InsightTarom-2008 Just Cpr by Giurgiu Radu

EXEMPLARUL DUMNEAVOASTR| / YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY

INSIGHT TAROM

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

Prim\var\ / Spring 2008

INSIGHT FOCUS

CUPRINS CONTENTS

NOP}I ~N PALATELE ORIENTULUI NIGHTS IN THE PALACES OF THE ORIENT

COASTA FLORILOR DE PORTOCAL THE FLOWERS OF THE ORANGE TREES COAST VALENCIA

Parteneri code-share TAROM / TAROM Code-Share Partners

H\r]i de rut\ Route Maps

78 80

Flota / The Fleet

Câ[tiga]i mile! Earn Miles!

Zbura]i confortabil! Fly Comfortably!

Ghidul c\l\torului The Traveler’s Guide

Telefonie la bordul aeronavei / On Board Telephone

Informa]ii [i rezerv\ri / Information and Booking

Rezerv\ri online Online Booking

La dolce vita TOTUL DESPRE ROMA ALL ABOUT ROME “Insight TAROM” is published for TAROM by MEDIA ON Publishing Group and AROND online branding and web solutions company

Birouri de cargo Cargo Offices

Sejururi cu TAROM Weekend with TAROM

INSIGHT TAROM

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

EDITORIAL Stima]i cititori, atisfac]ia [i confortul dumneavoastr\ au fost [i r\m‚n obiectivele noastre principale. Suntem m‚ndri s\ v\ anun]\m c\ TAROM a ob]inut certificarea IOSA - auditul de calitate al IATA (Asocia]ia Interna]ional\ a Transportatorilor Aerieni), un important reper care arat\ faptul c\ am reu[it s\ ne atingem obiectivul dar care, `n acela[i timp, ne oblig\ s\ men]inem [i s\ dep\[im statutul ob]inut. IOSA este un program de evaluare recunoscut interna]ional, care folose[te standarde calitative acceptate la nivel mondial pentru realizarea auditului companiilor aeriene. Cineva spunea c\ succesul f\r\ ambi]ie este ca o pas\re f\r\ aripi. Aceast\ filosofie de via]\, redat\ `ntr-un mod simplu [i clar, se reg\se[te [i `n politica noastr\ fa]\ de clien]i. Calitatea serviciilor oferite r\m‚ne o preocupare constant\ iar personalul TAROM continu\ s\ fie instruit de cei mai buni speciali[ti `n Customer Care, prin cursuri de training intensive. Fie c\ sunte]i `ntr-o c\l\torie de afaceri, vre]i s\ vizita]i locuri noi sau s\ v\ petrece]i concediul acas\, al\turi de familie, TAROM r\m‚ne l‚ng\ dumneavoastr\ - un partener demn de `ncredere, care v\ duce `ntotdeauna la destina]ie, `n cele mai bune condi]ii. Noi am `n]eles c\ succesul, `mplinirea, fericirea de a ajunge al\turi de cei dragi, nu sunt neap\rat numai o destina]ie, ci [i un mod de a c\l\tori. {i pentru ca pasagerii no[tri s\ continue s\ c\l\toreasc\ `n cele mai bune condi]ii, `nc\ patru noi avioane au fost introduse `n flota TAROM: dou\ aeronave Airbus 310 [i dou\ Airbus 318. Flota companiei noastre a ajuns astfel la 21 de aeronave care zboar\ pe 47 de rute interne [i externe. ∫

„V| MUL}UMESC C| A}I ALES COMPANIA TAROM {I V| ASIGUR DE EFORTURILE NOASTRE CONTINUE DE A NE PERFEC}IONA {I DEZVOLTA, ASTFEL ~NCÂT S| V| OFERIM {I PE VIITOR CELE MAI BUNE SERVICII.“

“THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TAROM AND I ASSURE YOU THAT WE MAKE PERMANENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND DEVELOP TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICES.“

Gheorghe Bîrl\, pilot instructor, Director General TAROM

Instructor Pilot, President & CEO TAROM

Dear Readers, our satisfaction and comfort were and still are our main objectives. We are proud to let you know that TAROM achieved the IOSA certification - the IATA (International Air Transport. Association) quality audit, an important landmark that proves we’ve managed to reach the objective we settled for ourselves, but also made us maintain and overtop the obtained standard. IOSA is an internationally acknowledged evaluation programme that uses world-wide accepted quality standards to run the audit of airline companies. Somebody said success not driven by ambition is like a bird with no wings. To put it simple and plain, this life philosophy is captured by our clients’ policy. The quality of the services we provide is a constant concern and the TAROM staffs are intensively trained by the best specialists in Customer Care. Either you are in a business travel, or you want to visit new places or to spend your holiday at home, with your family, TAROM is by your side a trustful partner that always takes you to the destination in the best conditions. We’ve understood that success, fulfilment, happiness of getting home to the dear ones is not necessarily just a destination, but a way of travelling. And for our passengers to carry on travelling in the best conditions, 4 new airplanes were included in the TAROM fleet: 2 Airbus 310 and 2 Airbus 318 aircrafts. Our company fleet has thus reached the number of 21 aircrafts covering 47 internal and external routes. ∫

COLABORATORI Contributors ITINERARII Air Treks

COLABORATORI/CONTRIBUTORS

Insight TAROM Prim\var\/Spring 2008

Publisher Isabella Hurezan Editor-in-chief Diana Marcu Senior Art Director Marcel {tef DTP Anca Firescu Photo Cristian Lascu, Tiberiu Georgescu, fotografa.ro, Muzeul }\ranului Român, Mediafax Traffic Manager Ema Dr\gan Contributing Editors Cristian Lascu, Iuliana B\lan, Ana Nil\ {tefan Stâng\, Lelia Zamani Translator Alina Negru]iu Production Coordination Alexandru Florescu

Romania, Bucharest Bdul Mircea Eliade nr. 18, etaj 3, sector 1 Tel./Fax: (4021) 311.47.10/11 www.baniinostri.ro www.investromania.ro Advertising

Director executiv Beatrice B\lan beatrice.balan@arond.ro Romania, Bucharest Bdul Mircea Eliade nr. 18, sector 1 Tel./Fax: (4021) 311.47.01 www.arond.ro

Romania, Otopeni, Calea Bucure[tilor nr. 224 F, et. 2 Tel.: (4021) 201.47.33 Fax: (4021) 351.53.68 http://www.tarom.ro Advertising Manager Sonia Rusu e-mail: prsonia@tarom.ro ISSN 1583-4964 CORRESPONDENCE Your opinion, offers of collaboration and any further requests for information are greatly appreciated. isabella.hurezan@mediaon.ro diana.marcu@mediaon.ro

Cristina ATANASIU

D\nu] UNGUREANU

Alin POPESCU

Constantin CIOCAN

Iulian GHEORGHE

Novice `n ale scrisului, dar dornic\ s\ `nve]e. Din CV-ul ei nu lipsesc presa, advertisingul [i festivalul de film DaKINO. Este pasionat\ de c\r]i, c\l\torii [i muzic\. Vorbe[te franceza, engleza [i spaniola.

Scriitor [i jurnalistul D\nu] Ungureanu abordeaz\ o palet\ impresionant\ de genuri, de la sciencefiction - c‚teva volume personale, zeci de povestiri publicate [i un premiu european, p‚n\ la sutele de articole - interviuri, editoriale [i reportaje, ori, recent, volumul de umor „Rom‚ni deja de[tep]i“. Portofoliul s\u mai cuprinde scenarii de televiziune [i radio, texte dramaturgice.

N\scut la Slobozia, Ialomi]a `n anul 1980. Absolvent de Electronic\ [i Telecomunica]ii. Lucreaz\ ca analist `ntr-o companie multina]ional\. {i-a descoperit pasiunea pentru fotografie `n urm\ cu cinci ani, odat\ cu achizi]ionarea primului aparat foto. Participa la expozitii si concursuri de fotografie si obtine premii.

Are 34 de ani [i face fotografie de 20 de ani, caracteriz‚ndu-se drept autodidact. Pasiunea sa este zborul, Constantin av‚nd licen]\ de pilot privat.

S-a n\scut la Craiova `n 1978. La 20 de ani deja era recunoscut ca fotograf ca, dup\ 4 ani s\ expun\ `n Italia. ~ntors `n ]ar\, s-a mutat la Bucure[ti, a absolvit cursurile {colii de Art\, sec]ia fotografie. De 3 ani lucreaz\ `n presa central\.

A novice in writing, but eager to learn. Her CV covers experience in media, advertising and the DaKINO film festival. She is keen on books, travelling and music. She is fluent in French, English and Spanish.

Born in 1980, in Slobozia, Ialomita. Alin Popescu graduThe writer and journal- ated from THE Elecist D\nu] Ungureanu tronics and Telecomaddresses an impresmunication Faculty. sive range of genres, He is working as an from science-fiction analyst for a multinafew volumes, dozens tional corporation. of published stories Alin has discovered and an European his passion for phoprize, to hundreds of tography five years articles - interviews, ago, soon after he leading articles and bought his first camfeature reports, or, era. He often attends recently, the comic exhibitions and phobook „Rom‚ni deja tography competide[tep]i“ (The Already tions, which he also Smart Romanians). His wins. You can find portfolio also includes his portfolio at http: television and radio //alin.popescoo.net scripts, plays.

He is 34 years old and he started photography 20 years ago, considering himself as being a self-taught person. Flying is his passion, and Constantin has a private pilot license.

Born in Craiova in 1978. At 20 years of age he was an already known photographer and four years later he had an exhibition in Italy. Once back in the country, he moved to Bucharest, and graduated the Art School, Photography major. He has been working for three years in the national media.

CUPRINS

Contents

6 46

CUPRINS CONTENTS

SALON VIP VIP Lounge Nelly Miricioiu, sopran\ / soprano

ITINERARII Air Treks Vacan]\ la Roma Roman Holiday

ITINERARII Air Treks VALENCIA Coasta florilor de portocal/The flowers of the orange trees coast

PORTRET Portrait C\pitanul: Nicolae Dinescu, pilot TAROM de 23 de ani The Aviator: Nicolae Dinescu

CAMPIONII The Champions Bogdan Musta]\ Ursul de Aur la Berlin / Golden Bear at Berlin

EXPLORATOR Explorer Ad‚ncul p\m‚ntului e viu / There’s Life within Earth’s Core

DISCOVERY Nop]i `n palatele Orientului / Nights in the palaces of the Orient

JURNAL DE VACAN}| Holiday Journal Paradis la hotarul cu de[ertul / Paradis on the Brim of the Desert

DE VORB| CU Talking To Drago[ Munteanu, Safety & Quality Manager TAROM

BUCURE{TIUL REDESCOPERIT Bucharest rediscovered Cum a ie[it la ramp\ teatrul rom‚nesc How the Romanian Theatre did get over the footlights

TRADI}II Tradition Floriile: o s\rb\toare `mp\r\teasc\ Palm Sunday: an Imperial Celebration

GALERIE FOTO Photo Gallery Portofolio: Alin Popescu

CUPRINS

Contents

CUPRINS CONTENTS 12

71 81 82 86

FOCUS TAROM

SEJURURI CU TAROM Weekend with Tarom

ZBURA}I CONFORTABIL Fly Comfortably GHIDUL C|L|TORULUI The Traveler’s Guide INFORMA}II {I REZERV|RI Information and Booking

VIP

VI P Photo: Iulian Gheorghe

Interviu cu / Interview with

Salonul

Nelly Miricioiu

Lounge

Sopran\ / Soprano

onsiderat\ una dintre cele mai versatile soliste ale lumii, Nelly Miricioiu, soprana n\scut\ `n Rom‚nia, `n 1952, are un remarcabil repertoriu ce cuprinde rolurile principale din opere de la Maria Stuarda, Anna Bolena sau Roberto Devereux de Donizetti, la Tosca de Puccini ori Traviata de Verdi. Sunetele sale, „rostite“ pe cele mai prestigioase scene ale lumii Covent Garden, Paris, Milano, San Francisco, Berlin, Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Roma, Viena, Hamburg, Barcelona sau Munchen (pentru a numi doar c‚teva) - `i demonstreaz\ virtuozitatea. Considerat\ cet\]ean al lumii, Nelly Miricioiu tr\ie[te ast\zi `n Anglia, ]ara sa de adop]ie.

ounted as one of the most versatile vocalist in the world, Nelly Miricioiu, soprano born in Romania in 1952 has a remarkable repertory including the leading roles in operas like Maria Stuarda, Anna Bolena or Roberto Devereux by Donizetti, Tosca by Puccini or Traviata by Verdi. Her sounds, “uttered“ on the most prestigious stages of the world - Covent Garden, Paris, Milano, San Francisco, Berlin, Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Roma, Viena, Hamburg, Barcelona or Munchen which proves her virtuosity. A world citizen, Nelly Miricioiu lives nowadays in England, the country that adopted her.

C|L|TORI}I MULT?

DO YOU TRAVEL A LOT?

P‚n\ de cur‚nd st\team acas\ doar o lun\ pe an.

Until not long ago I used to stay home only one month a year.

TREI CUVINTE SINONIME CU C|L|TORIA...

THREE WORDS SYNONYMOUS WITH TRAVELLING...

Desp\r]ire, experin]\ – pentru c\ „a c\l\tori“ presupune noi drumuri, singur\tate.

Farewell, experience - because “travelling“ assumes new roads, abandonment.

UNDE MERGE}I CEL MAI DES {I DE CE?

WHERE DO YOU GO THE MOST AND WHY?

~n Olanda. Este singura ]ar\ din lume care m-a iubit, m-a apreciat [i m-a adorat necondi]ionat. M\ `ntorc cu bucurie de fiecare dat\.

To Holland. It is the only country in the world that loved, appreciated and unconditionally adored me. I always return here joyfully.

UNDE N-A}I FOST NICIODAT| {I VISA}I S| AJUNGE}I?

WHERE DID YOU NEVER GET, BUT DREAM TO GO?

Am fost peste tot, mai pu]in `n India. Dar voi ajunge [i acolo anul viitor c‚nd am programat un concert.

I’ve been everywhere, except to India. But I will go there next year when I have a concert scheduled.

CE PREFERA}I ~N VACAN}E: PLAJA, MUNTELE, STR|ZILE ORA{ULUI?

WHAT DO YOU PREFER WHILE ON HOLIDAY: THE BEACH, THE MOUNTAIN, CITY STREETS?

Plaja. Toat\ via]a am fost o fiin]\ a m\rii.

The beach. I’ve been a sea creature all my life.

AVE}I VREUN LOC FETI{, UN HOTEL FAVORIT, UN RESTAURANT?

DO YOU HAVE A FETISH PLACE, A HOTEL, RESTAURANT?

Da. Toate locurile `n care oamenii m\ primesc cu bun\voin]\ [i m\ primesc cu iubire. Nu-mi plac hotelurile business, consider c\ n-au personalitate, m\ fac s\ nu m\ simt om, ci ma[in\.

Yes, I do. All places where people welcome me with benevolence and love. I don’t like business hotels, I think they lack character, and they make me feel less of a human and more of a machine.

NU PLECA}I NICIODAT| F|R|?

YOU NEVER LEAVE WITHOUT...

Vocea mea.

NU V| ~NTOARCE}I NICIODAT| F|R|? Iubire.

PE CINE V-A}I DORI S| CUNOA{TE}I, S| ~NTÂLNI}I? Pe Dumnezeu.

DAC| AR FI S| V| ~NTOARCE}I ~N TIMP, CE A}I ALEGE? Data. ∫

My voice.

YOU NEVER COME BACK WITHOUT... Love.

WHOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW, TO MEET? That would be God.

IF YOU WERE TO GO BACK IN TIME, YOU WOULD CHOOSE... The date. ∫

ITINERARII

Air Treks

Vedere panoramic\ / A panoramic view

LATINII ~I SPUNEAU „CAPUT MUNDI“ - CAPITALA LUMII, {I ASTA A FOST, VREME DE SECOLE. I S-A ZIS „LA CITTA ETERNA“, ORI „LA CITTA DEI SETTE COLLI“ – „ORA{UL CELOR {APTE COLINE“. ~NAINTE DE A DEVENI O MAXIM|, „TOATE DRUMURILE DUC LA ROMA“ A FOST UN ADEV|R CÂT SE POATE DE CONCRET. By D\nu] Ungureanu

VACAN}| LA ROMAN HOLIDAY u precizie mai pu]in obi[nuit\ legendei, biografia roman]at\ a Romei ne spune c\ magnifica metropol\ a fost `ntemeiat\, nici mai mult nici mai pu]in dec‚t pe 21 aprilie 753 `.Hr, de c\tre Romulus [i Remus, pruncii ocroti]i de lupoaica sacr\... Veacurile au curs de atunci, cu tot ceea ce alc\tuie[te destinul unui loc at‚t de important `n istoria lumii. Cetatea a r\mas pe tradi]ionalele „[apte coline“: Capitolin, Palatin, Viminal, Quirinal, Eschilin, Celian [i Aventin. Inima s-a `nchegat acolo unde Insula Tibrului f\cea mai u[oar\ trecerea ® peste undele r‚ului. De[i mic `n compara]ie cu alte capitale, vechiul

he fictional biography of Rome, a legend remarkably closer to the truth than usual, tells how the magnificent metropolis was founded, neither more or less, on the 21st of April 753 BC by Romulus and Remus, those infants protected by the sacred female wolf... The

Tiber crosses it going South. Centuries went by and so did everything else, the events weaving the destiny of this place bearing such importance for the world history. The city is still situated on the traditional “Seven Hills”: Capitolin, Palatin, Viminal, Quirinal, Eschilin, Celian and Aventin.

INSIGHT TAROM

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

Roma etern\ / Eternal Rome

ROMANS USED TO CALL IT “CAPUT MUNDI” - THE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, AND INDEED IT WAS FOR CENTURIES. IT WAS NAMED “LA CITTA ETERNA” OR “LA CITTA DEI SETTE COLLI” “THE CITY OF THE SEVEN HILLS”. BEFORE TURNING INTO A MAXIM, “ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME” WAS A PALPABLE TRUTH... Roma noaptea / Rome by night

Its heart started beating there, where the Tiber Island facilitated crossing over the river. Although small if compared to other capital cities, the old centre of the town includes almost a thousand churches, palaces, parks, hundreds of hotels and bed-andbreakfasts, administrative buildings and, obviously, an overwhelming number of famous monuments.

MUST SEE MASTERPIECES Rome is the best known outdoors museum, all its visitors agree. Among ruins, many of the stone traces preserved by the great city are more than two centuries old.

The noted emperor Vespasian built the Colosseum - the largest arena ever made by Roman architects and engineers, to offer the pompous spectacles of death (gladiators’ fights) to the Roman people. No less than 50 000 spectators did hurry to take their seats in the ellipse that once sparkled with gold and purple-red. Scores of tons of marble and hundreds of tons of iron connected the blocks of this really colossal building with a height of over 50 metres and exterior walls half a kilometre thick. Still, its construction took only seven years... One of the most extraordinary treasure of the world, the Sistine Chapel, belongs to the papal ®

ITINERARII

Air Treks

® centru al ora[ului `nseamn\ aproape o mie de biserci, palate, parcuri, sute de hoteluri [i pensiuni, cl\diri administrative [i, fire[te, o popula]ie cople[itoare de monumente celebre.

adding the unique colonnades, Carlo Maderno, the one who astonished Pope Paul the Fifth himself with his talent, finished the facade. This is the place where Michelangelo’s early masterpiece has shone for centuries.

CURA OBLIGATORIE DE CAPODOPERE Roma, o spun to]i cei care i-au trecut grani]ele, este cel mai faimos muzeu `n aer liber. Printre ruine, multe dintre urmele de piatr\ pe care le p\streaz\ marele ora[ sunt mai v‚rstnice de dou\ milenii. Vestitul `mp\rat Vespasian a ridicat Colosseumul - cea mai mare aren\ cl\dit\ vreodata de arhitec]ii [i inginerii romani, pentru a oferi poporului s\u fastuoasele spectacole ale mor]ii - luptele cu gladiatori. Nu mai pu]in de 50 000 de spectatori se gr\beau `ntr-adev\r s\-[i ocupe locurile `n elipsa str\lucind odinioar\ de aur [i purpur\. Zeci de mii de tone de marmura [i sute tone de fier legau blocurile acestei construc]ii cu adev\rat colosale, `nalte de peste 50 de metri, cu ziduri exterioare m\sur`nd o jum\tate de kilometru. Cu toate astea, construirea lui a durat numai [apte ani... Una dintre cele mai fabuloase comori ale lumii, Capela Sixtin\ apar]ine palatului papal din Vatican [i `[i extrage faima nu numai din faptul c\ aici Conclavul Cardinalilor alege un nou Pap\, ci mai ales din capodoperele murale ale lui Michelangelor Buonarroti. Bolta capelei, amintind dimensiunile Templului lui Solomon, se ridic\ la peste 20 de metri, iar pardoseala a[terne sub pa[ii vizitatorului un superb mozaic de marmur\. Tapi]erii ale nu mai pu]in celebrului Rafael Sazio `nnobileaz\ pere]ii, la solemnit\]i. Basilica San Pietro se ridic\ pe funda]ia unei biserici str\vechi, cl\dite la r‚ndu-i, potrivit tradi]iei, peste morm‚ntul Sf‚ntului Apostol Petru. Geniile [i-au dat `nt‚lnire pentru a conferi nemurire acestei capodopere, pentru a se continua, provoca [i completa unul pe cel\lalt: Michelangelo a gândit cupola, dup\ ce Donato Bramante a schi]at primele lucrari ale minunii arhitectonice. Rafael Sanzio [i-a pus amprenta pe planurile ansamblului, Gian Lorenzo Bernini a desenat pia]a cu inconfundabile colonade, iar Carlo Maderno, care-l uimise pe `nsu[i Papa Paul al V-lea cu talentul s\u, a des\ v‚r[it fa]ada. Aici str\- luce[te de secole capodopera din tinere]e a maestrului Michelangelo, „Pieta“.

UN IZVOR PROVIDEN}IAL, O FÂNTÂN| CELEBR| Se spune c\ nici un ora[ al lumii nu are at‚tea f‚nt‚ni ca Roma, [i asta `nc\ din cele mai `ndep\rtate vremuri. ~nfrunt‚nd istoria, nu mai pu]in de 11 apeducte au potolit setea ora[ului magnific, d‚nd via]\ nenum\ratelor sale b\i, bazine, jocuri `nc‚nt\toare de stropi. Apele Romei `i r\coresc [i pe trec\torii ce z\bovesc o clip\ `n dreptul ci[melelor, pe care cu to]ii le alint\ „nasoni“, adic\ „n\so[ii“. Fontana di Trevi, splendoarea rococo poate cea mai cunoscut\, ale c\rei creaturi de marmur\ s-au n\scut `n secolul al XVIII-lea, d\ via]\ izvorului Acqua Vergine, pe care, zice povestea, o fecioara l-a aratat solda]ilor `nseta]i. Dac\ arunci un b\nu] `n f‚nt‚na vegheat\ de Oceanus, te vei `ntoarce la Roma, iar dorin]ele ]i se vor `mplini. ~ns\ pentru ca frumuse]ea s\-i fie des\v‚r[it\, trebuie s\ vezi Fontana di Trevi nu numai ziua ci [i noaptea. Am ajuns [i la Bocca della Verita (Gura Adev\rului), chipul de marmur\ ascuns pe unul dintre zidurile din preajma bisericii Santa Maria in Cosmedin. De secole, credin]a popular\ a `nzestrat-o cu o putere deopotriv\ `nfrico[\toare [i respectabil\: se zice c\ acela care-[i v‚r\ bra]ul `n gura c\scat\ [i face un jur\ m‚nt fals, r\m‚ne captiv al teribilei m\[ti. Oamenii timpurilor vechi inventaser\ pesemne ceva mai eficient dec‚t detectorul de minciuni...

TREC|TORI PRIN SUFLETUL ORA{ULUI Cum trebuie s\ vezi, s\ auzi, s\ sim]i Roma? ~n nenum\rate chipuri, dup\ cum se schimb\ necontenit [i orele zilei, [i vremea, [i firea celui ®

A HEAVEN-SENT SPRING, A FAMOUS FOUNTAIN

Gard\ la Vatican / Vatican Guard

® palace of the Vatican and takes its fame not only from the fact that here the cardinals’ conclaves elect a new pope, but also from Michelangelo’s mural masterpieces. The arch of the chapel that resembles in size the Solomon’s Temple is over 20 metres high. Its floor offers the visitors’ steps a superb marble mosaic. Walls are ennobled by the no less famous Raphael’s paintings. Basilica San Pietro. It arises on the foundations of an ancient church that, according to tradition, was built on the Saint Peter’s tomb. Geniuses met to render immortality to this work of art, to continue each other’s work, to provoke and complete one another: Michelangelo conceived the arch after Donato Bramante designed the first works of the architectural wonder. Rafael left a mark on the designs of the whole, Bernini drew the square

They say that since immemorial times no city in the world has had so many fountains as Rome. Defying history, no less than 11 aqueducts allayed the thirst of the magnificent city giving life to its numerous baths, basins, and enchanting displays of water drops. The waters of Rome cool down the trespassers who stop for a while in front of the springs they caress with the name of “nasoni”, meaning “the long-nosed ones”. Fontana di Trevi, the best known rococo splendour whose marble creatures were created in the 18th century gives life to the Acqua Vergine spring. The story goes that a virgin pointed this spring to the thirsty soldiers. If you throw a coin in the fountain watched over by Oceanus, you will return to Rome and your wishes will come true. But perfection is reached only after seeing the Fontana di Trevi by night. Finally, the Bocca della Verita (the Mouth of Truth), the marble face hidden on one of the walls around the Santa Maria church in Cosmedin. For centuries, tradition vested it with an appalling, but respectable power: it is believed that if one told a lie with one’s hand in the mouth of the sculpture, it would end up as a prisoner of the terrible mask. In the old times, people probably invented something more efficient than a lie detector...

PASSERS-BY THROUGH THE SOUL OF THE CITY How should one see, hear and feel Rome? In a thousand ways, as commended by the hour, the weather and the personality of the one wander- ®

ITINERARII

Air Treks

ce str\bate str\zile. E, f\r\ `ndoial\, un ora[ zgomotos, trepidant, poate mai „viu“ dec‚t se a[teapt\ unii dintre oaspe]ii s\i, proteic, `n continu\ mi[care, de-a dreptul cople[itor. Gesturi banale, precum a lua autobuzul, ori a traversa strada prin nebunia traficului, pot da fiori firilor mai sensibile. Dar Roma are cel pu]in o recompens\ pentru fiecare: `[i va uimi oaspetele la orice col] de strad\ cu o bijuterie arhitectural\, cu un ungher romantic, cu o f‚nt‚n\ `n care apa susur\ de sute de ani, o pia]\, o comoar\ ascuns\ . Pentru nimic `n lume, cele mai faimoase dintre monumentele sale, acelea f\r\ de care ghidurile turistice ale lumii sunt ratate, nu trebuie ocolite. Dar sim]urile trebuie s\ mearg\ mult mai departe de standardele itinerariilor, s\ prind\ cele mai mici detalii ce alc\tuiesc spiritul locului: cur]ile interioare, fa]adele caselor „anonime“, ghizdurile p\tate de vreme ale f‚nt‚nilor, terasele cafenelelor unde zac `n tihn\ adep]ii „la dolce vita“. Toate acestea [i `nc\ mii asemenea lor, sunt `mpreun\, la urma urmei, sufletul ora[ului. Iar la c\derea nop]ii, Roma deschide noi por]i ale acelora[i lumi frumoase. Fie c\ hoin\re[ti pe str\zile pietruite ale lui Trastevere, cartierul popular, `n apropierea b\tr‚nului Tibru, fie c\ pur [i simplu prive[ti, din scaunul unei cafenele spre Campo De Fiori, ori observi lumea `nconjur\toare prin lentila unui pahar plin cu vin bun. Ceva, cu siguran]\, va r\m‚ne pentru totdeauna gravat `n memorie: Roma imperial\ , ori cea baroc\, Roma Rena[terii, Roma papilor, ori pur [i simplu ora[ul oamenilor obi[nui]i, care tr\iesc aici. ∫

® ing on the streets. It is undoubtedly a gaily, fast-moving city, a city that’s more “alive” than some of its visitors might expect, protean, always in a move and quite overwhelming. Everyday activities, such as taking the bus or crossing the street in the madness of traffic can make sensible people shiver. But Rome has at least one reward for each of them: it will amaze its guest at every street corner with an architectural jewel, with a romantic spot, a fountain whose waters have pearled for years, a square, or a hidden treasure. Its most famous monuments, those that determine the quality of the world tourist guidebooks, should not be avoided. But one’s senses should go way beyond the standards of the itineraries, to discover even the finest details

that make the spirit of the place: patios, facades of “anonymous” houses, lips of the fountains carrying the mark of times, terraces of the coffee-houses where advocates of “la dolce vita” lie quietly. All these and thousand more are after all the soul of the city. At nightfall, Rome opens new gates of the same beautiful worlds. You linger on the paved streets of Trastevere, the popular neighbourhood nearby the old Tiber, you just watch Campo De Fiori while sitting in a chair of a coffee-house, or you observe the surroundings through the lens of a glass filled with good wine. Something will stick in your mind, that’s for sure: the imperial Rome or the baroque one, Rome of the Renaissance, Rome of the Popes, or simply the city of the ordinary people who live here. ∫

Fontana di Trevi

ROMA --- BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND|

BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND| --- ROMA Zbor Flight

Zile de operare Days of service

Plecare Departure

Sosire Arrival

Avion Aircraft

Zbor Flight

Zile de operare Days of service

Plecare Departure

Sosire Arrival

Avion Aircraft

RO 403

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

09.15

10.20

737

RO 404

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

11.20

14.25

737

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Festival local din Valencia / Local festival in Valencia

VALENCIA

COSTA DEL AZAHAR (COASTA FLORILOR DE PORTOCAL), REGIUNEA ~N CARE SE ~NTINDE ORA{UL, E ST|PÂNIT| DE UN PARFUM UNEORI AME}ITOR. COMUNITATEA AUTONOM| VALENCIAN|, PE COASTA DE VEST A SPANIEI, SE ~NVECINEAZ| LA NORD CU CATALONIA, CARE O CONCUREAZ| `N ARHITECTUR| {I TURISM COSTA DEL AZAHAR (THE FLOWERS OF THE ORANGE TREES COAST), THE REGION WHERE THE CITY LIES, IS SOMETIMES IMBUED WITH AN INTOXICATING PERFUME. THE AUTONOMOUS VALENCIAN COMMUNITY, ON THE WESTERN COAST OF SPAIN, IS BORDERING ON CATALONIA IN THE NORTH WHICH COMPETES WITH IT AT THE ARCHITECTURAL AND TOURIST LEVEL. By {tefan Stâng\

ntemeiat de romani cu un secol [i ceva `nainte de Hristos, ora[ul s-a numit Valentia, adic\ `n latin\ „t\rie“, „vigoare“. O virtute necesar\ unei a[ez\ri cu istorie tumultuoas\, `n care s-au `ngem\nat culturile: dup\ romani au venit vizigo]ii, apoi bizantinii [i maurii. ~n veacul al XI-lea, legendarul El Cid a redat-o cre[tinilor, dup\ secole de domina]ie maur\. Dar r\zboinicii islamici nu aveau s\ se dea b\tu]i u[or. Abia peste alte dou\ sute de ani, au fost `nvin[i definitiv, odat\ cu Reconquista Regelui Jaime I...

he city was founded by the Romans one century before Christ and it bore the name of Valentia, meaning “strength“, “stamina“ in Latin. A virtue that is necessary for a settlement having a tempestuous history melting different cultures together: Romans

were followed by Visigoths, then by Byzantines and Moors. In the ninth century, the legendary El Cid gave it back to Christians after centuries of Moor domination. But the Islamic warriors wouldn’t give up that easily. Only after two more hundred years they were finally

INSIGHT TAROM

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

Fiesta

`n ora[ul portocalilor in the City of the Orange Trees CATEDRALA SFÂNTULUI GRAAL

Cinci secole de cultur\ maur\ [i-au l\sat amprenta asupra ora[ului. O ve]i sim]i din plin `n vechiul cartier Barrio del Carmen, cu str\du]ele sale str‚mte [i meandrate. Ast\zi, Valencia e un ora[ modern, `n care stilurile arhitectonice alc\tuiesc un amalgam fermec\tor. Catedrala din Plaza de la Reina, dat‚nd din secolul al XIII-lea, `mbin\ goticul [i romanicul. Aici se afl\ Sf‚ntul Graal, cupa de piatr\ cu m‚ner de aur, c\reia exper]ii `i atribuie ca origine primul veac `nainte de Hristos. Un monument de gotic t‚rziu ce nu trebuie ratat este Bursa M\t\sii, La Lonja de la Seda, acum parte a patrimoniului mondial UNESCO. A fost construit\ la finele secolului al XV-lea, c‚nd nego]ul era `n floare, iar ora[ul avea p‚n\ [i o banc\ municipal\. L‚ng\ Bursa M\t\sii se afl\ Mercado Central, una dintre cele mai mari pie]e alimentare acoperite din Europa. La ad\postul halei moderniste, standurile multicolore `mbie cu de toate, de la fructe [i legume p‚n\ la nenum\rate feluri de semin]e, carne [i pe[te.

SPECTACOLUL ARTELOR {I {TIIN}ELOR Poate c\ cel mai mare spectacol arhitectonic [i cultural `l sus]in construc]iile moderne. Ora[ul a `ndurat vicisitudini [i `n secolul XX: R\zboiul Civil, apoi inunda]ii catastrofale, care au dislocat albia r‚ului Turia ®

defeated once the Reconquista of the King Jaime I happened...

THE HOLY GRAIL CATHEDRAL Five centuries of Moor culture left a trace on the city. It is plainly visible in the old Barrio del Carmen neighbourhood with its narrow and mazy streets. Today Valencia is a modern city and the various architectural styles mix charmingly. The cathedral from the Plaza de la Reina, going back to the thirteenth century, combines the Gothic and the Roman styles. Here we have the Holy Grail, the stone goblet with a golden handle that the experts believe was crafted in the first century before Christ. La Lonja de la Seda, the Silk

Exchange, is a late Gothic monument that should not be missed and which is now part of the UNESCO world heritage. It was built at the end of the 15th century when trade was blooming and the city had a municipal bank. Next to the Silk Exchange there is the Mercado Central, one of the largest covered grocery markets in Europe. Sheltered buy the modernist market hall, colourful stall lure you with everything you might think of, fruits, vegetables and various kinds of seeds, meet and fish.

THE ART AND SCIENCE SHOW Maybe modern buildings exhibit greatest architectural and ®

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® spre sud. Pe locul vechii albii - acum uscat\ - s-a construit parcul Turia, ce traverseaz\ centrul metropolei, cale de zece kilometri. De comun acord cu autorit\]ile locale, Santiago Calatrava, membru al elitei mondiale a arhitec]ilor [i fiu al Valenciei, a ales s\ amplaseze aici Ora[ul Artelor [i {tiin]elor, un ansamblu de edificii moderne care `]i taie respira]ia: promenad\ panoramic\ de unde poate fi admirat `ntregul complex, un cinematograf IMAX `n form\ de ochi uman, un muzeu al {tiin]ei `n care vizitatorii sunt `ndemna]i s\ ating\ [i s\ interac]ioneze cu exponatele, un Palat al Artelor destinat spectacolelor de teatru [i de oper\, cel mai mare centru marin din Europa - cu tuneluri transparente sub un uria[ acvariu [i un restaurant `n form\ de lotus cu acvarii `n loc de pere]i.

® cultural show. The city continued to endure hardships throughout the 20 th century: the Civil War, followed by catastrophic series of flooding that changed the direction of the stream of the river Turia to the South. The Turia Park was built on the spot of the former stream - now drained - and this occupies 10 kilometres downtown. Santiago Calatrava, member of the world elite of architects and a son of Valencia, jointly agreed with local authorities to locate here the City of Art and Science, an entirety of modern halls that take your breath away: one can admire the whole edifice from a panoramic mall, an IMAX cinema shaped as a human eye, a science museum where visitors are invited to touch and interact with the exhibits, an Art Palace destined for theatre and opera shows, the biggest sea centre in Europe – with see-through tunnels under a huge aquarium - and a lotus like restaurant with aquariums instead of walls.

BAIA DE AROME ALE MEDITERANEI

THE BOUQUET OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Ora[ul este m‚ng‚iat de apele Mediteranei. ~n nord, plajele Malvarrosa (cu o promenad\ zgomotoas\ [i urban\) [i Cabanal (cu discoteci care trepideaz\ noapte de noapte, din aprilie p‚n\ `n octombrie). Ceva mai departe de ora[, spre sud, alte plaje, mai lini[tite, mai pitore[ti: rurala Pinedo, s\lbatica [i aglomerata El Saler, superba La Devesa. Pentru c\ Valencia este cel mai mare port comercial spaniol, aroma portocalilor se `mbin\ cu adierea s\rat\ a m\rii [i mirosul de pe[te. La mare cinste sunt fructele de mare, pe care le po]i savura pe terasele din Barrio del Carmen, `n ora[ul vechi, sau `n restaurantele din Las Arenas, `n apropierea plajei. Nu pleca]i din Valencia f\r\ s\ gusta]i delicioasa paella. Pute]i `ncerca paella marisco, cu creve]i [i scoici, sau paella valenciana, cu pui [i iepure. Potrivit tradi]iei, paella era preg\tit\ de b\rba]ii care munceau `n aer liber. Gustul este specific fiec\rei regi- ®

The city is caressed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. In the North, the beaches: the Malvarrosa (having a noisy and very urban mall) and the Cabanal (with discotheques that twitter night after night since April till October). Further away from the city, towards South, some other beaches - quieter, more picturesque: the rural Pinedo, the wild and the busy El Saler, the gor-

~NCEARC| PAELLA VALENCIANA! Ingrediente pentru 4 por]ii: 400 g iepure, 400 g pui, 250 g fasole verde, 150 g fasole alb\, 150 g fasole cu bob lat, o ro[ie coapt\, 500 g orez, 8 linguri de ulei, un v‚rf de cu]it de boia dulce, piper m\cinat, [ofran [i sare. Preparare: ~ncinge]i uleiul `ntr-o tigaie de paella. Ad\uga]i carnea t\iat\ cubule]e. Pr\ji]i-o bine, ad\uga]i fasolea, continu‚nd s\ c\li]i timp de opt minute. Apoi ad\uga]i ro[ia t\iat\ cubule]e. Agita]i u[or crati]a, pune]i orezul [i umple]i vasul cu ap\ p‚n\ la buz\. L\sa]i s\ fiarb\ 30 de minute. C‚nd d\ `n clocot, ad\uga]i piperul, paprika, [ofranul [i sarea, apoi mai ]ine]i pe foc `nc\ 17 minute. L\sa]i-o c‚teva minute s\ se r\coreasc\ `nainte de servire.

geous La Devesa. And because Valencia is the largest Spanish commercial port, the flavour of the orange trees intertwines with the salty breeze of the see and with the smell of the fish. One can take delight in sea fruits on the terraces from Barrio del Carmen, in the old city, or at the restaurants from Las Arenas, close to the beach. Some hangouts like La Fonda, La Marcelina, and La Pepica brag about their existence of over one century. Don’t you leave Valencia without tasting the delicious paella. You may try paella marisco, with shrimps and oysters, or paella valenciana, with chicken and rabbit. According to tradition, paella used to be prepared by men who worked outdoors. Its taste is specific to each region and it resides in the rice, water and oil and even - some say - in the wood used to make the fire underneath the pot! It’s forbidden in classic paella for the rice beans to be limp or to cleave to one another, they need to be golden and not to leave traces on the plate.

MUSIC, FIRE AND FLOWER PETALS The people of Valencia are very proud of the things the make them unique and independent. Local festivals are unleashed as a testimony for their lively, temperamental personality. Fiestas are organized on the street and are often related to religious festivals and accompanied by music and fire. Between the 15th and ®

PAELLA VALENCIANA Ingredients (for 4): 400 gr. rabbit, 400 gr. chicken, 250 gr. green beans, 150 gr. white beans, 150 gr. broad beans, 1 ripe tomato, 500 gr. rice, 8 spoonfuls olive oil, a pinch of sweet paprika, saffron and salt. How it’s made: Heat the oil in a paella dish. Add the meat cut up into small pieces, fry it well and then add the beans. Continue to lightly fry for about eight minutes and then add the grated tomato. Lightly stir, then add the rice and fill the dish with water up to the rim. Leave it to cook for 30 minutes. When it’s boiling, add the pepper, the paprika, the saffron and the salt and leave it to cook for a further 17 minutes. Leave it to sit for a few minutes before serving.

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Air Treks

® uni [i ]ine de orezul, apa [i uleiul folosite, ba chiar - spun unii - [i de lemnul cu care se face focul sub crati]\! ~ntr-o paella ca la carte, nu e permis ca boabele de orez s\ fie moi [i nici s\ se lipeasc\ `ntre ele, ci trebuie s\ fie aurii [i s\ nu lase urme de ulei pe farfurie.

MUZIC|, FOC {I PETALE DE FLORI Valencienii sunt foarte m‚ndri de ceea ce `i face unici [i independen]i. Festivalurile locale se dezl\n]uie ca m\rturii ale caracterului lor vivace, temperamental. Fiestele sunt adesea legate de ritualuri religioase, `nso]ite de muzic\ [i foc. ~ntre 15 [i 19 martie e vremea s\rb\torii Las Fallas de San Jose, patronul t‚mplarilor. Figurine satirice de lemn [i carton (fallas), caricaturiz‚nd politicieni ori alte persoane publice, sunt plimbate pe str\zi, pentru ca la finalul festivalului s\ fie arse, cu mare tam-tam, `n Gr\dinile Turia. ~n aceast\ perioad\, `n Plaza del Ajuntamento are loc zilnic un joc cu pocnitori zgomotoase (Mascleta). ~n a doua duminic\ a lui mai, Valencia o s\rb\tore[te pe Maica Domnului, numit\ aici Fecioara Nec\ji]ilor sau La Geperudeta, fiindc\ este reprezentat\ `nclin‚ndu-se u[or c\tre cei care i se roag\. Dar cel mai popular festival al regiunii - mai ales `n r‚ndul tinerilor - nu are nicio leg\tur\ cu fastul catolic. Nici m\car nu se desf\[oar\ `n Valencia, ci la circa 40 de kilometri distan]\, `n mica localitate Bunol. „La Tomatina“, b\taia cu ro[ii, se declan[eaz\ anual, `n ultima miercuri din luna august, de la unsprezece la unu. Atunci popula]ia or\[elului cre[te de patru ori, datorit\ turi[tilor, iar pe str\zi nu mai ai loc s\ arunci un ac. Se pare c\ tradi]ia a luat na[tere `n 1945, printr-o disput\ spontan\ `ntre tinerii participan]i la o parad\ popular\. Acum toat\ lumea vrea s\ se implice. E bine de [tiut c\ nu v\ pute]i caza `n Bunol. Rezerva]i-v\ din vreme o camer\ `n Valencia, iar `n diminea]a cu pricina lua]i un tren din frumoasa Estacion del Norte, gara central\. Nu e nevoie s\ rezerva]i bilet, trenurile sunt destul de frecvente, dar ar trebui s\ pleca]i din timp, pentru c\ vor fi foarte aglomerate `n diminea]a respectiv\. Lua]i-v\ haine de schimb. C‚teva reguli ale b\t\liei: este interzis\ folosirea sticlelor sau a altor obiecte periculoase; ruperea tricourilor nu este permis\; ro[iile trebuie zdrobite `nainte de a fi lansate `n adversar, pentru a nu-l lovi r\u. Dup\ fiesta, pe malul r‚ului ve]i g\si du[uri publice instalate de c\tre municipalitate. Mult\ baft\ [i nu uita]i: pentru La Tomatina trebuie s\ v\ `mbr\ca]i cu haine de sacrificiu! ∫

® the 19th of March it is time to celebrate Las Fallas de San Jose, the patron of carpenters. Satirical wooden and cardboard figurines (fallas), hitting off politicians or other public persons, are carried on the streets. A big commotion happens when, in the end of the festival, they are burned in the Turia Gardens. Meanwhile, in Plaza del Ajuntamento, a game with noisy crackers takes place daily, after lunch (Mascleta). In the second Sunday of May, Valencia celebrates the Virgin Mary, named here the Virgin of the Poor or - more familiar - La Geperudeta, because She is represented as slightly bending towards those who pray to Her. In the evening before the feast, a concert is organized in the Plaza de la Virgen, and this is followed by firework in the Turia Gardens, by folk dances and songs. But the most popular festival in the region - especially amongst youth - has no connection with the Catholic pomp. It doesn’t even take place in Valencia, but 40 kilometres away, in the small town of Bunol. “La Tomatina“, the tomato fight, is organised annually, in the last Wednesday of August, from 11 to 1. The popula-

tion of the city increases four times due to the tourists that join the locals and the streets are fully crowded. It seems that tradition started in 1945 with a sudden dispute between two young participants at a popular parade. Now everybody wants to get involved. You should know that you cannot find accommodation in Bunol. Book a room in Valencia in advance and take the train that very morning from the gorgeous central railway station, the Estacion del Norte. There’s no need to book a ticket, trains are quite frequent, but you should have an early start, because they are to be very busy that morning. Take some spare clothes with you. And here are some rules of the battle: it is forbidden to use bottles or other objects that become dangerous when thrown away; tearing Tshirts apart is not allowed; tomatoes have to be crushed before being launched against an adversary to avoid hurting him/her. After the fiesta, you may use the public showers places by the municipality on the river bank. Break a leg and keep in mind: you need to wear ragged clothes for La Tomatina! ∫

VALENCIA --- BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND|

BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND| --- VALENCIA Zbor Flight

Zile de operare Days of service

Plecare Departure

Sosire Arrival

Avion Aircraft

Zbor Flight

Zile de operare Days of service

Plecare Departure

Sosire Arrival

Avion Aircraft

RO 431 RO 431

1-3—6——5-7

10.35 09.10

13.20 11.55

737 737

RO 432 RO 432

1-3—6——5-7

14.20 13.05

18.50 17.35

737 737

PORTRET

Portrait

C|PITANUL THE AVIATOR DE CÂND SE {TIE, {I-N MARTIE ANUL |STA A ~MPLINIT 54 DE ANI, NICOLAE DINESCU A TR|IT LÂNG| P|S|RI URIA{E DE FIER. UMBRELE {I URMELE LOR - FUIOARE ALBE DE NOR SPULBERAT - ORI TIC|ITUL „INIMILOR“ ZBUR|TOARELOR DE METAL AU PLANAT DEASUPRA COPIL|RIEI MARCÂNDU-I DESTINUL ∫ ALL HIS LIFE, THIS YEAR BEING HIS 54TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, NICOLAE DINESCU HAS LIVED NEAR GIANT IRON BIRDS. THEIR SHADOWS AND TRACES - WHITE SHATTERED BUNDLES OF CLOUDS - OR THE TICK-TACK OF THE “HEARTS“ INSIDE THE METAL FLYING OBJECTS HOVERED ABOVE HIS CHILDHOOD AND INFLUENCED HIS DESTINY.

By Diana Marcu

a `nceput, uria[ele p\s\ri treceau deasupra casei sale. Planau u[or deasupra cur]ii [i apoi disp\reau `n zare `nghi]ite de dep\rtare. A doua zi o nou\ pas\re, a treia o zi o alta, a patra zi la fel. De aripile fiec\reia se lipeau zilnic fr‚nturi dintr-o altfel de rug\ciune murmurat\ de copilul de pretutindeni: „Avion, cu motor / Ia-m\ [i pe mine-n zbor / S\ m\ fac aviator..“

ANTONOV, BAC {I BOENING Nicolae Dinescu este pilot de 30 de ani. {i `ndr\gostit de avioane de c‚nd se [tie. „M-am n\scut [i am crescut la Buz\u, `n apropierea aerodromului. Deasupra casei treceau avioanele cu care `[i f\ceau antrenamentele elevii [colii superioare de avia]ie de la Boboc.“ A[a c\ n-a mirat pe nimeni c‚nd la absolvirea liceului teoretic, t‚n\rul Dinescu nu opteaz\ pentru Politehnic\ ci pentru cursurile {colii de avia]ie „Aurel Vlaicu“ din Buz\u, pe care le [i urmeaz\. ~n 1976, cu reparti]ia `n buzunar ajunge la Bucure[ti, la ~ntreprinderea de Avia]ie Utilitar\, ca pilot pe un Antonov 2, cu planuri duble. Opt ani a zburat deasupra Rom‚niei cu AN 2-ul: avia]ie utilitar\. Asta p‚n\-n 1985, c‚nd intr\ `n echipa TAROM. Zboar\ de pe B\neasa [i str\bate ]ara, tovar\[ de drum fiindu-i un alt Antonov, 24. ~n ‘93 `ns\ se `nt‚mpl\ ceva spectaculos pentru pilot - trece pe un alt aparat de zbor: BAC11, englezesc. Compar\ schimbarea cu momentul aseleniz\rii. „Am f\cut trecerea de la tehnica ruseasc\ de zbor, preferat\ de majoritatea, la cea britanic\. Acela a fost momentul din care m-am sim]it un pilot complet.“ Dup\ trei-patru ani de [coal\ englez\, care a inclus [i exerci]iile pe simulatoare la Londra, a [tiut c\ „avia]ia este altceva“, de la cele mai mici detalii privind preg\tirea unui zbor p‚n\ la formula de doi membri `n echipaj. „La bord, `n doi, nu exist\ orgolii, pasiuni, resentimente. Asta impune [coala britanic\“. „C\lirea“ cu BAC-ul s-a dovedit a-i fi benefic\ `n condi]iile `n care, `n urm\ cu opt ani, trece pe un alt aparat de zbor: Boening, model 300 [i 700. Calificarea `ns\ o are pentru toate modelele ® create de Boening: de la 300, la 800.

t first, giant birds flew over his house. They slowly glided over the yard dimming in the horizon. The next day, another bird, the third day another, the fourth day the same... Bits of prayers babbled by every child got imprinted on the wings of each of them on every given day: “Airplane flying in the sky/Take me and make me an aviator...“

ANTONOV, BAC AND BOENING Nicolae Dinescu has been a pilot for 30 years. But all his life he’s been

in love with airplanes. “I was born and raised in Buz\u, close to the aerodrome. Planes used for training by the students of the superior aviation school from Boboc flew over my house.“ So that nobody wondered why the young Dinescu didn’t go to the Polytechnics when graduating high-school, but to the Aurel Vlaicu school of aviation officers, in Buz\u. In 1976, with the appointment in his pocket, he got to Bucharest at the Utilitarian Aviation Enterprise, and became a pilot on an Antonov 2 double-decker. He flew over Romania with this AN 2 for 8 years: utilitarian aviation. This lasted until 1985 when he joined the TAROM team. He started getting off the ground from B\neasa and covering the country having another Antonov, a 24, as a road companion. In ‘93 something spectacular happened to the pilot he changed the aircraft: BAC11, English. He compares this change with landing on the Moon. “I changed the Russian flying technique favoured by most with the British one. That was the moment when I felt like a full pilot.“ After 3 or 4 years of English schooling which included simulation exercises in London, he knew that “aviation was something else“, from the smallest details concerning the preparation of a flight to the 2 members of the crew formula. “On board, in twos, there are no egos, resentments or passions. This is what the British school enforces.“ “Cutting his eye-teeth“ on the BAC proved to be beneficial as he changed the aircraft again 8 years ago: Boening, models 300 and 700. But he is qualified to pilot all models made by ® Boening: from 300 to 800.

PORTRET

Portrait

® CHEIA UNEI VIE}I

® THE KEY OF A LIFE

Dac\ e s\-[i m\soare via]a `n cifre, pilotul spune ca-ntr-un murmur: „23 de ani de TAROM, 15.000 de ore de zbor, 18-20 de curse pe lun\ `n sezonul de var\ [i 12-15 de curse lunar `n sezonul de iarn\, dou\ examene sus]inute anual [i trei momente cheie.“ Primul, c‚nd i s-a oprit un motor `n aer din cauza exploziei unui cilindru [i-a aterizat cu motorul oprit `ntr-un lan de lucern\. Lucra atunci `n avia]ia utilitar\. Al doilea s-a `nt‚mplat pe B\neasa, `n vreme ce se preg\tea de aterizare. O defec]iune tehnic\ l-a f\cut s\ opreasc\ unul dintre motoarele avionului, plin cu pasageri, `n aer. A adus avionul la sol f\r\ ca nimeni s\ b\nuiasc\ nimic. A treia `ncercare a fost `n penultima zi din decembrie anul trecut: „Avionul se afla `n decolare, destina]ia Sharm El Sheikh. P\rea o curs\ normal\, `[i aminte[te Dinescu. Apoi un fapt inedit `n profesia de pilot, neprev\zut.. {i a intervenit reflexul, un reflex care a dus la evitarea impactului frontal cu ma[ina utilitara, de balizaj, aflat\ pe pist\.“ Raportul Comisiei de anchet\ a stabilit c\ a fost vorba de o autorizare eronat\ a decol\rii [i de deficien]\ `n comunicare.

When trying to measure his life by using figures, the pilot whispers: “23 years at TAROM, 15,000 flight hours, 18-20 flights per month during the summer season and 12-15 flights per month during the winter season, two annual exams and three key moments.“ The first happened when the engine stopped in the air due to the explosion of a cylinder and when he landed with the clogged engine in an alfalfa field. He was working in the utilitarian aviation back then. The second one took place on B\neasa when getting ready to land. A technical malfunction made him stop the engines of a fully occupied airplane that was still in the air. He brought the passengers to the ground without any of them suspecting anything. The third test was in the one before the last day in December 2007: “The airplane was taking off to Sharm El Sheikh. It felt like a normal flight, Dinescu remembers.

PIC|TURI DE SUFLET A dep\[it momentul zbur‚nd, a treia zi a avut dou\ curse `n Antalia iar `n 5 ianuarie `nc\ una `n Dubai. La `ntoarcere, la Otopeni l-au a[teptat dou\ pasagere ale cursei spre Sharm El Sheikh. I-au adus o icoan\ ca semn de mul]umire pentru c\ tr\iesc. Datorit\ lui. Impactul frontal s-ar fi putut transforma `n catastrof\. „M-a emo]ionat profund gestul lor“.

Nu-[i regret\ alegerea. {i nici nu-[i aminte[te s\ o fi f\cut vreodat\. Dac\ ar fi s\ o ia de la cap\t, tot pilot ar vrea s\ fie: „E o meserie cu am\nunte ascunse. Cere perfec]ionism. {i r\bdare“. Nicolae Dinescu e om riguros, atent la detalii. Spune, z‚mbind, c\ „defectul profesional“ func]ioneaz\ [i acas\. „So]ia s-a obi[nuit. Mi-a spus odat\ c\ ea nu mai are voie s\ gre[easc\. Dar a[a sunt: riguros“. Altfel, e un om f\r\ week-enduri, un b\rbat care-[i petrece timpul liber `n familie [i al\turi de prieteni. Se relaxeaz\ plimb‚ndu-[i c‚inele [i viseaz\ ca-n vara asta s\ vad\ toat\ Coasta Dalmat\ c\l\torind... cu ma[ina. ∫ DESPRE MESERIA DE PILOT ∫ „Meseria asta se fur\; se fur\ din avion. Asta pentru c\ `nt‚lne[ti [i situa]ii surpriz\ [i ie[i din standardul c\r]ilor.“ ∫ „C‚nd e[ti rigid cu subalternii scade performan]a.“ ∫ „La bord nu exist\ orgolii, resentimente sau pasiuni.“ ∫ „Am `ncredere `n pilo]i, indiferent c\rei companii aeriene apar]in ei. Sunt reguli foarte stricte, protocoale care se respect\. ~n aer nu e ca pe [osele, fiecare s\-[i fac\ legea.“

Photo: Iulian Gheorghe

DINCOLO DE UNIFORM|

But the unusual, the unforeseen interfered... He used his reflexes to avoid the frontal impact with the utilitarian car for directing the landing that was lying on the track.“ The report of the Investigation Commission established that it was a miscalculated authorization of the take off and a lack of communication.

SOUL-DUST He went off the boil by continuing to fly, the third day having two flights to Antalia, and on the 5th of January 5 more to Dubai. When he returned, two passengers of the flight to Sharm El Sheikh waited for him at Otopeni. They brought him a religious icon to thank him for being alive. Thanks to him. The frontal impact could have turned into a catastrophe. “Their gesture moved me deeply.“

BEYOND THE UNIFORM He is not sorry for his choice. He does not remember to have ever done this. If he were to start all over, he would still want to be a pilot: “It is a job with hidden clues. It demands perfection. And patience.“ Nicolae Dinescu is a strict person, careful about details. He smiles and says that “professional habit“ works at home, too. “My wife got used to it. She once told me that she was not allowed to make mistakes anymore. But this is how I am: strict.“ He is a person who cannot afford to have free week-ends, who spends his free time with his family and friends. He relaxes walking the dog and dreams to see the entire Dalmatian Coast travelling by... car. ∫

ABOUT BEING A PILOT ∫ “One has to steal this job; it is to be stolen from the airplane. And this because one also comes across surprise situations and has to think outside the box.“ ∫ “When you are rigid with your subordinates, you experience a decrease in performance.“ ∫ “There are no egos, resentments or passions on board.“ ∫ “I trust pilots, irrespective of their airline company affiliation. (...) It’s different when in the air, it’s not like on the streets where everybody makes his own statement.“

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BOGDAN MUSTA}| (33 DE ANI) A ADUS ROMÂNIEI CEL DE-AL DOILEA URS DE AUR DIN ISTORIA BERLINALEI, DUP| CRISTI PUIU CU AL S|U „UN CARTU{ DE KENT {I UN PACHET DE CAFEA“, ÎN 2004.

BOGDAN MUSTA}| (33) BROUGHT ROMANIA ITS SECOND GOLDEN BEAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE BERLINALE, THE FIRST ONE BELONGING TO CRISTI PUIU AND HIS “CIGARETTES AND COFFEE“ FROM 2004. Photo: personal archive

O ZI BUN| DE PLAJ| A GOOD DAY FOR A SWIM By Diana Marcu

curtmetrajul lui Musta]\ „O zi bun\ de plaj\“ a fost desemnat cel mai bun din cele zece filme selec]ionate `n compete]ia celei de-a 58-a edi]ii a Festivalului de la Berlin. Juriul, format din scenaristul Marc Barbé - Fran]a, produc\torul Ada Solomon - România [i actri]a Laura Tonke - Germania, [i-a motivat alegerea astfel: „Filmul ridic\ `ntreb\ri despre subiectele pe care le trateaz\ mai degrab\ decât s\ le solu]ioneze tran[ant. Face acest lucru `ntr-un fel extrem de precis [i de imprevizibil. Credem c\ nimic nu e mai pre]ios la un film decât

usta]\’s short film “A Good Day for a Swim“ was considered the best of the 10 films selected to participate at the competition during the 58th edition of the Berlin Festival. The jury composed by the screen writer Marc Barbé - France, the pro-

ducer Ada Solomon - Romania and the actress Laura Tonke - Germany announces its decision as follows: “The film raises questions about its issues rather than bring resolution to them. It does so in a very precise and unpredictable way. We feel that it is one of the most precious

INSIGHT TAROM

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

Cadre din film/Movie scenes

faptul c\ `]i r\mâne `n minte [i continu\ s\ se deruleze cu mult dup\ ce genericul de final s-a sfâr[it.“

things when a film stays with you and keeps unravelling long after the final credits have ended.“

NOAPTEA URSULUI - BERLIN, 12 FEBRUARIE „Te duci acolo [i speri. Uneori depinde cât e[ti de `ndr\zne] s\ visezi.“ Face o pauz\ scurt\ [i apoi, vorbind parc\ cu sine: „M\ a[teptam s\ iau ceva. La ceremonie au `nceput prin a anun]a men]iunile, iar c‚nd au ajuns la Ursul de Aur, mi-am dat seama c\ organizatorii m\ a[ezaser\ la marginea rândului. Insistaser\ chiar s\ stau acolo. Nu ®

NIGHT OF THE BEAR BERLIN, 12TH FEBRUARY “You go there and you raise your hopes up. Sometimes it depends on how daring you are

about dreaming.“ He takes a short break and then he seems to be talking to himself: “I expected to win something. They started the ceremony by announcing the honourable mentions, and when they got to the Golden Bear I realized that the organizers had placed me at the end of the row. They ®

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him about, the second day after winning the Bear, is still going on.

NOW

La film\ri / During the shooting

® [tiu cum am ajuns pe scen\. Premiul mi l-a dat Dieter Kosslick, di-

® even insisted on me sitting

rectorul festivalului, care f\cea glume. Totul s-a `ntâmplat foarte repede; nu exista nici trecut, era doar prezent. Nu [tiam cum ar trebui s\ m\ bucur“. A doua zi `[i aminte[te c\ s-a trezit greu. Telefonul `i suna `ncontinuu. Nu mai g\sea Berlinul ostil, str\in, rece ca-n primele zile. Abia de sa trezit c‚nd a auzit `n u[\ b\t\ile produc\toarei executive a filmului, Corina Burlacu. „«Atât ai, o zi», mi-a zis. «Azi toat\ lumea doar de tine vorbe[te. Prelunge[te ziua asta c‚t po]i, n-o pierde»“. Ideea asta cu „o zi“ i s-a p\rut un argument bun, a[a `ncât a r\spuns telefoanelor de felicitare venite de pretutindeni, a dat interviuri [i a participat la lunchul oficial. La o lun\ de Berlin, lui Bogdan Musta]\ i se pare c\ „ziua cea lung\“ de care `i vorbea Burlacu, a doua zi de la c‚[tigarea Ursului, se prelunge[te `nc\.

there. I don’t know how I managed to get to the stage. Dieter Kosslick, the festival director, gave me the prize and he made all sorts of jokes. Everything happened very quickly; there was no past, only present. I didn’t know how to rejoice the moment.“ He remembers waking up late the next day. The telephone rang crazily. Berlin didn’t seem hostile, strange, and cold anymore as it did in the first days. He barely woke up when he heard Corina Burlacu, the executive producer of the movie, knocking on the door. “«This is all you have, one day,» she told me. «You’re the only one everybody’s talking about today. Make this day as long as possible, don’t lose it.»“ This “one single day“ idea seemed a good argument, so he started answering congratulations phone calls coming from everywhere, he gave interviews and participated at the official lunch. One month after the Berlin Festival, Bogdan Musta]\ believes the “longest day“ Burlacu told

ACUM „M\ reapuc de scris, de proiectele mele. Va trebui s\ fiu gata cu un lung metraj la un moment dat. Exist\ ni[te a[tept\ri care sunt legitime, vreau s\ fiu preg\tit pentru asta.“ Deocamdat\ scrie la dou\ scenarii: „S\ vedem ce ritm am la scrisul \sta“... {i e coautorul scenariului celui de-al doilea lungmetraj al lui C\t\lin Mitulescu, „Un balon `n form\ de inim\“. De altfel cu Mitulescu a fost coleg de an la Regie. Pentru Musta]\, Regia a fost cea de-a doua [coal\, dup\ ASE. ~n timpul studen]iei particip\ la festivalurile „de [coal\“ [i ia diverse premii. Dup\ licen]\, `n 2002, face „tot felul de lucruri“: de la produc]ie pentru un mediu metraj al Ruxandrei Zenide, p‚n\ la plecarea din Rom‚nia - cu destina]ia Vietnam, unde... scrie. ~ntors `n ]ar\, dup\ trei ani, lucreaz\ ca secund la „Cum mi-am peterecut sf‚r[itul lumii“, al lui Mitulescu. Apoi pleac\ din nou, `n Dubai, de data asta pentru un ®

“I go back to writing, to my projects. Some point I will have to be ready with a feature. There are some legitimate expectations, I want to be ready for this.“ For now, he works at two screen plays: “Let’s see what’s my writing rhythm“... And he is the co-author of the screen play for C\t\lin Mitulescu’s second feature, “A Heart Shaped Balloon“. Besides, he and Mitulescu were in the same year at college (Directing). For Musta]\, Directing was the second school after the Academy of Economic Studies. During college years, he participated at “school“ festivals and was awarded various prizes. After graduation, in 2002, he did “all sorts of things“: from production - for one feature of Ruxandra Zenide, to leaving Romania - having Vietnam as a destination, where he ... did some writing. Once back in the country, after 3 years, he worked as stage manager for “The Way I Spend the End of the World“, Mitulescu’s film. He then left again to Dubai, for a year this time. He came back and he was the assistant for the “The Boxing Lesson“ short film, and in the summer of 2007, he shot “A Good Day for a Swim“: “It was a long post-production, he says. I had the first copy of the film this January“. He decided to send it to the festival, to Berlin. “A good day...“ entered the shorts final. And he won the Golden Bear.

A FILM AS FORGIVENESS “A Good Day for a Swim“ is a film that can not be told, it has to be seen. The story is short: three children kidnap 2 adults on the seaside. It is a story with an ending that any of us can choose. A story with questions and answers discovered within ourselves and “told“ on the screen in an emotional, sad, tender and symbol- ®

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® an. Se `ntoarce, e asistent la un scurtmetraj „Lec]ia de box“ [i, `n vara lui 2007, filmeaz\ „O zi bun\ de plaj\“: „A fost o post-produc]ie lung\, spune. Prima copie a filmului am avut-o `n ianuarie anul \sta.“ A decis s-o trimit\ la festival, la Berlin. „O zi..“ a intrat `n final\, la scurtmetraje. {i a c‚[tigat Ursul de Aur.

UN FILM CA O IERTARE „O zi bun\ de plaj\“ e un film care nu poate fi povestit, trebuie v\zut. Nara]iunea e succint\: trei copii care r\pesc doi adul]i, `n apropierea m\rii. E o poveste al c\rei final fiecare dintre noi [i-l poate alege. O poveste cu `ntreb\ri [i r\spunsuri g\site `n sinele nostru [i „spus\“ pe pelicul\ cu emo]ie, triste]e, ging\[ie, simbol. {i, `n anumite cadre, cu o excep]ional\ lumin\. Regizorul filmului spune c\ a dorit s\ sugereze c\ minorii, fugi]i -

Bogdan Musta]\, la Strada Film / at Strada Film

se aminte[te fugar - de la un centru pentru minori, ar fi vrut s\ se r\zbune, prin delega]ie, pe proprii p\rin]i „care i-au l\sat ai nim\nui“. Protagoni[tii scurtmetrajului sunt actori neprofesioni[ti, proveni]i din centrele de reeducare minori [i din cele de plasament: Florin Sinescu, Okan Kaya [i George Hoffman. Al\turi de ei joac\ Cerasela Iosifescu [i Marian Ghenea.

UN URS C|L|TOR Momentan trofeul lui Bogdan Musta]\ se afl\ la Berlin, pentru a fi corectat. Asta pentru c\ numele filmului a fost scris gre[it: „O zi bun\ de platj\“. „Pe mine, unul, nu m\ deranja am\nuntul dar cei de la Berlin au ]inut s\ refac\ trofeul, e o chestiune de imagine“, spune regizorul. Odat\ revenit `n ]ar\, Ursul va „locui“ `n Cotroceni, la sediul casei de produc]ie Strada Film, al\turi de diplomele regizorului C\t\lin Mitulescu, premiat cu Palme d'Or la Cannes [i ale actri]ei Dorotheea Petre. ∫

„Va trebui s\ fiu gata cu un lung-metraj, la un moment dat“ / “At some point, I will have to deliver a feature also.“

® ic manner. And some screens

A TRAVELLING BEAR

are shot with exceptional light. The director of the film says he wanted to suggest that the underage men who escaped - as implied - from a juvenile centre would have wanted to get even with their own parents “who left them to nobody’s mercy“. The heroes of the short film are not professional actors and they come from the juvenile and placement centres: Florin Sinescu, Okan Kaya and George Hoffman. Cerasela Iosifescu and Marian Ghenea also play in this short.

For now, Musta]\’s trophy is in Berlin, to be reconditioned. And this because the name of the film was misspelled: “O zi bun\ de platj\“. “I personally wasn’t bothered by that detail, but the Berlin guys insisted on redoing the trophy, it is an image thing“, the director says. Once in the country, the Bear will “live“ at Cotroceni, at the headquarters of the Strada Film production company, along with the diplomas of director C\t\lin Mitulescu, rewarded Palme d’Or at Cannes, and of actress Dorotheea Petre. ∫

EXPLORATOR

Explorer

ADÂNCUL P|MÂNTULUI E VIU / THERE’S LIFE WITHIN EARTH’S CORE

Un speolog examineaz\ masa microbian\ format\ `ntr-o grot\ sulfuroas\ One speleologist looking at the microbial mass formed in a sulphurous cave

Text & photo: Cristian Lascu

n t\r‚m al fiin]elor fantastice, primejdios pentru semenii no[tri de la suprafa]\...Iat\ cum au v\zut oamenii, vreme de mai multe veacuri, lumea vie]uitoarelor subp\m‚ntene. ~n pe[teri se ascundeau elfi, dragoni, nibelungi, troli, zmei, n\p‚rci, [olom‚]i... Cercet\torii se av‚ntau rar `n ad‚ncuri, c\ci acolo era casa spiritelor malefice [i a lighioanelor misterioase. ®

land of chimerical beings, a land that’s dangerous for the people from above... For many centuries this is the way people have depicted the world of the underground crea-

tures. Caves would hide elves, dragons, Nibelungs, trolls, zmei (fantastic animals from Romanian fairy-tales), snakes, conjurers... Scientists hardly went into the deep, because it was the ®

INSIGHT TAROM

„...SUB P|MÂNT, LA AP| AP| BLESTEMAT|, VIN DE SE ADAP| MOROI {I {OLOMÂ}I NEGRI {I URÂ}I...“ (CULEASA ~N }ARA MO}ILOR) “...UNDERGROUND, DARK AND UGLY ZOMBIES AND CONJURERS COME TO TAKE WATER CURSED WATER...“ (HEARD AND RECORDED IN }ARA MO}ILOR)

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

EXPLORATOR

Explorer

UN ROMÂN DESCHIDE POR}ILE SUBTERANE ® A[a a fost p‚n\ la Racovi]\. Pe la `nceputul secolului trecut, biologul de numai 30 de ani, abia `ntors dintr-o dificil\ expedi]ie antarctic\, a fost numit subdirector al Laboratorului de Biologie Marin\ din Banyuls-sur-Mer, `n sudul Fran]ei. ~n 1904, vizit‚nd cu o luntre celebra pe[ter\ Cueva del Drach din Spania, Emil Racovi]\ a scos din ap\ o creatur\ ciudat\, un crustaceu alb [i orb. ~n mintea sa iscoditoare a `ncol]it atunci o idee original\: aceea c\ pentru vie]uitoarele pe[terilor, adaptate unor condi]ii de trai constante, ceasornicul evolu]iei s-a oprit, `n timp ce rudele lor de la suprafa]\ au suferit numeroase prefaceri, dup\ feluritele schimb\ri ale mediului. Astfel, subp\m‚ntenele au devenit un fel de fosile vii, studiul lor comparativ fiind foarte important pentru [tiin]\ . T‚n\rul cercet\tor a p\r\sit azurul `nsorit al Mediteranei pentru descoperirea fiin]elor din beznele reci. ~n 1907, a publicat „Essais sur les Problemmes Biospeologiques“, recunoscut `n `ntreaga lume ca actul de na[tere al unei noi discipline. Dup\ ani aventuro[i de safariuri subterane prin grotele Fran]ei, Spaniei, Italiei, ale Africii de Nord, Racovi]\ a ajuns [i `n pe[terile Mun]ilor Apuseni. Ba, mai mult, `n 1920 a `nfiin]at la Cluj „Institutul de Speologie“, primul de acest fel din lume. Savan]i cunoscu]i din Fran]a [i Eleve]ia l-au `nso]it aici, transform‚nd pe atunci marele ora[ transilvan `n capitala mondial\ a speologiei. {i astfel, mon[tri z\misli]i de somnul ra]iunii s-au retras `n c\r]ile [i scenariile fantastice. ~n locul lor a ie[it la lumin\ o zoologie `ntreag\, de la bacterii, viermi [i molu[te p‚n\ la salamandre [i pe[ti. Numai `n Rom‚nia se cunosc `n prezent aproximativ 500 de specii troglobionte noi pentru [tiin]\, descoperite de c\tre discipolii maestrului. Unele au supravie]uit doar `n pe[teri din Mun]ii Apuseni, altele `n Banat, sau doar `n mun]ii Olteniei, ori numai `n Dobrogea. Consider‚nd vie]uitoarele subterane ce au supravie]uit `n diferite zone, se poate trasa o hart\ a schimb\rilor geografice din trecut.

OASPE}I LA FESTINUL FIRIMITURILOR Mai toate organismele subterane sunt albe, depigmentate, oarbe. Natura face economie. Nu e nevoie de ochi `n bezna ve[nic\, la ce ce-ar folosi s\ te `mp\unezi ca un curcubeu, dac\ nimeni nu te poate admira... Multe dintre vie]uitoare `[i caut\ drumul cu antene lungi. Mirosul le poart\ spre sursele de hran\, de obicei foarte pu]ine: particule organice, aduse cu zg‚rcenie de pic\turile ce p\trund prin cr\p\turi. Mul]umindu-se cu firmiturile ce cad sub masa marelui festin de la lumina soarelui, viet\]ile subp\m‚ntene au un metabolism redus. Un trunchi putrezit, ori ni[te guano de la lilieci, pot `ndestula, pentru mul]i ani, o puzderie de viet\]i modeste. Explor‚nd `n premier\ o pe[ter\ dobrogean\, izolat\ de suprafa]\, am constatat cu uimire c\ pretutindeni mi[unau numeroase creaturi. Se mi[cau cu iu]eal\, se v‚nau una pe alta, se ascundeau sub pietre sau disp\reau `n ad‚ncul unui pu] cu ap\ sulfuroas\, neagr\, mirosind `nec\cios a pucioas\. Sub lupa colegilor speologi de la Institutul lui Racovi]\, s-a descoperit c\ 35 dintre acele animale sunt specii noi, care nu mai tr\iesc nic\ieri `n lume. Mica pe[ter\ de l‚ng\ Mangalia se dovedea astfel a fi o capsul\ a timpului biologic [i, dup\ cum mi-am dat cur‚nd seama, „insula“ pe care s-au refugiat naufragia]ii unor calamit\]i climatice petrecute `n urm\ cu 5,5 milioane de ani.

RE}ET| PENTRU UN PICNIC MAR}IAN Descoperirea a trezit un mare entuziasm printre zoologi. Dar o mare `ntrebare `nc\ `[i a[teapt\ r\spunsul: un ecran de argil\ izoleaz\ cavitatea fa]\ de suprafa]\, apele vin pe falii profunde, direct din ad‚ncul teluric [i sunt sterile biologic; ce fel de hran\ folosesc atunci animalele din ®

® house of evil spirits and of mysterious beasts.

A ROMANIAN OPENS THE DOORS OF THE UNDERGROUND WORLD And the fear was ended by Racovi]\. In the beginning of the last century, the 30 years old biologist who had just returned from a difficult expedition to Antarctica was appointed the deputy director of the Marine Biology Lab from Banyuls-sur-Mer, in the South of France. In 1904, going by boat in the famous Spanish Cueva del Drach cave, Emil Racovi]\ brought out from the water a weird creature, a white and blind crustacean. An original idea crossed his inquisitive mind: cave creatures, adapted to constant living conditions, stopped their evolution clock, while their relatives from above had to bear numerous transformations according to various changes in the environment. Thus, the underground beings have become a sort of living fossils, a comparative study becoming essential for Science’s sake. The young scientist left the sunny shores of the Mediterranean Sea to uncover the beings within the cold darkness. In 1907, he published “Essais sur les Problemmes Biospeologiques“ that was acknowledged by the world as the birth certificate of the new subject.

Liliecii, oaspe]i stranii ai pe[terilor Bats, bizarre cave guests

After adventurous years of underground safaris in the grottos of France, Spain and North Africa, Racovi]\ finally reached the caves of the Apuseni Mountains. More than that, he established the “Speleology Institute“ in Cluj, in 1920, the first of its kind in the world. Well-known scientists from France and Switzerland accompanied him here, turning the great city of Transylvania into the world capital of the speleology. Thereby, monsters brought forth by the sleep of reason withdrew in fantastic books and scenarios. Their place was taken by zoology, a full range of creatures: bacteria, worms and molluscs, salamanders and fish. Approx 500 troglobiont species that are new for the Science are known only on the Romanian territory and they were discovered by the maestro’s followers. Some have survived only in the caves of the Apuseni Mountains, others in Banat or in the mountains of Oltenia, or only in Dobrogea. We can trace a map of the geographic changes of the past just by taking into consideration the underground creatures from various areas that have survived.

GUESTS TO A FEAST OF CRUMBS Almost all underground creatures are white, blind and lack pigmentation. Nature likes to make savings. There’s no need of eyes in the eternal darkness, there’s no use for making a rainbow, if nobody can admire it...... Many living creatures seek their way by the means of long antennas. Their sense of smell takes them towards usually scarce sources of food: organic particles brought by careful drops coming in through breaks. Making do with the crumbs that fall under the table of the great feast of the sunlight, the underground living beings have a low metabolism. A rotten bole or some bat guano will do for many years as far as these modest beings are concerned. Exploring for the first time ®

EXPLORATOR

Explorer

® pe[ter\, de unde provine ea? Un grup de tineri microbiologi rom‚ni, cooper‚nd cu prestigioase laboratoare [i universit\]i americane [i europene, au demonstrat c\ organismele din Pe[tera Movile au brevetat o nou\ re]et\ de supravie]uire. Caz unic pe glob, `n „buc\t\ria“ grotei termale de la Marea Neagr\, bacteriile prepar\ din hidrogen sulfurat, dioxid de carbon [i metan, o crem\ alb\, foarte nutritiv\. Ea st\ la baza lan]ului trofic al unui `ntreg ecosistem.

ever a cave isolated from the surface in Dobrogea we were surprised to see numerous creatures crawling all over the place. They moved very fast, hunting one another, hiding underneath the stones or disappearing in the depth

~n c\utarea vie]ii `n lumea ve[nic `nghe]at\ a pe[terii Sc\ri[oara / In the search of life in the world of everlasting ice of the Scarisoara cave

Dup\ un astfel de model, folosind aceea[i re]et\, via]a ar putea d\inui p‚n\ [i `n pe[terile vulcanice de pe Marte. Concluziile speologilor rom‚ni au fost publicate `n cele mai prestigioase [i exigente reviste [tiin]ifice ale lumii, `ntre care putem men]iona Science & Nature, dar [i La Recherche, National Geographic [i GEO. ~n acela[i timp, Discovery, BBC, National Geographic, i-au consacrat ample documentare. Nu e deci de mirare c\ exobiologi [i planificatori ai viitoarelor expedi]ii spre Planeta Ro[ie au venit `n Rom‚nia, iar unii dintre ei mai colaboreaz\ [i acum cu biologi din echipa Movile. Pe drept cuv‚nt, se vorbe[te deja despre o astro-speologie. Pe de alt\ parte, `n Movile au fost identificate bacterii [i mecanisme metabolice ancestrale, asem\ n\ toare celor care guvernau via]a pe Terra, `n urm\ cu 3 miliarde de ani, c‚nd `nc\ nu exista o atmosfer\ cu oxigen. Sunt indicii clare c\ lumea bacteriilor str\vechi nu a disp\rut, ci dimpotriv\, ele alc\tuiesc o alt\ biosfer\, fierbinte, aflat\ la c‚]iva kilometri ad‚ncime sub scoar]\. Recent, pe[teri similare au fost descoperite `n Spania, Italia, SUA, Israel. Nu mai exist\ o „insul\“ Movile, ci un adev\rat „arhipelag“ al pe[terilor ce deschid ferestre spre lumi ascunse... ∫

of a well of sulphurous black choking water. Speleologists from the Racovi]\’s Institute discovered that 35 of those animals are new species that live here and nowhere else in the world. Thus the small cave nearby Mangalia proved to be a capsule of the biological time and, as I soon realized, the “island“ where castaways of some climatic catastrophes from 5,5 million years ago found refuge.

RECIPE FOR A PICNIC ON MARS This discovery rose zoologists’ enthusiasm. But there’s still lies a question: a screen of clay isolates

the pit from the surface, water is infiltrating through deep fissures, directly from the earth’s core and are biologically sterile; what type of food do the animals in the cave use and where does it come from? A group of young Romanian microbiologists proved by cooperating with prestigious American and European labs and universities that the organisms from the Movile Cave patented a new survival recipe. A unique case worldwide, in the “kitchen“ of the thermal grotto from the Black Sea, the bacteria prepare a sulphurous hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane gas, a white and very nutritious cream. It is the basis of the food chain for an entire eco-system. According to such a model, using the same recipe, life could linger even in the volcanic caves from Mars. Romanian speleologists’ conclusions were published in the most famous and fastidious scientific magazines (as, for instance, Science & Nature, La Recherche, National Geographic and GEO). In the same time, Discovery, BBC, and National Geographic allocated vast documentaries to the subject. It’s no wonder then that exobiologists and planners of various expeditions to the Red Planet came to Romania, and that some of them still collaborate with biologists from the Movile team. Righteously, they already talk about astro-speleology. On the other hand, at Movile, they discovered ancestral bacteria and metabolic mechanisms that resemble those from 3 billion years ago when the Earth didn’t have an oxygen atmosphere yet. There are obvious clues indicating that the world of ancient bacteria hasn’t disappeared, on the contrary, they make a different hot biosphere that lies only few kilometres away from the geosphere. Recently, similar caves have been discovered in Spain, Italy, USA, and Israel. There’s not only one Movile “island“ anymore, but a true “archipelago“ of caves that open the window towards hidden worlds... ∫

DISCOVERY

~N CIUDA FR|MÂNT|RILOR, ORIENTUL MIJLOCIU E UNA DINTRE CELE MAI SELECTE DESTINA}II TURISTICE DIN LUME. SOARELE {I LUXUL SUNT ISPITE IREZISTIBILE, IAR DE PRIN ANII ’60 ARHITEC}II AU ~NCEPUT PREFACEREA PALATELOR {I M|N|STIRILOR VECHI ~N LOCURI DE BASM. Burj Al Arab: lux, opulen]\, turism / Luxury and Tourism: Burj Al Arab

NOP}I ~N NIGHTS IN THE PALATELE PALACES ORIENTULUI OF THE ORIENT By Cristina Atanasiu

mir Amin Palace din Beiteddine, Liban, a deschis drumul. Arhitectul Pierre El-Khoury l-a transformat, `n 1965, `ntr-un luxos hotel de 5 stele. Priveli[tea splendid\ a Mun]iilor Chouf [i gr\dinile palatului le ofer\ turi[tilor g\zdui]i `n cele 22 de camere spa]ioase, spectacolul exclusiv al vie]ii pe care o duceau odinioar\ prin]ii. Emirul Bashir Shihab al II-lea `n\l]ase palatul pentru fiul s\u, `ngem\n‚nd arhaicul monumental cu modernul, `n apropierea celor mai de seam\ edificii monarhice, precum Beiteddine Palace ori Moukhtara Palace. Acesta din urm\ se ridic\ pe locul unui castel din `ndep\rtatele vremuri ale crucia]ilor...

FEERIE PE MALUL BOSFORULUI Istanbul. Metropola cosmopolit\, modernul [i anticul, ora[ul viu, incitant, care-[i hipnotizeaz\ oaspe]ii `n bazaruri, pie]e, localuri fabuloase [i minuni arhitecturale. Una dintre ele este Ciragan Palace Kempinski, un

mir Amin Palace from Beiteddine, Liban, was a pioneer. The architect Pierre El-Khoury turned it in the year 1965 into a luxurious 5 stars hotel. The splendid view upon the Chouf Mountains and the palace gardens provide the tourists accommodated in its 22 spacious rooms with an exclusive slice of the life only royalties used to lead. The Emir Bashir Shihab the 2nd built the palace for his son, joining the archaic monumental style with modernism. He did this in the vicinity of the greatest monar-

chic buildings, like Beiteddine Palace or Moukhtara Palace. The latter took the place of a castle from the ancient age of the crusaders...

BLAZE ON THE BANKS OF THE BOSPHORUS Istanbul. Cosmopolitan metropolis, ancient and modern altogether, an intense and exciting city, that hypnotises its guests with bazaars, squares, fabulous nightspots and architectural wonders. Ciragan Palace Kempinski is one of them - another ottoman restaurant on the banks ®

INSIGHT TAROM

IN SPITE OF ALL TORMENTS, THE MIDDLE EAST IS ONE OF THE MOST CHOSEN TOURIST LOCATIONS IN THE WORLD. THE SUN AND THE LUXURY ARE IRRESISTIBLE TEMPTATIONS AND SINCE THE ’60S ARCHITECTS HAVE STARTED TO RENOVATE OLD PALACES AND MONASTERIES IN FAIRY-TALE LIKE PLACES.

alt palat otoman restaurat pe malul Bosforului. Peste 100 de milioane de dolari a costat refacerea sa [i des\v‚r[irea a 31 de apartamente. Holul principal p\streaz\ `nc\ marmura [i sideful veacului al XIX-lea, iar colonadele fa]adei au fost ref\cute manual. Ferestrele dezv\luie priveli[tea unic\ a podului suspendat de pe Bosfor, al 13-lea din lume ca m\rime. Tradi]ionalismul, dar [i ospitalitatea celor 5 stele, arhitectura splendid\, luxul [i confortul modern, gr\dinile regale, promenadele de la ]\rm [i panoramele deseneaz\ oaza perfect\ din mijlocul Istanbulului, `ntre Besiktas [i Ortakoy. ~n apropiere str\lucesc magazinele de bijuterii [i ceramic\, restaurantele mediteraneene, cinematografele, cluburile de noapte. Ori poate prefera]i o ie[ire pe Bosfor, cu vaporul.

O OAZ| DE SPLENDOARE `N DE{ERT Luxul epocilor apuse fascineaz\ [i e tot mai dorit. A[a a ap\rut Al Maha Desert Resort, dezvoltat la sf‚r[itul mileniului trecut, cu ®

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

DISCOVERY

42 Ciragan Palace Kempinski, oaza din centrul Istanbulului / The perfect oasis in the middle of Istanbul

32 suits, each of them having its own pool, exhibit antiquities, and hand made furniture, and carpets. Out in the open, guest get to try out the pleasures of hunting with hawks, the adventure of riding on camels, bow shooting, but also the unique contact with the beauty of the desert.

GUESTS TO MOTHER NATURES’ HOUSE

® milioane de dolari. Pur [i simplu, turi[tii `nnopteaz\ `n de[ert, `n corturi inspirate de palatele „portabile“ ale beduinilor, cu stilul tradi]ional al a[ez\rilor din apropierea albiilor de râu sau a oazelor. Numele aminte[te de splendidul locuitor al dunelor, care este antilopa: Al Maha. La doar 45 de minute de cosmopolitul Dubai, `ntinz‚ndu-se pe mai bine de 200 de kilometri p\tra]i, aceast\ oaz\ de lux, fermec\toare, e cea mai mare suprafa]\ dedicat\ vreodat\ aici unui proiect. Cele 32 de apartamente, fiecare av‚nd propria piscin\, expun antichit\]i, mobil\ lucrat\ manual, covoare. Iar sub cerul liber, oaspe]ii `ncearc\ pl\cerile vân\torii cu [oimi, aventura plimb\rii pe c\mil\, ba chiar tirul cu arcul, dar [i contactul unic cu adev\rata frumuse]e a de[ertului.

OASPE}I LA MAMA NATUR| La 75 de kilometri de cel mai apropiat aeroport, `n Ayvali, un sat turcesc lini[tit, din Cappadochia, hotelul Gamirasu, la origini o veche m‚n\stire bizantin\, a fost construit `ntr-o cavern\, pe hotarul unei gr\dini de trandafiri. C\ut‚nd armonia perfect\ cu ambientul, camerele [i chiar paturile au forme [i m\rimi diferite. Nimic nu-]i poate tulbura somnul. Mobila camerelor duble este sculptat\ `n piatr\, iar apartamentele adaug\ confortului [emineul cald [i terasa. Pe zidurile hotelului se disting [i ast\zi frescele m\n\stirii din secolul al VIII-lea. De la fereastr\, se v\d casele locuitorilor, se simte forfota satului. O dat\ la dou\ zile este aprins cuptorul de piatr\, iar turistul gust\ al\turi de oamenii locului pâinea fierbinte. Totul este natural aici: saltelele de bumbac, fructele proaspete, mierea [i smântâna, aduse din sat. Oaspe]ii se `ncumet\ `n fiecare zi s\ ia parte la via]a localnicilor, s\-i `nso]easc\ la culesul strugurilor ori chiar s\ ... mulg\ vaca. Asta da, oferta special\ !

INIMITABILUL „TURN ARAB“ De[i doar al 77-lea `ntr-un top al minunilor lumii, Burj Al Arab r\mâne [i azi, la 10 ani de la inaugurare, un simbol al Dubaiului, chiar al Orientului Mijlociu. {i, desigur, singurul hotel de 7 stele de pe glob. A[ezat pe o insul\ artificial\, la aproape 300 de metri de plaj\, concureaz\ `n `n\l]ime (321 m) cu Empire State Building. {aizeci de etaje, zeci de mii de metri cubi de beton [i otel. Silueta, suger‚nd velele unui vas, a cutremurat lumea arhitecturii, prin inova]ie [i originalitate, r\mân‚nd un proiect greu de dep\[it `n reputa]ie, buget [i simbolistic\. Decora]iunile hotelului cuprind elemente arabe (colonada de la ®

® of the Bosphorous. Its renovations and the completion of 31 suits cost over 100 million dollars. The main corridor still preserves the 19th century marble and mother-of-pearl, while the facade colonnades have been rebuilt by hand. Windows reveal the unique view upon the suspension bridge over the Bosphorus, the 13th of its kind in the world. The traditionalism and the hospitality offered by the 5 starts, the splendid architecture, the modern luxury and comfort, royal gardens, and panoramas shape the perfect oasis in the middle of Istanbul, between Besiktas and Ortakoy.

AN OASIS OF SPLENDOUR TUCKED AWAY IN THE DESERT The luxury of bygone epochs still fascinates and becomes more and more desirable. That is why Al Maha Desert Resort came to life, a project of millions of dollars developed at the end of the last millennium. Tourists stay overnight in the plain desert, in tents inspired by Bedouins’ “portable“ palaces and by the tradition of settlements placed nearby rivers or oases. The name reminds of the Al Maha antelope, a splendid inhabitant of the dunes. This one of the kind and charming oasis that’s only 45 minutes away from the city of Dubai and occupies more than 200 km2 is the largest surface ever allocated for a project. The

75 kilometres away from the nearest airport, in Ayvali, a quiet Turkish village from Cappadochia, the Gamirasu hotel, a former Byzantine monastery, was built in a cave, on the border of a rose garden. In search of a perfect harmony with the environment, the rooms and even the beds have different shapes and sizes. Nothing can trouble one’s rest. The furniture of the double rooms is carved in stone and the suits’ added value consists of in a warm fireplace and a terrace. The murals of the 8th century monastery are still visible on the walls of the hotel. From the window, one can see local houses, and feel the hustle and bustle of the village. Every two days the stone oven is turned on and the tourist can taste the hot bread along with the villagers. Everything is bio here: cotton mattresses, fresh fruits, honey and sour cream, all brought from the village. Daily quests dare to take part in the villagers’ life accompanying them while gathering grapes or even... while milking the cow. This is indeed a special offer!

THE INIMITABLE BURJ Although the 77 th in a top of world wonders, 10 years after its opening, the Burj Al Arab still remains a symbol of Dubai and even of the Middle East. And of course the only 7 stars hotel on Earth. Laid on an artificial island, almost 300 m away from the beach, it competes with the Empire State Building soaring to a height of 321 m. Sixty floors, thousands of cubical metres of concrete and steel. Its silhouette that resembles a billowing sail shook the architectural world through innovation and originality. It will be difficult to beat its rep- ®

DISCOVERY

44 Sultan Suite Living Room, Ciragan Palace

Al Maha Desert Resort

Burj Al Arab: Assawan Spa&Health Club

Gamirasu

® Assawan Health Spa, sau peretele sculptural al atriumului de la etajul 18), finisajele apar]in profesioni[tilor din lumea `ntreag\, `mbinând tehnologia cu incrusta]ile `n lemn, m\tasea [i satinul. Culorile sunt `ndrazne]e, vii. Iar cifrele bog\]iei cople[esc: foi]e de aur de 22 carate acoper\ 8 000 de metri p\tra]i de coloane, tavane, tablouri [i instala]ii. Sunt 202 apartamente, `ntre care dou\ regale - cu suprafe]e cuprinse `ntre 170 [i 800 de metri p\tra]i, echipate cu tehnologie de ultima or\. Pre]ul unei nop]i porne[te de la 1 000 de dolari [i poate atinge 15 000; dar apartamentul regal cost\ 30 000 de dolari... ~ntre atrac]iile irezistibile se num\r\ barul Skyview, de la etajul 27, pentru vederea sa panoramic\, cina la restaurantul subacvatic Al Mahara, sau Al Muntaha, la 200 de metri deasupra golfului. Drumul de la aeroport e simplu: lua]i elicopterul sau un Rolls Royce Silver Seraphus... ∫

ALTE POPASURI DE TOP ∫ Ada Hotel - Bodrum, Turcia: Camera cu pat fran]uzesc cost\ 275 $ pe noapte, `n vreme ce apartamentul preziden]ial este accesibil pentru 585 $. ∫ Adrere Amellal - Siwa, Egipt: Pre]urile camerelor sunt `n jur de 143 $, dar cresc `n fiecare an. ∫ King David - Jerusalem, Israel: Camera dubl\ cost\ 240 $, iar tariful unui apartament asem\n\tor celui `n care a stat pre[edintele George Bush `ntruna din vizitele sale, cu jacuzzi [i verand\ proprie, porne[te de la 500 $. ∫ Jacir Palace Intercontinental - Bethlehem, Israel: Pre]ul unei camere duble este de 189 $. ∫ ~n fine, mai mult dec‚t un proiect, mai degrab\ o pasiune: Hydropolis Dubai, Emiratele Arabe Unite: singurul hotel cotat pân\ `n prezent la 10 stele, primul de lux subacvatic, este programat s\ se deschid\ `n 2009.

® utation, budget and symbolics. Hotel decorations cover Arabian elements (the colonnade from the Assawan Health Spa, or the sculpted wall of the atrium from the 18 th floor), professionals from all over the world participated at finishes and combined technology with wood incrustations, silk and satin. Colours are audacious and vivid. And the wealth overwhelming: 22 carat gold leaves cover 8 000 m2 of columns, ceilings, paintings and equipment. There are 202 suits, two of them roy-

al suits - with surfaces between 170 and 800 m2, equipped with top of the line technology. The price for one night starts from 1 000 $ and can reach 15 000; but the royal suit alone costs 30.000 $... Among irresistible attractions: the Skyview bar from the 27th floor for its panoramic view, dinner at the undersea restaurant Al Mahara, or at Al Muntaha, 200 m above the bay. The travel to and from the airport could not be easier: take the helicopter or a Rolls Royce Silver Seraphus... ∫

OTHER TOP STOPS ∫ Ada Hotel - Bodrum, Turkey: The room with the French bed costs 275 $ a night, while the presidential suit is accessible only for 585 $. ∫ Adrere Amellal - Siwa, Egypt: Prices for the rooms go around 143 $, but they are raised every year. ∫ King David - Jerusalem, Israel: The double room is 240 $, and the fee for an apartment similar to that used by president George Bush during one of his visits, with jacuzzi and balcony, starts from 500 $. ∫ Jacir Palace Intercontinental - Bethlehem, Israel: The price of a double room is of 189 $. ∫ Finally, a place that’s more of a passion than a project: Hydropolis - Dubai, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: so far the only 10 stars rated hotel, the first undersea luxury, due to open in 2009.

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Holiday Journal

46 Sharm el Sheikh – Tihn\ de miliardar / A billionaire’s way of relaxation

PARADIS LA A PARADISE ON HOTARUL THE BRIM CU DE{ERTUL OF THE DESERT

By D\nu] Ungureanu

SHARM EL SHEIKH APROAPE DE PINTENUL SUDIC AL PENINSULEI SINAI, SHARM EL SHEIKH }INE ~N SPATE MII DE KILOMETRI P|TRA}I AI PUSTIULUI, DAR SE R|CORE{TE ~N CRISTALUL VERDE-ALB|STRUI AL M|RII CLOSE TO THE SOUTHERN CORNER OF THE SINAI PENINSULA, SHARM EL SHEIKH CARRIES THOUSANDS OF SQUARE KILOMETRES OF EMPTINESS, BUT MANAGES TO COOL ITSELF DOWN IN THE BLUISHGREEN OF THE SEA.

otelul e mare c‚t un sat. Pe conturul piscinei uria[e, cu meandre ca ale r‚urilor lenevite de apropierea deltei, `n puzderia de cl\diri construite dup\ planurile din „O mie [i una de nop]i“, c\rora li se adaug\ nenum\rate localuri, foi[oare, chio[curi [i umbrare, mi[un\ noroco[ii care au l\sat `n urm\ iarna pentru o cur\ de soare la Marea Ro[ie. Aleile lungi se desf\[oar\ sub umbra rotund\ a palmierilor de toate soiurile, pe gazonul tuns impecabil str\lucesc milioane de

he hotel is as large as a village. On the line of the huge pool bended like a lazy river next to the delta, among plenty buildings descended from “One Thousand and One Nights“ and countless pubs, gazebos,

belvederes and bowers, there you have the lucky people running from the winter to get sun bathed at the Red Sea. Long alleys unfold under the round shadow of all sorts of palm-trees, million of drops sparkle throughout the im-

INSIGHT TAROM

pic\turi, incredibila bugainvillea cl\de[te din flori tufi[uri mari, dense, multicolore. Soarele iese `n zori din mare, dup\ formula r\s\ritului clasic, care-l ademene[te p‚n\ [i pe cel mai lene[ dintre turi[ti s\ se trezeasc\ m\car o dat\ cu noaptea-n cap. Plaja nu se bucur\ de nisipul prietenos de pe la noi, dar geme de [ezlonguri [i umbrele aliniate perfect. Personalul se foie[te discret, ref\c‚nd rezervele de cocktailuri [i [ervete scoase de la ghea]\, ori chiar stropindu-te, la cerere, cu un pulverizator. Sunt toate premisele s\ probezi tihna de miliardar, `ns\ ispitele m\rii sunt irezistibile. Sub apa at‚t de limpede `nc‚t privirea merge lesne p‚n\ la 10-15 metri, coralul a ]esut dantele pietroase, un rai al vie]ii minunat colorate, de care `ns\, oric‚t ai fi de pasionat, e bine s\ nu te atingi dac\ nu vrei s\-i cuno[ti miile de lame t\ioase. Pe[ti nemaiv\zu]i vin s\ se laude cu ve[mintele lor de m\t\suri, paiete [i atlazuri. Toat\ lumea se `ncumet\ sub ap\, s\-i vad\, de la pre[colari la pensionarul venerabil. O masc\ [i un tub pentru respirat pot fi cump\rate ori `nchiriate aproape pe nimic. Se spune c\ pentru scufund\tori e cel mai frumos loc din lume. Excursiile submarine fac poft\ de m‚ncare. Seara, `n „Sharm“-ul vechi, pe uli]ele bazarului, ori `n Na’ama Bay, sta]iune modern\, gastronomia oriental\ porne[te invazia aromelor [i gusturilor, sus]inute de mirodenii care-i complexeaz\ pe cei mai mul]i dintre europeni. Nu mai vorbim c\ trebuie s\ fii de piatr\ ca s\ nu cedezi asalturilor animatorilor [i s\ nu te tol\ne[ti `ntre pernele unei cafenele. Shisha (a[a se ®

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

peccably cut grass, the incredible bougainvillea creates with its flowers immense, thick and colourful bushes. The sun comes out of the see at dawn, according to the classic sunrise formula that lures even the most reluctant tourist to rise with the lark at least once in a lifetime. The beach does not rejoice the friendly sand that we have, but it groans under perfectly aligned chaise longues and um-

Tovar\[i de explorare / Exploration comrades

brellas. The staff moves around discreetly, refilling cocktails, bringing out icy napkins and even sprinkling guests with sprayers, at request. There you have all that you need to try out a billionaire’s way of relaxation, but temptations of the sea are far too irresistible. Under the clear water that the eye can pierce until 10 to 15 metres, the choral wove stony lace, a heaven of the wonderfully ®

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Holiday Journal

Una din atrac]iile zonei: c\l\toria cu c\milele / One of the region’s attraction: riding the camels

nume[te aici ceea ce noi cunoa[tem drept „narghilea“), vestita pip\ cu ap\, este vedeta locului [i are un succes monstruos. ®

SHOPPING, MODELUL BEDUIN Departe, `n mijlocul de[ertului... A[ezarea tribului de beduini se ascunde `n perimetrul unui zid scund de pietre [i pomi firavi, dar umbro[i, stropi]i cu pic\tura, prin intermediul unui furtun `ncol\cinduse nesf‚r[it la picioarele tuturor. Iar `n afara oazei minuscule, mult soare, mult praf [i c‚teva p‚lcuri de capre cu care tot occidentalul, cine [tie de ce, ]ine mor]i[ s\ se fotografieze... Oamenii `[i produc aici tot ce le este necesar traiului, zice ghidul. Hainele, bucatele, podoabele, leacurile. Foarte rar se `mboln\ve[te c‚te unul, [i nici atunci nu merge la spital, care [i-a[a e la cap\tul lumii. {coala este, `ntr-o c\su]\ ridicat\ la vreo c‚teva sute de metri, dar e mereu pustie, c\ci nimeni nu vrea s\ fie elev. Toat\ lumea treb\luie[te pentru ca tribul s\ supravie]uiasc\. Socotelile sunt simple, bun\starea se m\soar\ `n capre [i c\mile. Unde s\ mai `ncap\ [i c\r]ile? Tinerii se c\s\toresc `ntre ei, chiar dac\ sunt veri[ori buni... Un beduin sare p`rleazul [i merge s\ aduc\ tava tixit\ de p\h\rele bulbucate, cam ca acelea din care beau mo[ii no[tri la c‚rcium\, odinioar\, ]uica de prun\. Toarn\ karkade, un ceai ro[u, aburind, stors din fructele, ori frunzele arborelui cu acela[i nume [i fiecare oaspete `[i prime[te por]ia. Se st\ pe jos, pe pre[uri multicolore de zdren]e, [i ele familiare nou\ din casa bunicii. Grupul e `nconjurat f\r\ sc\pare de fetele [i femeile tribului care, cu un strict vocabular comercial, `mbie la artizanatul local: m\rgele de os, medalioane scobite `n fructe lemnoase, br\]\ri de a]\ ori l‚n\ colorat\ . Dar adev\ratele afaceri le face [eful tribului, `n jurul unei t\vi rotunde pe care se g\sesc pietre frumoase ale de[ertului, ceaiuri pentru stomac [i inim\, nelipsitul karkade [i un soi de ciuline uscat pe care, zice negustorul s\rac, dac\-l ]ii destul `n ap\, minune!, se umfl\ de nu mai `ncape `n vas... Vizitatorii se `nghesuie s\ cumpere, fascina]i de naturism.

CODUL RUTIER AL CARAVANEI {i-ntr-o bun\ zi am plecat la drum cu c\mila... {irul lene[elor „cor\bii ale de[ertului“ avanseaz\ pe grani]a `ngust\ dintre mare [i pustia de roc\ cenu[ie. Vai de pasagerul care n-a fost atent la indica]iile zg‚rcite ale c\milarului [i s-a a[ezat `n [a cum nu trebuie. „Bancheta“ vehicolului `nsufle]it nu str\luce[te deloc la capitolul confort, ba uneori ai senza]ia c\ ai `nc\lecat o ma[in\ de cusut... Dac\ `ns\ `]i `nvingi instinctul de conservare [i, `n loc s\ te propte[ti ca la o curs\ hipic\, `]i petreci picioarele `n jurul pintenului frontal al [eii [i le la[i s\ at‚rne ®

Cel mai frumos loc pentru scufund\tori / A paradise for the divers

coloured life that you’d better watch out unless you want to get acquainted with thousands of sharp blades. Unseen fish come and brag about their outfits made of silk, tinsel and satin. Everybody dares to go under the water to see them - preschoolers and respectable pensioners as well. You can buy or rent an oxygen mask and a breathing tank with very little money. They say that it is the most beautiful place in the world for divers. The undersea trips trigger the appetite. In the evenings, in the old “Sharm“, on the lanes of the bazaar, or in the Na’ama Bay, a more modern resort, the oriental gastronomy starts the invasion of flavours and tastes, all of these backed up by spices that make many Europeans feel ashamed. You have to be made of stone not to give in to the animators or not to lounge between the pillows of a coffee house. Shisha (this is the name of what we know as “narghile“), the famous water chibouk, is the star of the place and has an enormous success.

SHOPPING, THE BEDOUIN MODEL Far away, in the midst of the desert... The Bedouin tribe is hidden by a small wall made of stones and chitty, but shadeful trees that are lightly watered by the means of a hose twining endlessly around everybody’s feet. Outside the minuscule oasis - a lot of sun, a lot of dust and some goats that, God knows why, Westerners want to get a shot with... People here produce everything needed for their living, the guide says. Clothes, food, adornments, drugs. Hardly any of them gets sick, and then he/she doesn’t go to the hospital that is at the other end of the world. There is a school in a house few hundred metres away, but it is usually empty, because nobody wants to be its student. All are over their heads involved in helping the tribe survive. Business is simple: welfare is goats and camels. Can books fit in here, too?! Young adults marry among each other, even if they are blood relatives... One Bedouin jumps over ®

JURNAL DE VACAN}|

Holiday Journal

THE ROAD CODE OF THE CARAVAN

Artizanat local / Local craftsmanship

® the fence and fetches a tray full

® `ncruci[ate pe o parte a grumazului ro[cat, c\l\toria e din nou frumoas\. ~n nisipul ]\rmului, valurile au adus [i au `ngropat pe jum\tate, c‚t s\-i fac\ poft\ colec]ionarului de cochilii, ca `ntr-o prezentare profesionist\, sute de melci spectaculo[i. ~ns\ de la `n\l]imea cocoa[ei umbl\toare, cu un echilibru [i a[a `ngrozitor de precar, bijuteriile marine par la fel de inaccesibile ca stelele cerului. Care dintre c\l\re]ii amatori s-ar `ncumeta s\ `ncerce pe propriul risc manevre cu animalul de sub el, placid, docil, dar cu comenzi mai indescifrabile dec‚t ale navetei spa]iale? Din c‚nd `n c‚nd, poteca se `ngusteaz\ at‚t de mult, `nc‚t nu mai r\m‚ne dec‚t l\]imea unei palme, `ntre peretele de st‚nc\ din dreapta [i valurile de jos, fierb‚nd ostile. Atunci c\l\torul str‚nge pleoapele [i se `ncredin]eaz\, cu o scurt\ rug\ciune interna]ional\, abilit\]ilor `nn\scute ale animalului de sub el. Cobor‚rea de pe c\mil\ e la fel de palpitant\ ca startul cursei [i c\l\toria `n sine, c\ci patrupedul bl‚nd `ngenuncheaz\ abrupt [i numai bra]ul c\milarului `mpiedic\ aterizarea for]at\ a c\l\re]ului. F\r\ `ndoial\, omul `[i merit\ din plin bac[i[ul... ∫

of bulging glasses similar to those used by our elders when going to the local pub for some plum brandy. He pours karkade, red steamy tea made from the fruits or the leaves of the homonymic tree and every guest gets his share. One sits on the floor on multicoloured mats that remind us of those of the grandma’s. Girls and women surround the group. They use their trade knowledge to lure you to buy their handcraft objects: bone beads, lockets carved in woody fruits, bracelets of colourful thread. But only the chief of the tribe makes real business in front of a round tray with beautiful stones of the desert, tea for stomach and heart, omnipresent karkade and a sort of dry cocklebur that, the dealer says, put in water bloats and doesn’t fit the bowl anymore... Visitors squash to buy in a never-ending hunt for the natural.

One day I started riding a camel... The line of the lazy “ships of the desert“ gets forward along the narrow border between the sea and the grey rock desert. Wretched is the passenger who has not paid any attention to the scare pieces of advice given by the camel caretaker and has not properly set in the settle. The “seat“ of the animated vehicle cannot brag of its comfort and sometimes you may feel that you have mounted a sawing machine... If you go beyond your surviving instinct and instead of riding in a race you put your legs around the frontal part of the settle and leave them hanging on one side of the auburn neck, the journey is appealing again. The waves brought and half way buried in the sand at the shore hundred of spectacular snails to tempt the cockleshells collector with a professional show. Yet watching the sea jewellery in a precarious balance from the height of the walking hump makes it seems as inaccessible as the stars in the sky. Which one of the novice riders would dare to try out faints at his own risk with the placid and docile animal beneath but using orders that are more unintelligible than those of a spaceship? Every once in a while, the path narrows so much that only a palm distance remains between the jag on the right and the hostile boiling waves beneath. The traveller then closes his eyes tight and puts his life in the hands of the animal he is riding, not without babbling a short international prayer. Getting off a camel can be as adventurous as the beginning of the journey or as the journey itself, as the animal kneels abruptly and only the arm of the camel caretaker prevents the rider’s emergency landing. Undoubtedly, the guy fully deserves his tip. ∫

DE VORB| CU

Talking to

AL DOILEA CERTIFICAT THE SECOND IOSA IOSA PENTRU TAROM CERTIFICATE FOR TAROM Interviu cu / Interview with Drago[ Munteanu, Safety & Quality Manager TAROM

LA MIJLOCUL LUNII IANUARIE A.C., COMPANIA NA}IONAL| DE TRANSPORT AERIAN TAROM A FOST AUDITAT| DE C|TRE PARC AVIATION, UNA DINTRE CELE 8 ORGANIZA}II AUTORIZATE IATA PENTRU A REALIZA, PE PLAN MONDIAL, AUDITURILE IOSA - UN „OSCAR“ ~N MATERIE DE SIGURAN}| A OPERA}IUNILOR DE ZBOR. ~N URMA AUDITULUI, TAROM {I-A CONFIRMAT CERTIFICAREA OB}INUT| ~N 2007, PRELUNGIND-O PÂN| ~N 2010. CE ESTE IOSA? IOSA este un program de audit prin care se evalueaz\ un operator aerian din punct de vedere al siguran]ei opera]iunilor. Acronimul IOSA provine de la IATA Operational Safety Audit. Industria transportului aerian comercial avea nevoie de un etalon comun de siguran]\ care s\ nu fie tributar grani]elor na]ionale, alian]elor sau modelelor de afaceri [i din acest motiv IATA (Organiza]ia Interna]ional\ a Companiilor Aeriene) a creat programul IOSA.

LA CE ANUME SE REFER| ACEASTA AUDITARE? CU CE DIFER| EA DE AUDIT|RILE INTERNE, S| SPUNEM... Scopul IOSA este de a oferi un program standardizat de audit al sistemelor de management opera]ional [i control al unui operator aerian, care se bazeaz\ pe standarde recunoscute interna]ional cu scopul de a sprijini industria transportului aerian prin `mbun\t\]irea opera]iunilor [i reducerea num\rului de audituri realizate. IATA a autorizat un num\r de 8 organiza]ii de audit pe plan mondial care au capabilitatea s\ realizeze auditurile IOSA. Auditul IOSA este un audit extern, auditorii sunt colaboratorii organiza]iilor de audit. Dup\ `ncheierea procesului de audit [i rezolvarea eventualelor neconformit\]i identificate, operatorii aerieni sunt `nscri[i de IATA `n Registrul IOSA. ~n acest moment sunt 193 de operatori `nscri[i `n acest registru, fapt care demonstreaz\ trecerea cu succes a auditului IOSA.

CUM POATE AJUNGE O COMPANIE AERIAN| S| FIE AUDITAT| IOSA? SUNT COSTURI SAU CERIN}E SPECIALE CARE TREBUIE ~NDEPLINITE? Auditul IOSA este destinat tuturor operatorilor aerieni. Pentru membrii IATA acest audit este obligatoriu pentru men]inerea statutului de membru `n aceast\ organiza]ie. Membrii IATA care nu sunt `nregistra]i IOSA p‚na la sf‚r[itul anului 2008 vor pierde statutul de membru. Exist\ [i companii care nu sunt membrii IATA, care au decis s\ fie audita]i IOSA pentru a demonstra un standard echivalent de siguran]\. Toate documentele oficiale ale programului sunt disponibile pe internet pe site-ul IATA pentru o deplin\ transparen]\. Standardele IOSA sunt con]inute `n manualul ISM (IOSA Standards Manual) [i sunt `n num\r de peste 900. Pentru fiecare, un operator aerian trebuie s\ demonstreze conformitatea. Pentru a fi auditat\, o companie trebuie s\ semneze un contract tripartit cu IATA [i cu o organiza]ie de audit care s\ specifice detalii despre realizarea auditului. Costul unui audit IOSA pentru o companie de transport aerian este `n jur de 50 000 USD.

CÂT DUREAZ| PERIOADA DE AUDITARE {I CE PRESUPUNE EA? Auditul propriu-zis dureaz\ 5 zile la sediul operatorului. ~nainte de audit, auditorii particip\ ca observatori la sesiuni de preg\tire pe simulator, precum [i la zboruri de observa]ie `n cabina de comand\ [i `n cabina de pasageri. ~n acest mod activitatea opera]ional\ a operatorului este auditat\.

WHAT IS IOSA? IOSA is an audit programme that evaluates an airline operator from the point of view of the safety of operations. The acronym IOSA stands for IATA Operational Safety Audit. The industry of the commercial airline transport needed a shared safety benchmark that would go beyond national borders, alliances or business patterns and therefore IATA (the International Air Transport Association) created the IOSA programme.

WHAT IS THIS AUDIT ABOUT? HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM INTERNAL AUDITS, LET’S SAY... The purpose of the IOSA is to offer a standard programme for auditing operational management and control systems of an airline operator that is based on internationally acknowledged standards aiming at supporting the air transport industry by improving operations and reducing the number of accomplished audits. IATA authorised 8 audit organisations worldwide that have the capacity to carry out the IOSA audits. The IOSA

audit is an external audit, and the auditors collaborate with the audit organisations. When finalizing the audit process and solving possible identified non-conformities, airline operators are listed by IATA in the IOSA Register. Currently, there are 193 operators listed in this register this being an confirmation of the successful completion of the IOSA audit.

HOW CAN AN AIRLINE COMPANY CONDUCT AN IOSA AUDIT? ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL COSTS OR REQUIREMENTS THAT NEED BE FULFILLED? The IOSA audit is designed for all airline operators. For the IATA members this audit is compulsory in order to maintain their membership with this organisation. IATA members not listed in the IOSA register until the end of 2008 will lose their membership. There are also companies that are not IATA members, but decided to be IOSA audited to certify an equivalent safety standard. To ensure full transparency, all official documents of the pro-

INSIGHT TAROM

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

O companie `nregistrat\ `n registrul IOSA este `n elita companiilor mondiale `n ceea ce prive[te siguran]a opera]iunilor de zbor ∫ A company listed in the IOSA register is one of the elite companies in the world with concern at the safety of flight operations. AT THE MID OF THIS JANUARY, AN AUDIT TOOK PLACE AT THE NATIONAL AIRLINE COMPANY TAROM. THE AUDIT WAS PERFORMED BY PARC AVIATION, ONE OF THE 8 IATA ORGANISATIONS AUTHORIZED TO CARRY OUT THE IOSA AUDITS WORLDWIDE - AN “OSCAR” IN THE FIELD OF THE SAFETY OF FLIGHT OPERATIONS. FOLLOWING THE AUDIT, TAROM CONFIRMED ITS CERTIFICATION RECEIVED IN 2007, AND EXTENDED IT UNTIL 2010.

Drago[ Munteanu, Safety & Quality Manager TAROM Photo: Iulian Gheorghe

~n cele 5 zile ale auditului sunt auditate 8 zone ale operatorului aerian: Organizarea (ORG), Opera]iunile zbor (FLT), Controlul opera]ional [i dispeceratul (DSP), ~ntre]inerea aeronavelor (MNT), Siguran]a cabinei de pasageri (CAB), Deservirea aeronavelor la sol (GRH), Opera]iunile CARGO (CGO) [i Securitatea Opera]ional\ (SEC).

PE CE PERIOAD| SE ACORD| O CERTIFICARE IOSA? Certificarea IOSA se acord\ pentru o perioad\ de doi ani. La fiecare doi ani, compania TAROM trece prin acela[i proces de auditare.

DE CÂND ESTE TAROM AUDITAT IOSA? Primul audit IOSA a avut loc `n mai 2006, iar TAROM figureaz\ `n registrul IOSA din primavara anului trecut. ~n perioada 07 ianuarie 2008 - 11 ianuarie 2008, TAROM a fost auditat\ pentru a doua oar\, pentru prelungirea certific\rii cu `nc\ doi ani. Câte companii aeriene sunt auditate IOSA? ~n acest moment `n registrul IOSA sunt 193 de companii care au trecut cu succes cel pu]in un audit. Un audit se consider\ „promovat“ atunci c‚nd toate standardele IOSA sunt `ndeplinite, adic\ comentate [i implementate.

CARE SUNT BENEFICIILE DIRECTE PENTRU PASAGERI ALE UNEI ASTFEL DE AUDIT|RI? O companie care este `nregistrat\ `n registrul IOSA este `n elita companiilor mondiale `n ceea ce prive[te siguran]a opera]iunilor de zbor. Pentru TAROM `nscrierea `n registrul IOSA este o alt\ confirmare c\ suntem un lider pe plan mondial `n domeniul siguran]ei [i al calit\]ii.

CÂTE COMPANII AERIENE OPEREAZ| AST|ZI LA NIVEL MONDIAL? Este destul de dificil s\ oferim un r\spuns exact la aceast\ `ntrebare `ntrun domeniu at‚t de dinamic [i de concuren]ial. Un r\spuns aproximativ ar fi peste 3 000. ∫

gramme are available on the Internet, on IATA’s website. IOSA standards are included in the ISM mannual (IOSA Standards Manual) and cover over 900 items. One airline operator has to prove its conformity for each of them. In order to be audited, a company must sign a tripartite contract with IATA and an audit organisation that specifies details concerning the audit performance. The cost for an IOSA audit for an airline company is around 50 000 USD.

WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE AUDITING PERIOD AND WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF? The onsite audit lasts for 5 days at the operator’s headquarters. Before the audit, the auditors participate as observers at training sessions on simulator and at observation flights in the control cabin and in the passengers’ cabin. This is how the operational activity of the operator is audited. During the 5 days of the audit, 8 areas of the airline operator are audited: Organisation (ORG), Flight Operations (FLT), Operational Control-Flight Dispatch (DSP), Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance (MNT), Cabin Operations (CAB), Ground Handling (GRH), CARGO Operations (CGO) and Operational Security (SEC).

HOW LONG IS AN IOSA CERTIFICATION VALID FOR? The IOSA certification is awarded for a period of two years. Every two years, TAROM undergoes the same auditing process.

WHEN DID TAROM START UNDERGO THE IOSA AUDIT? The first IOSA audit took place in May 2006, and TAROM was listed in the IOSA Register in the last spring. The 7th of January 2008 - the 11th of January 2008, this is the period when TAROM was audited for the second time to extend its certification for two more years.

HOW MANY COMPANIES ARE AUDITED UNDER THE IOSA PROGRAMME? Currently, 193 companies that have successfully accomplished at least one audit are listed in the IOSA Register. One audit is “passed“ if all IOSA standards are reached, meaning addressed and implemented.

WHICH ARE THE DIRECT BENEFITS OF SUCH AN AUDIT AT THE PASSENGERS’ LEVEL? A company listed in the IOSA register is one of the elite companies in the world with concern at the safety of flight operations. For TAROM being listed in the IOSA register is a confirmation more that we are a worldwide leader in the field of safety and quality.

HOW MANY AIRLINE COMPANIES DO OPERATE TODAY WORLDWIDE? It is quite difficult to give an accurate answer to this question coming from such a dynamic and challenging field. An approx answer would be over 3 000. ∫

BUCURE{TIUL REDESCOPERIT

Bucharest Rediscovered

54 Maria Filotti, actri]\ a Teatrului Na]ional / Maria Filotti, actress of the National Theatre

~NCEPUTURILE FR|MÂNTATE ALE TEATRULUI ROMÂNESC AU ~NSEMNAT MUNCA {I IUBIREA CELOR CE {I-AU ~MPLETIT DESTINELE CU SCENA. EI PORNEAU LA DRUM CU PILDA TRUPELOR STR|INE AJUNSE PE LA NOI {I ~NRÂURIREA TEATRULUI FRANCEZ ∫ THE TORMENTED BEGINNINGS OF THE ROMANIAN THEATRE CONSISTED OF THE WORK AND COMMITMENT OF THOSE WHO MISTOOK THEIR LIVES WITH THAT OF THE PERFORMANCE. THEY SET OFF FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF THE FOREIGN THEATRE COMPANIES THAT CAME TO VISIT US AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE FRENCH THEATRE.

By Lelia Zamani

CUM A IE{IT LA RAMP| TEATRUL ROMÅNESC

HOW THE ROMANIAN THEATRE DID GET OVER THE FOOTLIGHTS

INSIGHT TAROM

nc\ la 1798, domnitorul Hangerliu `ng\duise unor comedian]i ca Théodore Blesiet, Giovanni Mueni, Francisc Bevilach, s\ colinde liberi ]ara, `mp\rt\[ind rom‚nilor me[te[ugul lor. Au venit saltimbanci turci, atle]i nem]i, gimna[ti greci, `n primele decenii ale veacului XIX. Au str\b\tut }ara Rom‚neasc\ trupe de teatru [i oper\ european\. Greu s-au `nfiripat [i trupe rom‚ne[ti, c\ci „concuren]a“ str\in\ era `ncurajat\ de c‚rmuire, cu subven]ii [i favoruri. {i totu[i, spectacolele erau pentru tinerii actori rom‚ni adev\rate lec]ii de interpretare, iar publicul se deprindea treptat cu teatrul cult. Cum teatrul francez se bucura de prestigiu, rom‚nii au preluat o serie de piese de-ale sale [i maniera de interpretare a parizienilor.

ZESTREA DOMNI}EI RALU Se sim]ea tot mai mult nevoia unui l\ca[ al artei dramatice. ~n vechea mahala Popa D‚rva[, mai apoi „Biserica Alb\“, era `n vremea lui Vod\ Caragea o pia]\ unde domni]a Raluca pusese s\ se construiasc\ o sal\. A fost primul teatru al Bucure[tilor. Cl\direa, ridicat\ `n iarna lui 1817, se afla l‚ng\ F‚nt‚na sau Ci[meaua Ro[ie (probabil din c\r\mid\ netencuit\), [i de aceea i s-a spus Teatrul de la Ci[meaua Ro[ie. Avea o sal\ de spectacole [i c‚teva od\i. ~ntr-una dintre camere, sevitorii `[i a[teptau st\pânii. O alta ad\postea proviziile de dulce]uri, rachiuri [i r\coritoare pentru spectatori. ~n sala propriu-zis\, scena era desp\r]it\ de public cu o cortin\ `nf\]i[‚ndu-l pe Apollo, cu lira pe genunchi. ~ntr-un spa]iu mic se `nghesuiau mul]ime de scaune [i pupitre destinate orchestrei. Cu adev\rat aparte era locul spectatorilor: trei r‚nduri de loje cu postav ro[u [i perdele de chembric\, bine apretate. ~n dreapta, o sofa de catifea ro[ie, ®

Prim\var\/Spring 2008

Constantin Nottara `n „Regele Lear“ Constantin Nottara in “King Lear“

ince 1798, the ruler Hangerliu allowed some comedians like Théodore Blesiet, Giovanni Mueni, and Francisc Bevilach to wander freely throughout the country and share their craftsmanship to Romanians. During the first decades of the 19th century there came Turkish tumblers, German athletes, and Greek gymnasts. European theatre and opera companies crossed }ara Rom‚neasc\. Romanian companies struggled to came to life, because the foreign “competition“ was encouraged by the very establishment of the country by the means of grants and favours. Yet still, Romanian young actors saw entertainments as true acting lessons, and the audience slowly started to feel the taste of the literary theatre. In time, more and ®

BUCURE{TIUL REDESCOPERIT

Bucharest Rediscovered

® pentru domnitor. ~n mijloc, lavi]e c\ptu[ite tot cu postav ro[u. Sala era luminat\ cu lum‚n\ri de seu, `n sfe[nice de tinichea. C‚nd venea Vod\, se puneau lum‚n\ri de cear\. ~naltul personaj era anun]at solemn de un dreg\tor intitulat Selam-Ceau[ul cur]ii. Publicul se ridica [i striga de trei ori „Tr\iasc\ M\ria Sa!“ Domni]a Ralu a adus de la Viena, `n august 1818, trupa unui anume Gherghy. Repertoriul lor cuprindea piese dramatice, dar [i opere muzicale italiene [i germane. Cum Eteria `ncepuse s\ `nfl\c\reze visele de libertate, l‚ng\ reprezenta]iile vienezilor se jucau [i piese `n greac\, cu actori de la [coala greceasc\. Interpret\rile frem\tau de patriotism. ~n replic\, la 1819, sa pus [i o pies\ `n limba rom‚n\, „Hecuba“ lui Euripide, tradus\ de A. N\nescu. S-au mai jucat c‚teva comedii u[oare, apoi evenimentele politice au stins orice manifestare teatral\. Iar Teatrul de la Ci[meaua Ro[ie a pierit c‚]iva ani mai t‚rziu, `n fl\c\ri, [i n-a mai ren\scut...

® more people started to attend

performances carried out in Romanian. And because the French theatre was very prestigious at the time, Romanians took over some of its plays and the Parisians’ acting manner.

LADY RALU’S INHERITANCE

Teatrul Na]ional, numit la `nceput „Teatrul cel Mare“, s-a ridicat pe locul fostului Han Filaret, `necat pe la 1830 `ntr-o balt\ mare, unde ®

A halidom was needed for the dramatic art. In the old Popa D‚rva[ slum, latter called “Biserica Alb\“, during the Vod\ Caragea’s time, there was a square where Lady Raluca ordered to have a place built. It was the first theatre in Bucharest. The building, finished in 1817, set

Elena Leonard `n „Dupe divor]“ / Elena Leonard in “After divorce“

Matei Millo

COSTACHE CARAGIALE {I FARSA... ITALIAN|

next to the F‚nt‚na also known as the Ci[meaua Ro[ie - The Red Spring. That is why it was called Teatrul de la Ci[meaua Ro[ie The Theatre from the Red Spring. It had a performance room and few other chambers. In one of these, servants used to wait for their masters. Another one was the place where an array of confiture, spirits and refreshments were kept for the spectators. In the performance room, the stage was separated from the audience by a curtain that depicted Apollo with the lyre on his knees. A huge number of chairs and desks were crowded in small space ®

BUCURE{TIUL REDESCOPERIT

Bucharest Rediscovered

® to accommodate the orches-

N.Leonard `n „Prin] [i bandit“ / N.Leonard in “Prince and Bandit“

® or\c\iau broa[tele. Lucr\rile, `ncredin]ate arhitectului vienez Helft, au `nceput `n 1846, dar n-au fost terminate dec‚t `n 1852. Piesa inaugural\ a fost „Zoe sau un amor rom‚nesc“, `n ale c\rei roluri principale au jucat Costache Caragiale [i Nini Valery. Costache Caragiale, actor cu adev\rat `mp\timit, a fost la `nceput dasc\l de greac\ la [coala de la Domni]a B\la[a. ~n teatru n-a precupe]it nimic: nici s\n\tatea, nici timpul, nici avutul [i nici bijuteriile so]iei sale, pentru a-[i `njgheba o trup\. Se poveste[te c\ `n 1845, c‚nd s-a anun]at c\ vine un mare tenor italian, a[teptat de domnitor [i toat\ protipendada bucure[tean\, l-a invitat pe acesta, `nainte de spectacol, la mas\ pl\tind cu ultimii s\i bani. Italianul s-a osp\tat cu „o zacusc\ stra[nic\, salat\ de ]âri, licurini s\ra]i [i sardele ruse[ti cu ardei, s\ poat\ luneca Dr\g\[aniul mai bine pe g‚t. {i at‚ta Dr\g\[ani a alunecat `n seara aceea pe g‚tul lui Riciardi, `nc‚t a doua zi era r\gu[it `n a[a hal c\ nici nu mai putea vorbi, dar `nc\ s\ c‚nte“. Atunci, Costache Caragiale a venit la Momolo, care era disperat, oferindu-se s\-l ajute. Momolo a acceptat recunosc\tor, iar Caragiale [i trupa lui au ar\tat at‚ta patos [i talent `nc‚t sala a ova]ionat jocul `ndelung. Vod\ `nsu[i l-a felicitat pe marele actor [i i-a dat 5.000 de galbeni. Concuren]a fusese anihilat\ ... Costache Caragiale a fost, al\turi de compozitorul [i dirijorul Wachmann, primul director al Teatrului Na]ional. ~n 1855, l-a `nlocuit Matei Millo, urmat de Pascally. Teatrul Na]ional a cunoscut atunci o revigorare `nsemnat\, Pascally, extrem de energic [i destoinic, fiind deodat\ director [i traduc\tor, decorator, ma[inist [i mai ales un exigent profesor pentru actorii s\i. Gheorghe Crutzescu scria c\, `n seara de 24 ianuarie 1863, c‚nd pe scena Teatrului Na]ional s-a urcat `nsu[i domnitorul Alexandru Ioan Cuza, iar `n acordurile orchestrei operei italiene [i a strunelor l\ut\re[ti s-a jucat, de c\tre `ntreaga aleas\ adunare a ]\rii, Hora Unirii, Teatrul Na]ional era deja pe f\ga[ul gloriei sale... ∫

tra. Spectators’ seats were quite special: three rows of loges dressed in red cloth and well starched cambric curtains. On the right, a red velvet sofa - for the ruler. In the middle, benches also covered in red cloth. The room was lighted by dips placed in plated lampads. When the ruler came, they brought in the bougles. His Highness was solemnly introduced by a beneficiary called the Selam-Ceau[ul of the court. The audience raised and yelled three times “Long live His Highness!“ Lady Ralu brought from Viena, in August 1818, the company of a certain Gherghy. Their repertoire included plays and Italian and German musical lyric dramas: “Saul“, “Ida“, “Brigands“, “Faust“, “Moses in Egypt“, “Magic Flute“, “Idomeneu“. As Eteria started to exalt dreams of freedom, along with the Viennese performances, Greek plays were also enacted by actors from the Greek school. Acting was inflamed by patriotism. In reply, in 1819, a play in Romanian, Euripide’s “Hecuba“, translated by A. Nanescu, was performed. Some other light comedies were also on, but afterwards political events dimmed any theatrical expression. And the theatre from the Red Spring perished in flames within years failing to resurrect...

COSTACHE CARAGIALE AND THE ITALIAN... FARCE The National Theatre, called in the beginning “The Great Theatre“, took the place of the former Filaret Inn, covered around 1830 by a huge swamp inhabited by croaking frogs. Works were committed to the Viennese architect Helft and started in 1846, but they weren’t finalised until 1852. The inaugural play was “Zoe or a Romanian Love Affair“ and the leading roles belonged to Costache Caragiale and Nini Valery. Costache Caragiale, a

dedicated actor, started out as a Greek teacher at the school from Domni]a B\la[a. In order to put together a theatre company he gambled everything he owned: his health, his fortune and his wife’s jewellery. They say that around 1845, when the rumour had it that a great Italian tenor was expected by the ruler and by the entire aristocracy from Bucharest, Costache Caragiale invited him to a before the show dinner, paying with his last money. The Italian feasted on “glorious zacusca, sprat salad, salted fatback and Russian sardines with hot pepper to help the Dr\g\[ani wine go down the throat. So much Dr\g\[ani went down Riciardi’s throat that night, that the next day he had such a coarse voice that he couldn’t even speak, let aside sing“. And then, Costache Caragiale came to Momolo who was desperate and offered to help. Momolo accepted with gratitude and Caragiale and his fellows proved to be so dedicated and talented that the audience cheered endlessly. His Highness also congratulated the great actor and gave him 5000 galbeni. Competition was thus annihilated... Costache Caragiale was, next to Wachmann - composer and conductor, the first director of the National Theatre. He replaced Matei Millo in 1855 and was followed by Pascally. The National Theatre revived spectacularly, as Pascally, an extremely energetic and capable man, played the part of the director and of the translator, of the decorator and the machinist and especially of the strict teacher to his students. Gheorghe Crutzescu wrote that in the evening of the 24th of January 1863, when Alexandru Ioan Cuza himself stepped on the stage of the National Theatre joining the nations’ elected leaders for the Union Hora danced on the notes of Italian opera and fiddlers’ songs, the National Theatre was already on the way to gain its glory... ∫

TRADI}II

Traditions

By Iuliana B\lan

Pelerinaj de Florii, la Ia[i / Pilgrimage on Palm Sunday, at Iasi. Photo Liviu Chirica/MEDIAFAX

FLORIILE: PALM SUNDAY: O S|RB|TOARE AN IMPERIAL ~MP|R|TEASC| CELEBRATION EVOCÂND INTRAREA MÂNTUITORULUI ~N IERUSALIM, C|LARE PE ASIN, ~NTÂMPINAT DE MUL}IME CU FLORI {I OVA}II, S|RB|TOAREA FLORIILOR ~MBIN| FERICIT ELEMENTELE CRE{TINE {I PRECRE{TINE ~N TRADI}II {I OBICEIURI PITORE{TI I COMMEMORATING THE ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM, RIDING A DONKEY, ACCLAIMED WITH LOTS OF FLOWERS AND OVATIONS, THE PALM SUNDAY COMBINES IN BLISSFUL PICTURESQUE TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS CHRISTIAN AND PRE-CHRISTIAN ELEMENTS.

loriile deschid pentru rom‚nii ortodoc[i ciclul s\rb\torilor pascale, care se `ncheie o dat\ cu ~n\l]area lui Iisus (la 40 de zile de la S\rb\toarea Pa[telui). Intrarea Domnului Iisus Hristos `n Ierusalim este singurul moment din via]a Sa p\mânteasc\ `n care a acceptat s\ fie aclamat ca `mp\rat, `mplinind o proorocire din Vechiul Testament. Astfel, to]i cei care se aflau `n cetate, sim]ind c\ `nsu[i Dumnezeu a venit `n lume, L-au `nt`mpinat cu ramuri de finic [i de m\slin, strig‚nd: „Osana! Bine este cuv‚ntat Cel ce vine `ntru numele Domnului!“

he Palm Sunday starts the series of Romanian Easter Celebrations which end with the Holy Thursday (40 days after the Easter). The entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is the only moment of His earthly life when he accepted to be acclaimed as an emperor,

thus fulfilling a prophecy from the Old Testament. All those present in the city, sensing that God Himself descended into the world, greeted Him with date and olive branches while saying: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!“

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SALCIA BINECUVÂNTAT|

BLESSED WILLOW

Floriile, una dintre cele dou\sprezece S\rb\tori ~mp\r\te[ti de peste an, cade `n duminica dinaintea Pa[tilor. Credincio[ii care postesc au `n aceast\ zi dezlegare la pe[te: pot m‚nca pe[te [i beau un pahar de vin. La rom‚ni, `n duminica Floriilor, numit\ [i a St‚lp\rilor sau a Vl\starelor, se culeg crengi de salcie, cu muguri, sfin]ite apoi la biseric\, prin rug\ciune, [i stropite cu agheasm\, dup\ care se `mpart cre[tinilor. Se spune c\ Fecioara Maria voind s\ treac\ un r‚u, o salcie s-a aplecat peste ape, ca s-o ajute. Fecioara a binecuv‚ntat salcia s\ nu ajung\ niciodat\ c\rbune [i i-a sortit s\ fie dus\ `n fiecare an la biseric\. Cu crengu]ele sfin]ite, oamenii se `ntorc acas\ [i le a[az\ pe la icoane, pe la u[i, ferestre [i por]i; le p\streaz\ acolo tot anul ca s\-i apere de r\u; le dau [i vitelor s\ m\n‚nce, ca s\ se `nmul]easc\ s\n\toase; le `nfig `n p\m‚ntul holdelor, le at‚rn\ `n pomi pentru rod bogat, iar apicultorii `nconjoar\ stupii cu ele. Cine voia s\ v‚nd\ un lucru, `l atingea cu salcia sfin]it\, iar cump\r\torii se `nghesuiau. Femeile [i b\rba]ii se `ncing cu crengu]ele, s\ vindece durerile de [ale. Iar acela care `nghite trei muguri `ntregi de salcie nu mai are dureri de g‚t un an `ntreg. Se spune despre cel ce se `mp\rt\[e[te la Florii c\ i se va `mplini orice dorin]\ `[i pune c‚nd se apropie de preot. Exista credin]a c\ acum `nfloresc urzicile, nemaifiind bune de m‚ncat (de unde o alt\ denumire a s\rb\torii, „Nunta Urzicilor“). De Florii nu se lucreaz\, singura treab\ `ng\duit\ fiind primenirea lucrurilor: hainele [i zestrea sunt scoase afar\, la aer. ~n unele zone, m\r]i[orul d\ruit de 1 martie se leag\ `ntr-un m\ce[ sau `ntr-un pom `nflorit. Pe vreme de furtun\, se pun pe foc ® muguri din s\lciile sfin]ite, pentru a `mpr\[tia norii [i grindina.

The Palm Sunday is one of the twelve Imperial Celebrations of the church year and is kept on the Sunday before the Easter. Believers who feast have a dispensation for fish: they can eat fish and have a glass of wine. As for Romanians, the Palm Sunday, also called the Lay Sunday, they gather willow

branches with buds which are then sanctified through prayers and sprayed with holy water and afterwards given to Christians. They say that Virgin Mary wanted to cross a river and a willow bended to help Her. The Mother blessed the willow never to turn to coal and ordained it to be brought to ® church every year.

S\teni din Vi[tea, Cluj, `n Duminica Floriilor / Villagers from Vistea, Cluj, during the Palm Sunday. Photo: Haaz Sandor/MEDIAFAX

TRADI}II

Traditions

® La ]ar\, pe vremuri, la miezul nop]ii dinspre Florii, fetele fierbeau ap\ cu busuioc. Se sp\lau cu apa aceasta pe p\r [i spuneau: „Cum e p\rul c‚nd e `nflorit, a[a s\ fiu [i eu de frumoas\ ! Cum se uit\ oamenii la un p\r `nflorit, a[a s\ se uite [i la mine!“

Tradi]ii / Traditions

~MPLETITURI PENTRU PACE {I BEL{UG Francezii ]in s\rb\toarea `nc\ din secolul al IX-lea. Ramuri `nverzite, meri[or, dar [i laur sau m\slin, simboliz‚nd vitalitatea, se sfin]esc la ®

People take the sanctified branches home and lay them around doors, windows and gates; they keep them there all year round to be protected from evil; they also

(whence another name of the celebration, “The Wedding of the Nettles“). One should not work on the Palm Sunday, only cleaning things is allowed: clothes and dower are to

Târgul de Florii la Muzeul }\ranului Român / Palm Sunday Fair at the Romanian Peasant Museum Photo: Silviu Matei/MEDIAFAX

give some to the cattle, to breed; they put some in the grain field, they hang them in the trees to get ripe fruits and bee keepers use them to circle around beehives. One who wishes to sell something would touch it with the holy willow and buyers would rush to get it. Men and women put branches around their waist to heal the pain. And one who swallows three whole willow buds is cured of throat pains for the year to follow.

be given an airing. In some areas, the amulet received on the 1st of March is bound up to a brier or to a blooming tree. If it’s stormy, buds of holy willows are put on fire to dissipate the clouds and the hail. In the countryside, at midnight before the Palm Sunday, girls used to boil basil. They would wash their hair with this water and say: “May I be beautiful like a blooming pear tree! May people see me as they see a blooming pear tree!“

BEAUTIFUL LIKE A BLOOMING PEAR TREE

WICKERWORK FOR PEACE AND PLENTY

They say any wish you might have will be fulfilled if you go to the priest for communion on the Palm Sunday. There’s the belief that nettles are now in bloom and they can not be cooked anymore

Frenchmen started to keep the celebration in the 9 th century. Green branch, cranberry, but also laurel or olive, symbolizing vitality, are sanctified in a mass and then laid down on graves or in the ®

TRADI}II

Traditions

® biseric\, apoi sunt a[ternute pe morminte [i prin case. ~n sudul Europei, `ns\ [i `n Quebec, sunt folosite ramuri de palmier. ~n Anglia, ca [i `n Polonia, salcie, `n Olanda - ilex, `n Germania meri[or. Corsicanii `mpletesc [i ei ramuri de palmier, simboliz‚nd puritatea, deoarece, la intrarea lui Iisus `n Ierusalim, p\m‚ntul trebuia s\ fie curat sub copitele asinului care-l purta. Chiar [i despre patrupedul amintit se spune c\ de atunci poart\ pe spate o cruce, format\ din coama sa [i o f‚[ie de p\r scurt. Sunt aduse [i crengi de m\slin, semnific‚nd pacea [i abunden]a. ~n general, ele se p\streaz\ tot anul, dup\ ce au fost binecuv‚ntate la biseric\, `n ziua de Florii. ∫

O INVITA}IE LA TÂRG A devenit o adev\rat\ tradi]ie bucure[tean\ ca la Muzeul }\ranului Rom‚n s\ se fac\ T‚rg, `ncep‚nd de vineri [i p‚n\ `n seara din duminica Floriilor. Trei zile de s\rb\toare, adun‚nd me[teri din toat\ ]ara, veni]i cu icoane, ou\ `ncondeiate, flori, pristolnice, scoar]e [i blide, `mpletituri, cus\turi [i-nflorituri, macate, oale, c‚te [i mai c‚te lucruri necesare `nnoirilor de prim\var\. Sute de oaspe]i rom‚ni [i str\ini calc\ pragul muzeului `n acele zile, ca s\ mai cumpere una, alta, s\ asculte muzic\ de taraf, s\ se desfete cu m‚nc\rurile tradi]ionale [i s\ `nchine un pahar de vin cu ai lor. Gazdele `i a[teapt\ [i `n acest an, `ntre 18 [i 20 aprilie, s\ petreac\ [i s\ t‚rguiasc\.

OBICEIURI, FARMECE {I CREDIN}E ∫ ~n ajunul Floriilor, `n Banat [i Transilvania, fetele mari obi[nuiau s\ pun\ c\ut\toarea (oglinda) [i o c\ma[\ curat\, sub un p\r altoit, ca neap\rat, a doua zi, r\s\ritul soarelui s\ le g\seasc\ acolo. Cu oglinda se f\ceau apoi farmecele de dragoste [i s\n\tate. ∫ Femeile fac copturi, mai ales pl\cinte, pe care le `mp\r]esc s\racilor de poman\, s\ nu p\]easc\ [i ele ca mama lui Laz\r, care a murit de dor de pl\cinte, sau c\ avutul care nu i-a dat lui Laz\r cel s\rac o f\r\mitur\ de pâine, s\-[i potoleasc\ foamea. ∫ Mormintele sunt cur\]ate [i `mpodobite cu ramuri de salcâm, se fac pomeni pentru odihna sufleteasc\ a celor du[i dintre noi. ∫ Vinerea Floriilor - face parte din „vinerile scumpe“ `mpreun\ cu Vinerea ou\lor [i Vinerea Cr\ciunului. Ele se ]in cu credin]a c\ oamenii vor fi feri]i de arsuri.

® house. In the South of Europe

and in Quebec palm branches are used. In England and Poland - willow, in Holland - ilex, in Germany cranberry. Corsicans entwine palm branches that symbolize purity as, once Jesus entered into Jerusalem, the earth had to be clean underneath the hooves of the donkey

that carried Him. They say about the above-mentioned four-footed that it then started to carry a cross on its back, a cross shaped by its mane and a strip of short hair. Olive branches are also used to render the idea of peace and plenty. In general, after they are sanctified at church on Palm Sunday, they are preserved all year through. ∫

AN INVITATION TO THE FAIR It’s now a tradition for the people of Bucharest to take part in the fair at the Peasant Museum, since Friday till the eve before the Palm Sunday. Three days of celebration bringing together craftsmen from throughout the country. They bring icons, painted eggs, rugs and dishes, wickerwork, ornaments, coverlets, pots and many other artefacts needed for a spring renewal. Hundreds of Romanian and foreign guests come to the museum to buy one thing or another, to listen to folk music, eat tradition dishes and toast with their family. Entertainers expect them this year to party and do everything that’s appropriate to a fair.

CUSTOMS, CHARMS AND BELIEVES ∫ On the Palm Sunday Vigil, young maidens used to place the mirror and a clean shirt underneath an engrafted pear tree for the sunrise to look upon them the very next day. The mirror was then used for love and health charms. ∫ Women prepare home-made cookies, especially pies that are dispensed to the poor, for they do not want to end up like Lazarus’ mum - she died because of the longing for pies, or like the rich man who didn’t give any crumbs to Lazarus to ease his hunger. ∫ Graves are now purified and adorned with willow branches, and people receive alms gifts for the souls of the departed ones. ∫ The Friday before Palm Sunday is one of the holy Fridays (along with Eggs Friday and the Friday before Christmas) that people keep to avoid getting burned.

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GALERIE FOTO

Photo Gallery

PORTOFOLIO Alin Popescu SPUNE DESPRE SINE C| ESTE IUBITOR DE FOTOGRAFIE {I NU FOTOGRAF. IMAGINEA {I CULOAREA L-AU FASCINAT DIN COPIL|RIE CÂND COCHETA CU PICTURA. MAI TÂRZIU, ~N STUDEN}IE, {I-A CUMP|RAT PRIMUL APARAT FOTO. {I TOT DE ATUNCI FOTOGRAFIAZ|.

HE DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS BEING IN LOVE WITH PHOTOGRAPHY, NEVERTHELESS NOT A PHOTOGRAPHER. AS A YOUNG CHILD WHO LOVED TO PAINT, HE WAS FASCINATED BY COLORS AND IMAGES. YEARS LATER, AS A STUDENT, HE BOUGHT HIS FIRST CAMERA. AND HE HAS BEEN TAKING PICTURES SINCE.

GALERIE FOTO

Photo Gallery

,,N

u m\ `ntre]in din fotografie, `ns\ recurg c‚teodat\ la [edin]e pl\tite, ca s\-mi pot cump\ra echipamente noi apoi. Am c‚[tigat [i dou\ premii la concursuri de fotografii, unul na]ional [i unul interna]ional. Dar cel de care sunt `ntr-adev\r m‚ndru este premiul cel mare la concursul Microsoft Future Pro Photographer, `n 2006. Am vorbit suficient, e timpul s\ las fotografiile s\ vorbeasc\ acum.“

don’t do photography for living, but sometimes I go for some paid sessions in order to be able to get new equipment. I’ve won couple of prizes in photography contests, national and international, but the one I’m really proud of is the Grand Prize on Microsoft Future Pro Photographer 2006. Enough with the words, I let my photos do the talk.“

ITINERARII BANI & AFACERIAir Treks Money & Business

SIVECO Romania implements successful international projects

SIVECO Romania dezvolt\ proiecte de succes la nivel interna]ional xpertiza dob‚ndit\ de companie `n ultimii 16 ani reprezint\ un important avantaj competitiv pentru participarea `n proiecte interna]ionale. SIVECO Romania [i-a c‚[tigat deja [i consolidat pozi]ia de furnizor de solu]ii eficiente de eLearning, EAS, Document Management, Business Intelligence, eHealth, eGovernment, eAgriculture, eCustoms [i eBusiness pe pie]ele externe. „Consolidarea calit\]ii companiei de exportator de know-how `n domeniul eLearning-ului precum [i recunoa[terea expertizei speciali[tilor s\i `n derularea de proiecte informatice de mare anvergur\ este demonstrat\ at‚t prin proiectele implementate, c‚t [i prin ob]inerea a numeroase distinc]ii prestigioase“, a declarat {tefan Morcov, Line of Business Senior Director `n cadrul SIVECO Romania. ~n prezent, SIVECO Romania particip\ la amplul program de informatizare a sistemului educa]ional din Cipru prin dezvoltarea a dou\ proiecte cheie din cadrul acestuia: implementarea platformei de instruire asistat\ de calculator [i implementarea de con]inut educa]ional multimedia interactiv pentru `nv\]\m‚ntul liceal [i tehnologic. Solu]ia de eLearning AeL, implementat\ `n cadrul proiectelor din Cipru, ofer\ suport pentru predare [i `nv\]are `n clas\ [i `n afara [colii, testare [i evaluare precum [i creare de con]inut educa]ional. De asemenea, este `n derulare proiectul pentru con]inut educa]ional multimedia interactiv pentru elevii din `nv\]\m‚ntul secundar teoretic, tehnic [i voca]ional din Cipru. ~n cadrul aceluia[i proiect se vor organiza sesiuni de instruire adresate profesorilor [i se va realiza implementarea complet\ a solu]iei `n 49 de [coli. ~n Emiratele Arabe Unite este `n curs de lansare portalul educa]ional na]ional, ce reprezint\ o component\ esen]ial\ a strategiei pe termen lung pe care Ministerul Educa]iei o urm\re[te `n vederea informatiz\rii sectorului educa]ional. Accesul liber la portal `ncurajeaz\ o comunicare `mbun\t\]it\ `ntre p\r]ile implicate [i sus]ine `n acela[i timp transferul transparent de informa]ii. Portalul ofer\ un set de aplica]ii adecvate pentru diseminarea de informa]ii educa]ionale [i servicii, av‚nd poten]ialul de a oferi beneficii crescute pentru comunitate. Al\turi de implementarea platformei sale de eLearning `n Kuweit [i a sistemului de management al examenelor na]ionale `n Liban, SIVECO dezvolt\ [i alte proiecte de eLearning la nivel na]ional `n Moldova, `n spa]iul CIS [i `n ]\ri din nordul Africii. De asemenea, compania este implicat\ [i `n dezvoltarea de importante proiecte interna]ionale pe zonele de eAgriculture [i eHealth, `n Cipru, respectiv Bulgaria. ∫

PENTRU INFORMA}II SUPLIMENTARE

he expertise the company acquired in the last 16 years represents an important competitive advantage for participating in international projects. SIVECO Romania succeeded in being an important provider and software integrator of efficient solutions on eLearning, EAS, Document Management, Business Intelligence, eHealth, eGovernment, eAgriculture, eCustoms and eBusiness for the international markets. “The confirmation of the quality of our company’s eLearning know-how export, as well as the recognition of our specialists’ expertise in running major IT projects is proved by the success of the implemented projects as well as the numerous and significant international awards received“ declared {tefan Morcov, Line of Business Senior Director with SIVECO Romania. Currently SIVECO Romania takes part in the major program of introducing IT&C into the Cypriot national educational system by developing 2 key projects: the implementation of the learning management system and the implementation of multimedia interactive educational content for the technological and high-school educational system. AeL, the eLearning solution implemented within the projects in Cyprus offers support for

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

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teaching and learning in school and after school hours, testing and evaluation as well as the possibility to create educational content. As part of the same project training sessions addressed to teachers will be organized, and a complete implementation of the solution will be realized in 49 pilot schools. In the United Arab Emirates SIVECO is carrying out the project of implementing an educational portal that represents an essential component of the long-term strategy developed by the Ministry of Education aiming at introducing IT&C into the educational system. Free access to the portal encourages a good communication of the parties involved and, at the same time, promotes a transparent transfer of information. The portal offers a set of applications fit for the dissemination of educational information and services, with potential to offer increased benefits to the community. In addition to the implementation of the eLearning platform in Kuwait and the national examinations management system in Lebanon, SIVECO develops national eLearning projects in Moldavia, the CIS region, as well as in the northern Africa. The company is also involved in implementing major international projects of eAgriculture and eHealth – in Cyprus and Bulgaria. ∫

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