The International Romani Day
Roma around the world are celebrating the International Romani Day on April 8. The day is an opportunity to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness of the issues facing Romani people. Across Europe, Roma are marginalised and frequently abused, and the International Romani Day is one way of drawing attention to that. Many Roma experience poverty, violence, crime, neglect and reduced opportunity in Europe, where they make up the largest transnational minority. In Romania, the day is an opportunity of celebrations with lots of cultural and artistic events across the country.
Romanian hugely acclaimed actor Mircea Albulescu dies at 81
One of Romania’s hugely acclaimed actors, Mircea Albulescu, has died of a heart failure in a Bucharest hospital on Friday. He was 81.
Mircea Albulescu was born as Iorgu Constantin V. Albulescu in Bucharest, on 4 October 1934. Albulescu was a graduate of the Secondary School of Architecture in 1952 before graduating the Institute of Theater and Motion Picture Arts in Bucharest with actress Aura Buzescu as teacher.
Lucia Sturdza Bulandra, one of Romania’s theatre legends, hired him at her Municipal Theatre (today’s Bulandra Theatre) were he performed between 1956 – 1963. Mr. Albulescu then became an actor of the Comedy Theatre (1965 – 1974) before joining Romania’s I.L. Caragiale National Theatre since 1974.
Mircea Albulescu appeared in such dramas as Tchekhov’s „The Cherry Orchard”, Jean Serment’s „Mamouret”, Arthur Miler’s „Death of a Salesman”, Shakespeare’s „Comedy of Errors”, Albert Camus’ „Caligula” or Gorki’s „Vassa Zheleznova” and „Lower Depths”. Following the Revolution in 1989, Mircea Albulescu appeared as a guest star in performances at Teatrul Mic, Metropolis Theatre, Act Theatre, Odeon Theatre etc.
Mircea Albulescu’s filmography includes films directed by some of the greatest Romania film directors of the time such as Sergiu Nicolaescu, Mircea Veroiu, Manole Marcus and Mircea Daneliuc, He also starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s „Youth Without Youth”.
Mircea Albulescu is also the author of seven books of poems. He was also a secrretary of state with Romania’s Culture Ministry between December 1992 – April 1994.
Mircea Albulescu was awarded some of the country’s highest honours including The Cultural Merit Order before becoming a life associate of the National Theatre in Bucharest.
He also received the Life Achievement Award of the Romanian Academy in 2004.
Mircea Albulescu is survived by a son, Matei, while his wife has died in 2007 after more than 50 years of marriage.
New anti-corruption achievements
Eleven people were sent to court on corruption charges by Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors in the western town of Timişoara on Friday. The defendants include former mayor Gheorghe Ciuhandru, his former deputy Adrian Orza and other former officials of the Timişoara City Hall. They are accused of illegaly granting huge funds to a local football club. Damages hit more than Ron 30 million.
Gala Star International Theatre Festival and Contest in Bacău
The George Bacovia Theatre in the Romanian eastern town of Bacău is hosting the 22nd edition of the Gala Star International Theatre Festival and Contest. Gala Star is an international competition-festival allowing artists to express themselves in such one-man shows drama, choreography, puppetry, circus, panto, stand-up comedy, etc. The competition is open to both Romanian and foreign artists while also trying to stimulate the public’s interest in such shows. Prizes include the Grand Prix and Gala Star Trophy, an award for the best one-man show, the ward for the best one-woman show as well as the Ştefan Iordache – Honorary Award, granted by the students of the Bacau county high schools and the Bacovia Theatre Actor’s Award.
Alexandru Danga
