Never mind what the poll numbers say (our survey ranked Bucharest among the least stylish cities in Europe ). In fact, Bucharest has its own thriving fashion scene. Romania has a long design tradition dating to the interwar period, though much of it was destroyed under communism. Now, with the country's economy growing rapidly as a result of European Union membership and more of its citizens able to afford the latest styles, a small group of young designers, many trained abroad, are trying to put Bucharest back on the fashion map. Despite Bucharest's poor fashion reputation, Romanian women can take their fashion seriously. "Romanian women have an obsession for 'trendy,' for brands," says Alin Galatescu, fashion analyst, instructor and director of Avanpremiere Concept, one of the city's big annual fashion events. The same can't be said of Romanian men. Outside of the standard-issue suits worn by bankers and lawyers, most men on the street prefer the "bodyguard" style: jeans, T-shirts, buzz haircuts, sneakers, mobile phones and sunglasses (day or night).
Showing posts with label bucharest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bucharest. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum in Bucharest was founded in 1834. It had different locations before the present one: in the University building, in the Academy Palace and more.
The edifice in the Victory Square that shelters the museum now was built starting at the beginning of the 20th century. The frontispice was designed by the arhitect Grigore Cerchez. It was opened on May 24th 1908, in the presence of king Carol the 1st , queen Maria and prince Ferdinand. On this occasion, only 16 of the rooms were opened for the public, the 11 remaining were added in 1914.
The name and the history of this museum are undoubtedly connected to Grigore Antipa’s personality, its manager for 51 years, starting in 1893. He was the one to give the museum a structure, created the collections, isisted to the governmen to build an edifice suited for the capital’s Natural History Museum. On the museum’s 1ooth anniversary and by the time Antipa had been managing it for 40 years already, its name was changed into „Grigore Antipa Museum”.
During the 40’s, the museum had a lot to suffer. The cause was the earthquake in 1940 and also the Second World War bombings, but it was entirely renovated and reopened in 1949 and added two more wings in 1957. The big earthquake in 1977 also damaged the building, that needed serious reparations.
The first perception one has entering the museum is the one of a frozen Zoo. The stuffed animals are placed in their habitat and you almost expect them to move behind the protecting glass. One of the main attractions is the squeleton of a Deinotherium gigantissimum, a few millon years old. It was discovered in Moldavia and, although it crushed during the 1977 earthquake, it was successfully restored.
Due to its impressive number of exhibits, the museum takes its visitors to a stroll in time and around the world. The diversity takes your breath away: from shells to birds, from snakes to fish, from meteors to fluorescent rocks, from man’s ancestors to monkeys, from reproductions to well-preserved squeletons.
The exhibits are not very well displayed and the explanations are a bit long and complicated, but the most appreciated one, especially by children, is the reproduction of a cave.
It’s a place worth visiting, both for learning new things and for having fun.
The edifice in the Victory Square that shelters the museum now was built starting at the beginning of the 20th century. The frontispice was designed by the arhitect Grigore Cerchez. It was opened on May 24th 1908, in the presence of king Carol the 1st , queen Maria and prince Ferdinand. On this occasion, only 16 of the rooms were opened for the public, the 11 remaining were added in 1914.
The name and the history of this museum are undoubtedly connected to Grigore Antipa’s personality, its manager for 51 years, starting in 1893. He was the one to give the museum a structure, created the collections, isisted to the governmen to build an edifice suited for the capital’s Natural History Museum. On the museum’s 1ooth anniversary and by the time Antipa had been managing it for 40 years already, its name was changed into „Grigore Antipa Museum”.
During the 40’s, the museum had a lot to suffer. The cause was the earthquake in 1940 and also the Second World War bombings, but it was entirely renovated and reopened in 1949 and added two more wings in 1957. The big earthquake in 1977 also damaged the building, that needed serious reparations.
The first perception one has entering the museum is the one of a frozen Zoo. The stuffed animals are placed in their habitat and you almost expect them to move behind the protecting glass. One of the main attractions is the squeleton of a Deinotherium gigantissimum, a few millon years old. It was discovered in Moldavia and, although it crushed during the 1977 earthquake, it was successfully restored.
Due to its impressive number of exhibits, the museum takes its visitors to a stroll in time and around the world. The diversity takes your breath away: from shells to birds, from snakes to fish, from meteors to fluorescent rocks, from man’s ancestors to monkeys, from reproductions to well-preserved squeletons.
The exhibits are not very well displayed and the explanations are a bit long and complicated, but the most appreciated one, especially by children, is the reproduction of a cave.
It’s a place worth visiting, both for learning new things and for having fun.
Pictures: Metropotam, Onlinegallery
The Arch of Triumph
Walking along the Kiseleff Avenue, near the Herastru Park, you meet the Arch of Triumph. The Romanian arch was built following the French pattern, but it’s smaller and not so old. The one to be seen now was built in 1935-1936, but the fist monumental gate destined to receive the triumphant soldiers was erected here in 1878, aftrer the Independence War, but it quickly deteriorated.
A few decades later, another victory required for another celebration. A wooden arch was built in the honour of the First World War soldiers in 1922. It was also dedicated to king Ferdinand’s coronation that took place in the same year.
As Bucharest continued to flourish from the architectural point of view, the arch was remade of stone. The arch as we know it was designed by Petre Antonescu. The two bronze medallions with the portraits of king Ferdinand and queen Maria had been destroyed during the communist regime and were restored after 1989. The fronts were decorated by the sculptors Jalea, Medrea, Paciurea and Baraschi. They represent the Victory blowing the trumpet, above the medallions, and on the other front the Faith and the Bravery with the cross and the sword. Standing 25 metres high, the Arc has a staircase that allows visitors to climb to the terrace on the top of the monument.
The most important moment of the year for the arch is December the 1st, our National Day, when a parade takes place nearby. It is a well-known symbol of our town.
A few decades later, another victory required for another celebration. A wooden arch was built in the honour of the First World War soldiers in 1922. It was also dedicated to king Ferdinand’s coronation that took place in the same year.
As Bucharest continued to flourish from the architectural point of view, the arch was remade of stone. The arch as we know it was designed by Petre Antonescu. The two bronze medallions with the portraits of king Ferdinand and queen Maria had been destroyed during the communist regime and were restored after 1989. The fronts were decorated by the sculptors Jalea, Medrea, Paciurea and Baraschi. They represent the Victory blowing the trumpet, above the medallions, and on the other front the Faith and the Bravery with the cross and the sword. Standing 25 metres high, the Arc has a staircase that allows visitors to climb to the terrace on the top of the monument.
The most important moment of the year for the arch is December the 1st, our National Day, when a parade takes place nearby. It is a well-known symbol of our town.
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