On the 19th of February 2004 came Romanians’ turn to introduce their country to the IUB community within Mercator’s Country Information Day Series (thus being the 6th CID and the opening one for 2004). Under the heading “Romania – simply surprising”, those attending had the opportunity to explore the country, meet the people and experience the culture in less than two hours!

The Romanian community at IUB, consisting of more than 60 students, sought to introduce the audience to their most specific: legends, facts, traditions and folklore.

The history of the Romanian people traces back 2000 years ago when the Romans conquered the local population. Although speaking the same language, following the same religion and sharing a common origin, it took a World War I to unite Romanians into one country. The presentation would not have been complete without an incursion into the dark communist rule as well as into the (in)famous ’89 bloody revolution.

Among the other presented things were: the centuries old wine tradition, started by the first king of the Dacians, the myth of Dracula and its origins, as well as geographic attractions like the Danube Delta, muddy volcanoes or the Carpathians, etc. People of culture like Mircea Eliade, Constantin Brancusi or Mihai Eminescu were mentioned side by side with illustrious scientists such as George Palade, Henri Coanda, or Traian Vuia.

The patience of the audience was fully rewarded by live performances like singing and dancing, along with a serving of ‘home-made’ Romanian dishes.

(Text by Nicolae Tecu)