chain to block Chevron's access to the site, along with a huge solidarity rally in Bucharest last night. "Chevron can today confirm it has suspended activities in Silistea, Pungesti commune, Vaslui county," the US giant said earlier this afternoon. "Chevron is committed to... [Lire la suite]

The news today that yet ANOTHER demolition in Bucharest approved by Bucharest mayor and demolition fiend oprescu (who says it's all peeeerfectly above board despite the fact that this particularly beautiful house on str. Cristian Tell is both a historic monument aaaand in a protected zone) is imminent and will probably be carried out over the weekend unless someone does something to stop it depressed me so much I needed to write something to cheer myself up (and you too, perhaps) - insensitive though that may seem. I realised earlier... [Lire la suite]

After having read THIS article yesterday in Business Magazin.ro, my curiosity was piqued. I had to go and see the apparently dull-as-dishwater Romanian stand here in Paris at the IFTM, for I simply could NOT believe a country in need of tourism (read also understanding) would make so little effort at this important international venue running until 27th September at Porte de Versailles. I was drawn in to a stand for 'Incredible India' first. Books, music, ladies in sarees. Full of vibrance and colour, I was somewhat transported and... [Lire la suite]

(Photo source: Daniel Vrăbioiu) It is truly wonderful to see!!! TRULY!! Tonight, the 15th consecutive day of protests in Bucharest against the gold-mining project aimed for Rosia Montana, tens of thousands of people have hit the streets protesting in the capital alone. The Romanian press report 8-15,000 but those out there say there must be around 25,000. Protests are also taking place right now in other major cities across the country (Alba-Iulia, Cluj, Iasi, Craiova, Suceava, Buzau, Constanta, Timisoara, Sibiu, Targu Mures and... [Lire la suite]

(Photo: Sarah In Romania) Protests have erupted throughout Romania and across Europe with people flooding the streets in their THOUSANDS, triggered by the Romanian government's approval of a draft 'law' granting national interest status to the Canadian gold mine project aimed for Roşia Montană last Tuesday. Roşia Montană Gold Corporation (RMGC), controlled by Canadian firm Gabriel Resources, plans an open-cast gold mine in the heart of Transylvania - a region praised by Prince Charles for its natural beauty and exceptional wildlife.... [Lire la suite]