OZB May 2019

May 2019 | N° 19 | FREE COPY

I N S P I R AT I O N A L L I F E S T Y L E M AGA Z I N E

O

W

_

W

Z

I

_

B

U

W

.

O

Z

B

N

.

Ă

R

O

VOTE! 8 Party Leaders Share their vision

• Hubs -Homes for Professional Nomads •

FR

EE

C

O

P

Y

Doors of Perception Raluca Mihăilă

2

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

3

4

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

5

)

O ZI BUNA

T

E

A

M

VOTE

Douglas Williams - Publisher May’s OZB is all about the upcoming elections for the European parliament.

We at OZB take no sides at all, we have just one message that we really want readers to take away from this magazine. Vote. Plain and simple. If you haven’t yet, and you are eligible, get registered without further ado and, on May 26th, go to your local polling station and vote for the person, the party, that you wish to represent this wonderful country at the European Parliament.

There have been some nasty surprises around the world delivered courtesy of voter apathy and related low turn out. It would be refreshing to see the result truly reflecting the will of all of the people with the people truly embracing this opportunity to express their preference - for democracy to truly work with a massive turnout and the right result.

Young, old, male, female, rich, poor, gay, straight, black, white, urban, rural, tall, short, fat, thin, bald or frizzy… you get the idea… everyone eligible must really take the time to think and they must figure out what they want their country to be like.

Once that’s done each individual must look at the politicians and parties and decide which is most likely to deliver that, and go and vote for that person, that party.

Dark forces have been at work around the world to skew votes, to hamper and hinder the democratic will of the people and it would be naive to think they are not hard at work right here and right now but this makes the 6

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

imperative to vote all the greater.

As I’ve written about on these here pages before the potential of this country is immense and there is evidently no shortage of wealth but there are problems galore, let’s be honest. There’s a young, dynamic, educated and eager population capable of drawing multinationals but a tragic exodus has been underway for some time, staffing is a major league headache for companies. There’s plenty of space, there’s land and a climate conducive to feeding everyone with plenty to spare and yet there are far too many kids going to bed hungry.

Cities beyond the capital are booming yet interconnectivity between cities is dismal. Tourists are queuing up to come here and spend their money yet services oftentimes remain primitive and limited, meanwhile prime, old forests are being decimated. It’s great that folks can afford to buy cool cars but it’s less cool that it takes so long to drive anywhere… And what about renewables… ok, I could go on and on and you, dear reader, could expand upon this list to take up the entire magazine but this will have to suffice for now.

The point is there are people, politicians, out there who are working to take the country in the direction that you would like and there are others who will perpetuate or even exacerbate the problems. It’s imperative upon you to decide which is the former and get out on May 26th and vote for them.

Vote O zi bună!

DOUGLAS WILLIAMS

Publisher/Editor-in-Chief douglas@ozb.ro

DANA TUDOSE-TIANU

Editor info@ozb.ro

DAVID McLEAN SHOUP Editor

PAUL GIBSON

Commercial Director sales@ozb.ro Visual Communication by

FOR SALES ENQUIRIES: Paul Gibson 0730 037 755

You can get a hard copy of OZB magazine at the following distribution points: The American International School of Bucharest, The British School of Bucharest, World Class Gyms (Jolie Ville, Atlantis, Pipera Plaza, The Club, W at Aviatorilor), various Starbucks, 5 Star Hotels, at over 24 carefully selected cafes, restaurants and bars around Bucharest and more than 30 Ursus outlets around the city. If you would like to stock OZB magazine contact us and we'll add you to the list.

Contents 10

Ten Main Decisions taken by the European Parliament in the 20142019 Term

26

The Culture of Co-Working Spaces

28

MedTourist Advisor

29

The other face of Bucharest

New Restaurants: Lido Brasserie & Restaurant and Berlin Brasserie

30

Bicycles

13

Kid Friendly Restos x5

32

The Best Gadgets for summer 2019

21

The European Parliament - 100% Digital Communication

34

When One Door Closes Another One Opens

22

Romania: A Winter Wonderland & Playground

38

What's Behind the Wooden Gate?

12

Cover image : Photography by Raluca Mihăilă Top image : L'enlèvement d'Europe by Noël-Nicolas Coypel, ("The Abduction of Europa"), 1726-1727.

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

7

ADVERTISING

LAW FIRM

Commercial law | Immigration law

SUSHI

2

GO

For the best, freshest, tastiest Sushi in Bucharest, visit Sushi2Go in the Strip Mall on Iancu Nicolae, Pipera. Or visit:

www.livrare-sushi.ro to see the full menu and call 0770 902 782 for delivery.

Minimum order 100 lei, further conditions apply.

Mention this OZB advert when you order either in person or over the phone and you will get a free soup/drink/Kapa Maki.

Yoi shokuyoku 8

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

premio = P r e m i u m Car Service Call Ronen or Mihaela on 0731 49 77 87 for more information Premio offers peace of mind when it comes to your car. With trained and experienced mechanics you can relax knowing your car is in good hands and with a manager with first class English, nothing gets lost in translation. www.facebook.com/BaramiPremioCarService

!TOV AL MEGREM ←

We are invited to take a stand.

To exercise our right as citizens within a democracy.

To choose the life we want to live.

To choose the world we wish to grow up in.

We are invited to vote.

Because life is all about what we make today for a better tomorrow.

This is an independent campaign developed by Raluca Mihăilă, the founder of Utopic Brain | Marketing and Creative Boutique, together with a team of professionals from the film industry coming together for a cause they endorse and believe in.

www.MergemLaVot.ro W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

9

POLITICS The European Parliament

Ten Main Decisions Taken by the European Parliament in the 2014-2019 Term Wondering what the European Union does for you? Asking yourself if it’s worth it to go and vote on the 26th of May? Oana Tache is bringing you the TOP 10 regulations that shaped the face of Europe between 2014-2019.

by Oana Tache

01 - Copyright rules for the digital age In March 2019, the European Parliament approved new copyright rules to empower creatives and news publishers to negotiate with internet giants, whilst also safeguarding the freedom of expression of ordinary internet users across the EU. The proposed directive on copyright in the Digital Single Market seeks to ensure that creatives (musicians or actors, for exampel), news publishers, and journalists benefit from the online world as they do from the offline world.

02 - Consumer rights in the digital age Online shopping doesn’t stop at the border: in 2017 one third of online shoppers bought from a retailer in another EU country. However, shoppers came up against various barriers, so called “GEO-blocking”, that prevented them 10

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

from getting what they want. As from December 2018, there is good news for online shoppers, as a new EU regulation entered into force that puts an end to GEO-blocking, breaking down borders for the millions of Europeans who shop online on a daily basis.

The new General Data Protection Rules (GDPR) give consumers and citizens more power over their digital presence, defending the right to obtain information about how their data is used and to delete content they no longer want visible online.

The new rules apply to all companies operating in the EU, even if they are based outside the EU.

03 - Safe products for consumers In February 2019, EU legislators agreed on EU legislation that ensures that only safe products are sold to consumers, both in-store and online, by coordinating market surveillance and improve EU-wide enforcement of checks, inspections, and rules.

Ten Main Decisions taken by the European Parliament in the 2014-2019 Term

New legislation on digital content supply are the first rules to ever protect buyers faced with faulty digital content or services. If a problem cannot be fixed, the consumer is guaranteed a reduced price or end the contract and be refunded.

04 - Europe without borders As of 15 June 2017, roaming fees were abolished across the EU. This means that you can enjoy calls, SMS, and data when you’re on holiday in the EU, all for the same price that you pay at home.

In February 2019 the European Parliament agreed to scrap excessive fees on EU cross-border payments with new rules to protect consumers. The new rules will also protect consumers against arbitrary charges for currency conversions.

05 - Fighting climate change Fighting climate change is not only one of the most important challenges

POLITICS

Parliament and Council agreed on new targets to reduce CO2 emissions at 37.5% CO2 reduction target for new cars and 31% for new vans by 2030.

06 - Protecting our environment and oceans Studies show that more than 80% of marine litter is plastics. Due to its slow rate of decomposition, plastic accumulates in seas, oceans and on beaches in the EU and worldwide. Plastic residue is found in marine species – such as sea turtles, seals, whales and birds, but also in fish and shellfish, and therefore in the human food chain. In March 2019, Parliament approved a new law banning single-use plastic items such as plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds sticks by 2021. The new rules also set collection targets for plastic bottles and a more stringent application of the “polluter pays” principle. The products covered by this new law constitute 70% of all marine litter items.

07 - Work-life balance

of our times, but also an opportunity to build a more sustainable and competitive economy and more stable societies. The European Union is the third biggest greenhouse gases emitter in the world after China and the US. The energy sector was responsible for 78% of EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2015.

The European Parliament agreed to the ratification by the European Union of the Paris Agreement. The United Nations Agreement on Climate Change in a historic vote in October 2016, the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal, entered into force in November 2016.

Under the Paris Agreement of 2015, the European Union is committed to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Cars and vans produce about 15% of the EU’s CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change. Transport is the only sector in which greenhouse gas emissions are still higher than they were in 1990. The EU aims to reduce CO2 emissions from transport to 60% of the pre-1990 rate by 2050. In March 2019

It will now be easier for parents in the EU to reconcile professional and private life. The new directive sets minimum requirements for member states and introduces the right to ten working days paternity leave around the time of birth or adoption, paid at least to the level of sick pay, and two months of nontransferable paid parental leave. The agreement also establishes five days of annual carers’ leave and the possibility to request flexible working patterns. To cut emissions from power stations and industry, the EU has put into place the first major carbon market with the Emissions Trading System (ETS). For the other sectors, reductions will be achieved through agreed national emissions targets, which are calculated, based on countries' gross domestic product per capita. The EU also fights climate change with a new clean energy policy.

The focus is on increasing the share of renewable energy produced and creating the possibility for people to produce their own green energy In addition the EU wants to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and household appliances.

08 - Plastic Bags

Directive Under new EU legislation adopted in 2015, national governments must ensure that by the end of 2019 no more than 90 lightweight bags are consumed annually per person. By the end of 2025, that number should drop to 40 bags each.

To reach these targets, they can apply different measures. The Directive has brought about a rapid shift in consumer behaviour, in 2018 72% of Europeans said they have cut down on their use of plastic bags (Eurobarometer).

09 - Protection against terrorism and serious crimes The directive on Passenger Name Records (PNR) obliges airlines to provide passenger data held by national authorities for all flights from third countries to the EU and vice versa. Member states can also have the option of extending the rules to “intra-EU” flights.PNR data is used for the prevention, detection and investigation of terrorist offences, a decisive measure after the attacks in Brussels and Paris.

10 - Immigration and asylum Parliament adopted in November 2017 its mandate on the reform of the Dublin Regulation, which determines the member state responsible for dealing with an asylum application, and is the centerpiece of a comprehensive reform of the EU asylum policy, but negotiations on the final form of the text can only begin once member states agree on their position. MEPs have repeatedly called on the Council to show real political will to move ahead with the reforms and put an end to people dying in the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe. Parliament and member states have reached preliminary deals on several other files of the asylum package, such as the recast Reception Conditions Directive and the new Qualification Regulation and the new EU Asylum Agency, but those may only be confirmed if there is an agreement on the key Dublin Regulation. Significant progress has also been made during talks on a strengthened Eurodac system and a new EU Framework for resettlement.

Choose for yourself!

Get Involved! VOTE! W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

11

ELECTIONS

V O T E !

V O T E !

V O T E !

V O T E !

V O T E !

V O T E !

V O T E !

V O T E !

VOTE! D

ana Tudose-Tianu and David McLean Shoup talked to 8 Romanian politicians whose parties participate in the May 26th Europarliamentary elections and are representative of the Romanian political reality.

They looked to identify “the next generation� of political leaders that each party has to offer, young people between the ages of 30 and 40(ish), who either worked or studied abroad.

The same 7 questions were asked of all interviewees.

12

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

New Restaurants: Lido Brasserie & Restaurant and Berlin Brasserie

ELECTIONS

ALDE The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats

T

udor Tim Ionescu, 34 – General Council for the Bucharest City Hall.

Tudor lived in Belgium for close to 11 years and also studied in Spain.

He has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Universite Libre de Bruxelles and did an Internship at the European Parliament from 2010-2011.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

My hobbies are traveling, both in and outside Romania, reading, going to the theatre. I also like to stay active by going to the park, as well as going to the gym, working out almost every day. If I don’t have the time to go to the gym, especially during spring and summer, I like to go jogging.

Another hobby that I have, which started out as a hobby but ended up becoming a personal cause, is animal rights activism. I fight for animal rights protection and I had several legal initiatives in this area.

2. What drew you to your party?

My party is the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE). It is a project we started out in 2014, when the National Liberal Party (PNL) decided to leave the European ALDE and join the European People’s Party. Together with Mr. Tariceanu, a former Romanian Prime-Minister, several of us decided we had to continue being part of the liberal family, at the European level. So, although I joined the National Liberal Party in 2008, when I first started in politics, I became a part of ALDE in 2014. I have always believed in liberal values: liberty, responsibility, justice, tolerance and diversity, which are the basic liberal values. These naturally drew me to a liberal party.

3. Which European society do you admire most and why?

I have to say that is the Romanian society which I admire the most, because it is my society. I respect each and every culture in the European Union. I had the chance to live in Belgium, for roughly 11 years. I also studied in Spain, in Barcelona, through an ERASMUS program. I actually felt very much at home there, being from a latin country myself. One of my goals is to visit all the European countries, which is something I haven’t been able to do yet.

4. What is your favorite place to visit for a whole week-end in Romania?

There are so many places! The mountains are great, but I have to admit that I am more of a seaside person. The Danube Delta and the seaside would be my favorite places. Although many Romanians go to the Delta for fishing, this is not one of my hobbies. I neither fish nor hunt. But the delta is a place you really feel close to nature, especially taking a small boat through the canals. This type of connection with nature and calmness really inspires me and fills me up with positive energy.

5. If you would become Romania’s cultural ambassador, what would you do to better promote Brancusi’s cultural heritage worldwide?

In each Romanian Embassy and Consulate, I would put one of Brancusi’s replicas, so that it would be the first impression any visitor gets. I would use social media much more to promote his work – Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Kid Friendly Restos x5

Channels. And I would also create special programs for schools around the world to come and see his works in person, making it accessible to students from elementary school to college.

6. What do you see as the biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

One of the biggest challenges we face, as the European Union, but also at the international level, is climate change.

This is also one of my areas of activity.

The second and third challenges are very much interlinked, because the E.U. has a big democratic deficit which continues to grow. Low voter turnout in the European elections is connected with the rise of populism, which is also linked to extremism. For these E.U. elections, but also for the future, we must fight against populism.

Personally, I believe that the most effective way to fight populism is through liberalism.

7. If you could bring any 3 foreign leaders (economic, political, cultural) in your party, who would they be?

For the economic part, I would have to say the 2018 Nobel Prize winner for Economy, William Nordhaus, because his work was based on integrating climate change with macroeconomic analysis. For the political part, I would say Michelle Obama, because we need strong women in politics, in Romania and worldwide. For the cultural side, even though some people wouldn’t say he is a cultural leader, I would like to see someone like Tony Robbins, because we need to have more internal motivation and inspiration. •

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

13

ELECTIONS

VLAD VOICULESCU

PLUS Liberty Unity and Solidarity Party merged with USR in February 2019 and became the 2020 USR PLUS Alliance.

V

LAD VOICULESCU, 36 – In March 2019, Vlad announced he is running in the 2020 race for Bucharest Mayor’s Office.

He joined PLUS, a party founded by former Prime Minister, Dacian Ciolos, in December 2018. He has been running the party’s campaign in the elections for the European Parliament. Vlad held the office of Health Minister in the Ciolos Government. He has a 10-year professional experience working in financial consulting in Vienna, Austria.

He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.

Vlad co-founded MagiCamp, a special camp and series of programs for Romaniabased children suffering from various types of cancer.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

First of all, the hobbies thing … I never understood the concept. For me, it sounds strange to live a life in which you have something you do as an obligation (the job) and then, in your “free time” you have a hobby, something you do for your personal satisfaction. What other people may think of as a hobby, I do full-time.

Somehow by accident, while I was living in Vienna, I discovered what it meant to help people who are in delicate medical conditions. It started with simple things, like facilitating access to medicine that was not available in Romania but existed in other countries' pharmacies.

2. What drew you to your party?

For me, joining a political start-up has been one of the most thrilling experi14

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

ences in my life. It is an amazing feeling, building something from zero. This was a project meant to give people HOPE, a project that brings good people together, people who have strong common values, who are able to share their time and resources, who are dreaming together about a different kind of society.

3. Which European society do you admire most and why?

I have lived in Austria for 14 years and there are many things I admire about the Viennese society in particular; but, more importantly, I am a big fan of Europe. I love Europe's diversity; I think what makes Europe so great is its diversity from one country to another, from one region to another. Europe is this amazing melting pot of the old continent - where everything began, actually.

4. What is your favorite place to visit for a whole week-end in Romania?

I would choose MagiCamp any time. Magic Camp is organized in Branesti (Dambovita county), in the southern part of Romania, near the Carpathian mountains. Branesti is both the place I grew up in and the home of MagiCamp - the first special camp in Romania for children with cancer and other serious conditions.

5. If you would become Romania’s cultural ambassador, what would you do to better promote Brancusi’s cultural heritage worldwide?

I think Brancusi's work and his personal story speak for themselves, but

maybe not enough people had the chance to learn about them. Brancusi's story is a story about courage, a story about leaving home and about growing and developing while traveling. Most of Brancusi's works are in Targu Jiu and Paris. His personal story is somehow the story of many Eastern Europeans whose talents have been recognized and whose careers have been accomplished in Western Europe. As a cultural ambassador, I would host important European Summits in these two places (Targu Jiu and Paris) letting everyone know Brancusi's phenomenal story and work.

6. What do you see as the biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

I think that the biggest 3 challenges are the following: the new rise of populism, the general disengagement of European citizens with politics and, all together, the third challenge is definitely the challenge of protecting Europe - this amazing political construction that, with all its weaknesses and flaws, has achieved so much within a relatively short time.

7. If you could bring any 3 foreign leaders (economic, political, cultural) in your party, who would they be?

Elon Musk - for his ability to reinvent what exists - and to push boundaries outside of the current reality.

Bob Dylan - for his sharpness and artistic act without compromise; for being able to communicate his messages to millions of hearts.

Angela Merkel - for her strength and focus.

ELECTIONS

SEBASTIAN BURDUJA

PACT Platform for New Civic Action merged with PNL, the National Liberal Party, in March 2019

S

EBASTIAN BURDUJA, 34 – Sebastian is the Vice President of the National Liberal Party. He is the founding president of the League of Romanian Students Abroad (LSRS). He is currently a PhD Fellow at the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies. He holds and MBA from the Harvard Business School, a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Politics from Stanford University. He lived in the United States for 12 years prior to returning to Romania, in 2016.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

I like to play the guitar and sing like Elvis (believe it or not). I had some success doing it in karaoke competitions and it played a role in winning over my wife, Holly, when we were first dating. We performed a great duet together, one that I still remember well. Another hobby is playing tennis. I used to play it competitively until I was 14 and I gave it up to focus on school but I still enjoy playing it.

2. What drew you to your party?

I have been involved in civil society organizations for 7 years, initially through the League of Romanian Students Abroad.

I found out that, no matter how hard we tried to create change, on the other side of the table were political decision-makers who have the power to basically cancel out all our efforts. In 2015, when we planted the seeds for PACT, we felt we had the duty to offer young people a civic and political platform where they could get involved and become re-engaged in the public life. We merged with PNL because we felt Romania faces such a serious crisis that fragmentation on the political spectrum is counterproductive.

To fight the constant attempts of weakening the rule of law, we need a united cen-

ter-right platform around the national liberal party, which is the largest opposition party in Romania. We believed that PNL matches our values the closest. The Party includes members that I call role-models, such as the Mayor or Oradea, Ilie Bolojan, an amazing leader who turned his city around.

3. Which European society do you admire most and why?

I am a huge fan of the idea of unity through diversity, richness through diversity.

I am not trying to avoid the question, but the European society I admire the most is the society that’s formed of all the different cultures, which are pieces of this common heritage of solid Judeo-Christian values, history and principles. To those who say that all European should be the same, I say “That’s wrong”. Our strength actually lies in our diversity and in a union of nations that come together for common objectives without giving up their own identity.

4. What is your favorite place to visit for a whole week-end in Romania?

As you may know, I am from Piatra Neamt, from Neamt County. I absolutely love this region, all the way to Bucovina. It includes some of the most sacred places our country has, places like Putna and Voronet Monasteries, as well as historical places like Cetatea Neamtului (Neamt Fortress). This part of Romania also has amazing food, and my favorite is “cozonac”, the real “moldavian” cozonac, and amazing, hospitable people.

5. If you would become Romania’s cultural ambassador, what would you do to better promote Brancusi’s cultural heritage worldwide?

I think the best way to promote Brancusi’s art worldwide is the way that Brancusi

himself would have wanted it, and that’s to enable as many people as possible to come see it, touch it, sit on it, just simply live and breathe with it. There’s no better place to do that than in Targu Jiu, gazing at the sky right by the Infinite Column. I would start a program to bring in as many people from all over the world to experience Brancusi here.

6. What do you see as the biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

It’s already a cliché that the E.U. is at a crucible in its evolution. The main challenges are populism, Euro-skepticism, the lack of trust and confidence in the European institutions. Pushing for a lot more integration would be a mistake, in my opinion, in this climate. A federal Europe – Federalism – would also be a mistake, because it would only fuel anti-EU populism. The solution to that is a climate of moderation. Last but not least, I think demographic trends are to be considered. The fact that Europe has a population that’s older and older and the labor market is contracted is a huge economic issue. On this dimension, I would start with supporting families and mothers, families with multiple children etc..

7. If you could bring any 3 foreign leaders (economic, political, cultural) in your party, who would they be?

I will start with a Romanian-American: Sergiu Pasca. He is one of the world’s prominent scientists. He has his own lab at Stanford University and, I think, will one day be a Nobel Prize Winner. A second one would be a great business leader like Warren Buffet to help figure out the best business environment that we can create in Romania. The third would be a thinker I’ve been following quite a bit. His name is Jordan Peterson. One of the main pointsof his philosophy is that life is not about being happy, but it’s about being responsible. • W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

15

ELECTIONS

EUGEN TOMAC

PMP People’s Movement Party

E

UGEN TOMAC, 37 – Eugen Tomac was born in Babele, a city in the south of Basarabia, and came to Romania at the age of 17, through a scholarship program offered by the Romanian Government to Romanians living abroad. During his university years, Tomac was editor at the “Magazin Istoric,” a history journal, where he published several studies about Basarabia and Romanians abroad.

He is a Romanian politician, historian and journalist, currently serving his second term as a Deputy in the Romanian Parliament.

He has been the President of the People's Movement Party since June 2018.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

As the President of a political party, there is little to no time left outside work.

But there’s always some room for reading a good book. And if that book is a history book, time passes quickly. I am fortunate to have a hobby like this, because it is so easy to practice, to include in my daily life. You can do it almost anywhere, even with very little time to spare.

2. What drew you to your party?

As a young university student, I studied politicians’ lives and their influence on the history of different nations. As I was 16

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

drawn to democratic principles, I joined the Democrat-Liberal Party and met president Traian Basescu, a person who, for me, is the best Romanian politician alive.

Today, I am the president of the People’s Movement Party to which Mr. Basescu is the Founder and Honorary President.

3. Which European society do you admire most and why?

resources to expose as many E.U. representatives to these values as possible. At the same time, we’ll organize tours in Romania, both formal and informal, for people to experience our culture and traditions at home.

6. What do you see as the biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

No country is perfect, therefore my model is not only one country. A “perfect” Romania of the future would have a Swedish democracy, British legislation, German industry, French health system and cuisine, American defense and, obviously, Romanian people from both sides of the Prut river.

Brexit is the tormenting issue on the EU agenda and, in this context, the biggest of all challenges is to maintain European unity. Also at the top, is the migration phenomenon on the EU territory, with its dark side - terrorism. Without security, we will never be able to build a strong, united Europe.

4. What is your favorite place to visit for a whole week-end in Romania?

7. If you could bring any 3 foreign leaders (economic, political, cultural) in your party, who would they be?

The Republic of Moldova.

5. How would you promote Romanian culture at the E.U. level?

Romanians are hospitable, kind and friendly, therefore we should have no difficulty promoting our cultural values throughout the E.U. The intention is to use, as much as possible, European

Economically, I would choose Angela Merkel as the leader of the no. 1 economy in Europe. Then, as the person and politician most suited to manage cultural issues, my vote goes to Donald Tusk, the most talented one in winning people’s hearts. Finally, Donald Trump, whom I consider being the leader with the best political negotiation abilities. •

ELECTIONS

RAUL PATRASCU

PNL The National Liberal Party

R

AUL PĂTRAȘCU, 30 – Raul joined PNL Timis in April 2019. He was previously a member of the USR-PLUS alliance. He worked for McKinsey in New York City and was a health advisor to the Prime Minister, during the Ciolos Government (2016-2017).

He graduated from the West University of Timisoara with a Master’s Degree in Physics, and received his Doctorate in Medicine from the Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy. He also received a B.S. in Chemistry from Yale University.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

I really like reading, especially topics regarding philosophy, politics and economics. I also like to dabble in building my own computers and I enjoy playing computer games. Ever since I returned to Romania and, basically, ever since I finished high school, my personal cause has been to help improve the Romanian healthcare system.

I’d like for all of us to live longer, with our loved ones, in a healthcare system that respects patients as well as doctors.

2. What drew you to your party?

It is a historical party and it helped the country get through some very difficult political times. It also gave us some of the most important political figures of our recent history. I started my political career in the Ciolos Government, in 2016, serving as his State Advisor on health issues. I helped pass several legislative reforms in the health system. I was also one of the founding members of the PLUS party.

However, my vision no longer aligned with the one of USR-PLUS, and I decided to move on. For me, the National Liberal Party was the natural choice.

3. Which European society do you admire most and why?

I would go with the Finnish society, because I believe they place great emphasis on education and research. In a highly technological society, such as ours, an education and research-based society is going to get ahead of other societies, being driven by technology innovation. The Finnish government, much like the Norwegian government, truly looks after the welfare of its people. Finland, I believe, allocates about 20% of its GDP for Research & Development. I can’t help but admire them, and the way they structure their public educational system, to accommodate the needs of all children.

4. What is your favorite place to visit for a whole week-end in Romania?

The one that first comes to mind is a place that I visited many times as a child. It’s in the area of Tismana, it’s the valley of Tismana, with a river that curves around very steep mountains. There’s a feeling of communion with nature that I really enjoy and there’s also a lovely hiking path that takes you to a small monastery that sits right on top of the mountain.

5. If you would become Romania’s cultural ambassador, what would you do to better promote Brancusi’s cultural heritage worldwide?

I admire Brancusi a great deal but I feel saddened by the fact that he had to go live in Paris and receive appreciation for his work there, instead of here. The way I would promote his cultural heritage is by talking about his art and trying to interpret it, and encouraging people to do the same.

Art is meant to be seen as well as experi-

enced, lived.

6. What do you see as the biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

The E.U.’s relationship with the United States strained over the past couple of years, ever since President Trump took office. There had been issues regarding immigration, as well as issues regarding Trans-Atlantic trade. I believe the new European Parliament has to be able to maintain a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. As President Trump recently mentioned, this Trade Agreement is sort of tied up with NATO. Trump stated that if the E.U. imposed additional tariffs on goods imported from the U.S., the U.S. might withdraw from NATO. Another issue is U.S.’ relationship with Russia, which has shown expansionist tendencies in the past years. One final big challenge is increased immigration. We must be sure we can assimilate immigrants into our culture, because, otherwise, one-two generations down the road, we are going to be facing big problems in terms of cultural differences, which could even lead to terrorism.

7. If you could bring any 3 foreign leaders (economic, political, cultural) in your party, who would they be?

I think I would bring both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama as two political leaders. As a more cultural and technological leader, I would bring Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, because he has a highly analytical mind and is very goal-oriented. He could help reshape the face of politics in our country, including introducing technological advancements in our country that could encourage people to vote. • W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

17

ELECTIONS

VICTOR PONTA

Pro Romania

V

ICTOR PONTA, 46 – Victor was the Prime Minister of Romania between 2012 and 2015 and the runner up for the Presidency in 2014. He resigned his position following the Colectiv Nightclub fire, four years ago, but has remained a prominent figure in national politics and within the Romanian Parliament.

After founding the Pro Romania Party in 2018, Ponta is seeking a comeback with his run for the European Parliament this May.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

Absolutely sports. I played basketball for a long time. After I was old enough to understand that I can’t play basketball anymore, by chance I succeeded to be a rally co-driver in the national championship and world rally championship. Now I’m even older, so I’ve found golf. We’ve just opened a wonderful golf course in Alba Iulia and it’s my refuge in Romania right now. I think it will be a big tourist success for Romania.

2. What drew you to politics?

I was 17 at the fall of communism.

It happened at the perfect age for me, because I was old enough to remember the communist times and young enough not to be frustrated by them. And then, immediately after, I went to Paris for a year, and then came back thinking “why can’t we have the same life?”

18

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

3. Which European society do you admire most and why?

I think Portugal is a model for Romania. They were also not exactly the richest part of Europe. They were behind the average level of life, but they were smart enough to build infrastructure, to save nature and tradition, and to use European money. I think Romania could develop as fast as Portugal did. If we compare Romania to Germany or France, we have a different history, different size, different culture. That’s why I see a realistic model in Portugal, a country which was behind for historic reasons but took all the opportunities available from being a member of the EU. We should do the same.

4. What is your favorite place to visit for a whole week-end in Romania?

For me, the Danube Delta is the most special place in Romania. I always say you can find nice mountains all over Europe, nice churches all over Europe, nice cities, etc. but there is only one Delta.

I cannot play golf in the Delta but everything else compensates for it.

5. How would you promote Romanian culture in the E.U.?

I would present Romania as a European place with hospitality, with green places, and very good food.

6. What do you see as the biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

For sure the split between pro-Europeans and anti-Europeans is the biggest challenge. The Brexit failure should be a good example for all of us to think twice, or three times, or five times before blaming Europe for our shortcomings.

Migration is a huge challenge, but I’m not on the side of people who say let’s build walls and keep everybody outside.

Look at America. America developed because they were an open country. I think Europe needs fresh people. It doesn’t mean that we have to bring in terrorists, but building walls won’t keep them out.

Third, is that we have to find a solution for the new generation. Europe is not only the oldest continent; its society looks a bit old fashioned. That’s why young people are the unhappiest ones. If we talk to young people about jobs, hospitals, pensions, that’s not what they’re expecting from us. That’s what our parents are expecting. They don’t know and haven’t lived through war in Europe. If I talk to my kids about communism, it’s something strange. They don’t even understand what life is without cell phones and internet. So, I think Europe still isn’t able to provide real attraction to the young generation. If we’re not able to find real solutions, they’ll be disappointed. •

ELECTIONS

VICTOR NEGRESCU

PSD The Social Democratic Party

V

ICTOR NEGRESCU, 33 – Victor is a Vice President of PSD, the youngest ever to be appointed in such a role. He is a university professor and an expert in European Policy. He was a member of the European Parliament between 2014-2017. During the first year of his EU mandate, he was named Eurodeputy of the year. He was the Minister Delegate for European Affairs, from 2017 to 2018, and he was instrumental for the preparation of Romania’s Presidency of the EU Council. Victor is a graduate of the Victor Duruy High School in Paris, and holds a B.A. in Political Science (in French) from the University of Bucharest, as well as a Master’s Degree from L’Institut D’Etudes Politiques de Grenoble in France.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

I am really passionate about new technologies. I worked, for a couple of years, in the digital industry. I believe we have to promote digitalization, making sure that everyone has access to the new tools that are developed, and making sure that social protection is provided when it comes to the new jobs related to digitalization. When I was younger, I had the opportunity to play soccer. I played in the midfield.

2. What drew you to your party?

I got involved in politics because I believe that we can make a change, because I saw too many people treated unfairly too many times, either in hospitals, in schools, or when traveling abroad. What

I am always trying to do, is to fight against injustice. I believe people have to be treated fairly when it comes to access to schools, when it comes to access to healthcare.

I got involved in politics in left-wing parties because I think they represent people, represent citizens. I first became a member of the French Social Democratic Party, fighting there for the rights of European citizens living in France. When I came back to Romania, it was natural to join the Romanian Social Democratic Party. PSD was the governing party when Romania got both into NATO and the European Union.

3. Which European society do you admire most and why?

I actually admire the diversity of the European Union. You have people with different backgrounds, with different cultural heritages, and we have to cherish that. I believe Romania, too, has a strong diversity. I lived for many years abroad – around 9 years. I lived in Belgium and in France and I was influenced by those cultures as well. They are part of my identity. To a certain extent, I can also say that those cultures had an impact on who Romania is today.

4. What do you see as the biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

The issue of digitalization, the issue of environment are two important issues, especially for young people and, indeed the European Union could do more about that. In the end, the European Union

should do more about its citizens. We have built this project to improve people’s lives and citizens should be at the core of the European project.

5. If you would become Romania’s cultural ambassador, what would you do to better promote Brancusi’s cultural heritage worldwide?

I have to mention that, as a member of the European Parliament, I already tried to do that. I organized a debate around Brancusi’s cultural heritage. I also promoted cultural exchanges between local authorities that are promoting and using Brancusi’s cultural heritage. In the end, it is not about having an ambassador. It is about us being ambassadors of our own country and of our own culture.

6. If you could bring any 3 foreign leaders (economic, political, cultural) in your party, who would they be?

I will mention Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old student and activist who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her effort in climate activism and fighting against global warming. I would also invite Barak Obama, even though he is not European, because he illustrates hope and change. Last but not least, I will mention a Romanian entrepreneur, Daniel Dines, who created a very innovative international company, UiPath. It’s a successful story, proving that Romanians can succeed at the global level. • W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

19

ELECTIONS

NICU STEFANUTA

USR The Save Romania Union

N

ICU ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ, 37 – Nicu is a European diplomat and represents the European Parliament in Washington D.C. He has been working for the European Parliament from day one of Romania’s E.U. membership, January 1st, 2007, as an expert in the agriculture and budget commissions, and, afterwards as a EU Diplomat. He studied economy, public policy and diplomacy at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna and at the West University of Timisoara.

1. What are your hobbies, talents, and personal causes?

I am someone who’s very engaged in the community. I am a member of the Board of the City Foundation of Sibiu (Fundatia Comunitara Sibiu), which co-ordinates social projects across my town, Sibiu. I run marathons, mostly in support of these projects, I dance, I love to read, I love telling jokes. I am somebody who loves life and who loves people.

you admire most and why?

I am a big fan of Scandinavian societies, not only because they promote freedoms and they have people at the person of the rights, but also because they know how to find a good balance between prosperity and solidarity.

4. What is your favorite place to visit for a whole week-end in Romania?

I have two favorite places to visit for a week-end in Romania: the place where I come from, Sibiu, and its surroundings; the other place I like to visit is Constanta, at the Black Sea.

5. If you would become Romania’s cultural ambassador, what would you do to better promote Brancusi’s cultural heritage worldwide?

There has been no party like the Save Romania Union until now. I eagerly awaited and I wanted to participate in a new movement of the young Romanian Intelligentsia, of the decent people who want to change the face of Romania. That kind of party has not existed until USR was founded.

Unfortunately, I find that Brancusi needs more promotion at home than worldwide. Brancusi is a household name all across the world. We find him at the Met in New York City, as well as in some of the greatest museums in the world.

However, I was now (campaigning) in Targu Jiu and I would do much more for the beautiful sites there, so that people all across the world know about them, but also people all across Romania come to Targu Jiu and visit them.

3. Which European society do

6. What do you see as the

2. What drew you to your party?

20

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

biggest 3 challenges facing the EU?

The biggest 3 challenges facing the E.U. are: climate change, ageing population, artificial intelligence and robotization.

No country can withstand climate change on its own. European population is an ageing population. We are losing many young people every year, people who go outside the E.U. We need to talk more on how AI and robotization impacts the future of work because countless people are going to be affected and we need to figure out ways to make it work.

7. If you could bring any 3 foreign leaders (economic, political, cultural) in your party, who would they be?

Michelle Obama, because I think she is a great leader and great inspiration for women empowerment, for women in politics. Secondly, Ska Keller, from Germany, the Green leader, who is doing a lot for the environment but also for justice in Romania. She has spoken in favor of protesters in Romania and has impressed me because she said “Romanians are my constituency, too.”

Thirdly, I would invite the Swedish teenager Greta Thunder, because I like her civic activism, and I like the fact that she is aware we need to figure out who will bear the cost of climate change, so that its not on the shoulders of young people. •

POLITICS

of the future European elections between 23rd -26th of May 2019, I’ve spent a couple of days of sharing information and new media experiments. I was excited to discover how the European Parliament works and learn about the most important decisions that affect the digital environment, including the new platforms that the European Parliament communicates ON. So, if you want to be informed here is it the complete list of new European Digital Platforms:

The European Parliament – 100% Digital Communication Oana Tache had the opportunity to visit the EP headquarters in Brussels and shares glimpses of Europe’s most important international forum digital progresses.

I

by Oana Tache

’ve decided to get involved. Under the tagline “Choose for yourself !

Get Involved! VOTE!” and with the support of my colleagues from www. medialike.ro, I’ve created a series of vlogs that explain to the young generation from my country why it’s important but also cool to go and vote. Our digital project began when I became part of a group of 27 European representatives that have been invited to a series of seminars in the European Parliament in April. In the context

www.what-Europe-does-forme.eu or how the European Parliament's new website shows you exactly how you benefit from EU membership.

Have you ever wondered how exactly the European Union works for you? Now you can easily find out from an interactive website giving the best overview of how membership of the EU has helped you!

With over 1400 notes on EU regions and cities, 400 on citizens and social groups and 24 papers on different EU policies, information on your life and your region is readily available and reliable! Go check it out! #thistimeimvoting The platform thistimeimvoting. eu was launched by the European Parliament in 24 languages. It supports over one hundred and fifty thousand volunteers in all member states, who signed up and are committed to inform people about the benefits of the European elections on 2326 May 2019.

Through the social media channels and organizing events to promote the campaign for European democracy, the websites brings people together to discuss The European Parliament - 100% Digital Communication

issues that matter to them and look to the future of Europe. It’s the perfect tool for volunteers who want to get involved in a pan-European, grass roots campaign to get more people involved in the European elections and encourage as many as possible to vote. www.european-elections.eu Details on national voting rules, deadlines and other useful links to national government websites of each member state are available on the website. An online quiz to test and compare knowledge about the EU is available to the public and can be shared and embedded easily on third-party websites.

THE CITIZENS APP - Europe in the palm of your hand, wherever you are By installing the Citizens' App, you’ll learn who does what in the EU, how all of this is relevant to your daily life, and what challenges the EU faces. gives you information on topics and locations of interest to you and updates you on their progress; is searchable, shareable, customized and rank able; informs you about events taking place near you; adds your favorites to your personal calendar; shows you the best route via your favorite maps application; provides multimedia content such as videos, podcasts and slideshows; lets you keep the same settings and bookmarks across all your devices.

The app is available in 24 languages: Apple Store – Google Play. Compatibility: Android and iOS. (Requires iOS 10.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.) • W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

21

MUSIC

Untold Festival, Cluj Napoca, Romania

Romania.

The World Capital of…

MUSIC! Imagine there’s a country in the world that celebrates you everyday! With non-stop music, parties, festivals and events. With local and international artists playing almost everyday. Yap! This is happening! The future is NOW and Romania is The World Capital of MUSIC in 2019!

by Oana Tache

E

ven if we are going to focus on the next 3 months of summer, please note that the show already started with a few artists that already have signed in the massive book of happenings that gather in our country la crème de la crème of the international music biz. We can’t put on the list all the names that filled our weekends at Quantic Club, Control Club and Expirat Club in Bucharest, but we have to mention at least Lenny Kraviz’ s performance and EuropaFest that brought names from Israel, Australia, New Zeeland.

Moving forward with the speed of light, here’s the complete list of all the events that you should not miss this year in Romania. And check out our recommendations in highlights:

MAY We start with alternative local Mono Jacks that will play on the 15th of May at the Hard Rock Café.

On the 17th on the same location, all Pink Floyd fans are called in for a legendary tribute.

On the 30th of May, we go to Control Club to listen live the masterpieces prepared by Alternativ Quartet.

JUNE As June comes along we propose a throwback in the Romanian hit factory. If you wanna understand how Romanian’s were making music at the neginning of the 90’s you have to be on the 11th of June at Arenele Romane at La Bairam Festival.

The american superstar LP, comes

Neversea Festival

22

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

Romania: A Winter Wonderland & Playground

MUSIC

back to Romania to sing along “Lost on you” and this is happening on the 24th of June at Arenele Romane in Bucharest.

But on the 26th of June you have to be ready to shout “sex bomb” with Tom Jones, in Cluj Napoca.

On the 27th, brace yourselves. We have heavy rock music in Bucharest – Disturbed will play at Arenele Romane.

At the seaside the Dakini Fest will start at Tuzla Beach for those who want to pursue the spiritual elevation and listen to some soul music.

For those that want to dance, El Carousel Festival brings BLACK EYED PEAS, DIPLO, KAROL G, YOUNG THUG, RAE SREMMURD, ZION Y LENNOX, KHEA and many more between 27th and 30th of June in Bucharest.

Also, if your looking for electronic groovy beats, you have toget to Ramnicu Valcea between 28th and 30th of May as DEEP FOREST Fest locks OXIA, NEVERDOGS, REEBBOT and many more.

In the other side of the country, Paul Van Dyk opens the Arad Open Air Festival on the 28th.

And, you should get ready for more! Because on the 29th we have Garbage LIVE taking over Arenele Romane in Bucharest.

on a fair well tour, so you have to catch the final representation on the 10th of July at Arenele Romane.

Between 11th and 15th of July we move again. This time,to the small village of Garana, —also called Wolfsberg by the Bohemian colonists who have inhabited it until some 30 years ago—has developed, during the last decades, into an international artist colony—hosting, for the 18th time this year, Europe's only open-air jazz festival, a kind of contemporary Woodstock.

Exactly at the same period of time, Waha Festival that aims to be more than a party, but an expression of existence starts

interesting event of the year between 17th and 21st of July.

Also with an interesting line-up for the blues lovers, Brezoi Open Air in Valcea, between 18th and 21st comes with Beth Hart, Ana Popovic, Oscar Benton, EB Davis & The Superband.

Michael Bolton will perform 2 days in the row, on the 20th of July in Cluj Napoca and on the 22nd of July in Bucharest.

Bon Jovi strikes in the capital of Romania. On the 21st of July, he comes back at Piata Constitutiei in the huge concert “This House Is Not For Sale”.

On the 22nd of July, The Cure and Editors will follow Bon Jovi at Piata Consti-

JULY July starts with a Whitesnake concert on the 1st at Arenele Romane in Bucharest and continues with the massive concert set at the National Arena (also in Bucharest) that puts Ed Sheeran face to face with all Romanian lady fans on the 3rd of July.

Between 4th and 7th we move to the beach as NEVERSEA Festival gathers every living party maniac for 4 days and 4 nights of non stop party. Big names like G-Eazy, Jessie J, Steve Aoki, Afrojack şi Lost Frequencies, Alesso, Bassajackers, DJ Snake, KSHMR, Salvatore Ganacci, Sean Paul, Vini Vici, Boris Brejcha, Dubfire, Agents of Time, A Skillaz, Delinquent Habbits, Dub FX have already been announced and the organizers say that there are many more to follow.

Back in the capital, Slayer will perform for the last time ever since they are

Neversea Festival

in Batanii Mari. So, if you’re the type that wants to break the reality belt for a few day, join the forces of nature and enjoy the tent living experience.

Rock la Mures Festival takes place in Mures County and gathers a lot of hardcore voices: Ministry, The Casualties, Dirty Shirt, Altar, Frontierer, Luna Amara, Ska-nk, Siberian Meat Gringer between 13th and 15th.

The jewel of the summer is by far the line-up brought by Electric Castle Festival. At it’s 7th anniversary, in Bontida, near Cluj Napoca, the organizers managed to lock Florence and the Machine, Limp Bizkit, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Bring Me The Horizon, Metric, The Vaccines and many more international names that make from the festival at Banffy Castle the most

tutiei.

And we end the month with the 14th edition of ARTmania Festival that will take place on 26th - 27th of July 2019, in Sibiu with Dream Theater, Opeth, Architects, Madrugada, Wardruna, Alcest and Myrkur are the artists already confirmed for ARTmania.

AUGUST August is as full as July. So, change your dancing shoes and start again!

For all the party people out there the highlight will be UNTOLD. The legendary festival that hits it’s 5th anniversary in 2019 is without doubt the biggest and the greatest event for the electronic scene developed in Romania. In Cluj Arena Martin W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

23

MUSIC

Garrix, David Guetta, Dimitri Vegas&Like Mike, Timmy Trumpet, Bastille, James Arthur, Oscar and The Wolf, Loco Dice, Solomun, Andy C, Borgore, Chase&Status, Boris Brejcha, Rusko, Tale of US și Sub Focus B2B Wilkinson, Pendulum DJ Set B2B Friction, Camo&Krooked Live and many more will perform.

Rockstadt Festival breaks the ice for the rock fans between the 1st and the 4th with Accept, Paradise Lost, Unearth, Bloodbath, Hypocrisy and many more.

The event will take place at Rasnov citadel.

The Festival like a holiday, Summer Well is set on the 10th and the 11th of August at Domeniul Styrbei in Buftea, near Bucharest. The 1975, TENDER, PALE WAVES, Maribou State, Black Honey, The National, Jungle, Razorlight, Zola Blood, Red Rum Club are locked for the 9th edition of the gathering. Metallica is already sold out but we need to mention this big performance in Bucharest, at the 14th of August.

Another new interesting rock, rock alternativ, indie and folk festival is taking place in the Piatra Craiului National Park and Vita de Vie, The Different Class, Luna Amara, Coma, Implant pentru Refuz, The Monojacks, Bucium, Robin and the Backstabbers confirmed their presence between the 15th and 17th of August.

Between 15th and 18th, you have to go to AWAKE Festival. A boutique festival for open minds and souls through music and complementary arts, eclectic cultural and sports activities and many other memorable surprises is yearly taking place at Teleki Estate and completes the experience with big names like JP Cooper, Pussy Riot, NetSky, AJ Tracey and more.

DAVA Festival gathers on the 30th and the 31st of August the techno scene in Sighisoara in Transylvania. A funky music festival, with an industrial backbone, organized in the medieval landscape it brings together world-class DJs, great vibes and a unique location.

Tiamat, MoonSpell and Soen are the biggest names that sign the POSADA Festival line-up in Campulung Muscel also on the 30th and 31st of August.

And we end August with FALL IN LOVE Festival on the 31st of August with Liam Gallagher, Disclosure, Kaiser Chiefs, Kovacs, Suie Paparude, Jurjak and Firma at Mogosoaia Palace.

We start September at Enescu Festival at the Romanian Athenee in Bucharest, and we note also Enrique Iglesias’s gig in Cluj Napoca on the 29th of October.

24

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

With a huuuuuge list of artists, events and gatherings; split between electronic party maniacs and rock hard voices, Romania in 2019 has for sure it’s musical and cultural pick ever. And for sure, this is only the beginning of a new multicultural journey. •

Electric Castle

Electric Castle, photo by Mircea Struțeanu

www.oanatache.ro Instagram: @OanaTache Twitter: @tacheoana Facebook: facebook.com/tache.oana

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

25

LIFESTYLE

TAG - Talent Garden Bucharest

The Culture of Co-Working Spaces

By Dana Tudose-Tianu

Do co-working spaces foster creativity? Do they create a community? Who works in coworking spaces anyway? Is it software developers, freelancers, or entrepreneurs just starting a business? And, most importantly, what advantages would a coworking space offer you that a regular office won’t?

We look at three well-known co26

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

working spaces in Bucharest to find answers and to perhaps encourage you to check out hubs and similar spaces as an alternative for you.

Talent Garden Bucharest (TAG)

23-25 Brezoianu Street, Palatul Universul, Corp B, Mezanin

Y

ou can’t say Talent Garden Bucharest without saying Beans & Dots. TAG is a co-working space in Palatul Universul, near Cismigiu Park in Bucharest. Its unique advantage is in offering its members a “three-in-one” deal. Though properly delimited from one another, TAG shares the same space with Beans & Dots Café and the Mezanin Conference/Events Area. The co-working space is called the Campus. Most people sharing an office at TAG will have their meetings in Beans and Dots Café, which is always abuzz with conversation.

The Culture of Co-Working Spaces

Who works here? The Digital Nation team, the Recorder editorial team, architects, advertising specialists, expats running start-ups in various fields from sustainable farming to operating systems solutions for freelance work.

Currently, TAG Bucharest members pay a flat monthly fee that offers them fulltime access to the space, ergonomic chairs and private, dedicated desks. A meeting room that can accommodate 6-8 people is available to all campus members. Access to the co-working space is allowed 24h/day, 7days/week. Members also have access to other Talent Garden Campuses around the world, within the limit of 50h/month and flexible desks availability.

The Full-Membership subscription comes with several discounts: 20% off ticket prices to any event (open to the public) organized in any TAG campus; 20% discount when booking the event/

LIFESTYLE

conference area in any TAG campus; 15% discount (and the author’s favorite perk) to any product sold at the Beans and Dots Café.

The location of the co-working space is one of the biggest advantages for members, aside from the (very) positive vibe that cascades from Beans & Dots all the way to TAG and Mezanin. TAG is literally a two-minute walk to Cismigiu Park.

The Mezanin, an events and conference space, can host up to 200 people and has been used for anything from trainings, workshops, arts and crafts expositions and fairs, media events, business and political conferences and events, as well as corporate parties.

Seneca Anticafe

TAG is unique among Bucharest-based hubs in that it is a part of a very special creative headquarters: Palatul Universul itself. Only one floor up the stairs from TAG you can experience choreographic magic at the Linotip Center. One floor down and you can watch Andreea Rosca, the esteemed journalist, entrepreneur and co-founder of Romanian Business Leaders, in conversation with the most prominent Romanian entrepreneurs at the Apollo 111 Theatre. Or, you can hear poetry being recited live, almost every morning, at Beans & Dots, by OZB Contributing Editor and poet, Dana Tudose-Tianu, for the online poetry Facebook vlog, Un Minut de Poezie.

Impact Hub Bucharest Impact Hub Bucharest

Splaiul Unirii 165, Timpuri Noi Square, clădirea 2

I

mpact Hub Bucharest was founded in 2012 by three friends: Oana and Vlad Craioveanu and Alexandra Pode. The three gave up their jobs to bring a new concept to Romania. Impact Hub was the first co-working space in Bucharest. It has been growing ever since and constantly aligning, through its projects and activities, with the mission of supporting entrepreneurial development within society.

The hub went through a major change in 2017 when it moved to a space three times bigger than the previous one in Timpuri Noi Square.

The 1600 square meter area hosts co-working spaces, event rooms and many facilities for those who choose to become Impact Hub members. Throughout the years, they have hosted over 1200 mem-

Seneca Anticafe

bers.

They also organize and host conferences and events, run business and startup incubation and development programs, and offer financing alternatives through crowdfunding.

Impact Hub Bucharest is a part of the global Impact Hub network, which has 100 locations all around the world, with over 16,000 members.

Impact Hub is more than a co-working space. All their efforts are geared towards building a diverse and active community which inspires people and makes them feel supported throughout the process of growing their business.

Impact Hub’s latest insight into their membership shows that most members come from the IT/software development industry (29%), followed by business services (27%), creative industries (7%), education (6%), marketing (6%), architecture (5%). Most are entrepreneurs (46%) or freelancers.

Depending on the type of membership they opt for, the Hub’s members have a variety of advantages. Aside from benefitting from some of the best working facilities (internet, ergonomic chairs, adjustable desks, Skype Framery booths), they become a part of a community.

Impact Hub organizes monthly events for their members who are looking to transfer knowhow and foster inspiration. They also give them access to the Impact Hub local and global network and promote them at every opportunity. Members can easily find collaborators or trusted partners right here, in the hub, as well as take advantage of the partnerships Impact Hub has with other organizations and promote their business.

They organize several types of events at the Hub. On one side, they organize internal events, dedicated to members.

They connect, share expertise, and give and receive feedback.

On the other side, they have two monthly events open to the public: Entrepreneurial Stories and Hub Talks, where entrepreneurs and people who are passionate about the topics we open up are invited to present ideas. They also organize conferences and events such as “Women of Romania” or “Fears and Failures”, the innovation conference Innoteque or the Single Digital Gateway hackathon, organized at the initiative of the European Commission.

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

27

LIFESTYLE

Seneca Anticafe

Str. Arhitect Ion Mincu no. 1, Bucharest "Nothing is ours, except time". Seneca

S

eneca Anticafe was founded in 2014, as a project derived from the Seneca Publishing House.

It is a co-working space, a library and a bookstore at the same time. It is unique in Bucharest.

Seneca offers several co-working spaces: the lit desks area, the quiet room or the amphitheater. Plugs and wi-fi are everywhere. You will find all the resources you need: books, computers, printer, scan-

ner, magazines.

As the name indicates, Seneca is an AntiCafe and it does serve tea as the main “inspirational” beverage. However, there is coffee, too. You can also make your own coffee or prepare your own food, in the kitchen area, which is open to everyone, and where various ingredients are offered free of charge.

Unlike regular hubs, Seneca does not offer monthly memberships, but you can book your own working space for one hour or for an entire day.

Seneca Café is located near the Kiselleff Park, in a quiet area. You will feel that you are working in your own private

library, with 10K+ selected titles, in many European languages.

You can join events as diverse as the books, ranging from lettering & calligraphy to motivational speakers and workshops.

Among them, Seneca Ecologos, one of our project divisions, has recently helped a number of companies with our resource efficiency workshops, enabling them to cut down on wasted resources and boost performance.

Their philosophy is that one owes it to oneself to make the most out of his own time. Make your’s count! •

treatments. Medical tourism offers foreign patients the same medical standards, the same results, at more effective costs. It’s a more profitable approach with the same results.

For the last 6 years, in my position as Patient Care Manager and Dental Office Manager, I had the chance to see a growth in the number of patients who have requested and came to Romania for complex restorative dental treatments. We, somehow, surpassed the barrier of stereotypes surrounding our country and managed to be seen for who we are beyond that.

Romania has great, super-specialized doctors, medical clinics with cutting-edge technologies that can offer a great quality, predictable result to any patient, no matter the complexity of the treatment.

Furthermore, I have personally created a Patient Care system that puts the patient in the center of everything during his or her entire experience of coming to Romania for a medical treatment. I have thought about every single potential cause of an inconvenience a foreign patient might worry about experiencing.

It’s comforting to know that from the first online interaction a patient will have with us, up to his or her departure, there is a dedicated professional who will take care of him/her, will offer the right treatment, with no hidden fees.

A member of our team will make all the necessary arrangements for the patient to feel safe and well informed, every step of the way, throughout the process, from picking the patient up from the airport, to taking him/her to every medical appointment, arranging all the necessary itineraries which include tasting the vibes of the city etc..

Last but not least, by working daily with patients from the United States, UK, Switzerland, Australia, France, Canada and other European countries, I have had enough time to collect and correctly process their feedback, to understand their needs, to predict what aspects will worry them. These insights allowed me to build, through MedTourist Advisor, a patient care system that is true and honest to my foreign patients, a direct one-to-one system. This system delivers the correct expectations.

If foreign patients don’t know much about Romania and the medical system in our country, I understood that it is up to me to show them the positive experiences other patients like them had. Those patients put their trust in me and in the medical teams that I work with (dentists, plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists etc.) and have gotten the results they wanted with the right and predictable financial investment. •

ADVERTORIAL

Andrei Stirbulescu-Branescu Founder, General Manager, MedTourist Advisor +40 724 356 733

MedTourist Advisor

A

ll over the world, we are still educating ourselves to look at our health and wellbeing as the most important thing we are given in this lifetime.

In recent years, people have discovered they can cross borders in order to regain their health, because distance has stopped being a problem and language ceased being a barrier in communication.

We are more open to options, we search more, we discover new things. In this economy of choice, it became easier for us to travel to foreign countries for medical

28

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

MedTourist Advisor

• • • •

Medical Tourism Services: Esthetic Dentistry & Implantology Esthetic Surgery & Body Remodelling Ophthalmology & Complex Eye Surgery Weight Control

FILM & TV

Corneliu Ulici plays Detective Iosif Baciu in Comrade Detective, voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Comrade Detective Don’t Miss Out on Comrade Detective, Amazon’s Bizarre and Awesome Buddy Cop Spin on the Romanian ‘80s

I

by David McLean Shoup

t’s not everyday that a mainstream American studio features a show about Romania. So, in case you missed it, OZB is revisiting 2017’s summer hit series Comrade Detective, still streaming on Amazon Prime. Featuring a well known cast of Romanians, including Florin Piersic, Jr. in the lead role of Detective Gregor Anghel, a slew of Hollywood A-listers such as Joseph Gordon Levitt, Daniel Craig and Mahershala Ali provide hilarious and intentionally mismatched voice-over English dubs.

Comrade Detective is a comedy at

core, but one that forces its audience to consider the more nuanced approaches to propaganda, past and present, through the niche 1980s faux-communist lens of a vintage buddy cop genre. The six part series offers itself as a mock set up of a 1983 Romanian state-produced police procedural (it’s anything but, rather filmed on location in 2016) that has been unearthered, digitially remastered, and re-dubbed at the behest of American actor Channing Tatum, who provides voice-over to Piersic Jr.’s chain smoking, womanizing, and Marx-quoting Detective Anghel. After Anghel’s partner is killed by a mysterious assasasin/bible smuggler toting a Ronald Reagan mask, he joins forces with a rural police officer (played by Corneliu Ulici and voiced by Gordon-Levitt) to unravel a conspiracy involving the U.S. Embassy, blue jeans, and yes, a game of Monopoly.

The Monopoly boardgame and many other well-placed motifs throughout the series serve as successful tongue-in-cheek tropes of capitalism and communism that offer laugh out moments, groans, and evThe other face of Bucharest

erything in between throughout Comrade Detective’s racy and stylish first season.

Some of the best thought provoking laughs come from moments in which the cast and creators break a sort of fifth wall, one in which the show’s American writers envision how Romanian propagandists might have spun American culture for their own audiences forty years ago.

Ulici’s/Gordon-Levitt’s Detective Baciu delivers killer lines here with his consistent mispronunciation of Jordache Jeans as “Jordahkey.” More over-the-top but equally funny is the show’s representation of the staff at the American embassy, occasionally portrayed as morbidly obese golfers holed up in a corner with stacks of pancakes and hamburgers.

In an age when propaganda is delivered with less bite and lurks deeper in the shadows of our perceptions, Comrade Detective serves as a unique form of visual theater that reaches beyond action comedy to make us viewers look a little bit deeper into how and why we think as we do. • W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

29

ECO

Bicycles

M

by Anda Ene

ircea Moldovan, aka Paco is one of the few Romanians to make customized bicycles. There are only 5 people in Romania who play on this niche, together with whom, Paco created a small Facebook community for custom made

bicycle lovers.

Paco is only 29 years old but already has a good record of outstanding design pieces which he sale all over the world.

He studied at the Engineering Faculty of Hunedoara.and although Paco admits that he done a lot of technical studies in college, very useful today, nevertheless, he consider that best learning comes from direct experience.

The passion to design and build objects started from the childhood, when he find great pleasure playing with Lego pieces. He learnt that his imagination has no limits.

A crucial moment in his early childhood was when the grandfather and father bought him the first bike. He immediately felt the impetus to improve it. After a very intense period of bike love relation, eventually the passion faded. Years later, he saw a bike which did not resemble anything he had ever seen before: it was a custom made byke presented on a UK site He immediately decided that he must have it.

So, he took the trip to a remoted

small city in North England and come back in his town with the spectacular bike after which everyone turns heads around.

That was the moment when he realise what he likes the most: to make bikes everyone turns heads around. Paco began to document everything that he should know about designing bicycles and what kind of professionals he needs to team up, in order to put into practice what it was only in his imagination.

There is a lot of manual labor in the process. He deals with the design part, then a draftsman transposes it into technical details. Depending on the complexity of the sketch, if it is more complex, the execution may take up to 30 days, but he recognizes that there are not many customers willing to give 1,000-1,500 euros, for a custom bike. However, this market is steadily increasing.

Somewhere, in near future, he aims to establish his own school, an "alternative� and very pragmatic teaching approach, where young people will master a craft by the old method of "doing and learning". •

Sailing holidays & events around the Mediterranean. www.bleumarinsailing.ro

30

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

Bicycles

BARS & RESTAURANTS

“Joia la Berarie” Peak Thursday night at Beert

H

ow about breaking the status quo and starting your weekend early? Now you have the chance, at one of the most dynamic and modern locations in Bucharest.

Beert is a place steeped in history and life, located in the old town of Bucharest, and it’s the perfect environment to soak up the city’s rhythm.

One of the many ways it celebrates its consumers is through thematic evenings dedicated to create a complex and wholehearted experience for guests. “Joia la Berarie” is a newly developed concept, brought to life for those of us who do not

want to wait till Friday night to enjoy a good time. It is a statement of our intention not to limit ourselves to the timeline set by the masses, which comes into the form of a raised pint of Ursus la Tank, the freshest beer in town, best enjoyed surrounded by your favorite people at your favorite place.

Bring your friends and enjoy a lovely Thursday night, full of surprises, carefully prepared to provide an amazing experience, alongside a glass of fresh cold beer, brought straight from the brewery.

You will have the chance to engage in challenging games that will take you into the depths of the production process of tank beer, while dancing and laughing to the beats of each artist who performs on the stage. Whether it’s jazz music, soul or dance, it will be a night full of smiles, laughs and good Ursus Tank beer. • W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

31

TECHNOLOGY

JBL GO 2

The Best Gadgets for summer 2019 Summer is almost here. As the days get longer and our skin gets darker, we all begin to fantasize about those times when we’re on vacation and have nothing to do all day but bask in the sun with a cold drink close by. However, if you think nothing could enhance that experience, then we urge you to think again. It’s 2019 and technology has found its way into every aspect of our lives, mostly for the better. Here are the hottest new gadgets that will put the cherry on top of a perfect summer holiday.

by Dan Teodorescu

JBL GO 2 WATERPROOF PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER

T 32

aking your music to the pool or to the beach used to imply grabbing a large, boxy stereo, putting it on

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

your shoulder, and then enjoying about 23 wonderful minutes until the batteries ran out. Not anymore, as nowadays Bluetooth speakers look cooler, sound better, and last longer with each new generation.

A perfect example of this is JBL’s new waterproof speaker, an essential part of any pool party. This stylish little gadget is available in 12 different colors and weighs only 184 grams, while its battery allows up to five hours of non-stop streaming from any phone or tablet.

It also works as a phone speaker, so you can take your calls without needing to leave the pool. If you want your music to follow you around everywhere this summer, this crisp-sounding waterproof Bluetooth speaker is the perfect addition to your holiday gear.

Samsung Galaxy S10

CREATIVE EDGE’S SOLAR-5 SOLAR PANEL 5000MAH PHONE CHARGER

W

e’ve all been there. You’re hanging out by the beach or on a mountain trail and you want to take your phone out to take some pictures or message a friend, but you soon realize your battery is about to die. A sure way to avoid that is taking an external battery with you, but that is The Best Gadgets for summer 2019

StowCo Small Portable Cooler

TECHNOLOGY

so five years ago. You definitely don’t want the responsibility of yet another device you need to remember charging before going on holiday, so why not use the summer’s hot sun to power up your phone?

Creative Edge’s Solar-5 charger is the perfect outdoor travel companion, always keeping you powered and connected. The silicone exterior makes it both good looking and resistant, while the dual charging points mean you can also help out a friend. Just attach it to your backpack and you’ll be getting instant clean energy straight from the biggest source around.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S10

Creative Edge Solar-5 Solar Panel Phone Charger

Jabra Elite 65T True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

T

he smartphone has become more than a simple gadget and is now an integral part of our lives. Nowadays there’s an app for everything and they’re all evolving so fast, so you might discover that what was once your shiny new phone now takes 10 seconds to open Whatsapp. The best way of making sure you won’t need a new phone anytime soon is by getting the best one currently on the market and arguably that’s the Galaxy 10.

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy series has been wildly successful over the last decade and rightly so. The Galaxy 10 marks an improvement in virtually every department, from the quality of the Dynamic AMOLED display to battery time and everything in between.

It’s also waterproof, a quality which may come in handy when you’re taking selfies down by the pool.

STOWCO SMALL PORTABLE COOLER

W

PRO X - Portable Survival Water Filter

hen most people think of a portable cooler, the first image that pops in their head is a large plastic box that’s uncomfortable to carry around. However, StowCo thought there must be an easier way to carry some cold drinks around and came up with this little gem. What looks like a laptop case to the unsuspecting eye is actually a foam insulated cooler that will keep your drinks cold for up to five hours. You don’t even need to add ice, like you would with a regular cooler.

Just put in the cold drinks and you’re good to go.

The StowCo Small Wine Beer

Portable Cooler can hold up to 10 beer cans, 6 beer bottles, or 3 wine bottles, which should be enough for a few people to enjoy while at the beach or at a picnic. Its shape and design keep the bottles tight, to prevent them from clanking against each other or breaking.

JABRA ELITE 65T TRUE WIRELESS BLUETOOTH EARBUDS

A

lthough initially controversial, wireless earbuds are slowly but surely making the headphone jack a thing of the past. These gorgeous little devices work with basically any phone out there and deliver top quality sound every time. They are designed for everyday use and you can pick between three differently-sized ear gels, so they definitely won’t fall off or give you any discomfort while using them. You can also comfortably use them around the house while watching Netflix or commanding Alexa.

A single charge can get you about five hours and they’re also smart enough to auto-pause when removing one of them, so you won’t waste any battery life. A pocket-friendly charging case also comes with the package, increasing battery life to 15 hours, so you can spend an entire day using them without needing a recharge.

PRO X - WORLD'S FIRST HANDHELD PORTABLE ELECTRIC SURVIVAL WATER FILTER™

T

his gadget is ideal for the hardcore adventurer and can easily become your best friend in certain situations. If your idea of a great holiday is immersing yourself in nature by going on long hikes in the wilderness, you may appreciate not needing to carry a ton of water with you. Just place the water inlet hose in any body of water you can find and the device will offer you 17oz of clean, drinkable water per minute by simply pushing a button.

It’s also long-lasting and easy to clean, so you can use it again and again on your adventures. Only two AA batteries will give you up to 95 gallons of clean water, but you can also plug it in or use a mobile charger. • W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

33

PHOTO ESSAY

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES ANOTHER ONE OPENS images & text by Raluca Mihăilă The photographic collection “When one door closes, another one opens” had been inspired by the colors of Malta and the togetherness philosophy of opposite poles: interior-exterior, reality-perception, before- after, new- old. “It is up to us to choose the doors we want to open and also our attitude towards the things we find behind them” Raluca believes.

What is it with doors that makes us want to go beyond? To get in and find out? Understand and then be curious about the things we don’t know yet?

34

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

When One Door Closes Another One Opens

PHOTO ESSAY

The door is a never ending mystery, as you can only see one side of it at a time. And not because it’s incomplete, but because it hold together two opposites.

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

35

PHOTO ESSAY

When you see the inside part of it, it is a pathway towards the world and the out there.

To the contrary, when you look at it from the outside, once you open it and get in, you accept the invitation of going towards your inner self.

36

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

PHOTO ESSAY

Raluca Mihăilă Marketing strategist, photographer, writer.

What you do afterwards it’s up to you.

After over 16 years of retail, hospitality services and a holistic approach of life through 360° Marketing, photography and creative writing, Raluca founded Utopic Brain | Marketing and Creative Boutique, Raluca Mihaila Photography and Raluca Mihaila Stories as the triangle of her creativity.

Raluca volunteers in sustainable causes and is very passionate about education on all levels. You can see her work, portfolio and full bio on www.utopicbrain.com and www.ralucamihaila.ro.

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

37

SIGN OFF

What’s Behind the Wooden Gate? The Underrated Beauty of Roadside Pensiuni in Transylvania

by David McLean Shoup

M

ay is here, and with fresh rays of sunshine beaming into the concrete jungle of my apartment in the Vitan neighborhood, there is an energy in the air that motivates travels throughout Romania. This month, a visit from 38

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9

my family across the Atlantic and subsequent roadtrip through Transylvania has opened up a new door in traveling style for me; namely, a series of stays in some of Romania’s incredible pensiuni. After an extended slog admiring the highlights of well-trodden Sibiu, Brasov and Sighisoara, I planned to drive my sprightly albeit aging parents in a straight shot to Maramures County. If you’ve read about entrepreuner Stefan Mandachi’s recent creative stunt in Suceava (building one meter of highway to demonstate deteriorating road conditions), or driven outside of Bucharest on your own, then you’ll know that Google Maps driving times tend to run a tad optimistic.

So, with a late departure out of Sighisoara and a long way to go before Sighet, a relatively last minute stopover point appeared necessary. Enter Pensiunea Turlas Maria, tucked away behind an impressive wooden gate off the main Maramures road in Salistea de Sus. This Romanian homeaway-from-home consists of a smattering of traditional wooden cottages, well heated with interior wood-fire stoves, and elaborately decorated with colorful textiles and pottery. Maria, the charming guesthouse’s namesake and proprietor, provides fabulous homecooked meals to an assortment of international guests, greeting everyone What's Behind the Wooden Gate?

with a wink and a hug. She enthusiastically and creatively accomodated my vegetarian mother’s preferences with local mushrooms cooked to perfection. It was impossible not to stay for an additional night, between the sincere Romanian hospitality, which includes DIY home bottled tuica (on the house), and stunning views of the snowcapped Carpathians off in the distance.

A further hour’s drive north will bring you right up to the Ukrainian border at Sighet. Located just south of the county capital is the sleepy village of Vadu Izei, home to another string of pensiuneas. If you’re up in this area, check out Teleptean Ileana Teodora, also named after the guesthouse’s matron (I’m sensing a trend).

I’ve gathered from my short time here the popularity of Vama Veche as the May Day destination of choice for many Romanians.

This also means a relatively tourist-free experience up north during the May holiday. In Romania, there’s always a silver lining, and the upside of rain in Northern Translyvania this May holiday week is a continuous mist rising off the peaks of the impressive green hills that dot this beautiful landscape. Coupled with the generosity and warm spirit of the Romanian locale, Maramures in the spring is not something to miss. •

W W W. O Z B . R O M AY 2 0 1 9

39

40

W W W.O Z B . R O

M AY 2 0 1 9