A city of rainbows
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Showing posts with label Dummies' Guide to ROMANIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dummies' Guide to ROMANIA. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Bucharest in short...
Why study in Bucharest?
Because it is the greatest Romanian city with a lot of extra learning resources. It was nicknamed the little Paris a long time ago. It was a cosmopolite metropolis in the 1930s. Today, Bucharest is
experiencing renewed vigor. The city reflects an interesting heritage of mixed cultures influenced by: the old Romanian aristocracy educated in France, the royal family of the Hohenzollern, and the communist society.
Some of the Main Attractions:
The National Art Museum
The collection of European art bequeathed by King Carol I to the State is the nucleus around which the great collections of the National Art Museum are organized today. Van Eyck, El Greco, Rembrandt meet in its halls the Romanian impressionists and surrealists.
http://www.museum.ro/museum.html
The National Museum of History
In more than sixty halls, the museum displays the history of the Romanian territory and that of the formation of the Romanian people and nation. It has a very rich collection, including ancient hoards, weapons, art and jewelry among which there are some of great value not only for the Romanians, but also for the universal heritage.
http://www.mnir.ro/
The Village Museum
The idea of an outdoor ethnographical museum was a consequence of the sociological research conducted in the 1930s by Professor Gusti and his enthusiastic team. The Museum evolved from small exhibitions with items brought from all over the country, which put on display peasants’ houses and their outbuildings: watermills, stables, pottery, workshops etc. Nowadays, the Museum consists of 298 genuine folk constructions, among which 42 houses, 163 outhouses, 15 workshops and 3 churches, all organized according to the regions they were brought from, in a very picturesque corner of Herăstrău Park.
http://www.ici.ro/romania/cultura/mz_satului.html
The National Museum of Cotroceni
A former monastery and princely residence, the National Museum of Cotroceni lodges nowadays the Romanian Presidency. The museum presents the history of the building, some of the ancient halls of the monastery, as well as the various epochs of its history as a royal residence.
The Palace of Parliament
The huge building covers an area of 64,800 sq. m. Erected after 1984 and still not finished, the Palace has 440 offices, dozens of reception halls, and dozens of conference and meeting halls. This ranges it on the second place in the world in point of total area, after the US Pentagon.
Herăstrău Park
Shades of pink, yellow and red roses greet visitors to Herăstrău Park. In a small conservatory, freshly picked flowers are arranged daily in the Romanian style. Beyond the gardens is Herăstrău. Arched bridges lead to an island and the other side of the park where there is a bar, restaurant, sports complex and rowing boats for hire. There is also a ferry across the lake and, next to the Village Museum, a fun-park with rollercoasters and carousels.
Dimitrie Brandza Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is an important center of conservation of different plants, scientific research and education, as well as a center for environment studies.
Founded in 1860 near the Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, by Dr. Carol Davila, it occupies the territory at the left and right side of the Cotroceni highway. The skilful botanist Ulrich Hoffman has completed the suitable equipment of the garden, so that the first garden in Bucharest reached in short time European standards.
The Triumphal Arch
The Triumphal Arch was erected in 1935 to commemorate the victories of the Romanian army during the WW I and the union of all Romanian provinces on December 1st 1918. The monument has a classical appearance, copying the pattern of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Lipscani area
This district developed around the princely court since the Middle Ages. It was the area of trade and manufacturing as the name of the streets still bear witness today. The great number of inns is token to the fact that Bucharest represented a real crossroad of important trade roads linking East and West. The area maintains its oriental aspect, but modern civilisation is clearly dominant as one arrives in the Banks’ Center.
The Stavropoleos Church
The Greek monk Ioanichie, who became afterwards Metropolite of Stavropoleos, built the church in 1724. It has a three-cusped plan and it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Brancovan style. The yard of the church provides shelter for a lapidary. It consists of tombstones and ornaments from several churches and monasteries in Bucharest.
Manuc’s Inn
The Armenian Dragoman Manuc-Bei Mirzayan built in 1808 an inn on the very spot of the ruins of a former princely court. His inn became the most famous in town due to its founder’s special sense for business. The building is one of the very few civilian constructions that are left from that period. Nowadays it is part of the hotels’ network.
You can find more information about Bucharest and its tourist attractions on www.bucurestionline.as.ro
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
Places to see
Romania offers a rich tapestry of tourist attractions and experiences unique in Central-Eastern Europe: medieval towns in Transylvania, traditional villages in Maramureş, the world-famous painted monasteries in Bucovina, the magnificent architecture of Bucharest, the romantic Danube Delta, fairy-tale castles, the Black Sea resorts, the majestic Carpathian Mountains, spas and much more.
Transylvania is probably the first travel destination for most international students enrolled to the University of Bucharest. In case you want to visit this region in search of the bloodthirsty Count Dracula, you are about to discover that Transylvania offers many sources of excitement and adventure. So pack your bags for an imaginary journey to the beauty of this legendary place.
Most Transylvanian cities (Alba-Iulia, Braşov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Sighişoara) are very old settlements. Some of them date back to the Roman era, some were first built in the 12th century by Saxon colonists. Each has a captivating story to tell to the interested traveller. Braşov, Sibiu and
Sighişoara are some of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns. They are living symbols of Transylvania. Visitors can stumble upon unique architectural treasures, small ancient tiny houses that line narrow streets, cobblestoned passageways and covered stone steps as they wander. Tiny shops purvey a range of antiques and fine hand-made products of artisans and artists who have established little communities in the countryside.
Wander through their charming plazas, and unveil the secrets of centuries-old castles. Romania's numerous castles perhaps best illustrate the country's medieval heritage. While castles built from the 14th to the 18th centuries are strong and austere fortresses built mainly for defense against invaders, those erected beginning in the late 1800s are imposing and luxurious. Universal literature found valuable sources of inspiration in some of Romania's castles, with the most famous novels written about them being The Castle from the Carpathians by Jules Verne and Dracula by Bram Stoker. Some of the best-known castles and fortresses in this area are: Bran Castle, Peleş Castle, Hunedoara, Castle or Râşnov Fortress.
Maramureş is located in the mountains of northern Transylvania. Men are amazingly skillful wood carvers, and you shouldn't be surprised that all the old houses and churches are entirely made of wood. The most respected man in the village is the one who has the biggest and most elaborately carved front gate. The women, on the other hand, weave woolen clothes and blankets, in red-white-black patterns and the traditional outfit is still proudly worn every day. Both men and women have a wit and humor that traveled way beyond their land. They are famous for the merry inscriptions they write on their tombstones. Here is an example from the cemetery of Săpânţa:
Here lies my mother-in-law.
Had she lived another year,
I would have lied in her place.
From old monasteries to 21st century busy towns, Wallachia is an inspired mix of old and new.
The Western part of Wallachia, spread on the hills south of the Carpathians, is traditionally called Oltenia, because it lies on the river Olt. If you ever decide to visit this region, ask about the potters and people will guide you to their houses, which are also their workshops. Everything in this job is a family secret, from the choice of the clay to modeling, painting, cooking and finally glazing. The resulting plates, mugs, pitchers, and even toys and flutes, display specific colors (especially white, rich browns and grays, and sometimes green) and a specific design. Often symbolic drawings appear on these works. One of the most popular is the rooster, and another one is the fish. But most of the earthware is decorated in delicate, yet powerful geometric patterns, skillfully painted by the masters' wives using age-old tools such as cows horns and goose feathers.
This entire southern region is also famous for its spas. The modern resort at Herculane is beautifully placed in majestic scenery, and can be a great place to relax away from the busy towns. There are a number of comfortable hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, and the city square proudly displays a large statue of Hercules. The legend has it that Hercules himself used to come here and enjoy the famous mineral water springs. Archaeological discoveries show that the rich mineral waters at Herculane were known well before the Romans conquered the region, in the first century AD. But since they were great engineers, the Romans developed the region, building public baths for everyone to enjoy. Today, little remains of the original constructions, but nevertheless the tradition is carried on.
Land of the brave kings, Moldavia reveals its softer side in the unique painted monasteries.
The fame of these Moldavian churches reaches well beyond the borders of Romania. Actually, most of them are protected by UNESCO as part of humankind’s world heritage. Probably the best known tourist attraction in the country, they are visited daily by hundreds of travelers from all over the world. What is so special about them?
They were all built in the 15th and 16th centuries, in a time of great political and cultural development of Moldavia. The period is related to the 50-year long rule of king Ştefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great). He used to build churches and establish monasteries in moments of great importance for the country, usually to thank God for an important military victory or to celebrate a prosperous period. What makes all these churches unique is the painting. Frescoes were typical to all Byzantine churches of that time. But here, the frescoes are on the outside! Painted more than 400 years ago, they still preserve their gorgeous colours, amazing the visitor with the mastery of the drawing and the wonderfully balanced tones. The most cherished of all monasteries is Voroneţ. It is widely known throughout Europe as the Sistine Chapel of the East, because of its interior and exterior wall paintings, which offer an abundance of blue-chromatic frescoes featuring a color that has come to be known as Voroneţ blue. The frescoes of this church and many other painted churches illustrate biblical scenes, prayers, episodes of sacred hymns and themes such as The Last Judgment and The Ladder of St. John.
Moldavia has also the advantage of well-preserved natural treasures or interesting natural phenomena. Among these, the Mud Volcanoes seem to be the most famous. This is a place where hot gases from the depth escape to the surface. When you combine this with underground water and minerals, you get geysers and boiling pools of mud. Local people have always associated this place with evil forces and feared the spot, calling it the gates of hell. But apart from that, the landscape is truly bizarre and deserves a visit.
Danube Delta is the last great wildlife refuge in Europe. It covers more than 2,000 sq. miles comprising channels and canals widening into tree-fringed lakes, reed islands, and pools covered with water lilies, oak forests intertwined with lianas and creepers, desert dunes and traditional fishermen villages. In this huge sea of reeds and water, animals outnumber humans 1000 to 1. Danube Delta is home to more than 300 migratory and permanent bird species; 160 kinds of fish that include caviar-bearing sturgeon and 800 plant families.
Wonderful as it is, this is a fragile paradise which needs good care and preservation efforts. That's why some of the Delta territory has been designated as restricted areas and natural reservations, and are on the list of UN natural monuments.
The Black Sea was cruised by the Greek sailors since the 8th century BC. Practically all of the Romanian Black Sea shore is a chain of resorts, among which: Mamaia, Eforie Nord, Eforie Sud, Costineşti, Neptun, Olimp, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn. The beach is wide and public, with fine golden sand and calm waters.
This area is also famous for its Greek ruins dating from the 7th century BC.
The majestic ranges of the Carpathians are a perfect getaway for hikers and wildlife lovers.
It is very easy to find a great hiking trail. Romania has more than 400 parks and nature reservations protecting hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The variety of terrain, from mountainous to gentle, offers something for every hiker regardless of skill or level. Rock-climbing enthusiasts should head for the main rock-climbing gateways: Buşteni with its 400 meters wall of Valea Albă, Zărneşti giving access to the 2.500 meters peaks of the Făgăraş mountains and Bran, overlooked by the limestone range of Piatra Craiului.
A multitude of mountain resorts offer slopes from easy to challenging. Many of these resorts provide a multitude of other activities including cross-country skiing, snowboarding and tubing. The highest ski point in Romania has an altitude of 2.100 meters. The major ski resorts are Poiana Braşov, Sinaia, Predeal, Păltiniş and Runcu.
Transylvania is probably the first travel destination for most international students enrolled to the University of Bucharest. In case you want to visit this region in search of the bloodthirsty Count Dracula, you are about to discover that Transylvania offers many sources of excitement and adventure. So pack your bags for an imaginary journey to the beauty of this legendary place.
Most Transylvanian cities (Alba-Iulia, Braşov, Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Sighişoara) are very old settlements. Some of them date back to the Roman era, some were first built in the 12th century by Saxon colonists. Each has a captivating story to tell to the interested traveller. Braşov, Sibiu and
Sighişoara are some of Europe's best-preserved medieval towns. They are living symbols of Transylvania. Visitors can stumble upon unique architectural treasures, small ancient tiny houses that line narrow streets, cobblestoned passageways and covered stone steps as they wander. Tiny shops purvey a range of antiques and fine hand-made products of artisans and artists who have established little communities in the countryside.
Wander through their charming plazas, and unveil the secrets of centuries-old castles. Romania's numerous castles perhaps best illustrate the country's medieval heritage. While castles built from the 14th to the 18th centuries are strong and austere fortresses built mainly for defense against invaders, those erected beginning in the late 1800s are imposing and luxurious. Universal literature found valuable sources of inspiration in some of Romania's castles, with the most famous novels written about them being The Castle from the Carpathians by Jules Verne and Dracula by Bram Stoker. Some of the best-known castles and fortresses in this area are: Bran Castle, Peleş Castle, Hunedoara, Castle or Râşnov Fortress.
Maramureş is located in the mountains of northern Transylvania. Men are amazingly skillful wood carvers, and you shouldn't be surprised that all the old houses and churches are entirely made of wood. The most respected man in the village is the one who has the biggest and most elaborately carved front gate. The women, on the other hand, weave woolen clothes and blankets, in red-white-black patterns and the traditional outfit is still proudly worn every day. Both men and women have a wit and humor that traveled way beyond their land. They are famous for the merry inscriptions they write on their tombstones. Here is an example from the cemetery of Săpânţa:
Here lies my mother-in-law.
Had she lived another year,
I would have lied in her place.
From old monasteries to 21st century busy towns, Wallachia is an inspired mix of old and new.
The Western part of Wallachia, spread on the hills south of the Carpathians, is traditionally called Oltenia, because it lies on the river Olt. If you ever decide to visit this region, ask about the potters and people will guide you to their houses, which are also their workshops. Everything in this job is a family secret, from the choice of the clay to modeling, painting, cooking and finally glazing. The resulting plates, mugs, pitchers, and even toys and flutes, display specific colors (especially white, rich browns and grays, and sometimes green) and a specific design. Often symbolic drawings appear on these works. One of the most popular is the rooster, and another one is the fish. But most of the earthware is decorated in delicate, yet powerful geometric patterns, skillfully painted by the masters' wives using age-old tools such as cows horns and goose feathers.
This entire southern region is also famous for its spas. The modern resort at Herculane is beautifully placed in majestic scenery, and can be a great place to relax away from the busy towns. There are a number of comfortable hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, and the city square proudly displays a large statue of Hercules. The legend has it that Hercules himself used to come here and enjoy the famous mineral water springs. Archaeological discoveries show that the rich mineral waters at Herculane were known well before the Romans conquered the region, in the first century AD. But since they were great engineers, the Romans developed the region, building public baths for everyone to enjoy. Today, little remains of the original constructions, but nevertheless the tradition is carried on.
Land of the brave kings, Moldavia reveals its softer side in the unique painted monasteries.
The fame of these Moldavian churches reaches well beyond the borders of Romania. Actually, most of them are protected by UNESCO as part of humankind’s world heritage. Probably the best known tourist attraction in the country, they are visited daily by hundreds of travelers from all over the world. What is so special about them?
They were all built in the 15th and 16th centuries, in a time of great political and cultural development of Moldavia. The period is related to the 50-year long rule of king Ştefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great). He used to build churches and establish monasteries in moments of great importance for the country, usually to thank God for an important military victory or to celebrate a prosperous period. What makes all these churches unique is the painting. Frescoes were typical to all Byzantine churches of that time. But here, the frescoes are on the outside! Painted more than 400 years ago, they still preserve their gorgeous colours, amazing the visitor with the mastery of the drawing and the wonderfully balanced tones. The most cherished of all monasteries is Voroneţ. It is widely known throughout Europe as the Sistine Chapel of the East, because of its interior and exterior wall paintings, which offer an abundance of blue-chromatic frescoes featuring a color that has come to be known as Voroneţ blue. The frescoes of this church and many other painted churches illustrate biblical scenes, prayers, episodes of sacred hymns and themes such as The Last Judgment and The Ladder of St. John.
Moldavia has also the advantage of well-preserved natural treasures or interesting natural phenomena. Among these, the Mud Volcanoes seem to be the most famous. This is a place where hot gases from the depth escape to the surface. When you combine this with underground water and minerals, you get geysers and boiling pools of mud. Local people have always associated this place with evil forces and feared the spot, calling it the gates of hell. But apart from that, the landscape is truly bizarre and deserves a visit.
Danube Delta is the last great wildlife refuge in Europe. It covers more than 2,000 sq. miles comprising channels and canals widening into tree-fringed lakes, reed islands, and pools covered with water lilies, oak forests intertwined with lianas and creepers, desert dunes and traditional fishermen villages. In this huge sea of reeds and water, animals outnumber humans 1000 to 1. Danube Delta is home to more than 300 migratory and permanent bird species; 160 kinds of fish that include caviar-bearing sturgeon and 800 plant families.
Wonderful as it is, this is a fragile paradise which needs good care and preservation efforts. That's why some of the Delta territory has been designated as restricted areas and natural reservations, and are on the list of UN natural monuments.
The Black Sea was cruised by the Greek sailors since the 8th century BC. Practically all of the Romanian Black Sea shore is a chain of resorts, among which: Mamaia, Eforie Nord, Eforie Sud, Costineşti, Neptun, Olimp, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn. The beach is wide and public, with fine golden sand and calm waters.
This area is also famous for its Greek ruins dating from the 7th century BC.
The majestic ranges of the Carpathians are a perfect getaway for hikers and wildlife lovers.
It is very easy to find a great hiking trail. Romania has more than 400 parks and nature reservations protecting hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The variety of terrain, from mountainous to gentle, offers something for every hiker regardless of skill or level. Rock-climbing enthusiasts should head for the main rock-climbing gateways: Buşteni with its 400 meters wall of Valea Albă, Zărneşti giving access to the 2.500 meters peaks of the Făgăraş mountains and Bran, overlooked by the limestone range of Piatra Craiului.
A multitude of mountain resorts offer slopes from easy to challenging. Many of these resorts provide a multitude of other activities including cross-country skiing, snowboarding and tubing. The highest ski point in Romania has an altitude of 2.100 meters. The major ski resorts are Poiana Braşov, Sinaia, Predeal, Păltiniş and Runcu.
Brief History
Welcome to Romania
Why should you choose Romania for your studies?
The straight answer is because it is one of the most beautiful countries of Central-Eastern Europe. No journey to this region would be complete without visiting Romania as well.
Romanian History at a Glance
Stretching over the Carpathians Mountains and as far as the Black Sea, Romania has the only population of Latin origin in this area. Due to its geographical location, Romania was always the meeting point of political and territorial interests. The Romans, and later the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires tried in turn to take over this land. This makes Romanian history particularly interesting, as the local people always stood up against foreign occupation, managing to preserve its culture and traditions.
The ancient history is characterized by the Roman conquest of the Dacians. The Roman emperor Trajan celebrated this victory for 123 days and in its honor he also erected a column covered with marble reliefs to tell the story of the conquest. Trajan's column still stands in Rome. The Latin led to the birth of the Romanian people and language.
The period between the Roman retreat in 271 A.D. and the 10th century A.D. represented dark times for Eastern Europe, when countless warrior tribes roamed the land destroying everything on their way. The three historical regions that form Romania today – to the West of the mountains lies Transylvania, the Southern plains are called Wallachia, and the North-Eastern plateau is Moldavia – were first mentioned as states in the 14th century. They all had to fight the oppression of their neighbours. Yet, great commanders such as Mircea cel Bătrân, Vlad Ţepeş, Mihai Viteazul, and Ştefan cel Mare made it possible for the three provinces to resist all attempts of subjection.
Modern Romanian history is marked by the reformers’ struggle to redefine a nation. The revolution in 1848 called for the union of all the Romanian people in the three provinces, for the
cease of foreign domination and abuse (by the Ottoman, Russian and Austrian Empires), for equal justice under law and human rights in the tradition of the French Revolution.
In 1859 Moldavia and Wallachia, who were allowed by the European powers to elect their own princes, chose the same person: Alexandru Ioan Cuza, thus forming a new state called Romania. In 1866, Cuza abdicates and Prince Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen ascends the throne. Under his reign, Romania became independent (1877), a new constitution was passed, and the country entered a period of great economic development.
On December the 1st, 1918, Transylvania united with the other two regions under the reign of King Ferdinand. This is Romania’s National Day.
After the WWII, the Soviet Army set up a communist regime in Romania, and forced the King to abdicate. During the 50's Romania was ruled with an iron fist by communist hardliners, a situation common throughout Eastern Europe. The wind of change that was sweeping through Eastern Europe during the 80s, reached Romania in December 1989, when a nationwide upheaval led to the overthrow of the Ceauşescu regime.
Today, Romania is a multi-party democracy and human rights have been restored. The economy is on its way to shift to a free market system.
Romania is member of the European Union since 2007.
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
Why should you choose Romania for your studies?
The straight answer is because it is one of the most beautiful countries of Central-Eastern Europe. No journey to this region would be complete without visiting Romania as well.
Romanian History at a Glance
Stretching over the Carpathians Mountains and as far as the Black Sea, Romania has the only population of Latin origin in this area. Due to its geographical location, Romania was always the meeting point of political and territorial interests. The Romans, and later the Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires tried in turn to take over this land. This makes Romanian history particularly interesting, as the local people always stood up against foreign occupation, managing to preserve its culture and traditions.
The ancient history is characterized by the Roman conquest of the Dacians. The Roman emperor Trajan celebrated this victory for 123 days and in its honor he also erected a column covered with marble reliefs to tell the story of the conquest. Trajan's column still stands in Rome. The Latin led to the birth of the Romanian people and language.
The period between the Roman retreat in 271 A.D. and the 10th century A.D. represented dark times for Eastern Europe, when countless warrior tribes roamed the land destroying everything on their way. The three historical regions that form Romania today – to the West of the mountains lies Transylvania, the Southern plains are called Wallachia, and the North-Eastern plateau is Moldavia – were first mentioned as states in the 14th century. They all had to fight the oppression of their neighbours. Yet, great commanders such as Mircea cel Bătrân, Vlad Ţepeş, Mihai Viteazul, and Ştefan cel Mare made it possible for the three provinces to resist all attempts of subjection.
Modern Romanian history is marked by the reformers’ struggle to redefine a nation. The revolution in 1848 called for the union of all the Romanian people in the three provinces, for the
cease of foreign domination and abuse (by the Ottoman, Russian and Austrian Empires), for equal justice under law and human rights in the tradition of the French Revolution.
In 1859 Moldavia and Wallachia, who were allowed by the European powers to elect their own princes, chose the same person: Alexandru Ioan Cuza, thus forming a new state called Romania. In 1866, Cuza abdicates and Prince Carol of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen ascends the throne. Under his reign, Romania became independent (1877), a new constitution was passed, and the country entered a period of great economic development.
On December the 1st, 1918, Transylvania united with the other two regions under the reign of King Ferdinand. This is Romania’s National Day.
After the WWII, the Soviet Army set up a communist regime in Romania, and forced the King to abdicate. During the 50's Romania was ruled with an iron fist by communist hardliners, a situation common throughout Eastern Europe. The wind of change that was sweeping through Eastern Europe during the 80s, reached Romania in December 1989, when a nationwide upheaval led to the overthrow of the Ceauşescu regime.
Today, Romania is a multi-party democracy and human rights have been restored. The economy is on its way to shift to a free market system.
Romania is member of the European Union since 2007.
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
sightseeing
Short presentations we found on you tube and we considered to be relevant for students interested in visiting Romania.
Castles in Romania:
Castles in Romania:
TRAVEL GUIDE for Erasmus Students
This is something definitely useful for the ones interested in coming to Romania.
But we will try to make all the content available here, on this blog, for future Erasmus students who will not come necessarilly in Bucharest, but all across the country ;).
Brought to you by the University of Bucharest.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Romanian- Erasmusian Dictionary
Short Dictionary of Idiomatic Romanian
Romanian is closer to classical Latin than it is to other Romance languages, and the grammatical structure and basic word stock of the mother tongue are well preserved. Speakers of French, Italian and Spanish won't be able to understand much spoken Romanian but will find written Romanian more or less comprehensible. Romanian is spelt phonetically, with one exception, the sound noted by the characters â (used inside the words) and î (used at the beginning or the end). So once you learn a few simple rules you should have no trouble with pronunciation.
Specific Sounds and Characters
Ă, ă: like in to err
Î, î, â: dark posterior vowel, no English equivalent
J, j: like in French garage
Ş, ş: sh
Ţ, ţ: ts
Ce, ci: ch
Ge, gi: dj
Che, chi: like in Italian perche, chiaro
Ghe, ghi: like in Italian ghetto, funghi
All the other sounds and characters are more or less like in Italian.
Survival Romanian
Greeting formulas
Hello! Hi! = Salut!
Good day! Good afternoon! = Bună ziua!
Good evening! = Bună seara!
Good night! = Noapte bună!
Good bye! So long! = La revedere!
Politeness formulas
Please = Vă rog
Thank you = Mulţumesc
Thank you very much = Mulţumesc foarte mult
Excuse me = Scuzaţi-mă
Welcome = Cu plăcere
Time and date
What time is it? = Cât e ceasul?
A quarter past (seven) = (Şapte) şi un sfert
Half past (eight) = (Opt) şi jumătate
A quarter to (ten) = (Zece) fără un sfert
Twenty past (four) = (Patru) şi douăzeci
Twenty to (six) = (Şase) fără douăzeci
Monday = luni
Tuesday = marţi
Wednesday = miercuri
Thursday = joi
Friday = vineri
Saturday = sâmbătă
Sunday = duminică
Today = azi, astăzi
Yesterday = ieri
Tomorrow = mâine
Useful phrases
I don’t understand. = Nu înţeleg.
I don’t speak Romanian. = Nu vorbesc româneşte.
Do you speak English? = Vorbiţi engleză?
What is your name? = Cum vă numiţi?
How do you do, Nice to meet you = Mă bucur să vă cunosc.
How are you? = Ce mai faceţi?
I’m fine. = Bine.
I’m not so good. = Nu prea bine.
So and so. = Aşa şi aşa.
Shopping
How much does it cost? = Cât costă?
I would like to try it. = Aş vrea să probez.
I’ll buy it. = Îl cumpăr.
Do you accept credit cards? = Acceptaţi cărţi de credit?
Open = Deschis
Closed = Închis
Directions
Left = Stânga
Right = Dreapta
Straight = Drept [înainte]
Up = Sus
Down = Jos
Far = Departe
Near = Aproape
Map = Hartă
I’m lost. = M-am rătăcit.
I am looking for the University of Bucharest. = Caut Universitatea din Bucureşti.
Where is Intercontinental Hotel? = Unde este Hotelul Intercontinental?
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Romanian Cuisine
All foreigners coming to Romania are impressed with the taste of traditional dishes. Although international cuisine is available in best quality restaurants, make sure that you savour the local Romanian dishes. Romanian cooking is rich, tasty and substantial, as befits a country where all food is still naturally grown, and fruits and vegetables follow their normal season.
The Romanian cuisine can be divided according to different regions: for example, the Moldavian cuisine with its old traditions using sour-cream, the Transylvanian which specializes in sweetened sauces and spices and the Oltenian which savors soups, meat and fish, as well as highly spiced dishes. Besides these regional aspects, the Romanian cuisine is also influenced by the seasons: summer brings an abundance of fruits and vegetables, while in winter there are very few, except, of course, for pickles. Dairy products are highly appreciated in our country.
Pork takes the place of honour during winter, especially at holiday time. You can buy small sausages, blood sausages, piftie (highly seasoned pork in aspic), head cheese, ham and many other kinds of highly appetizing varieties. Especially popular are the pork meat balls wrapped in sour cabbage leaves known as sarmale.
Mămăliga – a cornmeal mush – used to be the Romanian all purpose staple food. Hot, cold, fried, it is delicious in melted butter, sour cream or yogurts, garnished with salted herring and cottage cheese, or eaten with eggs for breakfast, and added to meat dishes.
A kind of broth called ciorbă is also typically Romanian. It is made out of vegetables, with or without meat.
A range of excellent white and red Romanian wines of the famous vineyards of Murfatlar, Cotnari, Jidvei, Dealu Mare, Odobeşti, Valea Călugarească, accompany local and international dishes to perfection, while ţuica – the local plum brandy – is often drunk as a digestive. But beware, it carries a sting in its tail! The local Romanian beers are excellent.
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
The Romanian cuisine can be divided according to different regions: for example, the Moldavian cuisine with its old traditions using sour-cream, the Transylvanian which specializes in sweetened sauces and spices and the Oltenian which savors soups, meat and fish, as well as highly spiced dishes. Besides these regional aspects, the Romanian cuisine is also influenced by the seasons: summer brings an abundance of fruits and vegetables, while in winter there are very few, except, of course, for pickles. Dairy products are highly appreciated in our country.
Pork takes the place of honour during winter, especially at holiday time. You can buy small sausages, blood sausages, piftie (highly seasoned pork in aspic), head cheese, ham and many other kinds of highly appetizing varieties. Especially popular are the pork meat balls wrapped in sour cabbage leaves known as sarmale.
Mămăliga – a cornmeal mush – used to be the Romanian all purpose staple food. Hot, cold, fried, it is delicious in melted butter, sour cream or yogurts, garnished with salted herring and cottage cheese, or eaten with eggs for breakfast, and added to meat dishes.
A kind of broth called ciorbă is also typically Romanian. It is made out of vegetables, with or without meat.
A range of excellent white and red Romanian wines of the famous vineyards of Murfatlar, Cotnari, Jidvei, Dealu Mare, Odobeşti, Valea Călugarească, accompany local and international dishes to perfection, while ţuica – the local plum brandy – is often drunk as a digestive. But beware, it carries a sting in its tail! The local Romanian beers are excellent.
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
Romanian Holidays and Traditions
From South to North or from East to West, Romania is full of customs and traditions. A lot of them have long histories. Some are funny and some are strange, but they all are interesting. Many are strictly connected to Christianity or assimilated by the Romanian Christianity, but they can also be dedicated to divine forces, people, animals, and plants, or to earthen and heavenly phenomena, which take place at different moments of calendar.
Two of the most important spring celebrations are, for instance: Mărţişor (1-8 March) and Easter (variable). Mărţişor is dedicated to the arrival of the spring. Its symbol is represented by a two-coloured cord: red, which means love for everything that is beautiful, and white, which symbolizes the purity of the snowdrops, the first flowers that appear in spring. To this cord are attached tiny figurines (3-20 mm) which men offer to the women they are fond of. Women are expected to wear those amulets throughout the whole week.
Easter is the most important event in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Traditionally, celebrations in Romania begin on Easter Saturday evening. Dressed in their finest clothes and holding candles, people gather round the churches. At the Easter Resurrection Mass (Slujba de Înviere) just before midnight, the priest comes out of the church to give a blessing, distribute holy bread and provide the flame from which everyone will light their candles. Suddenly the darkness is lit up and thousands of candles take to the streets. Everyone tries to keep the flame alive until they arrive home. There, around the table, the family comes together for a special Easter meal. Painted eggs, roast lamb and home-made cozonac (sponge cake with nuts and poppy seeds) are the traditional dishes. The painted eggs are probably the most beautiful. The shells of hard-boiled eggs are dyed in colourful patterns, with a rich red the prevailing colour. They are often decorated with folk motifs. Traditionally designs are made with an implement called a condei – a small cartridge filled with hot wax with a sharp point on the end. There are a myriad of motifs used on painted eggs. The most popular ones are the cross, the star, the sun, the wave, the zigzags, and stylised flowers. Sometimes motifs are applied using natural leaves. Traditionally, it's the women who paint Easter eggs, and they have to do it on the Thursday before Easter.
The most important summer celebration is Saint Mary’s Day. Saint Mary’s Day is celebrated in Romania on the 15th of August every year. This holiday announces the time of autumn fairs for traders. It is known that Saint Mary is the patroness of the humble and it brings health, prosperity and happiness to everybody.
All autumn celebrations – Cross Days, Saint Andrew’s Day, Drăgaica – are connected to the harvest period and to the preparations for the long winter ahead.
Wintertime is dominated by important religious celebrations such as Saint Nicholas’ Day and Christmas.
The old Saint Nicholas arrives in Romania on the 6th of December, every year. His coming announces the beginning of the winter holidays. St. Nicholas brings small gifts to the young children who have polished their shoes and placed them in front of a window in their home.
The Christmas celebration starts with a six-week fast prior to the holiday. The orthodox fasting pattern excludes from the diet any animal product such as meat, eggs, fish, milk or cheese.
Christmas carols, traditional foods and decorated trees are part of the Christmas traditions.
In Romania, the Christmas and New Year celebrations practically merge, and elements of the Christian faith are blended with magic propitiatory rituals for the New Year.
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
"Hello, nice to meet you" Social Survival Guide.
People to Meet
Foreign visitors consider Romanians among the friendliest and most hospitable people on earth. Romanians are by nature fun loving, warm, hospitable, playful, with an innate sense of humor. Foreigners are usually made very welcome. Chatting with visitors is very common for Romanians and they will find a way to communicate with you even if they do not speak your language.
Here are some features of the way Romanians behave on social occasions:
- Older people particularly appreciate old-fashioned politeness. It is respectful to use Mrs. or Mr. when using the name of a person that you have just met.
- Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. When a Romanian man is introduced to a woman, he will probably kiss her hand.
- Female friends usually kiss each other twice, on both cheeks, every time they meet.
- A man accompanied by a woman should never enter a room before her; as a sign of respect, you should always let her enter first by keeping the door open, be it the door of a cab, bus, restaurant, house, etc.; into a restaurant, help her take off her coat, hold her chair, and never sit before she does.
- Romanians like to invite friends to their homes; they will most probably cook fine dishes on these occasions. They love to talk about their achievements, to sing and dance.
- If one refuses what a host offers to eat or drink, this will often be taken as a mere politesse, which calls for more insistance. If you want to refuse an offer of food find a polite excuse and say it firmly or ask for a replacement.
- It is common to linger once the meal (lunch or dinner) is over.
- When visiting someone at home bring a small gift. Most common gifts include flowers or chocolate (for women only), a bottle of wine or liquor. The number of flowers that one offers must always be odd.
- All gifts should be wrapped, but many Romanians might not unwrap their gifts in your presence.
- In Romania as in many Latin countries life is lived at a more relaxed pace. Normal European courtesies should be followed on social occasions. Although casual dress is fine in most occasions, wearing a suit and tie, or the women's equivalent, is important at business meetings. Appointments are necessary and punctuality is expected.
- It is not considered impolite to ask a person's age, politics, income or religion, so don't take such questions amiss.
source:http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Facts and Figures
The Flag
The national flag of Romania is a tricolour: blue, yellow and red. Basically, the three colours so dear to the Romanians are to be found in banners dating back to the time of Mihai Viteazul and even Ştefan cel Mare. The colours are placed vertically as follows: blue (hoist), yellow (in the middle) and red (fly).
National Anthem of Romania
The lyrics of the national anthem belong to Andrei Mureşan (1816-1863), a Romantic poet, journalist, translator, a genuine tribune of the times marked by the 1848 Revolution. The music was composed by Anton Pann (1796-1854), a poet and ethnographer, a man of great culture, a singer and author of music textbooks. The poem became an anthem in 1990 under the title Deşteaptă-te române (Awaken, Romanian) and spontaneously earned recognition owing to its energetic and mobilising message.
National Day: December 1st
Form of Government: Republic, with two legislative bodies: Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
Currency: Leu (pl. lei)
Surface: Romania spans a total surface of 237,500 square kms. (roughly 91,800 sq.miles). The teritory is divided into 41 counties.
Official language: Romanian
Population: 21,698,181 (2002 estimate)
Romanians: 89,5%
Hungarians: 6,6%
Rroma: 2,5%
Germans: 0,3%
Ukrainians: 0,3%
Major cities
Bucharest (capital ever since 1659), Iaşi, Timişoara, Braşov, Cluj-Napoca, Constanţa
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
The national flag of Romania is a tricolour: blue, yellow and red. Basically, the three colours so dear to the Romanians are to be found in banners dating back to the time of Mihai Viteazul and even Ştefan cel Mare. The colours are placed vertically as follows: blue (hoist), yellow (in the middle) and red (fly).
National Anthem of Romania
The lyrics of the national anthem belong to Andrei Mureşan (1816-1863), a Romantic poet, journalist, translator, a genuine tribune of the times marked by the 1848 Revolution. The music was composed by Anton Pann (1796-1854), a poet and ethnographer, a man of great culture, a singer and author of music textbooks. The poem became an anthem in 1990 under the title Deşteaptă-te române (Awaken, Romanian) and spontaneously earned recognition owing to its energetic and mobilising message.
National Day: December 1st
Form of Government: Republic, with two legislative bodies: Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
Currency: Leu (pl. lei)
Surface: Romania spans a total surface of 237,500 square kms. (roughly 91,800 sq.miles). The teritory is divided into 41 counties.
Official language: Romanian
Population: 21,698,181 (2002 estimate)
Romanians: 89,5%
Hungarians: 6,6%
Rroma: 2,5%
Germans: 0,3%
Ukrainians: 0,3%
Major cities
Bucharest (capital ever since 1659), Iaşi, Timişoara, Braşov, Cluj-Napoca, Constanţa
source: http://www.unibuc.ro/uploads_en/images/71/ERASMUS2.pdf
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