Romania 2006 in Film

The first time I came to Romania was in November 2006 and on this occasion I also visited Cluj for the first time. Back then I wasn't so well equipped and I had only a 20€ film camera. Nevertheless I tried of course back then to take my very first panorama of Cluj. Taking into consideration the poor quality of the camera and the lack of controls I find the results quite pleasing though it can't be compared to HDR version of course ;).

At the time of my visit, Sibiu was in the preparation for the European cultural Capital 2007. The city saw a huge investment program prior to the event. As result it is now one of the most beautifulest city centers in Romania but it was also said that older people could not afford to live in the city center anylonger.

Close to Sibiu is the small town / village Rasinari and I really liked it lot. For me it felt in a very positive way like in a real Open Air Museum something that is difficult to find in Western Europe.

Sighisoara is a major tourist spot because of its fine medieval old town.

I finished my trip back than with Bucharest. It was once called Paris of the East but unfortunately if you stroll around the city center there is not much left of it due to the destructions in the communist times. Nowadays, the capital is major recipient of financial aids for conservation and reconstruction. If you take a proper walking tour you might recall the spirit of the "interbelic" period (the period between the two wars).

Sibiu Spring: Piata Mica and Lutheran Cathedral

Sibiu is fine destination for every season but particularly nice in Spring. On one of my last trips to Sibiu I took some night shots which turned out to quite nice.

One of the city's nicest church is the Lutheran Cathedral which used to serve the German Saxons. The gothic church was finished in 1520 being one of the cities most prominent landmarks.

And again the church as seen from the other side. Both shots of the cathedral are HDR panoramas from three or respectively four HDR shots.

Sibiu International Theater Festival 2010 (FITS)

One of Sibiu's remarkable cultural events is the annual International Theater Festival (28.5. -6.6.2010). Unfortunately I had only the chance to attend the festival on its last day but the play I saw was really amazing. I attended a Chinese adaption of Henrik Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" theater performance: Aspiration Sky High performed by the Hangzhou Yue Opera Troupe from China.

In a nutshell the play is about (romantic) relations and how time changes them. Ibsen's original setting from the turn of the 19th century is transfered into an ancient Chinese one.

All the characters (including male) were performed by woman.

The play included beautiful dresses and splendid songs, performances and dances.

All the music was performed also live on stage. It was especially remarkable since you I couldn't see the musician initially and thought that it was prerecorded. The play was actually presented in Chinese with English subtitles at the side of the stage.

Thanks to the ensemble and FIT for this magnificent play!

Cloudy Landscape close to Vestem

On the weekend I stopped over close Veştem where you get a beautiful view on the Fagaras Mountains which are part of the Romanian Carpathians (full-screen here). If you take a look to the left you can spot the some cars which go along the E81 European road in direction to Brasov. The landscape - typical for this part of Transylvania - is a mix of fertile fields and forests limited only by hills and mountains.

CFR Depot Sibiu

Here are two shots taken at a recent trip to Sibiu (Hermanstadt) at the deposit of the Romanian National Railway Company (CFR). Unfortunately, CFR as a company is not in very good condition right now - neither are these trains :( In the back you can peek at the snow covered Fagarasi Mountains part of the Carpathians.