Untitled - Tarom

CUPRINS Contents
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124
14
CUPRINS CONTENTS
72 36
6
10
SALON VIP / VIP Lounge
Septimiu Postelnicu,
CEO UniCredit Leasing
Romania
EVENIMENT/Event Cel
mai de succes jet, `n flota
TAROM/ Most successful
jet plane, in TAROM’s
fleet: Boeing B737-800
12 ECO
Dialog pe probleme de
mediu (I)/Dialogue on
environment
14 PORTRET/Portrait
Zaha Hadid
20 ITINERARII
Air Treks
FRANKFURT
28 ITINERARII
Air Treks
SOFIA
36
44
54
60
DISCOVERY „Noile“ minuni
naturale ale lumii/
The world’s “new” natural
wonders
JURNAL DE VACAN}| /
Holiday Report La ski `n
Bavaria/Skiing in Bavaria
REPORTAJ / Feature
Nordul Olteniei/ North
Oltenia
DE VORB| CU
Talking To
Rom‚ni `n Parlamentul
European/Romanians in
the European Parliament
Theodor Stolojan
1
1
62 EXPLORATOR/Explorer
Grandioasa lume de sub
ape/ The magnificent world
under water
68
CAMPIONII/The champions
Alina Dumitru
72 TRADI}II/Traditions
Arom‚nii/ Aromanians
76 REPORTAJ/Feature
V de la Vintage/V from
Vintage
82
REPORTAJ/Feature Tsukiji
[i `mp\ratul pe[te/ Tsukiji
and the fish emperor
88 REPORTAJ/Feature
Sufletul comer]ului cu flori/
The heart of the flower
trade: Aalsmeer
96 TENDIN}E/Trends
Garderob\ cu IQ de
geniu/A wardrobe with
the IQ of a genius
03 FOCUS
TAROM
24 INTERVIU/Interview
Radu Muntean
Regizor/Movie director
128
1
140
32 TEATRU/
Theater
VIZIUNI/Visions Un film
numit Rom‚nia/ A film
called Romania
SCENA CULTURAL| /
Cultural scene
20

ITINERARII COLABORATORI Air Treks Contributors
Insight TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008
Photo: www.dreamstime.com
Publisher
Isabella Hurezan
Editor-in-chief
Denisa M\run]oiu
Art Director
Marcel {tef
DTP
Anca Firescu, Florin St\nil\
Photo
Iulian Gheorghe,
Comunitatea Aromân\ din
România, dreamstime.com
flickr.com
Traffic Manager
Ema Dr\gan
Contributing Editors
Ana Nil\, Aina Blaj,
Cristina Manolache,
D\nu] Ungureanu,
Lelia Zamani
Translators
Alecs Iancu
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
Bd. Mircea Eliade nr.18, sect.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
denisa.marauntoiu@mediaon.ro
4
COLABORATORI/CONTRIBUTORS
D\nu] UNGUREANU
Scriitorul [i jurnalistul
D\nu] Ungureanu abordeaz\
o palet\ impresionant\
de genuri, de
la science-fiction -
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.
The writer and journalist
Danut Ungureanu
addresses an impressive
range of genres,
from science-fiction - a
number of volumes,
dozens of published
short stories and an
European prize, to hundreds
of articles - interviews,
leading articles
and feature reports, or,
recently, the comic
book “Romani deja
destepti” (“Already
smart Romanians”). His
portfolio includes television
and radio scripts
and plays.
Adrian GAB|R
A lucrat timp de trei
ani `ntr-un studio de
fotografie, unde a colaborat
cu arti[ti [i a realizat
fotografie comercial\
pentru campanii
publicitare. F\r\ a
renun]a la pasiunea
pentru fotografie,
Adi lucreaz\ acum ca
graphic designer la o
agen]ie de publicitate.
He worked for three
years at a photo studio,
where he had collaborations
with artists
and took commercial
photographs for advertising
campaigns.
Without losing his passion
for photography,
Adi now works as a
graphic designer for a
local advertising
agency.
Ana NIL| Cristina MANOLACHE
~n v‚rst\ de 23 de ani,
Ana Nil\ a decis la o
v‚rst\ fraged\ c\ jurnalismul
este domeniul cel
mai potrivit personalit\]ii
sale. Lucreaz\ `n domeniu
de aproape trei ani.
Primele contacte cu
meseria au venit la scurt
timp dup\ ce a `nceput
s\ studieze jurnalismul,
lucr‚nd ca reporter `ntr-o
agen]ie de pres\.
23-year old Ana Nila
decided from an early
age that Journalism was
the domain that best fitted
her personality. She
has been working in this
field for almost three
years now. Her first contacts
with the job came
soon after starting
studying Journalism,
working as a reporter for
a Romanian press
agency.
Absolvent\ a Facult\]ii
de Jurnalism [i {tiin-
]ele Comunic\rii din
cadrul Universit\]ii
„Al.I. Cuza“ din Ia[i,
Cristina este pasionat\
de meseria ei [i de
c\l\torii. ~i place jurnalismul
pentru ideea c\
poate schimba ceva [i
c\ poate `mpinge
lucrurile `nainte.
C\l\toriile `i ofer\
ocazia s\ cunoasc\
noi moduri de via]\.
Cristina graduated the
Faculty of Journalism
and Communication
Sciences within “Al.I.
Cuza” University in Iasi
and she is passionate
about her work and
about travelling. She
likes journalism for the
idea of being able too
change things and to
push things forward.
By travelling, she has
the opportunity to
know other lifestyles.

Compania TAROM p\[e[te `n noul an cu planuri concrete de dezvoltare
a re]elei de rute, al\turi de satisfac]ia lucrului bine f\cut `n
beneficiul pasagerilor - decizia de a m\ri flota companiei cu trei noi
avioane Boeing 737-800, dou\ dintre acestea fiind deja opera]ionale din
luna decembrie.
Planul de a introduce `n flota TAROM trei aeronave Boeing 737-800
- cel mai bine v‚ndut avion jet din toate timpurile `n `ntreaga lume - s-a
materializat firesc, `n condi]iile `n care principala prioritate a companiei
`n ultimii 50 de ani a fost dezvoltarea permanent\ a flotei, av‚nd `ntotdeauna
`n vedere at‚t evolu]ia tehnologiei `n avia]ie, c‚t [i normele
privind protec]ia mediului.
Odat\ cu introducerea B737-800, v‚rsta flotei TAROM a sc\zut semnificativ,
devenind, astfel, una dintre cele mai tinere [i moderne flote
din Europa.
Mai mult dec‚t at‚t, ne bucur\m s\ punem la dispozi]ia pasagerilor
primele aeronave echipate cu dispozitive de tip winglet, care sporesc
eficien]a consumului de combustibil cu p‚n\ la patru procente,
`mbun\t\]esc performan]a la decolare [i aterizare [i reduc impactul fonic
asupra regiunilor survolate.
Parte integrant\ a procesului de perfec]ionare a serviciilor oferite
pasagerilor este [i dezvoltarea, din aceast\ prim\var\, a re]elei de rute,
ce va oferi un orar `mbun\t\]it, frecven]e adi]ionale [i noi destina]ii,
menite s\ vin\ `n `nt‚mpinarea nevoilor tot mai diverse ale pasagerilor
TAROM.
Sper\m ca 2009 s\ fie un an al reu[itelor [i ne propunem s\ fim tot
mai aproape de pasagerii no[tri, pentru a le pune la dispozi]ie servicii
tot mai variate [i c‚t mai flexibile.
V\ mul]umim pentru `ncrederea pe care ne-o acorda]i, v\ dorim un
an plin de `mpliniri [i v\ a[tept\m `n continuare la bordul aeronavelor
noastre, cu cer `nsorit [i confort ideal!
Gheorghe B`rl\
Pilot instructor, Director General TAROM
Instructor Pilot, President & CEO TAROM
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008
TAROM steps into the New
Year with coherent plans to
develop its route network, along
with the satisfaction of carrying
out an important task in the benefit
of the passengers - the decision
to expand the company’s fleet
with three new Boeing 737-800
aircraft, two of them being already
operational since December.
The plan to introduce in
TAROM’s fleet three Boeing 737-
800 aircraft - the best selling jet
airplane of all time all over the
world - became reality naturally,
taking into account that the main
priority of our company in the
last 50 years has been the permanent
development of the fleet, focusing
on both the improvement
of the aviation technology and
the regulations concerning environmental
protection.
With the introduction of the
B737-800, TAROM’s fleet age
dropped significantly, thus becoming
one of the youngest and
modern fleets in Europe.
Furthermore, we are pleased to
5
EDITORIAL
Drag\ cititorule,
Dear
Reader,
provide our passengers with the
first aircraft equipped with
winglets, which increase the fuel
consumption efficiency by up to
four percent, improve the takeoff
and landing performance and reduce
the noise impact.
A key component of the process
of improving the services provided
to our passengers is the development,
starting with the upcoming
spring, of the route network,
which will further endow them
with a better flight schedule, additional
frequencies of flights and
new destinations, aimed at complying
with the more and more
diverse needs of TAROM’s passengers.
We hope 2009 to be a year of accomplishments
and we aim at being
as close as possible to our
passengers, in order to provide
them with various and flexible
services.
We thank you for the trust you
grant us, we wish you a year rich
in achievements and we continue
to wait for you on board, with
sunny sky and ideal comfort!

VI
VIP 6
PSeptimiu
Salonul Lounge
de Denisa M\run]oiu
NOUA ZEELAND|, AMERICA DE SUD {I POATE CHIAR POLUL
NORD. DESTINA}II DE VIS, PE CARE SEPTIMIU POSTELNICU,
CEO UNICREDIT LEASING (ROMÂNIA), LE VA INCLUDE ~N
TOLBA CU VACAN}E SPLENDIDE. ~NAINTE, ~NS|, ~L A{TEAPT|
O C|L|TORIE DE DOI ANI ~N ~NDR|ZNEA}A ITALIE, UNDE VA
PRELUA O FUNC}IE ~N BOARDUL UNICREDIT GLOBAL LEASING.
C|L|TORI}I MULT? CE FEL DE C|L|TOR SUNTE}I?
~n 1997 am ie[it din ]ar\ prima dat\ dup\ revolu]ie, c\l\torind [i descoperind
Austria [i Germania `n anii ce au urmat. C\l\toriile au fost de c‚te
trei luni peste var\, lucr‚nd [i descoperind cultura [i civiliza]iile despre care
[tiam c‚te ceva doar din c\r]ile de limb\ german\. Sunt perioade care [iau
l\sat o amprent\ foarte evident\ asupra stilului meu de lucru, `n sensul
organiz\rii [i focaliz\rii constante. ~n ultimii ani, vacan]ele noastre se `ndreapt\
c\tre zone [i continente c‚t mai diverse, dar `ntotdeauna `n ac]iune,
`n mi[care. Am ajuns la concluzia c\ un loc nou se descoper\ umbl‚nd de-a
lungul [i de-a latul, `n mijlocul oamenilor, pentru a le sim]i cu adev\rat vibra]ia.
~n ultimii doi ani, am `nceput s\-l lu\m [i pe David, b\ie]elul nostru
de trei ani [i jum\tate, care evident spore[te curiozitatea [i aventura excursiilor,
a[a c\ lini[tea [i relaxarea r\m‚n pentru o alt\ etap\ a vie]ii...
TREI SINONIME PENTRU „C|L|TORIE“?
Descoperire, reg\sire de sine, bucurie.
AVE}I VREO DESTINA}IE FETI{, UN HOTEL SAU POATE UN
RESTAURANT?
~n general, „investim“ `n loca]ii c‚t mai scumpe, nu din snobism, ci
pentru c\ vrem s\ ne rupem complet de peisajele cotidiene cunoscute [i
s\ ne conect\m la deta[area [i confortul bun\st\rii totale. O zi de „b\tut
locul“ `ncepe, de regul\, `ntr-o piscin\ marin\. Ziua se `ncheie `n spaurile
mirobolante ce `]i topesc [i combin\ sim]urile.
CEL MAI AMUZANT LUCRU CE VI S-A ~NTÂMPLAT ~NTR-O
C|L|TORIE...
A fost o zi petrecut\ pe o corabie veche, cu David [i al]i doi copii,
`mpreun\ cu p\rin]ii lor, pe Marea Mediteran\. Am fost pira]i [i ®
NEW ZEALAND, SOUTH AMERICA AND MAYBE EVEN THE NORTH
POLE. DREAM-LIKE DESTINATIONS THAT THE UNICREDIT LEASING
LEASING (ROMANIA) CEO, SEPTIMIU POSTELNIU, WILL ADD TO HIS
BAG OF SPLENDID VACATIONS. BEFORE, HOWEVER, HE WILL HAVE
TO FACE A TWO-YEAR TRIP TO THE DARING ITALY, WHERE HE IS TO
TAKE OVER A POSITION ON THE UNICREDIT GLOBAL LEASING BOARD.
DO YOU TRAVEL A LOT?
WHAT KIND OF A TRAVELER
ARE YOU?
In 1997, I went abroad for the
first time after the revolution,
traveling and discovering Austria
and Germany in the following
years. My trips lasted for three
months every summer, working
and discovering the culture and
civilizations I only had some
knowledge of from German language
books. These are times that
left a very deep mark on my style
of working, in the sense of how I
organize things and am constantly
focused on what I’m doing. In
the last few years, our vacations
have been heading to areas and
continents as diverse as possible,
but always moving, in the heart
of action. I have reached the conclusion
that a new place can be
discovered by going to and fro,
in the midst of people, to truly
feel the way they vibrate. In the
last couple of years, we began to
take David, out three and a half
year old boy, with us and that
Postelnicu
CEO UniCredit Leasing (Romania)
obviously enhances the excitement
and adventure of our trips,
so peace and relaxation will have
to wait until later in life...
THREE SYNONYMS FOR
“TRAVEL?”
Discovery, finding yourself
again, joy.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FETISH
DESTINATION, A HOTEL OR
PERHAPS A RESTAURANT?
In general, we “invest” in locations
as expensive as possible
and it’s not out of snobbery, but
because we want to fully break
away from the daily things we
are familiar with and connect to
the detachment and comfort of
total welfare. A day of “wandering
around” usually starts in a
sea pool. The day ends with the
incredible spas that melt and
combine your senses.
THE MOST AMUSING THING
THAT HAPPENED TO YOU ON
A TRIP... ®

VIP 8
®
prizonieri, pescari [i buc\tari. O poveste pe care a[ retr\i-o c‚t mai
des.
}ARA CU CEI MAI PRIMITORI LOCUITORI?
Coastele Adriaticii ne-au p\rut a fi format oameni foarte primitori [i
devota]i turismului marin, dar cred c\ insularii, indiferent de pozi]ia lor
pe glob, au deschiderea cea mai mare pentru semenii din alte z\ri.
NU PLECA}I NICIODAT| ~N C|L|TORIE F|R|...
Aparatul foto, `n mod cert. De[i trebuie s\ recunosc c\ prelucrez [i
imprim fotografii [i cu un an `nt‚rziere, dar parc\ a[a aduc [i mai mult\
bucurie.
FOARTE CURÂND VE}I PRELUA O NOU| POZI}IE ~N ITALIA.
CARE V| SUNT A{TEPT|RILE DE LA ACEAST| }AR|?
M\ preg\tesc de o „c\l\torie“ de doi ani de zile. Preiau, din ianuarie
2009, o pozi]ie `n boardul UniCredit Global Leasing, responsabil de
toate cele 17 ]\ri `n care suntem prezen]i cu activit\]i de leasing. Voi
avea, astfel, o [ans\ `n plus s\ descop\r noi valen]e ale unor locuri
cunoscute sau locuri complet noi pentru mine. Italia ni se pare fascinant\
prin tradi]ie, istorie, arhitectur\, contrast nord-sud [i individualismul
purtat cu distinc]ie de acest popor de „privitori `n ochi“.
UNDE NU A}I FOST NICIODAT| {I VISA}I S| AJUNGE}I?
America de Sud, Noua Zeeland\ [i Australia sunt pe lista noastr\.
Curiozitatea mea personal\ se leaga [i de Polul Nord.
CARE V| ESTE CEL MAI DRAG SUVENIR DE C|L|TORIE?
Fotografiile. Peste ani sunt singurele care re`nvie emo]ia instant\ a
unor momente memorabile.
OBI{NUI}I S| V| ~NTOARCE}I DIN C|L|TORIILE DE AFACERI CU
MICI CADOURI?
Aducem cu noi c\r]i, albume de art\ sau fotografie [i alte elemente
de „vizual“. Sigur, [i c‚te o jucarie „se impune“ din c‚nd `n c‚nd, mai
ales figurine de animale, mult iubite de David.
CE FACE}I PENTRU CA TIMPUL S| TREAC| REPEDE LA
BORDUL AVIONULUI?
Citesc, citesc, [i c‚teodat\ ascult muzic\. Ultimele c\r]i care m-au `nso]it
au fost volumele „Conversa]ii cu Dumnezeu“, de Neale Donald Walsh. ∫
® A day spent on an old ship,
together with David and two
other children and their parents,
on the Mediterranean. We were
pirates and prisoners, fishermen
and cooks. A tale I would relive
as often as possible.
THE COUNTRY WITH THE
MOST WELCOMING INHABI-
TANTS?
The Adriatic coasts seemed
to be made of very hospitable
people, who are devoted to sea
tourism, but I think islanders, regardless
of where they are on the
globe, have the greatest opening
towards their fellow people from
different lands.
YOU NEVER GO ON A TRIP
WITHOUT...
My camera, definitely. Although,
I have to admit that
sometimes I process and print
the pictures one year later, but
it’s like they bring even more joy
like that.
VERY SOON, YOU WILL TAKE
OVER A NEW POST IN ITALY.
WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTA-
TIONS OF THIS COUNTRY?
I am getting ready for a twoyear
“trip.” As of January 2009, I
will take over a position on the
board of the UniCredit Global
Leasing, which is responsible for
all the 17 countries where we run
leasing activities.
I will thus get another chance
to discover new values of some
places I know or some new
places altogether. Italy seems fascinating
with its tradition, architecture,
the north-south contrast
and the individualism this people
“who look you in the eye”
proudly displays.
WHERE HAVE YOU NEVER
BEEN AND DREAM OF GET-
TING?
South America, New Zealand
and Australia are on our list. My
personal curiosity is also with the
North Pole.
WHICH IS YOUR DEAREST
TRAVEL SOUVENIR?
Pictures. Years from now,
they will be the only ones to revive
the instant emotion related
to some memorable moments.
DO YOU USUALLY RETURN
FROM YOUR BUSINESS
TRIPS WITH SMALL GIFTS?
We bring back books, art or
photo albums and other “visual”
elements. Naturally that a toy becomes
“necessary” now and
then, especially animal figures,
that David really loves.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO PASS
THE TIME DURING A FLIGHT?
I read and read and sometimes
I listen to music. The last
books I took along with me were
the “Conversations with God”
volumes by Neale Donald
Walsch. ∫

EVENIMENT Event 10
BOEING B737-800
Cel mai de succes jet, în flota TAROM
Most successful jet plane, in TAROM’s fleet
de Drago[ Munteanu, Safety & Quality Manager TAROM
COMPANIA TAROM A REPREZENTAT VÂRFUL INOVA}IEI ~N
AVIA}IA ROMÂN| ~NC| DIN PRIMELE ZILE ALE ACESTEIA.
PRINCIPALA PRIORITATE ~N ULTIMII 55 DE ANI A CONSTAT ~N
DEZVOLTAREA CONTINU| A FLOTEI COMPANIEI CU CELE MAI
AVANSATE {I MODERNE TIPURI DE AERONAVE DISPONIBILE.
ANUL ACESTA, CA {I ~N AL}I ANI, CRE{TEREA FLOTEI CU NOI
AVIOANE ESTE UNA DINTRE CELE MAI IMPORTANTE PRIO-
RIT|}I ALE COMPANIEI TAROM. LA SFÂR{ITUL LUNII NOIEM-
BRIE 2008, TAROM SE POATE MÂNDRI CU CEL MAI NOU TIP
DE AVION COMERCIAL DIN ROMÂNIA - BOEING B737-800.
Fabricat `n 2008, acesta este primul dintre cele 3 noi B737-800 care vor
intra `n flota TAROM `n lunile ce urmeaz\. Seria 800 este cea mai
r\sp‚ndit\ serie a familiei Boeing 737 Next Generation - NG. Boeing
737 este cel mai bine v‚ndut avion jet din toate timpurile peste tot `n lume,
av‚nd peste 8.000 de comenzi de la `nceputul produc]iei.
TAROM opereaz\ seriile Next Generation din 2001 c‚nd a fost introdus
primul Boeing B737-700. ~n prezent, `n flota TAROM sunt 4 Boeing B737-
700. Seria 800 este o variant\ mai lung\ a B737-700 cu motoare mai puternice,
av‚nd fuselajul cu o lungime mai mare cu 6 metri, ceea ce m\re[te
capacitatea avionului la 186 de locuri `n func]ie de configura]ia cabinei.
Continu‚nd tradi]ia, TAROM va da noilor avioane Boeing numele unor
ora[e din Rom‚nia - `n cazul primului avion, acesta va fi numit
„Ploie[ti“, marele ora[ la nord de Bucure[ti, av‚nd o mare importan]\ din
punct de vedere at‚t cultural, c‚t [i economic `n Rom‚nia. Celelalte 2
avioane B737-800 ce vor fi livrate vor purta, de asemenea, numele a dou\
ora[e frumoase [i foarte cunoscute din Rom‚nia: Bra[ov [i Sibiu.
Aeronavele B737-800 vor fi primele echipate cu dispozitive de tip
winglet din flota TAROM. Pe l‚ng\ aspectul deosebit pe care `l confer\,
TAROM HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF INNOVATION IN
THE CIVIL AVIATION MARKET OF ROMANIA SINCE ITS FIRST
DAYS OF HISTORY. CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT OF THE FLEET
WITH THE MOST MODERN AND TECHNOLOGICALLY
ADVANCED AIRCRAFT TYPES AVAILABLE HAS BEEN THE PRI-
ORITY OF THE LAST 55 YEARS. ADDING NEW AIRCRAFT TO THE
FLEET IS ONE OF THE MOST VITAL PRIORITIES OF TAROM
ALSO IN 2008. IN LATE NOVEMBER 2008 TAROM IS PROUD TO
PRESENT TO THE WORLD THE NEWEST COMMERCIAL AIR-
CRAFT IN ROMANIA - THE BOEING B737-800.
Manufactured in 2008
this is the first of 3 new
-800’s to join the
TAROM fleet in the following
months. The 800 is the most ordered
member of the Boeing 737
Next Generation family - NG. The
Boeing 737 is the best selling jet
airplane of all time all over the
world, with more than 8000 orders
since the type started production.
TAROM has been operating
the Next Generation series since
2001 when the first Boeing B737-
700 was introduced. There are
now 4 Boeing 737-700 in TAROM
Fleet.
The 800 is basically a longer
737-700 with more powerful engines,
its fuselage being 6 meters
longer. This increases the capacity
of the aircraft to 186 depending
on the cabin configuration.
Continuing with the tradition
TAROM will name the new Boeing
aircraft with a Romanian city
name - in the first case “Ploiesti“,
the big city north of Bucharest,
with strong cultural and economical
impact in Romania. The following
2 B737-800 delivered will
bear the names of other 2 beautiful
and well known Romanian
towns: Brasov and Sibiu.
The B737-800 will be the first

CARACTERISTICILE B737-800 / THE 737-800 IN FIGURES:
∫ Locuri / Seats: 186
∫ Lungime / Length: 39,50 m
∫ ~n\l]ime / Height: 12,50 m
∫ Anvergur\ / Wing span: 35,79 m
∫ Greutate maxim\ la decolare / maximum take-off weight: 72.499 kg
∫ Greutate maxim\ la aterizare / maximum landing weight: 65.317 kg
∫ Greutate - gol / weight empty 41.410 kg
∫ Capacitate rezervor combustibil / fuel tank capacity: 21.320 kg
ad\ugarea acestor dispozitive `n prelungirea aripii m\re[te eficien]a consumului
de combustibil cu p‚n\ la 4%. De asemenea, `mbun\t\]e[te performan]a
la decolare [i aterizare [i m\re[te raza de ac]iune a aeronavei. Acest
fapt permite pilo]ilor utilizarea procedurilor de decolare care diminueaz\
uzura motoarelor [i reduce impactul fonic asupra regiunilor survolate. Cele
2 motoare noi [i perfec]ionate CFM56 contribuie la consumul extrem de redus
al combustibilului avionului, transform‚ndu-l astfel `ntr-unul din
tipurile care protejeaz\ mediul `nconjur\tor c‚t mai eficient. B737-800 ofer\
pasagerilor un sentiment pl\cut al spa]iului propriu care rivalizeaz\ cu
acela al avioanelor cu dou\ culoare, `n timp ce hublourile l\rgite `ncurajeaz\
pasagerii s\ se bucure de minunatele priveli[ti de la `n\l]ime [i s\
savureze experien]a zborului. Compartimentele spa]ioase pentru bagajele
de m‚n\ permit fiec\rui pasager a[ezarea trollerelor [i a gen]ilor astfel
`nc‚t s\ fie u[or accesibile `n zona `n care sunt a[eza]i ace[tia.
Compania TAROM are flota cea mai t‚n\r\ din Rom‚nia, demonstr‚nd
astfel un mare respect fa]\ de mediul `nconjur\tor [i o atent\ grij\
pentru serviciile oferite pasagerilor s\i. Odat\ cu introducerea B737-800,
v‚rsta flotei va sc\dea [i mai mult, devenind astfel una din cele mai tinere
flote din Europa. ∫
∫ Peste 541 operatori zboar\ cu 737 `n peste 1.200 ora[e `n 190 ]\ri din toat\
lumea.
∫ 737 a transportat peste 12 miliarde de pasageri.
∫ Aproximativ 1.250.737 de aeronave se afl\ `n aer tot timpul.
∫ Un avion tip 737 decoleaz\ sau aterizeaz\ o dat\ la 4,6 secunde
∫ B737 a zburat peste 75 miliarde de mile - echivalentul a aproximativ 403
c\l\torii dus-`ntors de la P\m‚nt la Soare.
∫ Cartea Recordurilor a recunoscut B737 ca cel mai fabricat avion jet de talie
mare din istoria avia]iei.
∫ Exist\ aproximativ 36,6 mile de cabluri pe modelele Next-Generation 737-
600/-700/-800/-900ER (categoria extins\), cu 4 mile mai pu]in dec‚t modelele
737-300/-400/-500
∫ ~n medie, sunt aproximativ 367.000 componente pe o aeronav\ Next-
Generation 737
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 11
aircraft in TAROM fleet equipped
with winglets. In addition to looking
cool, adding Blended
Winglets to the highly efficient
Next-Generation 737 wing increases
fuel efficiency by up to
4%.
They also boost takeoff and
landing performance and increase
the range of the aircraft. The improved
performance allows pilots
to use takeoff procedures that decrease
wear and tear on engines
and reduce community noise. The
2 new and improved CFM56 engines
contribute to the extremely
low fuel consumption of the aircraft
making it one of the most
environmentally friendly types.
{TIA}I C|: DID YOU KNOW THAT:
∫ Consum combustibil/or\ zbor / Fuel consumption per flying hour: 2.526 kg/h
∫ Raza maxim\ de ac]iune / Maximum range: 5.420 km
∫ ~n\l]ime maxim\ de croazier\ / Maximum cruising height: 41.000 ft
∫ Motoare / Engines: CFM56-7
∫ Trac]iune maxim\ `n repaus / Maximum standing thrust: 2 x 24000 lbs
∫ Viteza la decolare (full) / Take-off speed (full): 290 km/h
∫ Viteza la aterizare / Landing speed: 260 km/h
∫ Viteza de croazier\ / Cruising speed: 850 km/h
The 737-800 gives passengers
a sense of personal space that rivals
that of twin-aisle airplanes
while wide windows encourage
travelers to enjoy the view and savor
the experience of flight. The
spacious overhead luggage bins
allow every person to stow a rollaboard
bag within easy reach of
their seat.
TAROM has the youngest airline
fleet in Romania, demonstrating
high respect towards the environment
and real care for the
service and quality it offers to its
passengers. With the introduction
of the B737-800 the fleet age will
drop further, becoming one of the
youngest fleets of Europe. ∫
∫ More than 541 operators fly the 737 to more than 1,200 cities in 190 countries
worldwide.
∫ 737 has carried more than 12 billion passengers.
∫ On average about 1,250 737 airplanes are in the air at all times.
∫ One 737 takes off or lands every 4.6 seconds.
∫ The 737 has flown more than 75 billion miles - equivalent to approximately
403 round trips from the earth to the sun.
∫ Guinness World Records acknowledged the 737 as the most produced
large commercial jet airplane in aviation history.
∫ There are approximately 36.6 miles of wire on the Next-Generation 737-
600/-700/-800/-900ER (extended range) models, four miles less than the
737-300/-400/-500 models.
∫ On average, there are approximately 367,000 parts on a Next-Generation
737 airplane.

ECO
12
STIMATE PASAGER,
AM DORI CA PE ACEAST| CALE S| FII INFORMAT PRIVIND PREOCUP|RILE NOSTRE ~N DOMENIUL
REDUCERII IMPACTULUI ASUPRA MEDIULUI {I S| DISCUT|M ~MPREUN| CE PUTEM FACE ~N ACEST
SENS {I CUM PUTEM FORMA O ECHIP|.
DEAR PASSENGER,
WE WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU ON SEVERAL ASPECTS AND MEASURES WE WILL TAKE AND IMPLE-
MENT IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN THE AVIATION SECTOR. THUS, KNOW-
ING WE ARE BOTH CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ASPECT, WE ARE INITIATING A DIALOGUE TO IDENTIFY
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU AS AN AIRLINE AND WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER, AND ACT AS A TEAM.
Compania TAROM este foarte preocupat\ privind consumul de
combustibil, nu doar pentru aspectul financiar, ci [i pentru impactul pe
care petrolul ars, prin emisiile produse, `l are asupra mediului `nconjur\tor.
De[i exist\ anumite informa]ii `n mass-media (i.e. ziare, reviste,
reportaje la televizor sau radio, internet) privind impactul pe care emisiile
din sectorul transporturilor [i mai ales al avia]iei `l produc asupra
schimb\rilor climatice, am considerat important s\ ini]iem acest dialog
pentru a transmite o informa]ie corect\ pasagerului nostru.
Acest Dialog se refer\ la impactul pe care noi doi, compania
TAROM [i tu, `n calitate de Pasager, `l producem asupra mediului
`nconjur\tor [i mai ales asupra climei, insist‚nd asupra modalit\]ilor de
reducere a acestui impact. Acest Dialog se va desf\[ura pe parcursul
mai multor numere ale revistei Insight TAROM [i te va informa, stimate
Pasager, asupra diverselor subiecte: ∫ Ce `nseamn\ amprenta de carbon
privind acest zbor sau zboruri viitoare. ∫ Ce `nseamn\ reducere carbon
(carbon offset) [i ce planuri avem pentru a implementa `mpreun\ programe
[i proiecte benefice mediului. ∫ Ce `nseamn\ comer]ul cu emisii
[i cum va afecta (sau nu) aceast\ Directiv\ activitatea companiei
TAROM. ∫ Cum te va afecta comer]ul cu emisii pe tine, `n calitate de
cet\]ean, `n primul r‚nd, [i Pasager al companiei TAROM (sau al altor
companii aeriene). ∫ Cum este preg\tit sectorul avia]iei privind implementarea
Directivei de Comer] cu emisii [i ce putem noi doi face `n
acest sens.
TAROM airline is very concerned
of fuel burn, not only for
the financial reasons, but also for
the environmental impact due to
emissions released in the atmosphere.
We are aware of the existing
information on transport/aviation
emissions linked to climate
change as part of media process
(e.g. newspapers, publications related
to climate change, TV and
radio documentaries, internet,
etc.), but we consider this Dialogue
important to inform you
correctly on the issue.
The aim of this Dialogue is to
assess how we, as a team, (i.e.
TAROM and you, as Passenger)
are impacting the environment,
focusing on climate change, and
what can be done to reduce this
impact. The Dialogue will take
place over several months, as part
Dr. Delia Dimitriu, Research Fellow
at CATE (Centre for Air Transport and
the Environment Manchester, UK)
DIALOG PE PROBLEME DE MEDIU (I)
DIALOGUE ON ENVIRONMENT (I)
of several articles issued by Insight
TAROM quarterly and you
will be informed on several topics
of interest, as follows: ∫ What do
we understand by carbon footprint
associated to this flight, or
your future flights. ∫ What is carbon
offset and what programmes
and plans we would like to initiate
and implement together. ∫
What do we understand by emissions
trading and how will this
EU Directive affect/or not
TAROM’s activity. ∫ How will
emissions trading scheme affect
you, firstly as citizen and also as
TAROM’s or other airlines’ passenger.
∫ How well prepared is
the aviation sector to implement
the Emissions Trading Directive
and what can we, as a team do
about it.
We have always considered

Cerin]a necesar\ pentru a garanta succesul implement\rii politicilor
privind reducerile de carbon este asigurarea unui management
colaborativ al factorilor cheie din sectorul avia]iei. ~n
situa]ia companiei TAROM, asigurarea unei politici de control al
emisiilor presupune o bun\ colaborare `ntre operator/TAROM,
Controlorul de trafic/ROMATSA, supraveghea]i de Autoritatea
Aeronautic\ Civil\ Român\ (AACR). Colaborarile cu aeroporturile
unde avioanele TAROM aterizeaz\ este, de asemenea,
important\, dar esen]ial\ r\mâne g\sirea unor solu]ii noi privind
reducerea consumului de petrol [i al emisiilor, prin implementarea
rapid\ a unor metode eficiente. Astfel, TAROM implementeaz\
proiecte ini]iate de Centre for Air Transport and the Environment
de la Universitatea Metropolitan\ din Manchester, Marea
Britanie, `n colaborare cu COMOTI (Institutul Na]ional de Cercetare
Dezvoltare Turbomotoare) [i exper]i din lumea academic\
român\. Un loc aparte `l are permanentul dialog cu Aeroportul
Interna]ional Bucure[ti Henri Coand\. Prin acest articol te chem\m
la un Dialog privind priorit\]ile de interes pentru tine din
subiectele enun]ate mai sus, subliniind c\ p\rerea ta conteaz\ la
fel ca a oric\rui expert [i, `n anumite situa]ii, chiar mai mult.
Am considerat `ntotdeauna c\ dialogul [i transparen]a sunt cele mai
bune metode de a intra `n leg\tur\ cu Pasagerul TAROM pentru a-i comunica
anumite programe [i proiecte, precum [i pentru a capta p\rerea
acestuia. Un chestionar va `nso]i fiecare articol publicat `n aceast\ revist\
[i posibilit\]i de colabor\ri practice vor fi explicate. ∫
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 13
However, in order to be successful in implementing the best
policies on carbon reduction, a collaborative environmental
management is required, involving all aviation parties. For
TAROM, this team will be composed by the Airline itself and
the Air Navigation Service Provider/ ROMATSA, supervised
by the Romanian CAA (AACR). Cooperation with each airport
TAROM is landing on is also very important, but it is
essential for us to find the best solutions for fuel conservation,
i.e. fuel burn and emissions reduction, by implementing
the most efficient policies. Thus, TAROM is implementing
projects on fuel conservation designed by experts from the
Centre for Air Transport and the Environment of Manchester
Metropolitan University, from the United Kingdom, in cooperation
with COMOTI (National Research & Development
Institute for Gas Turbines), as well as several experts from
the Romanian academia. We are kindly asking you to identify
your priorities as part of the subjects underlined above
(e.g. as aviation carbon management topic), as your opinion
is very important for us and sometimes it counts more than
the one expressed by experts in the field.
that dialogue and transparency
are the best tools to communicate
with TAROM’s Passenger, to let
him know our strategy on programmes
and projects which will
PERSOANE DE CONTACT/ PLEASE CONTACT US BY EMAIL: Dr. Delia Dimitriu Sonia Rusu
d.dimitriu@mmu.ac.uk
prsonia@tarom.ro
capture his attention. A Questionnaire
will be distributed as annex
of each article published in the Insight
quarterly and future collaboration
will be explained. ∫

PORTRET Portrait 14
ZAHA HADID
ARTA DE A NU SEM|NA CU
TINE ~NSU}I THE ART OF
NOT RESEMBLING YOURSELF
ESTE PRIMA FEMEIE CARE A CÂ{TIGAT PREMIUL PRITZKER,
NOBELUL ARHITECTURII. DAR N-A PRETINS NICIODAT| C| AR
FI ALTCEVA DECÂT UN ARTIST, UNUL DINTRE ACEIA CARE }IN
~N VIA}| AVANGARDA. {I CARE, SPRE DEOSEBIRE DE MUL}I
CONFRA}I, A CREAT PROPRIA MOD|.
de D\nu] Ungureanu
Foto: Steve Double, Luke Hayes, Helen Binet
C‚nd vorbe[te despre arhitectur\, despre urbanism, despre studiile
pe care le-a f\cut la Londra, dup\ o copil\rie petrecut\ la Bagdad,
Zaha Hadid se simte `n largul ei. Discursul s\u este deopotriv\
amuzant [i subtil. Nu-i place s\ discute despre munca altor arhitec]i, dar `l
admir\ de pild\ pe britanicul Rodney Gordon, acest „sculptor“ `n materia
at‚t de pu]in promi]\toare, `n aparen]\, care este betonul.
Zaha a `mplinit de cur‚nd 58 de ani. ~nainte de a se dedica arhitecturii,
ob]inuse o diplom\ `n matematic\, la Universitatea American\ din Beirut.
De atunci, toat\ via]a ei profesional\ a `nsemnat o lupt\ `mpotriva arhitecturii
„de pia]\“, `n favoarea suprema]iei artistului, a unei viziuni f\r\ compromisuri.
Cu toate acestea, de[i se afl\ `n lumina reflectoarelor, se consider\
mai degrab\ un subordonat dec‚t un star.
Spa]iul este o n\zuin]\ interesant\, ca [i impactul pe care, ca arhitect, `l
provoci asupra urbanului spune Zaha Hadid. Este preocupat\ `n permanen]\
de acea prob\ dificil\ pe care o trec cei mai inspira]i - leg\tura cu
terenul, felul `n care reu[e[ti s\ modelezi peisajul deja existent. {i mai crede
c\ `ntreaga via]\ a unui ora[ poate fi cuprins\ `ntr-un singur cartier.
~n prelungirea fireasc\ a acestor convingeri, Hadid m\rturise[te un sentiment
de continu\ respingere a efemerului. O reac]ie care ]ine pe undeva
[i de instinctul de conservare al artistului, av‚nd `n vedere c\ nu numai ®
SHE IS THE FIRST WOMAN WHO WON THE PRITZKER AWARD,
THE NOBEL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUT SHE NEVER CLAIMED TO
BE ANYTHING ELSE BUT AN ARTIST, ONE OF THOSE WHO
KEEP THE AVANT-GARDE ALIVE. AND WHO, UNLIKE OTHER
FELLOW ARTISTS, HAS CREATED HER OWN TREND.
When she speaks of architecture,
urban planning,
her studies in
London after spending her childhood
in Baghdad, Zaha Hadid
feels comfortable. Her discourse is
both amusing and subtle. She
doesn’t like talking about other architects’
work, but she admires, for
instance, Britain’s Rodney Gordon,
a “sculptor” in what seems to be a
little promising matter - concrete.
Zaha recently turned 58. Before
dedicating her life to architecture,
she had obtained a degree in mathematics
at the Beirut American
University. Since then, her entire
professional life meant fighting
against the “market” architecture,
in favor of the artist’s supremacy
Expozi]ie la / Exhibition at Design Museum
and of a vision without compromises.
Nonetheless, although she is
in the spotlight, she thinks of herself
more as of a subordinate than
as of a star.
Space is an interesting aspiration
and so is the impact that you,
as an architect, can have on the urban
space, says Zaha Hadid. She is
permanently concerned with that
difficult test that those more inspired
have to pass - the connection
with the construction ground,
the way in which you manage to
shape the already existing landscape.
And she also believes that a
city’s entire life can be included in
a single neighborhood.
As a natural consequence of
these beliefs, Hadid confesses a

Zaha Hadid: Mas\ / Table
Hoenheim Nord Terminus
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 15
feeling of continuous rejection of
the ephemeral. A reaction that that
is somehow related to the artist’s
conservation instinct, given that
not only in England but in other
European countries as well, architecture
is sometimes strangely...
dispensable. Buildings that in their
time, for instance in the ‘60s,
caused a stir are now either disfigured
or simply demolished to
make room for others, before having
the chance of becoming fashionable
again. This is what happened
with one of Hadid’s early
projects, the Weil am Rhein pavilion,
on the German-Swiss border,
which now looks as shabby as a
wreck. And a firefighter department
places next to a furniture factory,
a project that also belongs to
her, was thought to be inappropriate
for its functional destination
and simply turned into a museum
of chairs! It is obvious that the
artist’s work cannot be compared
with something already done. It
comes, Zaha says, not from observing
the existent architecture, not
from formalism. More than that,
Hadid thinks she does not con-
sciously borrow anything from the
shapes of the organic world. She
doesn’t “quote” flowers, she doesn’t
imitate trees or reproduce figures
of fish and birds. However,
she doesn’t reject the inspiration of
landscapes, geography and geologic
forms. And everything, she confesses,
starts with painting, with
pure abstraction.
PASSING WITH THE SPEED
OF RAIN AND TIME
How does a project that will
shortly become an amazing building
come to life? Zaha Hadid says
this doesn’t happen with technical,
mechanical gestures. You don’t
draw the plans with the computer
and you don’t display a handdrawn
sketch on the screen. In the
architect’s view on the early stages
of creation, you have to watch several
screens, several different projects.
It’s like, at your working
board, information is coming from
all directions, like photographs.
Not all ideas can be used the moment
when they appear, but nothing
is wasted. What is always exciting,
says Zaha, is the connection
between working on the computer
and the actual design process. The
computer doesn’t do the person’s
job, but it is more than just a mere
instrument. In spite of this hesitation
in defining exactly the role of
the machine in the depth of her
creative act, Hadid is very involved
in this “digital cognition”
process. Zaha is enthusiastic about
dissonances. She opposed new
buildings to old surroundings. She
often thinks how exciting it would
be to do a large project, a city, for
instance, without looking back at
what has been done until now.
This separation could eventually
lead to some sort of minimalism,
but people can easily adapt to
minimalism without being troubled
by it.
At the moment, she had about
25 projects that are either complete
or ongoing. Even a superficial review
of these projects brings a
multitude of answers to the ®

PORTRET Portrait
16
® `n Anglia, dar [i `n alte ]\ri europene, arhitectura este uneori bizar de... ® question, “what does architec-
dispensabil\. Cl\diri care, la vremea lor, de pild\ prin anii ‘60, au f\cut senture mean to Zaha Hadid?” The
za]ie sunt acum desfigurate ori pur [i simplu demolate, `nainte de a avea Rosenthal Center of Contemporary
[ansa s\ revin\ la mod\, [i asta pentru a face loc altora. A[a s-a `nt‚mplat Art in Cincinnati, for instance, is
spre exemplu cu unul dintre proiectele timpurii ale lui Hadid, pavilionul massive and cubist. It’s like it is not
de la Weil am Rhein, pe grani]a germano-elve]ian\, care arat\ acum la fel the product of the same hands that
de ponosit ca o cl\dire scufundat\. Iar o sta]ie de pompieri amplasat\ `n designed the Phaeno Science Cen-
apropierea unei fabrici de mobil\, proiect ce-i apar]ine de asemenea, a fost ter in Wolfsburg - whose dynamic
considerat\ la un moment dat nepotrivit\ cu destina]ia sa func]ional\ [i is stretching horizontally, as if it’s
transformat\, pur [i simplu, `ntr-un muzeu al scaunelor!
about to start running. The figure
Este evident c\ munca artistei nu poate fi comparat\ cu ceva care deja of the Transport Museum in Glas-
s-a mai f\cut. Ea provine, spune Zaha, nu din observarea arhitecturii exisgow reminds one of a child’s
tente, nu din formalism. Mai mult dec‚t at‚t, Hadid crede c\ nu `mpru- drawing of the horizon in a city. A
mut\ `n mod con[tient nimic din formele lumii organice. Nu „citeaz\“ flori, university building on the quays of
nu imit\ copaci, nu reproduce siluete de pe[ti, ori p\s\ri. Cu toate acestea, Barcelona seems to be a pack of
nu respinge inspira]ia peisajelor, a reliefului, a formelor geologice. {i totul, cards. The entrance into the Gug-
m\rturise[te ea, `ncepe cu pictura, cu abstrac]ia pur\.
genheim Hermitage Museum in
Geometrie spiritual\ / Spiritual geometry
Ludic / Playful
TRECÂND CU VITEZA PLOII {I A TIMPULUI
Cum ia na[tere proiectul care va deveni, `n timp, o cl\dire uimitoare?
Zaha Hadid spune c\ asta nu se `nt‚mpl\ esen]ial prin gesturi tehnice,
mecanice. Nu desenezi cu ajutorul computerului, nici nu pui pe ecran
schi]a realizat\ cu m‚na. ~n viziunea arhitectei despre primele faze ale
crea]iei, urm\re[ti mai multe ecrane, mai multe proiecte diferite. E ca [i
cum, astfel, la plan[eta pe care lucrezi informa]iile vin din toate p\r]ile, ca
ni[te fotografii. Nu orice idee poate fi folosit\ chiar `n clipa `n care se
ive[te, dar nimic nu se pierde. Ceea ce se dovede[te excitant, spune Zaha,
este leg\tura dintre lucrul la calculator [i realizarea propriu-zis\. Computerul
nu face treaba omului, `ns\ nici nu este doar un instrument. Cu
toate aceste re]ineri de a defini foarte precis rolul ma[inii `n profunzimea
actului s\u creator, Hadid este foarte implicat\ `n procesul acestei
„cunoa[teri digitale“.
Zaha este entuziasmat\ de disonan]e. Ea opune cl\dirile noi unor
vecin\t\]i vechi. Deseori se g‚nde[te c‚t de interesant ar fi de realizat un
proiect mare, de pild\ un ora[, f\r\ a privi `napoi, la ceea ce exist\, la ceea
ce s-a f\cut p‚n\ atunci. Aceast\ desprindere ar putea conduce `n cele din
urm\ la un minimalism, dar oamenii se pot adapta minimalismului, f\r\ ca
acesta s\-i tulbure.
~n prezent, are circa 25 de proiecte definitivate sau `n construc]ie. O
trecere `n revist\, fie ea [i superficial\, scoate la iveal\ dintre ele o mul]ime
de r\spunsuri la `ntrebarea „Ce este arhitectura pentru Zaha ®
Vilnius is like a cake melting under
the sun. The A55 highway to Marseille
will soon get a 147-meterhigh
tower, which is also very different
from everything Zaha has
designed until now.
Her words shape the idea that
designing based on the context is
rather some sort of compromise.
And yet, each and every one of her
buildings is sensitive to the context,
but not passive. The problem
is not borrowing something from
the surroundings, but making the
most appropriate intervention to
change those surroundings, by creating
a new place and a better
space. Buildings are static objects,
but Zaha endows them with
“speed” - the speed of wind, of
rain, of time. With some sort of
erosion, the weakness of all perishable
things.
SKETCHES OF A LONDON
FEELING
The 200 employees of the architect’s
workshop run their activity in
a former school in Clerkenwell, an
area of London which still retains
the atmosphere of Dickens’ writings.
The building was erected in
1870 and looks more like a factory
than like a school. The employees
are young, wear solemn clothes,
and focus all their attention on the
monitors in front of them. That’s
about all in relation to the working
place. Ten minutes away from the
workshop, on foot, we can find Zaha
Hadid’s apartment, in an area
“Aura-Villa Fescari La Malcontenta”
taken over by red bricks and terracotta,
condemned factories, doll
houses, tall walls and alley mazes.
Her home has an austere elegance
and can be compared with a real
gallery, in which the architect’s
writings or furniture items are displayed
in spectacular gracefulness.
Zaha Hadid has no building
that bears her name in London, although
she has been living and
working in the Thames city for
three and a half decades. Some
plans exist, however, such as the
2012 Aquatic Olympic Center, a
building of the Southwark Foundation
for Architecture. Can the city
that is closest to her heart be slightly
hostile to her? She seems to have
got used to this. Here, Hadid believes,
private financial initiatives
do not encourage boldness. But
why has she stayed in London ®

PORTRET Portrait
® Hadid?“. Centrul Rosenthal de Art\ Contemporan\, din Cincinnati,
de pild\, e masiv, cubist. Parc\ n-ar fi produsul aceleia[i m‚ini care a creat
Centrul de {tiin]\ Phaeno, din Wolfsburg - cu o dinamic\ desf\[urat\
pe orizontal\, ca [i cum ar rupe-o la fug\. Silueta Muzeul Transportului,
din Glasgow, aminte[te de reprezentarea copil\reasc\ a orizontului
citadin. Cl\direa unei universit\]i de pe cheiurile Barcelonei pare un pachet
de c\r]i amestecate. Intrarea de la Guggenheim Hermitage Museum,
din Vilnius, este o pr\jitur\ care s-a topit la soare. Autostrada A55 ce
duce la Marsilia se va `mbog\]i cur‚nd cu un turn de 147 de metri, de
asemenea foarte diferit de tot ce a mai f\cut Zaha.
Spusele ei contureaz\ ideea c\ a ]ine seama de context este mai degrab\
un soi de compromis. {i totu[i, fiecare dintre cl\dirile sale este sensibil\
la context, dar nu pasiv\. Nu se pune problema de a `mprumuta ceva
de la `mprejurimi, ci de a face cea mai potrivit\ interven]ie care s\ schimbe
acele `mprejurimi, care creaz\ un loc nou [i un spa]iu mai bun. Cl\dirile
sunt obiecte statice, dar Zaha le `nzestreaz\ cu „viteze“: aceea a v‚ntului,
aceea a ploii, aceea a timpului. Cu un soi de eroziune, cu sl\biciunea lucrului
pieritor.
SCHI}ELE UNUI SENTIMENT LONDONEZ
Cei 200 de angaja]i din atelierul arhitectei lucreaz\ `ntr-o fost\ [coal\
din Clerkenwell, zon\ a Londrei care `nc\ mai p\streaz\ parfumul scrierilor
lui Dickens. Cl\direa a fost realizat\ `n 1870 [i pare mai degrab\ o fabric\
dec‚t o [coal\. Angaja]ii sunt tineri, poart\ haine sobre, se concentreaz\
intens `n fa]a monitoarelor. Cam at‚t despre locul de munc\. La
zece minute distan]\ de atelier, merg‚nd pe jos, `ntr-o arie st\p‚nit\ de
c\r\mid\ [i teracot\ ro[ie, fabrici dezafectate, c\su]e de p\pu[i, ziduri
`nalte [i labirinturi de alei, se afl\ apartamentul artistei Zaha Hadid.
C\minul ei se remarc\ printr-o elegan]\ auster\ [i poate fi asemuit unei
adev\rate galerii `n care sunt expuse picturile arhitectei ori piesele de mobilier
cu o zvelte]e spectaculoas\.
Zaha Hadid nu are nicio cl\dire care s\-i poarte numele la Londra,
de[i tr\ie[te [i lucreaz\ `n metropola de pe Tamisa de trei decenii [i
jum\tate. Ar exista totu[i ni[te planuri, precum Centrul Olimpic Acvatic
2012, o cl\dire a Funda]iei pentru Arhitectur\ la Southwark. S\-i fie oare
ora[ul de suflet u[or ostil? Pare resemnat\ `n aceast\ privin]\. Aici, crede
Hadid, ini]iativa financiar\ privat\ nu `ncurajeaz\ `ndr\zneala. De ce se
afl\ `ns\ la Londra de at‚ta vreme? Un posibil r\spuns ar fi acela c\ e locul
`n care a f\cut studiile cele mai importante, acelea care i-au marcat via]a.
Dar a `nv\]at [i la Columbia, Harvard [i Yale, la Hamburg [i la Viena.
Spune uneori c\ e la Londra fiindc\ aici sunt cei mai buni ingineri.
Aparent, afirma]ia e contrazis\ de realitate: Zaha Hadid are cl\diri `n construc]ie
la Neapole, Madrid, Strasbourg, Barcelona, Sevilla.
Nu este `mpotriva proiectelor noi. Dar la Londra, continu\ arhitecta,
nu se face o planificare, o vedere critic\ asupra a ceea ce urmeaz\ s\ fie.
Trebuie s\ existe o responsabilitate fa]\ de ora[, nu pentru a impune reguli,
ci calitate. Statul ar trebui s\ investeasc\ `n arhitectur\, ca `n Spania
ori Olanda, or, cel pu]in din acest punct de vedere, crede Zaha, Londra
este ora[ul ocaziilor pierdute. A colec]iona cl\diri este costisitor [i aici nu
tr\iesc, din nefericire, ni[te Getty, Guggenheim, Whitney, Vanderbilt sau
Rosenthal, care s\ se dedice acestui hobby.
Acum mai bine de 20 de ani, sclipitoarea arhitect\ Hadid se g‚ndea la
un ora[ liniar, de-a lungul Lea Valley. {i la un altul, `n jurul Royal Docks.
Are un mare apetit pentru o Londr\ diferit\, dar [i o curiozitate de
nest\vilit `n ceea ce prive[te ciud\]eniile, uneori nocive, ale metropolei
care-i este at‚t de drag\. Nu [tie dac\ va realiza vreodat\ un mare proiect
la Londra, dar m\rturise[te f\r\ ezitare c\ a f\cut o adev\rat\ fixa]ie pentru
ora[. ∫
18
Zaha Hadid
®
all that time? A possible answer
would be that this is where she attended
the most important studies,
the ones that left a deep mark on
her life. But she also studied at Columbia,
Harvard and Yale, Hamburg
and Vienna. Sometimes she
says that she stayed in London because
she can find the best engineers
here. Apparently, the state-
ment is contradicted by reality: Zaha
Hadid has buildings under construction
in Naples, Madrid, Strasbourg,
Barcelona, Seville.
She has nothing against new
projects. But in London, the architect
goes on, there is no planning,
no critical view on what will be
build. There must be some sort of
responsibility to the city, but not in
order to impose rules, but quality.
The state should invest in architecture,
like in Spain or the Netherlands,
or else, Zaha thinks, London
is the city of missed opportunities,
at least from this point of view.
Collecting buildings is expensive
and unfortunately, no Getty,
Guggenheim, Whitney, Vanderbilt
or Rosenthal live here, to indulge in
such a hobby.
Over 20 years ago, the brilliant
architect Hadid was thinking of a
linear city, along the Lea Valley.
And of another one, surrounding
the Royal Docks. She has a great
appetite for a different kind of London
and also an unstoppable curiosity
for the sometimes harmful
peculiarities of the city she loves so
much. She doesn’t know whether
she will ever carry out a great project
in London, but openly confesses
that she has developed an obsession
with the city. ∫

ITINERARII Air Treks 20
Frankfurt
de D\nu] Ungureanu
~NTR-O ZI SENIN|, LUCIUL RÂULUI, STRUNIT ~NTRE
MALURILE DE BETON ALB, PARE O OGLIND|
MI{C|TOARE, ALUNECÂND PRINTRE TURNURILE
UNOR BLOCURI COLOSALE, OGLINDINDU-LE.
ORA{UL CARE S-A ~NTORS
LA RÂU THE CITY THAT
RETURNED TO THE RIVER
{tia]i cum este poreclit ora[ul german de pe malurile r‚ului
Main? „Mainhattan“. V\ sun\ cunoscut? Desigur. Zecile de
zg‚rie-nori printre care te po]i r\t\ci ca `ntr-o jungl\ de o]el, ciment
[i oglinzi, i-au `ndrept\]it asem\narea cu celebra insul\-cartier,
Manhattan-ul newyorkez de peste ocean. O competi]ie a celor mai `nalte
cl\diri, aduce `n prim plan adev\ra]i campioni: „Commerzbank“, care se
ridic\ p‚n\ la 300 de metri, ori turnul „Millennium“, cu un total de 365
de metri, `ncunun‚nd un concept ambi]ios: cartierul reziden]ial [i de
afaceri „Europaviertel“.
Un aeroport supraaglomerat, o metropol\ clocotitoare, un poligon al
oamenilor ocupa]i, gonind dup\ afaceri profitabile, `n lupta cu secundele,
cu deciziile [i, mai nou, cu neprev\zutele crizei mondiale. Businessmanii
purt‚ndu-[i elegantele costume [i cravate, sunt totu[i, peste
Did you know the nickname
of the German city
on the banks of the river
Main? “Mainhattan.” Sounds familiar?
Of course. The dozens of
skyscrapers among which you can
get lost like in a jungle of steel,
concrete and mirrors, justify its
comparison with the famous
neighborhood-island, New York’s
Manhattan across the ocean. A
competition of the tallest building
emphasizes the real champions:
Centrul vechi / Historical center
“Commerzbank,” which goes up
300 meters, or the “Millennium”
Tower, measuring 365 meters in
altitude, crowning an ambitious
concept - the “Europaviertel” residential
and business quarter.
An overcrowded airport, a
steaming metropolis, a shooting
ground for busy people who are
rushing everywhere in search of
profitable business, in the fight
against seconds, decisions and,
more recently, the unknown con-

ON A BRIGHT, CLEAR DAY, THE SHINY WATERS OF THE RIVER,
LED THROUGH THE WHITE CONCRETE BANKS, RESEMBLE A
MOVING MIRROR, GLIDING BY THE TOWERS OF COLOSSAL
BUILDINGS AND SHOWING THEIR REFLECTION.
veacuri, urma[ii negu]\torilor care descopereau `n Evul Mediu, la
`ntret\ierea drumurilor comerciale, acest ora[ d\inuind din vremea c‚nd
legendarul Charlemagne trecea r‚ul. Firesc, av‚nd `n vedere c\ avem
de-a face cu unul dintre cele mai venerabile, mai importante [i mai respectate
centre financiare [i comerciale ale Europei. Iar faimoasele t‚rguri
de la Frankfurt sunt cu adev\rat cele mai vechi din lume.
ISTORIA, UN GHID ERUDIT
Dac\ tot am adus vorba despre meandrele misterioase ale secolelor, o
dat\ ce v\ afla]i la Frankfurt, trebuie neap\rat s\ str\bate]i pe jos Romerbergul,
centrul istoric, `nconjurat de case medievale. Cea mai uimitoare
dintre ele este desigur Romer, care g\zduie[te consiliul municipal. Remarcabila
ruin\ a Eschenheimer Tor, turnul de 47 de metri, dateaz\ din
secolul al XV-lea. Urmeaz\, pe traseul vizitatorului preg\tit oric‚nd ®
Case medievale / Medieval houses
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 21
sequences of the world crisis. Businessmen
wearing their elegant
suits and ties are, nonetheless, the
descendants of the Middle Ages
merchants who found this city at
the crossroad of several trade
roads, a city that had resisted in
place since the times when the legendary
Charlemagne crossed the
river. Which is only natural, given
that we’re dealing with one of the
most venerable, most important
and most respected financial and
trade centers of Europe. And the
famous Frankfurt fairs are truly
the oldest in the world.
HISTORY, A LEARNED GUIDE
And if we’re talking about the
mysterious winding roads of centuries,
once you get to Frankfurt
you must, by all means, go for a
walk on Romerberg, the historical
center, surrounded by medieval
houses. The most amazing of them
is definitely Romer, which hosts
the municipal council. The remarkable
ruins of Eschenheimer
Tor, the 47-meter high tower, date
back to the 15th century. The itinerary
of the tourist who is always
ready to taste the charm of places
made noble by the testimonies of
times long ago must necessarily
include a quiet halt at the History
Museum. And if you can find the
time for a special collection of personal
pictures, start ascending the
Main Tower, up to the observation
platform on the 56th floor.
In the architecture of this increasingly
tumultuous life, beyond
the importance of commercial
markets, Frankfurt is also a huge
market for words and ideas: it
hosts numerous publishing ®

ITINERARII Air Treks 22
Hanauer Rothaus (Prim\ria veche / old townhall)
® s\ guste din farmecul locurilor `nnobilate cu m\rturii ale vremurilor
apuse, un popas tihnit la Muzeul de Istorie. {i dac\ mai g\si]i loc pentru
o colec]ie special\ de ilustrate personale, porni]i `n ascensiune `n Turnul
Principal, p‚n\ la platforma de observa]ie de la etajul 56.
~n arhitectura acestei lumi din ce `n ce mai trepidante, dincolo de importan]a
pie]elor comerciale, Frankfurt este [i o uria[\ pia]\ a cuvintelor
[i ideilor: aici se afl\ nenum\rate edituri, Biblioteca Na]ional\ German\,
cel mai mare t‚rg de carte din lume. {i cel mai b\tr‚n, certificatul s\u de
na[tere dat‚nd din 1480! Anual, to]i aceia care `[i petrec via]a `n universul
minunat al c\r]ii tip\rite, de la scriitori [i editori, p‚n\ la fani [i impresari,
de la graficieni uimitori p‚n\ la tipografi de prestigiu, `[i noteaz\
pe prima pagin\ a agendei lor de priorit\]i participarea la faimosul
T‚rgul de la Frankfurt.
Goetheplatz, Goethe Strasse, Goethe Universitat... Oamenii sunt
m‚ndri de concet\]eanul lor, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, care s-a n\scut
aici `n anul 1749. Casa `n care a v\zut lumina zilei, distrus\ din nefericire
`n bombardamentele ultimului r\zboi mondial, a fost reconstruit\ dup\
original [i prime[te anual nu mai pu]in de 130 000 de vizitatori.
Spiritul unui ora[ poate fi prins, mai ales de c\tre cunosc\tori, nu numai
ie[ind la v‚n\toare pe str\zile sale cu tradi]ie extraordinar de bine
sedimentat\, ci [i lu‚nd loc, pentru c‚teva ore, `ntr-un fotoliu comod al
s\lii de spectacol, acolo unde se aude cel mai bine muzica sufletului s\u.
Printre institu]iile culturale de prim\ clas\, ale c\ror por]i de sunete vi se
deschid, se num\r\ Compania de Balet [i Festivalul Muzical Rheingau,
care aduce pe scen\ arti[ti renumi]i ai lumii.
TUMULTUL COSMOPOLIT, PACEA PATRIARHAL|
Pare incredibil, dar una din trei persoane care tr\iesc la Frankfurt nu
are pa[aport german. ~n consecin]\, via]a de zi cu zi a marelui ora[ului
are dou\ tr\s\turi esen]iale, este interna]ional\ [i poliglot\. „La Frankfurt,
str\inii care vin [i pleac\ f\r\ `ncetare `]i povestesc despre toate
regiunile lumii [i-]i st‚rnesc dorin]a irezistibil\ de a c\l\tori“, spunea
Goethe cu mult\ vreme `nainte ca acest lucru s\ ia propor]iile unui
fenomen asupra c\ruia sociologii [i edilii se apleac\ interesa]i.
Poate c\ interna]ionalismul este leitmotivul metropolei, `ns\ nu
pu]ine dintre cartierele sale cele mai cunoscute [i populate `[i duc traiul
`ntr-o atmosfer\ de-a dreptul patriarhal\. Asta se traduce la nivelul unei
urbanism nu numai conservator, ci [i inteligent, prin p\strarea cu grij\ a
caselor cu grinzi de lemn, a str\du]elor `nguste, a tavernelor unde curge
tradi]ionalul „apfelwein“, pentru care se g\se[te mereu un bob de ®
® houses, the German National
Library, the world’s largest book
fair. And the oldest, as it was first
held in 1480! Every year, all the
people spending their life in the
wonderful universe of printed
books, from writers and editors to
fans and agents, from amazing art
directors to prestigious publishers,
put the famous Frankfurt Book
Fair on the first page of their agenda
of priorities. Goetheplatz,
Goethe Strasse, Goethe Universitat...
People are proud of their fellow
citizen, Johann Wolfgang
Goethe, who was born here in
1749. The house where he was
born, unfortunately destroyed by
World War II bombs, were rebuilt
based on the original and welcomes
130,000 visitors every year.
The spirit of a city can be captured,
especially by the connoisseurs,
not only by going out hunting
in its streets full of tradition,
but also by having a seat, for a few
hours, in a comfortable armchair
of a performance hall, where the
music of its soul can be heard at
its best. The first-class cultural institutions
that will open their
gates of sounds to you include the
Ballet Company and the Rheingau
Music Festival, which brings several
world-famous artists on stage.
COSMOPOLITAN TUMULT,
PATRIARCHAL PEACE
It may seem incredible, but
one in three people living in
Simbolurile ora[ului / City’s landmarks
Frankfurt doesn’t have a German
passport. Consequently, the great
city’s everyday life has two essential
features, it is international and
multilingual. “In Frankfurt, the
foreigners that incessantly come
and go tell you stories about all
the regions of the world and stir
the irresistible urge to travel,”
Goethe said a long time before
this situation turned into a phenomenon
of great interest for sociologists
and local authorities.
Internationalism may well be
the leitmotif of the city, but many
of its most well-known and populated
neighborhoods live in a truly
patriarchal atmosphere. This is
translated as a sort of urbanism
which is not only conservative
but also intelligent, by carefully
preserving the houses with wooden
boards, narrow streets, taverns
where the traditional apfelwein is
poring in waves and for which
you can always find a few moments
to spare, even on one of the
busiest days.
Still, returning to the modern
rhythm that serves as background
for the contemporary, where is
the epicenter of the “quake” in
the life of this city? The general
opinion tends to say that the most
cosmopolitan and exciting area of
the city is spread, in its entire
splendor, around the central station,
the so-called “Bahnhofsviertel.”
The explanation, at least sociologically
speaking, is easy to ®

ITINERARII Air Treks
24
Festival stradal / Street festival Pe malul râului Main / On the shores of Main River
® z\bav\, chiar [i `n toiul uneia dintre cele mai aglomerate zile. {i to- ®
tu[i, revenind la ritmul modern pe m\surile c\ruia se interpreteaz\ contemporanul,
`n via]a acestui ora[, unde se afl\ epicentrul „seismului“?
Opinia general\ `nclin\ s\ aprecieze c\ zona cea mai cosmopolit\ [i
mai incitant\ a ora[ului se desf\[oar\ `n toat\ splendoarea sa `n jurul
g\rii centrale, a[a-numita „Bahnhofsviertel“. Explica]ia, cel pu]in din
punct de vedere sociologic, e lesne de g\sit: mai bine de o sut\ de na]ionalit\]i
convie]uiesc aici, armonios, `n splendide case ale sf‚r[itului de
veac XIX, pe o suprafa]\ de mai pu]in de un kilometru p\trat. Oamenii
roiesc neobosi]i, zi [i noapte, mai mul]i dec‚t `n orice alt col] al Frankfurtului.
Poate doar cu excep]ia remarcabil\ a str\zii Zeil, paradisul
cump\r\turilor, destina]ia la care t‚njesc dependen]ii de shopping, `n
fine, f\r\ vorbe mari, locul cu cel mai mare dever din `ntreaga Germanie.
S\ povestim mai departe despre aceast\ pasiune a zilelor noastre, [i
chiar un semn distinctiv al lumii `n care tr\im, shoppingul. La Frankfurt,
at‚t cump\r\torul serios, c‚t [i cel... „de vitrin\“, sunt mul]umi]i: pentru
cump\r\torul frenetic, s-a ridicat centrul Zeilgalerie. Pe Goethestrasse,
buticurile etaleaz\ cu m‚ndrie cele mai noi crea]ii vestimentare.
Dac\ vorbim de cump\r\turi relaxate, cele mai potrivite sunt
cartierele Bornheim, Bockenheim sau Sachsenhausen. Numeroase buticuri
[i cafenele r\sar, de asemenea, `n Berger Strasse, Leipziger [i Schwizer
Strasse. Alte centre de cump\r\turi se g\sesc `n Nordweststadt, dar,
p‚n\ la urm\, tot Hauptwache/Zeil r\m‚ne, dup\ p\rerea general\ a
aviza]ilor, cea mai profitabil\ promenad\.
O PLEDOARIE CLASIC| PENTRU... „NEUE KUCHE“
E bine de [tiut c\ Frankfurt g\zduie[te peste 3000 de restaurante.
Mae[tri ai artei culinare din peste 70 de ]\ri `[i dau `nt‚lnire aici, astfel
`nc‚t tradi]ionalul „piept de vit\ cu sos verde“ e concurat de specialit\]i
de pe `ntregul glob. „Neue Kuche“, noua buc\t\rie german\, face cas\
bun\ cu preparatele clasice [i constituie chiar `ncununarea unuia dintre
cele mai conving\toare discursuri gastronomice.
Vinul de mere, b\utura preferat\ a majorit\]ii localnicilor, e mai bun
al\turi de tradi]ionala costi]\ de porc cu varz\ murat\, ori binecunoscutul
pretzel - un simplu covrig. Se m\n‚nc\ bine `n jurul lui Hanauerlandstrasse,
preferat\ mai ales de elita cultural\. Aici, popularul „Frankfurter
Wurschten“ merge bine cu o pint\ de bere. Ori alege]i o farfurie de piept
Frankfurt, cu faimosul s\u „grune Sosse“, din 7 feluri de ierburi, turnat
pe cartofi fierbin]i [i ou\ fierte tari. Un preparat delicios. Se serve[te [i
aromata Handkas - br‚nz\ cu ceap\.
Dac\ sunte]i `ns\ un v‚n\tor al atmosferei locale, nimic mai potrivit
dec‚t tavernele unde be]i apfelwein din ulcele de lut, Sachsenhausen, sau
mai la nord, `n Alt Bornheim, la doar c‚teva minute de centru.
find: over one hundred nationalities
live here in harmony, in
splendid houses built at the end of
the 19 th century, on an area that
spreads on almost a square kilometer.
People continually go to
and fro, in larger numbers than in
any other corner of Frankfurt.
With the exception of Zeil Street,
the paradise of shopping, the destination
all shopping addicts long
for, in a nutshell, the place with
the highest flux of buyers and the
largest turnover in Germany.
Let’s continue speaking of this
nowadays’ passion and a distinctive
sign of the world we live in,
shopping. In Frankfurt, both the
serious buyer and the... “shop
window” buyer are content: for
the frenetic buyer, the Zeilgalerie
center was built. On Goethestrasse,
boutiques proudly display
the newest clothing designs. If we
speak of relaxation shopping, the
most appropriate places are the
Bornheim, Bockenheim or Sachsenhausen
quarters. Numerous
boutiques and cafes can also be
found on Berger Strasse, Leipziger
and Schwizer Strasse. Other shopping
centers are located in Nordweststadt,
but, in the end,
Hauptwache/Zeil remains the
most profitable shopping spree, a
fact agreed on by specialists in this
field.
CLASSICAL PLEA FOR...
“NEUE KUCHE”
It is good to know that Frankfurt
hosts over 3,000 restaurants.
Masters of culilnary art from over
70 countries gather here, so the traditional
“beef steak with green
sauce” faces a tough competition
from specialties from all around
the world. “Neue Kuche,” the new
German cuisine makes a good
team with classical dishes and represents
the success of one of the
most convincing gastronomy discourses.
The apple wine, most locals’
favorite drink, is a lot better with a
helping of the traditional pork
chop with sauerkraut or the wellknown
pretzel - a simple bagel.
You can get a good meal around
Hanauerlandstrasse, a favorite
spot of the cultural elite. Here, the
popular “Frankfurter Wurschten”
goes hand in hand with a pint of
beer. Or you can get a plate of the
Frankfurt steak, with its famous
“grune Sosse,” made of seven
kinds of herbs, poured over hot
baked potatoes and hard boiled
eggs. A delicious dish. You can also
get the flavored Handkas -
cheese with onions.
But if you’re in search of the
local atmosphere, there is nothing
more appropriate than the taverns
where you can drink apfelwein
from clay jugs, Sachsenhausen or,
a little to the north, Alt Bornheim,
only a few minutes away from the
center.
“BACK TO THE RIVER!”
In fact, the official name is
Frankfurt am Main. In order not to
mistake it for the other one, Frankfurt
an der Oder. Different banks,
a different city...
® ®

ITINERARII Air Treks 26
„~NAPOI SPRE RÂU!“
® De fapt, numele oficial este Frankfurt am Main. Asta [i pentru a nu-l
confunda cu cel\lalt, Frankfurt an der Oder. Alte maluri, alt ora[... „~napoi,
spre r‚u!“ Acestea au fost, pare-se, cuvintele magice care i-au ghidat
pe speciali[tii `n urbanism, c‚nd [i-au propus s\ fac\ din malurile Mainului
cea mai atractiv\ zon\ de promenad\, `n]esat\ cu locurile potrivite
popasului: terase, restaurante [i baruri.
Iar arhitec]ii au completat peisajul muzeal. ~ntre podurile „Eiserne
Steg“ [i „Friedensbrucke“, vreme de un deceniu, nu mai pu]in de treisprezece
muzee au fost renovate ori recl\dite din temelii [i sunt acum
g\zduite fie `n magnifice vile burgheze, fie `n arhitecturi de-a dreptul
ambi]ioase. Anii ‘80 au fost martorii dezvolt\rii a ceea ce se nume[te
„Museumsufer“ (banca muzeelor). {i-au g\sit ad\post aici Muzeul Filmului
German, Muzeul Artei Aplicate, Muzeul de Arhitectur\ German\,
Muzeul Evreiesc [i desigur, Muzeul Artei Moderne, c\ruia toat\ lumea `i
spune „felia de tort“, din cauza neobi[nuitei sale forme triunghiulare.
Dar s\ nu crede]i c\ v\ afla]i pe un t\r‚m dedicat `n exclusivitate sobriet\]ii...
Fanii bicicletei, ori ai rolelor, au descoperit ei `n[i[i malurile
r‚ului Main [i li s-au al\turat iute pietonilor. Cea mai apreciat\ dintre
toate pare s\ fie zona supranumit\ „Nizza“ (Nisa), din cauza microclimatului
s\u special, care aminte[te aici, `n vestul Europei, de binefacerile
Mediteranei.
Nu-i obligatoriu `ns\, venind la Frankfurt, s\ r\m‚ne]i `n limitele
stricte ale urbanului, c\ci `ntreaga regiune este cu adev\rat fermec\toare.
Bucura]i-v\ din plin de podgorii, de coamele spectaculoase ale mun]ilor
Taunus, de rezerva]iile naturale - adev\rate oaze de revenire la normal,
acum, c‚nd mediul tr\ie[te peste tot transform\ri dramatice. Unul dintre
cele mai populare locuri este Feldberg, cel mai `nalt munte din Taunus:
scene naturale magnifice, parc\ desprinse din albumele unor vis\tori incurabili,
s\lb\ticie de o puritate impresionant\, priveli[ti de neuitat ale
`ntregii regiuni Rin - Main. {i o ultim\ remarc\, aparent prozaic\, dar, `n
fond, acordat\ pe lungimea de und\ a bucuriei de a tr\i `n hotarele unei
lumi pe care oamenii o respect\, respect‚ndu-se astfel pe ei `n[i[i: iubitorii
[i cunosc\torii vinului bun au la dispozi]ie `ntregul ]inut Rheingau,
pentru cel mai apreciat „ro[u“. Sunt clipe care trebuie neap\rat celebrate
cu un pahar... ∫
BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND| – FRANKFURT (26.10.2008-28.03.2009)
Zbor Zile de operare Plecare Sosire Avion
Fligh Days of service Departure Arrival Aircraft
RO 301 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 09.10 10.50 A318
RO 307 2, 5, 7 20.40 22.20 B73G
CLUJ NAPOCA – FRANKFURT (26.10.2008-28.03.2009)
Zbor Zile de operare Plecare Sosire Avion
Flight Days of service Departure Arrival Aircraft
RO 305 2, 4, 6, 7 16.15 17.35 B73G
® “Back to the river!” These
words seem to have been the
guideline of urban planning specialists
when they planned to turn
the Main’s banks into the most active
promenade area, full of the
appropriate places: terraces,
restaurants and bars. And architects
also completed the stage of
museums. Within a decade, a total
of 13 museums were renovated or
rebuilt from the ground between
“Eiserne Steg” and “Friedensbrucke”
bridges. The museums
are now hosted either in magnificent
Bourgeois villas or in truly
ambitious pieces of architecture.
The 1980s were witness to the development
of what is known as
“Museumsufer” (the bank of museums).
The location provides
shelter for the German Film Museum,
the Applied Art Museum, the
German Architecture Museum,
the Jewish Museum and, of
course, the Modern Art Museum,
which is called “the cake slice” because
of its unusual triangular
shape.
But don’t start thinking that
you’re on a land exclusively dedicated
to serious things... Fans of
cycling or roller-skating have discovered
the banks of the river
Main and quickly joined pedestrians
here. The most appreciated
area seems to be the “Nizza”
(Nice), because of its special microclimate,
which reminds people
here, in Western Europe, of the
Mediterranean benefits.
When coming to Frankfurt, it
is not mandatory to spend your
time within the strict urban limits,
for the entire region is truly
charming. Enjoy the vineyards,
the spectacular tops of Taunus
Mountains, the natural reserves -
true oases of return to normality
at a time when the environment is
going through dramatic changes
everywhere. One of the most popular
places if Feldberg, the tallest
peak of Taunus: magnificent
scenery that seems to have come
out of the sketch albums of incurable
dreamers, wilderness of an
impressive purity, an unforgettable
view of the entire Rhine-
Main region. And a last remark,
that might seem prosaic, but, after
all, in tune with the joy of living
within the boundari es of a world
that is respected by people, who
thus sow respect for themselves:
lovers and connoisseurs of good
wine have the entire Rheingau
land at their disposal, for the most
appreciated red wine. These are
moments that must, by all means,
be celebrated with a class of
wine... ∫
FRANKFURT – BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND| (26.10.2008-28.03.2009)
Zbor Zile de operare Plecare Sosire Avion
Flight Days of service Departure Arrival Aircraft
RO 302 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 11.50 15.15 A318
RO 308 1, 3, 6 06.55 10.20 B73G
FRANKFURT – CLUJ NAPOCA (26.10.2008-28.03.2009)
Zbor Zile de operare Plecare Sosire Avion
Flight Days of service Departure Arrival Aircraft
RO 306 2, 4, 6, 7 18.20 21.25 B73G

ITINERARII Air Treks
de Cristina Manolache
28
Parfum antic / Ancient parfume
Sofia
Garda pre[edintelui / The guard of the president
EXCURSIA LA SOFIA, FIE EA {I DOAR PENTRU UN WEEKEND,
ESTE GR|ITOARE PENTRU SPIRITUL ACESTUI ORA{,
CU TR|S|TURI BALCANICE MAI SUBTILE DECÂT ACELEA
~NF|}I{ATE DE BELGRAD, {I MAI ANCORAT ~N ISTORIA
BIZANTIN| DECÂT BUCURE{TIUL.
Sofia, ora[ul de la poalele muntelui Vito[a, te surprinde oferindu-]i
o experien]\ complet\. Ora[ul are c‚te ceva preg\tit at‚t
pentru minte [i suflet, c‚t [i pentru trup. Vestigiile vechii istorii
europene alung\ plictiseala, parcurile [i bisericile aduc lini[tea... Iar
sta]iunea montan\ `]i ofer\ una dintre cele mai bune p‚rtii de ski din
Europa, `ntregind tenta]iile s\lilor de sport ale capitalei bulgare. ®

O POVESTE
DE DRAGOSTE
BALCANIC|
BALKAN
LOVE STORY
Sofia, the city at the foot of
Mount Vitosha, surprises
you by offering a complete
experience. The city has
things in store for both your mind
and soul and your body. The ves-
Sofia - o fa]\ a Balcanilor / A face of Balkans
A TRIP TO SOFIA, MAY IT BE ONLY FOR THE WEEKEND, IS
RELEVANT FOR THE SPIRIT OF THIS CITY, WITH BALKAN
FEATURES THAT ARE MORE SUBTLE THAN THOSE OF
BELGRADE AND WITH DEEPER ROOTS IN BYZANTINE HIS-
TORY THAN BUCHAREST.
tiges of the old European history
chase boredom away, while the
parks and churches bring you
peace of mind... And the mountain
resort offers one of the best
ski slopes in Europe, ®
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 29

ITINERARII Air Treks 30
conquered by the Romans, becoming
the capital of Dacia Mediterranea
province. Destroyed by the
Huns in 447, the city was rebuilt by
Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and
renamed Triaditsa. Known as Sredets
after the Bulgarian conquest, it
was renamed Sofia in 1376. The city
thus bears the traces of Thracians
and Romans, of the Byzantines and
Ottomans.
A mixture of impressive Orthodox
churches, typically communist
architecture, next to Oriental vestiges,
gyms and wide parks, Sofia
surprises one with its variety and
contrasts. The city hosts several
UNESCO objectives, including the
Ivanovo Monastery, Rila Monastery
or the Thracian Tomb of Kazanluk.
THE TREASURE
OF ICONOSTAS TRADITION
Among the most impressive
buildings, the medieval Boyana
Church stands out through its architecture
and peaceful feeling. Located
on the outskirts of Sofia,
among shadowy fir-trees, in the
quarter that bears its name, Boyana
O ISTORIE DE MILENII
adding to the temptations of was included on the list of UN-
Temeliile s-au pus `n urm\ cu 7.000 de ani, ceea ce face din Sofia al the Bulgarian capital’s gyms. ESCO sites in 1979, as one of the
doilea cel mai vechi ora[ permanent locuit din Europa, dup\ Cadiz, de
oldest Orthodox churches in Eu-
pe coasta Spaniei. Urme ale existen]ei preistorice au fost g\site `n A HISTORY OF MILLENNIA rope. It was closed for reconstruc-
apropierea Palatului Preziden]ial, chiar `n centru. Prin milenii, cei ce l-au The foundations of the city tion in 1977 and was re-opened in
st\p‚nit au dat ora[ului felurite nume. Ini]ial localitate trac\, a[ezarea se were laid 7,000 years ago, which 2000. The church’s west wing was
chema Sardica. ~n anul 29, a fost cucerit\ de romani, devenind capitala makes Sofia the second oldest city built at the end of the tenth century
provinciei Dacia Mediterranea. Distrus de huni `n 447, ora[ul a fost re- permanently inhabited in Europe, and the beginning of the following
construit de `mp\ratul bizantin Iustinian I [i renumit Triadi]a. Cunoscut after Cadiz, on the Spanish coast. century, being the oldest section.
ca Srede] dup\ cucerirea bulgar\, a fost redenumit Sofia `n 1376. Ora[ul Traces of pre-historic existence The central wing was added in the
poart\ deci urmele tracilor [i romanilor, ale bizantinilor [i otomanilor. were found close to the Presidential 13
Un amestec de impresionante biserici ortodoxe, de arhitectur\ tipic Palace, in the city’s central area.
comunist\, al\turat\ vestigiilor orientale, s\li de sport [i parcuri `ntinse, Over the millennia, those who led
Sofia surprinde prin varietate [i contrast. Ora[ul ad\poste[te numeroase the city gave it different names. Ini-
obiective UNESCO, `ntre care m‚n\stirea rupestr\ Ivanovo, m‚n\stirea tially a Thracian settlement, it was
Rila sau morm‚ntul tracic al lui Kazanluk.
called Sardica. In the year 29, it was
th century, under the second Bulgarian
Empire, which was also
when the building was completed.
In the 19th O zi `nsorit\ `n Sofia / Sunny day in Sofia
®
®
century, it was completed
with the west wing, which is
® more modern than the others. ®
BAIA PUBLIC|
Sofia este str\b\tut\ de un izvor mineral care alimenteaz\ Baia Public\ din
centru. Cl\direa a fost edificat\ la `nceputul secolului al XX-lea, `n stil vienez,
integr‚nd `ns\ ornamente bulg\re[ti, bizantine [i ortodoxe. Baia a fost
deschis\ `n mai 1913 [i a func]ionat p‚n\ `n 1986, c‚nd a fost `nchis\ pentru
repara]ii. Nu a mai fost redeschis\ p‚n\ ast\zi, dar la finalul tuturor
repara]iilor urmeaz\ s\ g\zduiasc\ Muzeul Sofiei [i un centru de s\n\tate. ~n
prezent, merit\ s\ fie vizitat\ pentru arhitectura deosebit\ [i gr\dina bine
`ngrijit\.
THE PUBLIC BATH
Sofia is crossed by a mineral spring that supplies the Public Bath downtown.
The building was erected at the turn of the 20th century, in Viennese
style, but also integrating Bulgarian, Byzantine and Orthodox ornaments.
The bath was opened in May 1913 and was functional until 1986, when it
was closed for repair. It was never opened again, but when the repair works
are complete, the building will host the Sofia Museum and a health care
center. It is worth visiting, for its special architecture and beautifully maintained
garden.

ITINERARII Air Treks 32
TEZAURUL TRADI}IEI CU ICONOSTAS
® ~ntre cele mai impresionante a[ez\minte, biserica medieval\ Boyana
se distinge imediat prin arhitectur\ [i pace. La marginea Sofiei,
printre brazi r\coro[i, `n cartierul ce-i poart\ numele, Boyana a intrat pe
lista obiectivelor UNESCO `n 1979, ca una dintre cele mai vechi biserici
ortodoxe din Europa. A fost `nchis\ `n 1977 pentru reconstruc]ie [i s-a
redeschis `n 2000. Aripa de vest a bisericii a fost ridicat\ la sf‚r[itul secolului
al X-lea [i `nceputul secolului urm\tor, fiind cea mai veche
sec]iune. Aripa central\ a fost ad\ugat\ `n secolul XIII, sub al doilea Imperiu
Bulgar, momentul finaliz\rii cl\dirii. ~n secolul al XIX-lea, ea a fost
completat\ cu aripa vestic\, mai modern\.
Biserica nu este renumit\ doar pentru vechimea sa, ci [i pentru frescele
deosebite, realizate la 1259, peste picturile originale. Ele reprezint\
unul dintre cele mai complete [i mai bine p\strate monumente de art\
medieval\ din Europa de Est. Cele 89 de scene care `mpodobesc pere]ii
contureaz\ 240 de siluete, de la sfin]i p‚n\ la patronii bisericii. Elementul
distinctiv este semn\tura pictorilor de biserici, `n cazul acesta „Vasili
din Subonosha, Sersko [i ucenicul s\u Dimitar“. Curajosul Vasili a ignorat
preceptele biserice[ti care atribuiau lui Dumnezeu pictura, artistul fiind
considerat doar instrumentul gra]iei divine, f\r\ drept de
semn\tur\.
Boyana nu este `ns\ singura biseric\ remarcabil\ din capitala Bulgariei.
Trebuie amintite [i Biserica „Sf‚ntul Gheorghe“, cea mai veche
cl\dire din Sofia, construit\ `n secolul al IV-lea, sau biserica bizantin\
„Sf‚nta Sofia“, ridicat\ `n secolul al VI-lea, pe locul unui teatru roman,
[i transformat\ de otomani `n moschee. De asemenea, se remarc\ biserica
„Sf‚ntul Petka“, din centru, `n „conflict“ direct cu trei din cele mai
importante cl\diri ale perioadei comuniste: Palatul Parlamentului, magazinul
universal TZUM [i hotelul Sheraton Sofia.
Cea mai mare biseric\ ortodox\ din Balcani - Catedrala Alexander
Nevsky, a fost construit\ la `nceputul secolului al XX-lea, `n memoria
solda]ilor uci[i `n r\zboaiele ruso-turce. Cu domul s\u aurit,
impun\toare, Alexander Nevsky trezeste respectul. Este, ca m\rime, cea
de-a doua biseric\ ortodox\ din lume!
®
La cump\r\turi / Going shopping
BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND| – SOFIA (26.10.2008 - 28.03.2009)
Zbor Zile de operare Plecare Sosire Avion
Flight Days of service Departure Arrival Aircraft
RO 291 12345 7 17.20 18.20 ATR
RO 293 12345 08.20 09.20 ATR
Lazarica, rochie tradi]ional\ / traditional dress
® The church is famous not only
for its age, but also for the beautiful
frescoes done in 1259, over the original
paintings. They are one of the
most complete and well preserved
medieval art monuments in Eastern
Europe. The 89 scenes adorning the
walls contain 240 human figures,
from the saints to the church’s patron
saints. The distinctive feature is
the signature of church painters, in
this case, “Vassilii from Subonosha,
Sersko and his apprentice Dimitar.”
The brave Vassilii thus ignored
church precepts that attributed the
painting to God and the artist was
merely an instrument of divine
grace, without the right to sign his
works. Boyana, however, is not the
only remarkable church in the Bulgarian
capital. We must also note
the “Saint George” Church, the oldest
building in Sofia, build in the
fourth century, or the Byzantine
“Saint Sofia” Church, erected in the
sixth century, on the location of a
Roman theater and turned into a
mosque by the Ottomans. Also, we
must note the “Saint Petka” Church,
in the center of the town and in direct
“conflict” with three of the most
important buildings of communism:
the Palace of Parliament, TZUM
universal store and Sheraton Sofia
hotel. The largest Orthodox church
in the Balkans - Alexander Nevsky
Cathedral, was built at the turn of
the 20 th century, in memory of the
fallen soldiers of Russia-Turkish
wars. With its golden, imposing
dome, Alexander Nevsky triggers
respect. As size, it is the second
largest Orthodox church in the
world!
THE CITY’S GREEN SPIRIT
Numerous beautifully forested
parks stretch on wide spaces, ®
Teatrul Na]ional / National Theatre
SOFIA – BUCURE{TI HENRI COAND| (26.10.2008 - 28.03.2009)
Zbor Zile de operare Plecare Sosire Avion
Flight Days of service Departure Arrival Aircraft
RO 292 12345 7 19.00 20.00 ATR
RO 294 12345 09.50 10.50 ATR

ITINERARII Air Treks 34
Biseric\ ortodox\ / Ortodox church Biserica Sf. Nicolae / St Nicholas Church
SPIRITUL VERDE AL ORA{ULUI
® Numeroase parcuri bogat `mp\durite se `ntind pe spa]ii vaste, chiar `n
centrul Sofiei. Patru dintre ele sunt mai importante ca vechime [i `ntindere:
Parcul }arul Boris, din centru, apoi cele botezate, nu foarte imaginativ, Parcul
de Sud, de Vest [i de Nord. Unul dintre cele mai atr\g\toare spa]ii verzi
este Gr\dina Ora[ului, un fel de Ci[migiu de-al nostru. Parcul }arului
Boris, sau Gr\dina Borisova, este cel mai vechi [i mai vizitat. Amenajarea
gr\dinii, numit\ dup\ }arul Boris al III-lea, a `nceput `n 1884. Gr\dina a
traversat `n timp trei etape de recondi]ionare, care nu au afectat planul
ini]ial, ci au p\strat spiritul sf‚r[itului de secol XIX. ~ntre toate se distinge
`ns\ prin m\rime [i vechime Parcul natural Vito[a, cea mai v‚rstnic\ rezerva]ie
de acest fel din Balcani. El include o bun\ parte a masivului cu acela[i
nume [i ocup\ o suprafa]\ de 270 de kilometri p\tra]i. Locuitorii ora[ului
nu pierd ocazia ca `n week-enduri s\ fac\ drume]ii sau simple plimb\ri de
recreere. Iarna, oferta este extins\ prin p‚rtiile de ski de pe munte [i bungalourile
ce `[i a[teapt\ turi[tii, care au astfel ocazia s\ se bucure de natur\ [i
de o atmosfer\ relaxat\ chiar `n interiorul ora[ului. Sporturile nu sunt
neglijate la Sofia, dac\ ]inem seama c\ exist\ nu mai pu]in de cinsprezece
bazine de `not, majoritatea descoperite. Mai toate sunt construite pentru
competi]ii, fiind de aceea mari [i bine utilate. Pe l‚ng\ s\lile polivalente,
numeroasele stadioane din ora[ pun la dispozi]ia amatorilor terenuri de tenis
[i alte facilit\]i. Pentru sporturi mai rafinate, locuitorii [i turi[tii au la
`ndem‚n\ dou\ terenuri de golf [i un club de echita]ie.
NICIO CLIP| DE PLICTISEAL|
Via]a de noapte este `nsufle]it\ de studen]ii celor [aisprezece universit\]i
din ora[. ~n barurile [i bistrourile cochete explodeaz\ exuberan]a [i
even in downtown Sofia.
Four of them are worth to be noted,
for their width and age: Czar
Boris Park in the center of the city
and those named, in a not very
imaginative manner, the South
Park, the West Park and the North
Park. One of the most attractive
green areas is the city’s Garden,
sort of like our Cismigiu. Czar
Boris Park, or Borisova Garden, is
the oldest and most popular. The
arrangement of the garden, which
was named after Czar Boris III, began
in 1884. The garden went
through three stages of repairs,
which did not affect its initial plan,
but managed to maintain the spirit
of the late 19th ®
century.
But among all these parks, the
largest and oldest is the Vitosha
Natural Park, the oldest natural reserve
of the kind in the Balkans. It
includes a large part of the massif
with the same name, covering a 270
square kilometer area. The city’s inhabitants
never miss the opportuni-
ty to go on relaxing walks through
the park on weekends. During the
winter, the offer is extended,
through the ski slopes on the mountain
and the warm bungalows
awaiting tourists, who thus get the
opportunity to enjoy nature and a
relaxing atmosphere inside the city.
Sports are not neglected in
Sofia, if we take into account the
fact that there are 15 swimming
pools, most of them in the open. Almost
all of them were built for competitions
and are therefore large
and well equipped. Besides polyvalent
halls, the numerous stadiums
in the city offer several other facilities
to tennis lovers. For more refined
sports, residents and tourists
benefit from two gulf courses and a
horse riding club.
NOT A SINGLE MOMENT
OF BOREDOM
Night life is animated by the
students of the 16 university departments
in the city. The stylish

cheful de via]\ specific studen]e[ti. De asemenea, cluburile [i cafenelele
g\zduiesc concerte live, cu muzic\ variat\, de la tradi]ionalele c‚ntece
bulg\re[ti, la hardcore, punk, raggae, electronic sau metal. Majoritatea
acestor localuri se concentreaz\ pe bulevardul Vito[a [i `n `mprejurimi,
de[i po]i `nt‚lni locuri „cu lipici“ [i `n preajma Universit\]ii Sofia.
Nici restaurantele nu sunt de neglijat. Oferta este bogat\, de la
restaurante fusion sau cele sofisticate, care servesc m‚ncare interna]ional\,
la localurile cu specific bulg\resc. Merit\ s\ `ncerca]i cina `ntr-o
„mehana“ - tavern\ tradi]ional\, pe care o g\si]i sigur `n zona de sud a
ora[ului, `n cartiere cu nume r\sun\tor: Dragalevtsi, Boyana sau Simeonovo.
Ve]i avea parte de muzic\ popular\ bulg\reasc\, plin\ de via]\,
brodat\ pe sunetul specific al cimpoaielor.
Nu trebuie s\ rata]i „kavarma“, friptura de porc `nso]it\ de o salat\
bogat\, cu br‚nz\ de capr\. Ca s\ mai stinge]i condimentele care v\ vor
aprinde cu siguran]\ cerul gurii, `ncerca]i o sticl\ de vin ro[u local -
Mavrud. ∫
SCHIMBAREA G|RZII
LA PALATUL PREZIDEN}IAL
Palatul Preziden]ial din centrul Sofiei prezint\
mai pu]ine urme ale stilului stalinist de dup\
r\zboi, ce define[te majoritatea marilor cl\diri
de institu]ii din zon\. Senza]ia fiec\rei dup\amieze
este schimbarea g\rzii, care-i atrage
pe turi[tii dornici de instantanee cu solda]i
`mbr\ca]i `n uniforme tradi]ionale.
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 35
bars and bistros ‘explode’ with the
exuberance and thirst for life specific
to students. Also, the clubs and
cafés host live concerts, with various
kinds of music, from traditional
Bulgarian songs to hardcore, punk,
reggae, electronic or metal. Most of
these places are located on Vitosha
Boulevard or in the surroundings,
but you can run into attractive
places around Sofia University as
well. Restaurants cannot be overlooked
either.
The offer is rich, from fusion or
sophisticated restaurants, which offer
international cuisine, to places
with Bulgarian specific. It is worth
having dinner in a “mehana,” a traditional
tavern which you will definitely
find in the city’s south area,
in neighborhoods with a resounding
name: Dragalevtsi, Boyana or
Simeonovo. You’ll get Bulgarian
folk music, which is very lively and
based on the specific sound of bagpipes.
You must not miss the
“kavarma,” the pork steak accompanied
by a delicious salad with
goat cheese. To tame the hot spices
which will definitely set your
mouth on fire, try a bottle of local
red wine - Mavrud. ∫
THE CHANGE OF GUARDS
AT THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
The Presidential Palace downtown Sofia has fewer
elements of the Stalinist style from after the war,
which defines most large buildings that host state
institutions in the area. The highlight of every afternoon
is the change of guards, which attracts tourist
wishing to take photos of soldiers dressed in traditional
uniforms.

DISCOVERY 36
NOILE MINUNI
NATURALE ALE LUMII
DES|VÂR{ITE DE DESIGNERII NATURII - APE, VÂNT, VULCANI, CUTREMURE - SUTE DE MILIOANE DE ANI, CELE OPT MINUNI NATURALE
ALE LUMII AU DEVENIT LOCURILE CELE MAI C|UTATE {I PROTEJATE. REZERVA}IILE DE FLUTURI, LAGUNELE DE CORALI, ROCILE CE
P|STREAZ| FOSILE ALE PRIMELOR REPTILE DIN ISTORIE SUNT SURSELE INEPUIZABILE DE FRUMUSE}E {I LINI{TE.
Nu trebuie s\ fii neap\rat un specialist `n materie, ca s\ te sim]i
atras de un asemenea t\r‚m. O dat\ ajuns la Joggins Fossil Cliffs
din Canada, `n Parcul Na]ional Sanqingshan din China, Rezerva]ia
natural\ a Fluturelui Monarh din Mexic, Lagunele din Noua Caledonie
sau Insula Surtsey din Islanda, vei descoperi cele mai `nc‚nt\toare
crea]ii ale naturii, `ntr-un periplu superb [i adesea aventuros.
REZERVA}IA NATURAL| A FLUTURELUI MONARH - MEXIC
Spectacolul `]i taie r\suflarea: crengile se `ndoaie sub greutatea colectiv\
a milioane de fluturi Monarh, verdele plantelor este literalmente
One mustn’t necessarily be
a specialist to feel attracted
by such a land. Once
you get to Joggins Fossil Cliffs in
Canada, the Sanqingshan National
Park in China, the Monarch
Butterfly Natural Reserve in Mexico,
New Caledonia lagoons or
Surtsey Island in Iceland, you will
discover nature’s most delightful
creations, in a superb and often
adventurous journey.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY
NATURAL RESERVE - MEXICO
The show is breathtaking:
branches bend under the collective
weight of millions of
Monarch butterflies, the green
plants are literally covered ®

THE WORLD S
NEW
NATURAL
WONDERS
PERFECTED BY THE NATURE’S ENGINEERS - WATERS,
WIND, VOLCANOES, EARTHQUAKES OVER HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF YEARS, THE WORLD’S EIGHT NATURAL
WONDERS HAVE BECOME THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER AND
THE MOST PROTECTED PLACES. BUTTERFLY RESERVES,
REEF LAGOONS, ROCKS THAT STILL PRESERVE FOSSILS
OF THE FIRST REPTILES IN HISTORY REPRESENT
INEXHAUSTIBLE SOURCES OF BEAUTY AND PEACE.
de Adina Blaj
acoperit de portocaliul aprins al aripilor. Show-ul acesta fabulos se
desf\[oar\ doar `n rezerva]ia natural\ din centrul Mexicului,
Mariposa Monarca. ~n fiecare toamn\, milioane, ba chiar miliarde
de fluturi Monarh se str‚ng de pe cuprinsul `ntregului teritoriul
american [i zboar\ cale de mii de kilometri, pentru a petrece anotimpul
rece `n Mexic.
Iar la venirea prim\verii, aceste viet\]i delicate, nu mai mari
dec‚t o frunzuli]\, o iau de la cap\t. Lunga lor migra]ie de opt luni,
at‚t c‚t le ia drumul de la grani]a cu Canada [i `napoi, coincide cu
timpul `n care se nasc [i mor patru genera]ii Monarh. ®
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 37

DISCOVERY 38
Fluturii Monarh tr\iesc dou\ luni / Monarch butterflies live for two months
® Cum de-[i g\sesc de fiecare dat\ drumul cel bun, r\m‚ne un mister
chiar [i pentru speciali[ti.
PARCUL NA}IONAL SANQINGSHAN - CHINA
O frumuse]e s\lbatic\, ce se `nal]\ p‚n\ la 1.817 metri, st‚lpi [i v‚rfuri
seme]e de granit care parc\ ating norii, `mpletindu-se uluitor. V‚ntul [i
precipita]iile au sculptat `n roc\ siluete gigantice de oameni [i animale.
Atmosfera `nce]o[at\, lumina diafan\ a curcubeului [i proiec]iile ciudate
ale naturii `]i dau senza]ia c\ te afli `ntre hotarele unei lumi paralele.
Oricine le poate admira de aproape, datorit\ potecilor suspendate, care
duc p‚n\ spre v‚rf. Printre forma]iunile st‚ncoase neobi[nuite, pere]ii
`nal]i de peste 60 de metri, speciile diverse de arbu[ti [i copaci, lacurile [i
izvoarele aburind sporesc farmecul virgin al acestui ]inut de seam\ al
Asiei.
JOGGINS FOSSIL CLIFFS - CANADA
Aici s-a n\scut via]a, spun cei care au vizitat Joggins Fossil Cliffs.
Conserva]i `n situl vechi de aproximativ 300 de milioane de ani, copacii
din era c\rbunelui se afl\ tot acolo unde au crescut. Urmele au `nghe]at
`n locurile pe unde au umblat odat\ creaturile din vremurile imemoriale,
vizuinele amfibienilor s-au conservat cu tot cu resturile de la ultima
lor mas\, iar reptilele au r\mas `ngropate `n arborii g\uno[i. Nic\ieri `n
lume nu mai este egalat acest record extraordinar de plante, nevertebrate
[i vertebrate fosilizate `ntr-o p\dure. Comparate de multe ori cu
insulele din Oceanul Pacific, Joggins Fossil Cliffs au fost supranumite
„Galapagosul din Era C\rbunelui“.
LAGUNELE DIN NOUA CALEDONIE- ESTUL AUSTRALIEI
Un adev\rat Paradis reg\sit, printre cele mai fermec\toare priveli[ti
ale naturii: un recif de corali cl\dit `n apa limpede [i albastr\ a oceanului,
luminat din plin de soarele tropical, [i extraordinar de viu, datorit\
sumedeniei de pe[ti colora]i care alunec\ lini[ti]i printre ramurile sale.
Lagunele din Noua Caledonie ad\postesc ecosisteme variate [i recifuri
despre care se spune c\ ar dep\[i chiar Marea Barier\ de Corali `n ceea
ce prive[te diversitatea speciilor. Vei g\si aici at‚t recifuri vii, c‚t [i fosile,
habitatul perfect pentru un num\r impresionant de pe[ti, broa[te
]estoase [i mamifere marine.
Dup\-amiaz\ de odihn\ / Mid-day rest
®
by the bright orange of the
butterflies’ wings. This fabulous
show can be viewed only in the
natural reserve in center Mexico,
Mariposa Monarca. Every autumn,
millions, even billions of
Monarch butterflies gather from
all across the American territory
and fly over thousands of miles to
spend winter in Mexico.
And when spring is coming,
these delicate creatures, not bigger
than a small leaf, start all over
again. Their eight-month long migration,
the time it takes them to
fly from the Canadian border and
back, coincides with the time it
takes four generations of the
Monarch to be born and perish.
And the way they manage to find
the best route every time remains
a mystery, even to specialists.
SANQINGSHAN NATIONAL
PARK - CHINA
A wild beauty, going 1,817
meters high, lofty granite pillars
and peaks that seem to be touching
the clouds, in an amazing harmony.
Wind and rain carved into
the rock hundreds of gigantic figures
of people and animals. The
hazy atmosphere, the sweet, subtle
light of the rainbow and nature’s
strange projections give
you the feeling that you’re in a
parallel realm.
Anybody can admire these
wonders from close by, due to the
suspended paths that take you to
the peak. Among the unusual
rock formations here, the over 60meter-tall
walls, together with the
diverse species of shrubs and
trees, the steamy lakes and
springs enhance the virgin charm
of this incredible land of Asia.
JOGGINS FOSSIL CLIFFS -
CANADA
It is here that life was born, say
the people who visited Jogins Fossil
Cliffs. Preserved at the almost
300 million year-old site, trees from
the age of coal are still there where
they grew. The traces of creatures
from time immemorial have frozen
into place, amphibians’ lairs have
been preserved together with the
remains of their last meal and reptiles
are still buried in hollow trees.
Nowhere in the world can we find
a match for this extraordinary
record of plants, invertebrates and
vertebrates fossilized in a forest.
Often compared with Pacific islands,
Joggins Fossil Cliffs have
been dubbed the „Coal Age Galapagos.“

„Sângele dragonului“ / Dragon’s blood tree
INSULA SURTSEY - ISLANDA
Un loc mai mult ciudat dec‚t pitoresc, cu o poveste real\ din secolul
al XX-lea. ~n noiembrie 1963, echipajul unei nave de pescuit a fost martor
la na[terea lui. ~n urma unor erup]ii vulcanice care au avut loc la
aproximativ 30 de kilometri de coasta sudic\ a Islandei, se ridica din
ape Insula lui Surtur (gigant al focului `n mitologia nordic\). Activitatea
vulcanilor a continuat de-a lungul timpului, iar `n 2004 noua bucat\ de
p\m‚nt avea deja o suprafa]\ de 141 de hectare. De[ertul ei a fost repede
invadat de animale [i plante aduse de v‚nt, curen]i oceanici,
p\s\ri. Primele sosite au fost gramineele, ca [i arbu[tii iubitori de nisip
[i mediu s\rat. ~ntre tulpinile verzi, numeroase insecte [i-au g\sit un
ad\post confortabil, `ns\ adev\ra]ii st\p‚ni ai insulei sunt cele opt specii
de p\s\ri.
SARYARKA - KAZAKHSTAN
{aisprezece milioane de zbur\toare de pe trei continente `[i dau
`nt‚lnire `n fiecare an pe p\m‚nturile umede din Saryarka (Kazakhstan).
Este popasul ideal al viet\]ilor migratoare care vin tocmai din Africa,
Europa [i Asia de Sud, `ndrept‚ndu-se spre cuiburile din Siberia. Specii
extrem de rare, precum cocorul alb siberian, pelicanul Dalmatian, vulturul
de mare Pallas, cotropesc 200.000 de hectare de step\. Lacurile cu
ap\ dulce alterneaz\ cu cele s\rate, `ntre r‚urile reci ce curg spre bazinul
Aral-Irtysh. Odat\ adunate, p\s\rile nenum\rate ofer\ norocosului privitor
un spectacol de-a dreptul fascinant: ritualul plec\rii, ca [i acela al
sosirii, difer\ de la un stol la altul.
ZONA TECTONIC| SARDONA - ELVE}IA
Piscuri de peste 3.000 de metri `n\l]ime, expozi]ia tridimensional\ a
zonei muntoase care s-a format `n urma unor coliziuni continentale, un
peisaj remarcabil unde rocile vechi se suprapun celor noi, constituie o
atrac]ie nu doar pentru alpini[tii dependen]i de adrenalin\, ci [i pentru
din ce `n ce mai mul]i geologi. {i c‚nd vorbim despre roci vechi, ne
g‚ndim la existen]a lor pe aceste meleaguri de peste 250 de milioane
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 39
NEW CALEDONIA LAGOONS -
EAST AUSTRALIA
A real paradise found and one
of nature’s most charming sceneries:
a coral reef built in the clear,
blue water of the ocean, under the
bright tropical sun, and swarming
with life, due to the multitude of
colored fish which peacefully
float around it. The New Caledonia
lagoons are shelter to varied
ecosystems and reefs said to surpass
even the Great Barrier Reef
in what regards species diversity.
You will find here both living
reefs and fossils, the perfect habitat
for an impressive number of
fish, turtles and sea mammals.
SURTSEY ISLAND - ICELAND
A rather strange than picturesque
place, with a real story behind
it, from the 20th century.
® ®
In November 1963, the crew
of a fishing ship was witness to its
creation. Following some volcanic
eruptions approximately 30 kilometers
away from Iceland’s south
coast, the Island of Surtur (a giant
of fire in Norse mythology)
emerged.
Volacnic activity continued
over the time and in 2004, the
new strip of land already measured
141 hectares. Its desert was
quickly invaded by animals and
plants carried by the wind, ocean
currents, birds.
The first to arrive was the
grass, along with shrubs that love
sand and a salty environment.
Numerous insects found a comfortable
shelter among the green
plants, but the real owners of the
island are the eight species of
birds.

DISCOVERY 42
Panoram\ / Sanqingshan panoramic view
® de ani, `n timp ce rocile „mai noi“ au `ntre 35 [i 50 de milioane de
ani. V‚rsta lor este indicat\ prin culoare. Cele „b\tr‚ne“ sunt verzuiro[iatice,
iar cele „tinere“ afi[eaz\ un brun-gri. Dar `n aceste locuri pot fi
admirate [i alte frumuse]i naturale: o densitate neobi[nuit\ de geotopuri,
martori ai istoriei p\m‚ntului, Lochsite, Tschingelhoren, carierele
de cupru, peisajele create de calotele glaciare de mii de ani.
ARHIPELAGUL SOCOTRA - YEMEN
Acesta este locul speciilor rare [i bizare. Copaci contorsiona]i, plante
ciudate, p\s\ri multicolore [i-au g\sit mediul ideal de via]\ `n Arhipeleagul
Socotra. Priveli[tea pe care o alc\tuiesc `mpreun\ este pe c‚t de
frumoas\ pe at‚t de `nfrico[\toare. Aproximativ 37% dintre cele 825 de
specii de plante, 90% din reptile [i 95% din speciile de melci, care se
g\sesc `n arhipelagul din nord-vestul Oceanului Indian, sunt unice `n
lume. Pentru a `ntregi lan]ul trofic, li s-au al\turat 192 de specii de
p\s\ri, multe dintre ele amenin]ate cu dispari]ia, 730 de specii de pe[te
de coast\ [i peste 300 de specii de crabi, homari [i creve]i. ∫
Cea mai nou\ insul\ / The newest island
SARYARKA - KAZAKHSTAN
® Sixteen million birds from
three continents meet every year
on the wet lands of Saryarka
(Kazakhstan). It is the ideal stop
of migrating birds coming all the
way from Africa, Europe and
South Asia, heading to their nests
in Siberia.
Extremely rare species, such
as the Siberian white crane, the
Dalmatian pelican, the Pallas sea
eagle, take over the 200,000
hectares of the steppe. Sweet water
lakes alternate with those with
salted water, between the cold
rivers galloping towards the Aral-
Irtysh basin. Once they gather
here, the countless birds offer the
lucky viewer a truly fascinating
show: the departure ritual, just
like the arrival ritual, differs from
one flock to another.
SARDONA TECTONIC AREA -
SWITZERLAND
Peaks over 3,000 meters high,
the 3D exhibition of this mountainous
region, which was formed
following continental collisions, a
remarkable landscape where old
rocks are above the newer ones,
all these represent an attraction
not only to tourists who are dependant
on adrenaline, but also to
more and more geologists. And
when we talk of old rocks, we
think of their existence in these
lands of over 250 million years,
while „newer“ rocks are between
35 and 50 million years old. Their
age is indicated by their color.
The „older“ ones are reddishgreen
and „younger“ ones are
grey-brown.
But other natural beauties can
be admired in these places too: an
unusual density of geotops, witnesses
of earth’s history, Lochsite,
Tschingelhoren, copper quarries,
landscapes created by thousands
of years-old ice caps.
SOCOTRA ARCHIPELAGO -
YEMEN
This is the place of rare and
bizarre species. Contorted trees,
strange plants, multicolored birds
have found their ideal environment
in Socotra Archipelago. The
view they offer together is just as
scary as it is beautiful. Approximately
37% of the 825 species of
plants, 90% of the reptiles and
95% of the species of snails that
can be found in the north-west Indian
Ocean’s archipelago are
unique in the world. To make the
food chain complete, they were
joined by 192 species of birds,
many of them close to extinction,
730 species of coast fish and over
300 species of crabs, lobsters and
shrimps. ∫

JURNAL DE VACAN}| Holiday Report 44
NU E LOC DE DISCU}II, IARNA S-A N|SCUT AICI. A CRESCUT
SPLENDID|, A PRINS FORME PE POTECI NEUMBLATE,
DESENÂND PÂRTII FABULOASE, A SCULPTAT GHE}ARI {I A
INVENTAT JOCURI INGENIOASE: SKI, SNOWBOARDING,
S|NIU{, SNOWBIKING. BAVARIA E MAREA DRAGOSTE A
~MP|TIMI}ILOR DE SPORTURI ALBE.
LA SKI ~N BAVARIA
SKIING IN BAVARIA
de Denisa M\run]oiu
Masivul Großer Arber se ridic\ `n mijlocul p\durii, la grani]a
cu Cehia. Gra]ie `n\l]imii sale, este cunoscut [i ca „Mont
Blanc-ul“ Bavariei. ~n nici patru minute, o gondol\ cu [ase
locuri te cocoa]\ pe platoul principal, de unde z\re[ti zecile de c\r\ri
br\zd‚nd codrii. Ca s\ nu mai spunem c\ po]i cobor` pe skiuri un traseu
[erpuitor de cinci kilometri, `n simpaticul or\[el Bodenmais. P‚rtiile
m\soar\ `n total [apte kilometri, dintre care 2,4 de dificultate extrem\.
Zona este foarte iubit\ [i de snowboarderi, care au la dispozi]ie Arber
Funpark [i „Playboard Rail Park“, cel mai mare parc de distrac]ii german
dedicat lor. C‚t despre peisaje, nimic nu se compar\ cu pinii platoului
principal, transforma]i de z\pad\, ghea]\ [i v‚nt `n siluete stranii.
NO QUESTIONS ASKED, THIS IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF WINTER.
IT GREW UP SPLENDIDLY, SHAPED UP PATHS THAT NO ONE
HAS EVER SET FOOT ON, DRAWING FABULOUS SLOPES, IT
CARVED GLACIERS AND INVENTED INGENIOUS GAMES: SKI,
SNOWBOARDING, SLEIGHING, SNOWBIKING. BAVARIA IS THE
GREAT LOVE OF WINTER SPORTS PASSIONATES.
Großer Arber Massif
stands high in the heart
of the forest, at the border
with the Czech Republic. Due
to its height, it is also known as
Bavaria’s “Mont Blanc.”
In less than four minutes, a
six-seat cable car takes you up to
the main plateau, from where you
can see dozens of paths crossing
the mountain. Not to mention the
Paradisul sporturilor de iarn\ / Winter sports’ heaven
fact that you ca sky down a fivekilometer
long winding route, to
the nice small town Bodenmais.
The slopes stretch on seven kilometers,
of which, 2.4 kilometers
are of maximum difficulty. The
area is also very loved by snowboarders,
who have at their disposal
the Arber Funpark and
“Playboard Rail Park,” the largest
amusement park for snowboard-

SUS, FOARTE SUS: GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
Sta]iunea bavarez\ Garmisch-Partenkirchen (fondat\ acum 1.100 de
ani!) se `ntinde la poalele celui mai `nalt masiv german, Zugspitze (2.962
de metri). Are o impresionant\ infrastructur\ - 28 instala]ii de teleski [i
telescaune, 43 de p‚rtii [i dou\ parcuri pentru snowboarderi - [i avantajele
fabuloasei „Zugspitz Area“, zona de ski la cea mai mare altitudine
din Germania, practicabil\ din noiembrie p‚n\ `n mai.
Ghe]arul Zugspitz atrage mul]imea turi[tilor, care iau telecabina sau
un trenule] special. Iar num\rul cabanelor [i hotelurilor este imposibil
de precizat.
ALLGÄU, REUNIUNEA CELOR 400 DE PISCURI
Allgäu, magnifica scen\ alpin\ din sud-vestul Germaniei, e m‚ndria
a dou\ landuri vestite: Baden-Württemberg [i Bavaria. Locuitorii
Stuttgartului [i Münchenului se `ntrec `n a-[i petrece c‚t mai mult timp
aici, mai ales c\ distrac]iile `i a[teapt\ la 2.224 metri, pe platoul Nebelhorn.
Priveli[tea `]i taie r\suflarea: peste 400 de piscuri seme]e, `ntre
Zugspitze [i masivul elve]ian Säntis.
Aici te bucuri de zborul cu parapanta, de cobor‚ri `ndr\zne]e pe cea
mai lung\ vale a Germaniei - peste 7,5 kilometri, snow tubing [i s\niu[
`n parcul de distrac]ii NTC, aproape de popasul Seealpe. Allgäu
g\zduie[te [i proiectul „{coli `n z\pad\“, tabere tematice unde cei mici
cunosc sporturile albe.
SPITZINGSEE, LA DOI PA{I DE MÜNCHEN
Aproape de München, acolo unde masivul Sutten `ncepe s\ urce
c\tre nori, se afl\ superba zon\ de ski Spitzingsee. Peste 25 de kilometri
de p‚rtii, o telecabin\, dou\ telescaune [i numeroase instala]ii de teleski,
la dispozi]ia turi[tilor. Copiii se bucur\ de ghidu[iile parcului de la Untere
Firstalm. Cei ce prefer\ p‚rtiile neamenajate [i z\pada af‚nat\ - aviz
snowboarderilor - se distreaz\ pe versantul Rosskopf.
Spitzingsee este, adesea, foarte aglomerat\, c\ci to]i sportivii de
weekend din Bayern `[i petrec s‚mbetele aici. Mai pu]in populate sunt
p‚rtiile din Taubenstein, de cealalt\ parte a lacului Spitzing. Ajungi
foarte u[or, cu un autobuz gratuit care pleac\ de la poalele Sutten-ului.
PARADISUL TRANSFRONTALIER: KLEINWALSERTAL
Enclava Kleinwalsertal - fondat\ c‚ndva de fermierii din regiunea
Valais - este, de fapt, teritoriu austriac. Numai c\ poate fi accesat\ ®
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2007-2008 45
ers in Germany. As for the
scenery, nothing compares to the
pine trees on the main plateau,
with their strange shapes carved
by the snow, ice and wind.
UP, VERY HIGH UP:
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
The Bavarian resort of
Garmisch-Partenkirchen (set up
1,100 years ago!) stretches at the
foot of the tallest German massif,
Zugspitze (2,962 meters). Its infrastructure
is impressive - 28 sky
tow installations and cable cars,
43 slopes and two snowboard
parks and so are the advantages
of the fabulous “Zugspitz Area,”
the ski zone located at the highest
altitude in Germany, open from
November till May.
The Zugspitze glacier attracts
most tourists, who can go up by
the cable car or a special small
train. And the total number of
cabins and hotels here is too large
to be counted accurately.
ALLGÄU, THE SUMMIT
OF THE 400 PEAKS
Allgäu, the magnificent
Alpine scene in south-west Germany,
is the pride of two famous
lands: Baden-Württemberg and
Bavaria. Stuttgart and Munich
residents compete in spending as
much spare time as possible right
here, especially that all the fun is
waiting for them 2,224 meters
high, on the Nebelhorn platform.
The view leaves you breathless:
over 400 proud peaks, between
Zugspitze and the Swiss massif
Säntis.
It’s here that you get to enjoy
paragliding, with daring dives ®
Imperiul de z\pad\ / Snow’s empire

JURNAL DE VACAN}| Holiday Report
®Castelul / Castle Blutenburg
® doar din Germania. De mai bine de un secol, `n urma unui acord,
Kleinwalsertal este o regiune economic\ german\.
Trasee superbe pe timp de iarn\, 120 de kilometri de p‚rtii de ski [i
peste 42 de kilometri de rute pentru cross country au transformat valea `ntr-un
paradis. ~n fermec\toarele sate Riezlern, Hirschegg, Mittelberg [i Baad,
la 2.000 de metri altitudine, colind‚nd `n voie pentru pl\cuta dezmor]ire numit\
„apres ski“, `nt‚lne[ti nenum\rate cabane, puburi, hoteluri. ®
Fort\rea]\ bavarez\ / Bavarian fortress
46
Aproape de / Near Fuessen
® towards Germany’s longest
valley, measuring over 7.5 kilometers,
but also snow tubing and
sleighing in NTC amusement
park, close to the Seealpe halt.
Allgäu also hosts the “Schools in
snow” project, which consists of
theme camps where the children
get acquainted with winter sports.
SPITZINGSEE, TWO STEPS
AWAY FROM MUNICH
Close to Munich, where Sutten
massif starts climbing towards
the sky, there lies the beautiful ski
area Spitzingsee. Slopes stretching
on over 25 kilometers, a cable
car, two lifts and several ski tows,
at tourists’ disposal. Children can
enjoy the many amusements of
Untere Firstalm Park. Those who
prefer unarranged slopes and the
soft snow, snowboarders in particular,
can have fun on the
Rosskopf versant. Spitzingsee is
also very crowded, for all weekend
sportspeople from Bayern
spend their Saturdays here. The
Taubenstein slopes, on the other
side of Spitzing Lake, are less
crowded. You get here very easy,
by a free-of-charge bus that leaves
from the foot of the Sutten.
TRANS-BORDER PARADISE:
KLEINWALSERTAL
The Kleinwalsertal enclave -
once set up by the farmers from
Valais region, is, in fact, Austrian
territory. Only that it can be
reached only from Germany. For
over a century now, following a
deal between the two sides, Kleinwalsertal
has been Germany’s
economic region. Superb routes
during the winter, 120 kilometers
of ski slopes and over 42 kilometers
of cross country routes have
turned the valley into paradise. In
the charming villages of Riezlern,
Hirschegg, Mittelberg and Baad,
2,000 meters high, wandering
around to stretch your bones
“apres ski”, you run into countless
cabins, pubs, hotels.
THE FELLHORN-
KANZELWAND KINGDOM
For huge fans, Germany’s
largest natural ski arena, the
Bavarian region Fellhorn- ®

JURNAL DE VACAN}| Holiday Report 48
~MP|R|}IA FELLHORN-KANZELWAND
® Pentru `mp\timi]i, cea mai mare aren\ natural\ de ski a Germaniei,
regiunea bavarez\ Fellhorn-Kanzelwand, este idealul: telescaune de-a
dreptul high-tech, cu nume sonore - „See-Eckbahn“, „Zweiländerbahn“,
„Zwerenalpe“, [i peste 22 de kilometri de p‚rtii perfecte, cu z\pad\
`ntotdeauna `n cantit\]i generoase. Skiorii concureaz\ cu sute de snowboarderi,
care au la dispozi]ie un a[a-numit „fun-park“, incluz‚nd felurite
trasee. Cei care prefer\ simplele plimb\ri montane exploreaz\ ruta
special\ ce duce pe v`rful Fellhorn. Vor fi recompensa]i cu zeci de
c\b\nu]e, baruri `n z\pad\, restaurante [i o teras\ uria[\, unde se perpelesc
la soare pentru un bronz de invidiat.
SKI JUMP LA FICHTELGEBIRGE
Se spune c\ `n regiunea Fichtelgebirge trei sferturi de an este iarn\ [i
un sfert nu chiar var\. Temperaturile sc\zute, specifice zonei, alimenteaz\
frenezia sporturilor albe circa [apte luni pe an. Skiorii au de
ales `ntre 27 de p‚rtii cu lungimi variate, fiecare dotat\ cu teleski. ~ns\
atrac]ia num\rul 1 r\m‚ne trambulina „Ochsenkopf“, care permite
zboruri de p‚n\ la 100 de metri. Ea este func]ional\ [i vara, c‚nd amatorii
de senza]ii tari fac s\rituri pe... iarb\. Zona este [i pe placul copiilor,
care iau lec]ii de s\niu[, bob [i curling pe ghea]\.
SOELLERECK, PERFECT PENTRU FAMILII
Sta]iunea montan\ Soellereck, la 1.358 metri altitudine, este o foarte
bun\ op]iune pentru cei care-[i petrec vacan]a de iarn\ cu familia. Cei
peste 120 de kilometri de p‚rtii sunt atent distribui]i: pentru skiori ®
Servicii complete / Full service
Cu barca `n mun]i / Mountain boat ride
® Kanzelwand, is ideal: truly
high-tech cable cars, with sonorant
names - “See-Eckbahn,”
“Zweiländerbahn,” “Zwerenalpe,”
and over 22 kilometers of
perfect slopes, that always have
generous amounts of snow. Skiers
compete against hundreds of
snowboarders, who have at their
disposal a so-called “fun-park”
that includes various routes.
Those who prefer simple mountain
walks can explore the special
route leading all the way up to
Fellhorn peak. They will be rewarded
with dozens of cabins,
bars in the snow, restaurants and
a huge terrace, where they can
sunbathe as long as they want for
a perfect suntan.
SKI JUMP AT
FICHTELGEBIRGE
They say that in Fichtelgebirge,
it’s winter three quarters of
the year and in the fourth quarter,
it’s almost summer. The low
temperatures specific for the region
feed the frenzy of winter
sports about seven months a
year.
Skiers can pick from among
27 slopes of various lengths, each
provided with a ski tow. But the
number one attraction remains
the “Ochsenkopf” trampoline,
which allows flights of up to 100
meters. It is also functional in
summer, when thrill seekers perform
jumps on... grass. The area
is also loved by children, who
can take sleighing, bob-sleighing
and ice curling lessons.
SOELLERECK, PERFECT
FOR FAMILIES
Soellereck mountain resort, at
an altitude of 1,358 meters, is a
very good option for those who
spend their winter holidays with
their family. The over 120 kilometers
of slopes are carefully distributed:
for professional skiers,
for amateurs, beginners and
children. The Hoellwies hills
make a lively, colorful land- ®

JURNAL DE VACAN}| Holiday Report 50
Ideal pentru / Ideal for “apres ski”
® profesioni[ti, pentru amatori, `ncep\tori [i copii. Dealurile Hoellwies
compun iarna un peisaj viu [i colorat, c\ci pantele line sunt deliciul
copiilor fascina]i de s\niu[. La Soellereck exist\ [coli de ski, snowboarding
[i snowbiking. Zona ce `mprejmuie[te a[a numitul „Soelli lift“ s-a
transformat `ntr-un uria[ teren de joac\, oferind tobogane cu z\pad\ [i
covoare fermecate care alunec\ de minune pe p‚rtii. ∫
BAVARIA FUN HIGHLIGHTS
∫ Romantic Fitness
Trekking (plimbare la pas prin troienele
generoase) la lumina lunii. Astfel s-ar traduce
„romantic fitness“, concept promovat
de locuitorii zonei montane Watzmann.
Ghizii te provoac\ la adev\rate
exerci]ii fizice, `ntr-un magnific peisaj
hibernal, neap\rat noaptea, c‚nd Luna
st\p‚ne[te imperiul z\pezii. Se spune c\
o astfel de plimbare, de circa trei ore, face
bine at‚t mu[chilor c‚t [i sufletului. Ruta
este stabilit\ `n func]ie de temperatur\ [i
condi]iile climatice. De cele mai multe ori,
pa[ii te vor purta c\tre Moosenalm,
Halsalm sau valea Wimbachgries, plimbarea
`ncheindu-se mereu cu un pr‚nz
tradi]ional, `ntr-o c\b\nu]\ bine `nc\lzit\.
∫ Lumea de sare din Berchtesgaden
~n inima masivului Salzberg, o lume
secret\ `[i a[teapt\ vizitatorii: mina de
sare Berchtesgaden. Mul]i ani, numai
minerilor le era permis s\ intre `n complexul
de tuneluri. Ast\zi `ns\, o parte a minei
- care a fost exploatat\ 500 de ani - `i
prime[te pe to]i cei curio[i s\ afle de unde
provine faimosul brand de sare Bad
Reichenhall.
®
scape in winter, for the mild
slopes are a real delight for children
who like sleighing.
Soellereck also has skiing,
snowboarding and snowbiking
schools.
The area surrounding the socalled
“Soelli lift” has turned into
a huge playground, offering
snow runways and magic carpets
that swiftly slide on the
slopes. ∫
BAVARIA FUN HIGHLIGHTS
∫ Romantic Fitness
Trekking (walking through the generous
snowdrifts) under the moonlight. This is
how we could translate “romantic fitness,”
a concept promoted by the inhabitants of
Watzmann mountainous region. The
guides challenge you to real physical exercise,
in magnificent winter scenery, and by
all means at night, when the Moon takes
hold of the snow empire. They say such a
walk, which takes about three hours, does
a lot of good to both your muscles and
soul. The route is established based on the
temperature and the climate conditions.
Most often, your steps will take you to
Moosenalm, Halsalm or Wimbachgries valley,
where the walk always ends with a traditional
lunch in a cozy, warm little cabin.
∫ Berchtesgaden’s world of salt
At the heart of the Salzberg massif, a secret
world awaits visitors: the Berchtesgaden
salt mine. For many years, only miners
were allowed to enter the tunnels.
Nowadays, however, part of the mine,
which was operational for 500 years, welcomes
all those who are curious to find out
where the famous Bad Reichenhall salt
brand is coming from.

∫ Curse cu... bobul
~n meniul special de senza]ii tari, pentru
fanii vitezei [i serpentinelor, printre cele
mai c\utate este copilotajul unui bob de
curse. Pe pista de ghea]\ Königsee, de
circa 1.200 de metri, la poalele mun]ilor
Watzman, l‚ng\ Berchtesgaden, iei lec]ii
de la un pilot profesionist de bob. Dac\
preferi totu[i varianta mai „soft“ a aventurii,
po]i alege o plimbare cu taxi-bobul.
∫ T‚rgul de Cr\ciun din Nürnberg
Christkindlesmarkt, organizat anual `ntre
28 noiembrie [i seara de Ajun, `n centrul
vechi al Nürnbergului, este cel mai vizitat
t‚rg european desf\[urat `n cinstea
Mo[ului. Aroma vinului fiert cu mirodenii,
migdalele pr\jite, c‚rn\ciorii de Nürnberg,
turta dulce, miile de lumini]e [i
tradi]ia celor patru secole, atrag peste un
milion de oaspe]i anual. Cei mai mul]i
sunt cei mici, veni]i pentru spa]iul de vis
dedicat Cr\ciunului Copiilor, a c\rui
vedet\ este caruselul tras de renii din
poveste. ~n micile ateliere, copiii `nva]\ s\
preg\teasc\ bun\t\]i pentru Cr\ciun, s\
fabrice lum‚n\ri sau s\ picteze juc\rii din
ceramic\.
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2007-2008 51
∫ Racing with... the bob-sleigh
On the special menu of excitement, for the
fans of speed and abrupt winding roads,
the most popular include co-piloting a racing
bob-sleigh. You can get lessons from a
professional bob-sleigh pilot on the
Königsee ice track, which lies at the foot of
Watzman Mountains, near Berchtesgaden,
and measures about 1,200 meters. But if
you prefer the “soft” variant of the adventure,
you can opt for a ride on a taxi-bob.
∫ Nürnberg Christmas Fair
Christkindlesmarkt, held every year
between November 28 and Christmas Eve,
in Nürnberg’s old center, is the most visited
European Christmas fair. The flavor of
mulled wine, roast almonds, Nürnberg
sausages, gingerbread, thousands of
Christmas tree lights and a four-century tradition
attract over one million guests every
year. Most of them are children who come
here for the dream-like space dedicated to
Children’s Christmas, whose highlight is a
carousel pulled by reindeers. In small
workshops, children learn how to prepare
Christmas goodies, to manufacture candles
or paint ceramic toys.

REPORTAJ Feature
54
DE-O PARTE {I DE ALTA A DRUMULUI CONTORSIONAT CE LEAG| RÂMNICU VÂLCEA {I HOREZU, MERII SCUTURA}I DE POAME
COLOREAZ| CEA}A ~N RO{U, PORTOCALIU {I GALBEN. NU A NINS, DAR CRENGILE SE PLEAC| DEJA SMERITE DE MIROSUL IERNII.
DEPARTE, SE V|D STÂNCI, ~NGENUNCHEATE ~N FIRI{OARE DE AP| NUMITE POMPOS „RÂURI“: OLTE}UL, BISTRI}A, RÂUL GALBEN.
HOREZU TE ~NTÂMPIN| ~N LINI{TE. ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONTORTED ROAD CONNECTING RAMNICU VALCEA AND HOREZU, APPLE
TREES WITH THEIR FALLEN RIPE FRUIT COLOR THE FOG IN RED, ORANGE AND YELLOW. IT HAS NOT SNOWED, BUT THE BRANCHES
LOWER THEMSELVES OBEDIENTLY IN FRONT OF THE SMELL OF WINTER AIR. FAR AWAY, YOU CAN SEE THE ROCKS KNEELING IN SMALL
SPRINGS OF WATER, FANCILY CALLED “RIVERS”: OLTET, BISTRITA, RAUL GALBEN. HOREZU WELCOMES YOU WITH PEACE.
de Denisa M\run]oiu
DRUME} PRIN NORDUL
OLTENIEI VOYAGER
THROUGH NORTH OLTENIA
~n or\[elul palid de frig, via]a e rupt\ de timpul modern. Orele trec
greu [i lini[tea se face parc\ auzit\. Doar biserica frumos pictat\
sparge monotonia cromatic\. Strada principal\ alunec\ spre R‚mnicu
V‚lcea. Pe st‚nga [i pe dreapta stau or‚nduite magazina[ele burdu[ite
cu ceramic\. E cea mai vioaie buc\]ic\ de ora[, c\ci `n m‚inile
vesti]ilor me[teri olari din Horezu lutul a luat toate formele [i culorile
posibile: de la clasicele vase, purt‚nd simbolurile zonei - coco[ul de Horezu
[i pe[tele, p‚n\ la vaze fistichii, roz-bombon, `n ton cu vremurile ce
nu iart\ tradi]ionalul.
De[i plou\ m\runt, oamenii nu-[i v\d capul de treab\. Totu[i, unul
dintre ei `mi `ntinde o m‚n\ plin\ de lut [i m\ salut\ ferm: „Bine a]i
venit! Sunt Ion Palo[i, me[ter olar“. Z‚mbe[te larg. E unul din cei mai
In the small town pale with cold,
life seems to be broken from
modern times. The hours move
slowly and the silence can almost be
heard. Only the beautifully painted
church breaks the monotonous colors.
The main road slides towards
Ramnicu Valcea. Small shops
packed with ceramics stand in line
on the left and right side of the road.
This is the most joyful pieces of the
town, for in the hands of the famous
Cas\ tradi]ional\ de olar / Traditional potter house
master potters of Horezu, the clay
took all possible shapes and colors -
the Horezu cock and fish, to strong
pink cheerful vases, in line with the
current times, which are often unforgiving
when it comes to tradition.
Although it’s raining, that doesn’t
keep people from their many
chores. Still, one of them stretches
his hand full of clay to me and firmly
greets me: “Welcome! I am Ion
Palosi, master potter.” He smiles

Ion Palo[i, me[ter olar / potter
cunoscu]i arti[ti ai zonei, are dou\ magazine ticsite, export\ vase peste
m\ri [i ]\ri, i-a c\lcat pragul chiar [i prin]ul Charles, particip\ la expozi]ii
prin toat\ lumea, pred\ ol\rit la [coala de Art\ Popular\ din
R‚mnicu V‚lcea. Face asta de mult\ vreme, de c‚nd s-a c\s\torit cu o fiic\
de olar, iar socrul i-a `mp\rt\[it tainele ceramicii de Horezu. Apoi a
petrecut ani buni `n Grecia, pentru a se perfec]iona. „So]ia [i fetele
mele, de 18 [i 19 ani, se ocup\ mai mult cu pictatul, eu modelez“, spune
Palo[i. Se a[eaz\ la masa de lucru [i, `n mai pu]in de un minut, bo]ul de
lut se transform\ `ntr-o vaz\. „Nu e joac\, e o art\ complicat\. Trebuie
s\ [tii fizic\, chimie, matematic\, de unde s\ iei cel mai bun lut, cum s\
faci culorile, toate naturale“, adaug\ olarul. ~ntr-adev\r, procedeul de
ardere e unul complicat, la fel [i pictatul, a[a c\ un vas are nevoie de
trei s\pt\m‚ni pentru a fi gata. Me[terul `mi arat\ cuptorul special, care
„`nghite“ [i 1.000 de obiecte deodat\.
~n satul Olari, la care ajungi urc‚nd un deal p‚ntecos, vreo 20 de
familii duc mai departe tradi]ia ceramicii de Horezu. Altfel, multe
a[ez\ri sunt modeste, aproape pustii. Or\t\niile se plimb\ nestingherite
pe [oseaua principal\. Nu vezi copii, nici tineri. Cele mai `nt‚lnite
chipuri sunt cele ale sfin]ilor de pe zecile de icoane [i troi]e ce `mprejmuiesc
fiecare f‚nt‚n\ d\t\toare de via]\. Nordul Olteniei p\streaz\ intact\
dragostea pentru Dumnezeu. Oamenii `[i petrec multe duminici
la m\n\stiri. {i astfel de l\ca[uri sunt numeroase, pierdute printre
dealuri [i p\duri. ®
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 55
broadly. He is one of the area’s most
famous artists, has two shops always
packed, he exports his works
abroad in all corners of the world, he
was visited even by Prince Charles,
he takes part in exhibitions all over
the world, teaches pottery at the
Popular Art School in Ramnicu Valcea.
He has been doing this for a
long time, ever since he got married
to a potter’s daughter and his fatherin-law
shared with him the secrets of
Horezu ceramics. Then he spent
many a good years in Greece, to improve
his work. “My wife and girls,
of 18 and 19, deal more with the
painting, and I mould them,” says
Palosi. He sits at his table and, in less
than a minute, the piece of clay turns
into a vase. “It’s not a game, it’s a
complicated art. You have to know
physics, chemistry, math, to know
where you can take the best clay
from, how to mix the colors, all of
them based on natural ingredients,”
the potter adds. The burning process
is indeed a complicated one and so
is the process of painting it, so a jug
takes about three weeks to be ready.
The craftsman shows me his special
oven, which can “swallow” up to
1,000 items at the same time.
In the village of Olari, that you
can reach by going up a big-bellied
hill, about 20 families are still preserving
the tradition of Horezu ceramics.
Otherwise, many of the
houses are rather modest and almost
deserted. The fowl are wandering
around the main road, undisturbed.
You can’t see any children or young
people. The faces you run into most
often are those of the saints, on the
dozens of icons and troikas that
adorn every life-giving well. The
north of Oltenia keeps the love ®

REPORTAJ Feature
UN LOC CU HAR: M|N|STIREA HUREZI
® ~n coasta dreapt\ a celui din urm\ deal, `nainte de por]ile sudice ale
Horezului, distingi o pat\ alb\ `ntr-o oaz\ umed\ de ruginiu. {i un semn
uria[: „M\n\stirea Hurezi - patrimoniu UNESCO“. Ca s\ vezi minunea,
te desprinzi de [oseaua principal\ [i urci agale, p‚n\ la o semea]\ poart\
de piatr\. Intri. O paji[te imens\ se desplete[te `n sus, c\tre ansamblul
monahal, cel mai de seam\ reprezentant al stilului br‚ncovenesc.
„Biserica Mare“, destinat\ s\ devin\ loc de odihn\ ve[nic\ al domnitorului
Constantin Br‚ncoveanu [i al familiei sale, p\streaz\ aproape
toate picturile murale originale, realizate `ntre 1692 [i 1702 de doispreze
pictori ale[i. De altfel, din ini]iativa domnitorului, Hurezi a devenit principalul
centru artistic al episcopiei R‚mnicului, astfel `nc‚t m\n\stirile
Polovraci, Mamu, Surpatele, Cozia [i Govora au fost construite sau
restaurate [i decorate de aceia[i pictori care la Hurezi formaser\ o
adev\rat\ [coal\ stilistic\. M\n\stirea are o colec]ie bogat\ de obiecte
biserice[ti, unele dat‚nd `nc\ de la `ntemeiere, [i o bibliotec\ extrem de
valoroas\, peste cinci mii de volume.
ICOANA DIN TRUNCHI
La 15 kilometri de Horezu, cum cobori c\tre R‚mnicu V‚lcea, dai de
Fr‚nce[ti. Acelea[i case v\ruite `n culori tari, aceea[i atmosfer\ neclintit\.
La ie[irea din sat, pe dreapta, o poart\ v‚lcean\ din lemn deschide calea
c\tre M‚n\stirea Dintr-un Lemn, o bisericu]\ construit\ din trunchiul
unui singur stejar. Legenda spune c\ a fost d\ltuit\ `n secolul XVI, la
`ndemn divin, de un c\lug\r care a g\sit o icoan\ a Maicii Domnului `n
scorbura unui stejar secular. Iconostasul, sculptat `n lemn de tei, la 1814,
este o veritabil\ oper\ de art\. Icoana Maicii Domnului, una dintre cele
mai vechi din lume, de care este legat\ existen]a m\n\stirii, este p\strat\
`n biserica mare.
A[ez\m‚ntul monahal include [i o frumoas\ biseric\ din piatr\,
cl\dit\ probabil la porunca lui Matei Basarab, `n jurul anului 1640. ®
Pe malul Jiului / On the shore of Jiu River
56
M\n\stirea dintr-un lemn / One-wood
Monastery
Constantin Brâncu[i, „Masa t\cerii“ / “Table of silence“
®
for God intact. People spend many
of their Sundays at the monasteries.
And there are plenty of such places
here, lost among hills and forests.
A PLACE OF GRACE: HUREZI
MONASTERY
On the right-hand slope of the last
hill, before Horezu’s south gates, you
can make out a white spot in an oasis of
rusty red. And a huge sign, reading:
“Hurezi Monastery - UNESCO heritage.”
To see the wonder, you have to
move away from the main road and to
slowly climb up to the imposing stone
gate. You go in. An immense pasture
spreads upwards, to the monastery, the
most representative work of the Brancovenian
architectural style. “The Great
Church,” designed to become the place
of eternal rest of the ruler Constantin
Brancoveanu and his family, still has almost
all its original mural paintings,
done between 1692 and 1702 by twelve
prominent painters. In fact, at the
ruler’s initiative, Hurezi became the
main artistic center of Ramnicu’s bishopric,
so the monasteries Polovraci, Mamu,
Surpatele, Cozia and Govora were
built or restored and decorated by the
same painters who had formed a real
school of style in Hurezi. The monastery
has a rich collection of church
items, some dating back to its foundation,
and an extremely valuable library
which consists of over 5,000 volumes.
THE ICON IN THE TREE TRUNK
Fifteen kilometers from Horezu, as
you go down towards Ramnicu Valcea,
you run into Francesti. The same houses,
painted in strong colors, the same
immovable atmosphere. When leaving
the village, on the right, a typical
wooden gate opens the way to Dintrun
Lemn (Made of one tree) Monastery,
a small church built from the
trunk of a single oak. Legend has it that
it was carved in the 16th century, by divine
order, by a monk that found an
icon of the Virgin Mary in the hollow of
an old oak. The iconostas, carved from
a lime tree, in 1814, is a real work of art.
The icon of the Virgin Mary, one of the
oldest in the world, which practically
shaped the monastery into being, is being
kept in the big church. The
monastery includes a beautiful ®

REPORTAJ Feature
M\n\stirea Bistri]a / Bistrita Monastery
PE URMELE BOIERILOR DE ODINIOAR|
® Din inima or\[elului Horezu, un drum de vreo cinci kilometri te conduce
`n margine de p\dure, c\tre satul M\ld\re[ti, a[ezare m‚ndr\ de
mo[tenirea sa istoric\: o cul\ a boierilor din neamul M\ldar. Gardul de piatr\
ce `mprejmuie[te locuin]a fortificat\ de secol XVI e cel dint‚i care spune
povestea M\ld\re[tilor. Ei [i-au p\strat mo[ia cu pre]ul s‚ngelui.
Potrivit legendei, pe vremea lui Mihai Vod\, c\pitanul Tudor M\ldar a
fost r\spl\tit pentru vitejia sa „cu `ntinderi de zeci de sate [i cu sute de
robi“. Mo[ia, adesea atacat\ de turci, a supravie]uit p‚n\ c‚nd ultimul
vl\star al M\ld\re[tilor, Maria, s-a c\s\torit cu Gheorghe Greceanu, de
atunci Grecenii devenind mo[tenitorii culei. Cula Greceanu a fost restaurat\
de Constantin Br‚ncoveanu, m\rturie st‚nd un pridvor `n stilul inconfundabil,
iar `n 1936, Olga Greceanu, descendent\ din neamul M\ld\re[tilor,
a pictat `n paraclis fresca str\mo[ilor s\i. Ast\zi, impun\toarea
construc]ie este muzeu, dar uneori se `ntoarce `n timp: aici s-au filmat
peliculele „Drumul oaselor“, „Trandafirul Galben“ [i „Iancu Jianu“.
LUCR|RILE NATURII
Pu]in [tiu c\ micu]a carier\ de nisip aflat\ la intrarea `n satul Coste[ti,
pe partea st‚ng\ a [oselei ce leag\ R‚mnicu V‚lcea de Horezu, este, de
fapt, o rezerva]ie natural\ unic\ `n Europa: Rezerva]ia Natural\ Muzeul
Trovan]ilor. ~ntr-un spa]iu nu mai mare de 100 de metri p\tra]i, desoperim
forme bizare. Sunt trovan]ii, „pietrele care cresc“, adic\ microforme de relief
caracteristice acumul\rilor de nisipuri; `n contact cu apa, `[i sporesc
volumul [i `[i modific\ forma.
Nu ]i-e permis s\ str\ba]i nordul Olteniei f\r\ a te aventura [i `n
Pe[terea Muierilor (sau Muierii). Ajungi repede [i din Horezu [i din T‚rgu
Jiu, c\ci pe[tera scobit\ de R‚ul Galben se afl\ chiar la jum\tatea drumului
dintre cele dou\ or\[ele, `n comuna Baia de Fier. Numele, se spune, vine
de la faptul c\, `n timpuri str\vechi, femeile [i copiii se ascundeau `n
pe[ter\ c‚t timp b\rba]ii erau la lupt\. E drept, ar mai putea exista o explica]ie:
aici au fost g\site r\m\[i]ele vechi de 10.000 de ani ale unei femei.
Galeriile `nsumeaz\ peste 3.500 de metri, `ns\ turi[tii pot vizita doar
una dintre ele, de aproximativ 800 de metri. E mai mult dec‚t suficient,
av‚nd `n vedere sutele de lilieci care zboar\ pe deasupra ta sau exerci]iile
de gimnastic\ la care e[ti supus. Stalagmitele uria[e, crustele parietale, domurile
[i concre]iunile de tavan au forme [i nume at‚t de ciudate `nc‚t trebuie
s\ iei noti]e: „Cad‚na“, Mo[ Cr\ciun“, „Dropia“ sau „Uliul R\nit“.
Am ajuns [i la T‚rgu Jiu, cel mai potrivit final de c\l\torie prin nordul
Olteniei: urmeaz\ `nt‚lnirea obligatorie cu Br‚ncu[i... ∫
58
®
stone church, probably built at
Matei Basarab’s order, around 1640.
ON THE TRACE OF THE OLD
BOYARS
From the heart of the small
Horezu, a five-kilometer stretch of
road leads you to the outskirts of the
forest, to the village of Maldaresti, a
settlement proud of its historical inheritance:
a fortified manor of the
boyars from the Maldar clan. The
stone wall surrounding the 16th century
fortified residence is the first
that speaks their story. They kept
their estate with the price of their
blood. Legend has it that during the
rule of Mihai Voda, Captain Tudor
Maldar was rewarded for his braveness
with “dozens of villages and
hundreds of slaves.” The estate, often
attacked by the Turks, survived
until the last decendant of the Maldars,
Maria, married to Gheorghe
Greceanu and that is when the Greceanus
took over the fortified
manor. The Greceanu house was restored
by order of Constantin Brancoveanu
and as proof, the threshold
is done in Brancoveanu’s unique
Biserica din piatr\ / Stone Church
style, and in 1936, Olga Greceanu a
descendant of the Maldars, painted
a fresco for her ancestors in the
chapel. Nowadays, the imposing
building is a museum, but sometimes
it goes back in time: it’s here
that the famous movies “Drumul
oaselor,” “Trandafirul galben” and
“Iancu Jianu” were shot.
THE WORKS OF NATURE
Few people know that the small
sand quarry at the entrance in
Costesti village, on the left side of
the road connecting Ramnicu Valcea
to Horezu, is in fact a nature reserve
unique in Europe: the Trovant Museum
Nature Reserve. In a space no
larger than 100 m 2 , we discover
strange shapes. These are the trovants,
the “growing rocks,” meaning,
some microforms of relief specific
for sand accumulations; in contact
with water, they enhance their
volume and change their shape.
You must not go through north
Oltenia without making a stop in
Pestera Muierilor - the Women’s (or
Woman’s) Cave. You can get here
very quickly from both Horezu and
Targu Jiu, for the cave carved by
Raul Galben is halfway between the
two small towns, in Baia de Fier.
They say its name comes from the
fact that, long ago, women and children
would hide in the cave while
men went to war. It’s true that we
might find another explanation: the
over 10,000 year-old remains of a
woman were discovered here. The
galleries have over 3,500 m but
tourists can visit only one of them,
which is about 800 m long. It’s more
than enough, given the hundreds of
bats flying over you or the gymnastics
you’re subjected to in there. The
huge stalagmites, parietal crusts,
overhead domes and concretions
have shapes and names that are so
strage that you have to write them
down: “Cadana” (The Odalisque),
“Mos Craciun” (Santa Clause),
“Dropia” (The Bustard) or “Uliul
Ranit” (The injured eagle). And finally
we get to Targu Jiu, the most
appropriate ending for a journey
through north Oltenia: a mandatory
meeting with Brancusi follows... ∫

DE VORB| CU Talking To 60
ALEGE ~NTOTDEAUNA VACAN}ELE ~N ROMÂNIA. PE{TERA UR{ILOR, VALEA OLTULUI SAU SIGHI{OARA
SUNT DOAR CÂTEVA LOCURI PREFERATE ALE EUROPARLAMENTARULUI DIN GRUPUL PARTIDULUI
POPULAR EUROPEAN (CRE{TIN-DEMOCRAT) {I AL DEMOCRA}ILOR EUROPENI, THEODOR STOLOJAN.
ROMÂNI ~N PARLAMENTUL
EUROPEAN / ROMANIANS
IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
de Denisa M\run]oiu
DOMNULE THEODOR STOLOJAN, CU CE GÂNDURI ZBURA}I,
DE OBICEI, DE LA BUCURE{TI LA BRUXELLES, DE LA
BRUXELLES LA STRASBOURG {I ~NAPOI?
Cu g‚ndul la ce se `nt‚mpl\ `n ]ar\, de cele mai multe ori. Uneori
m\ g‚ndesc c\ distan]a dintre Rom‚nia [i restul statelor UE este `nc\
mare, pentru c\ nu se m\soar\, din p\cate, numai `n kilometri, ci `n ani
de dezvoltare. Sunt con[tient c\ mul]i rom‚ni nu simt `nc\ ce `nseamn\
s\ fii cet\]ean al Uniunii Europene [i c\ este [i de datoria noastr\, a oamenilor
politici, s\ gr\bim apropierea de nivelul european de trai.
CU SIGURAN}| A}I AVUT {ANSA DE A VORBI COLEGILOR
EUROPARLAMENTARI DESPRE FRUMUSE}ILE ROMÂNIEI.
CARE SUNT LOCURILE DUMNEAVOASTR| DE SUFLET?
Muntele, `n primul r‚nd, pentru c\ sunt un `mp\timit al muntelui [i
`mi plac drume]iile [i sporturile de iarn\. Sighi[oara este o alt\ experien]\
pe care o recomand, fiindc\ este unul din pu]inele ora[e medievale
din Europa care s-a p\strat [i care este locuit. Po]i practic s\
calci pe urmele istoriei. Bucovina este un alt ]inut care `mi e foarte drag,
cu obcinile ei bl‚nde [i cu un peisaj de basm.
C|L|TORI}I MULT ~N CALITATE DE EUROPARLAMENTAR.
CE }|RI ALE UNIUNII EUROPENE V-AU OFERIT LEC}II
CONSTRUCTIVE?
Germania e o ]ar\ pe care o admir. Ordinea [i eficien]a sunt o constant\
oriunde ai merge. La fel [i `n Olanda. ~n general `mi plac ]\rile
Nordului. Sunt lini[tite, relaxate [i bine conduse.
MAI G|SI}I TIMP {I PENTRU C|L|TORIILE DE PL|CERE?
CU CE DESTINA}II PREFERATE?
~mi petrec vacan]ele `n Rom‚nia. Po]i s\ te r\t\ce[ti `n ]ara noastr\,
la `nt‚mplare, [i tot o s\ descoperi locuri care `]i taie r\suflarea. Vorbim
MR. THEODOR STOLOJAN,
WHAT THOUGHTS ACCOMPA-
NY YOU WHEN YOU USUALLY
FLY FROM BUCHAREST TO
BRUSSELS, FROM BRUSSELS
TO STRASBOURG AND
BACK?
Most of the times, I’m thinking
about what is going on in the
country. Sometimes I think that
the distance between Romania
and the other EU member states is
still a big one, because, it is not
measured, unfortunately,, only in
kilometers, but in years of development.
I am aware that most Romanians
don’t yet feel what being a
European Union citizen means
and that it’s our duty, as politicians,
to get the country closer to
the European standards of living.
YOU’VE DEFINITELY HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO
YOUR FELLOW MEPS ABOUT
THE BEAUTIES OF ROMANIA.
WHICH ARE THE PLACES
CLOSE TO YOUR HEART?
The mountain, first of all, because
I love the mountain and I
gratly enjoy winter sports and
trips. Sighisoara is another experience
I fully recommend, because
it’s one of the few medieval cities
in Europe that is still preserved
and inhabited. You can practically
follow in the footsteps of history
there. Bucovina is another land I
am very fond of, with its mild
mountain tops and fairytale landscape.
AS A MEMBER OF THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT,
YOU GET TO TRAVEL A LOT.
WHAT COUNTRIES OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION HAVE
OFFERED YOU CONSTRUC-
TIVE LESSONS?
Germany is a country I greatly
admire. Order and efficiency
are constant wherever you go.
The same in The Netherlands. In
general, I like Nordic countries.
They are quiet, relaxed and well
governed.
DO YOU STILL FIND THE TIME
FOR LEISURE TRAVELS?
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE
DESTINATIONS?

prea mult despre ora[ele poluate ale Rom‚niei, iar c‚nd ne g‚ndim la
turism vedem doar serviciile proaste [i aglomera]ia de pe litoralul M\rii
Negre.
Uit\m `ns\ c\ Rom‚nia are o natur\ minunat\. Dantel\riile de calcar
din Pe[tera Ur[ilor, Cheile Turzii, Cheile Bicazului, Valea Oltului sunt
numai c‚teva dintre ele.
NE PUTE}I DEZV|LUI PLANURILE DUMNEAVOASTR| ~N
ACEAST| VACAN}| DE IARN|?
Nu mi-am f\cut planuri pentru vacan]a de iarn\. Dac\ lucrurile vor
merge a[a cum ne dorim eu [i colegii mei de la PDL, cel mai probabil nu
voi avea timp de vacan]\ de iarn\. Probabil c\ o s-o petrec la locul de
munc\, mai pu]in dou\-trei zile libere de Cr\ciun sau de Anul Nou.
TRANSPORTURILE REPREZINT| UN DOMENIU CARE ILUS-
TREAZ| CLAR PROGRESUL UNEI }|RI. TAROM A SEMNAT ~N
ACEST AN CONTRACTUL DE ADERARE LA ALIAN}A SKYTEAM.
CE CREDE}I C| SPUNE ACEST LUCRU DESPRE TRANSPOR-
TURILE AERIENE DIN ROMÂNIA?
C\ au planuri ambi]ioase [i un personal al c\rui profesionalism este
recunoscut peste hotare. Aderarea la SkyTeam este un pas `nainte c\tre
listarea la burs\ a TAROM, statut pe care trebuie s\ `l aib\ orice companie
aerian\ de prestigiu.
Desigur, transporturile aeriene rom‚ne[ti trebuie s\ se dezvolte mai
mult `n urm\torii ani. ~n Rom‚nia se circul\ `nc\ destul de pu]in cu
avionul [i sunt zone din ]ar\ pentru care aceast\ op]iune de transport
nici nu exist\.
Cred c\ rutele aeriene interne ar putea fi extinse, pentru `nceput prin
modernizarea aeroporturilor din regiunile cu poten]ial turistic, precum
Suceava, Satu-Mare sau Baia-Mare [i prin construirea sau finalizarea de
noi aeroporturi la Bra[ov, Gala]i-Br\ila sau Bistri]a. ∫
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 61
HE ALWAYS CHOOSES TO SPEND HIS VACATIONS IN ROMANIA. PESTERA URSILOR (BEARS’ CAVE), VALEA OLTULUI
OR SIGHISOARA ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE FAVORITE PLACES OF THEODOR STOLOJAN, A EURO-DEPUTY WITH THE
EUROPEAN PEOPLES’ PARTY GROUP (CHRISTIAN-DEMOCRAT) AND THE EUROPEAN DEMOCRATS.
Theodor Stolojan
I spend my vacations in Romania.
You can wonder around
randomly in our country and still
find breathtaking places. There is
too much talk about Romania’s
polluted towns and cities, and
when we think of tourism, we only
see the poor services and how
crowded it is at the seaside of the
Black Sea. But we forget that Romania
has wonderful natural
scenery. The calcareous formations
in Pestera Ursilor, Cheile
Turzii, Cheile Bicazului, Valea
Oltului are only a few of them.
CAN YOU REVEAL YOUR
PLANS FOR THIS WINTER
VACATION?
I haven’t yet made plans for
the winter vacation. If things go
as I and my Democrat-Liberal
Party colleagues wish, I will most
probably have no time for vacation.
I will probably spend it at
work, except for two-three days
off on Christmas and the New
Year.
TRANSPORT IS A FIELD
WHICH CLEARLY ILLUS-
TRATES THE PROGRESS OF
A COUNTRY. THIS YEAR,
TAROM SIGNED THE
SKYTEAM ALLIANCE ACCES-
SION CONTRACT. WHAT DO
YOU THINK THIS SAYS OF
AIR TRANSPORT IN
ROMANIA?
That they have ambitious
plans and a staff whose professionalism
is recognized abroad.
Joining SkyTeam is a step forward
towards TAROM’s listing
on the stock exchange, a status
any prestigious air company
must have.
Of course, Romanian air
transport still has to develop a lot
the following years. In Romania,
there is yet little air traffic and
there are areas across the country
that don’t even have this transport
option.
I think internal air routes
could be extended, and we should
begin my modernizing airports in
regions with great tourism potential,
such as Suceava, Satu-Mare or
Baia-Mare and by building or
completing new airports in
Brasov, Galati-Braila or Bistrita. ∫

REPORTAJ Feature
62
GRANDIOASA LUME DE SUB APE
THE MAGNIFICENT
WORLD UNDER WATER
de Cristina Manolache
Aproape nou\zeci la sut\ din biosfer\ se afl\ sub ap\. Din p\cate,
`n acest moment nu exist\ dec‚t cinci dispozitive capabile s\ se
scufunde p‚n\ pe fundul oceanelor, pe `ntreaga planet\. Ce
g\sesc acolo este totodat\ `nfrico[\tor [i teribil de atr\g\tor.
Un exerci]iu de imagina]ie: s\ spunem c\ a]i fi capabili s\ p\[i]i pe
sub ap\ cu aceea[i u[urin]\ cu care a]i merge prin parc. S\ spunem c\
sta]i lini[ti]i pe o plaj\ din Zanzibar, c‚nd un impuls v\ determin\ s\
face]i o plimbare pe fundul Oceanului Indian. Trece]i `ncet pe sub
palmierii `nal]i, c\lc‚nd cu grij\ nisipul alb [i fierbinte. Crabi mici se ascund
prin cr\p\turi, pe m\sur\ ce p\trunde]i `n apele limpezi. Temperatura
valurilor este apropiat\ de cea a s‚ngelui, deci nu sim]i]i niciun
disconfort `n vreme ce v\ scufunda]i. Primele priveli[ti sunt cele ale
`ntinderilor de nisip, pe care valurile au l\sat urme u[oare. Din c‚nd `n
c‚nd, apar aglomer\ri de alge verzi [i lungi, mai trece un ]ipar, c‚teva
meduze se leag\n\ lini[tite, protejate de zidul coralilor, care delimiteaz\
apa de l‚ng\ ]\rm de marele ocean.
UN ALT UNIVERS
Este zona cea mai cunoscut\ a oceanului, cea descris\ de exploratori,
cea mai vizitat\. Dac\ treci `ns\ acest hotar, lumea cunoscut\ se pierde
`n negur\. Apele sunt mai `ntunecate, mai verzi, [i se r\cesc treptat.
Ad‚ncul nu mai este la fel de atr\g\tor, dec‚t poate `n sezonul sardinelor,
care migreaz\ dinspre apele arctice c\tre cele mai calde, bogate
`n hran\. Continu‚nd exerci]iul de imagina]ie, s\ spunem c\ a]i cobor‚t
la zece metri sub nivelul m\rii. {i mai jos, la dou\zeci de metri, lumea
Almost 90 percent of our
biosphere is under water.
Unfortunately, at the moment
there are only five devices
in the entire world which are able
to dive to the bottom of the ocean.
What they find there is terrifying
yet terribly attractive.
An exercise of imagination:
let’s say you are able to walk under
water as easily as you can walk
through a park. Let’s say you
you’re lying down on a beach in
Zanzibar, when an uncontrollable
urge makes you go for a walk on
the bottom of the Indian Ocean.
You walk slowly under the tall
palm trees, stepping carefully on
the white, hot sand. Small crabs are
hiding in the cracks of the ground,
as you enter the clear water. The
waves’ temperature is close to your
blood temperature so you don’t
feel any discomfort while you’re
immersing. The first things you see
Nori de pe[ti / Clouds of fish
are those of the wide stretches of
sand, with light traces of the
ocean’s ripples. Now and then, you
run into groups of long, green algae,
an eel, a few medusas floating
quietly, protected by the coral reef
that separates the water near the
shore from the great ocean.
A DIFFERENT UNIVERSE
This is the ocean’s most wellknown
area, most visited and described
by explorers. But if you
cross the border of this realm, the
known world disappears in the
darkness. The water is darker,
greener and gradually colder. The
deep is no longer so attractive, unless
maybe during sardines season,
when they migrate from the
Arctic waters to those warmer and
richer in nourishment. Continuing
our exercise of the imagination,
let’s say you descend ten meters
below sea level. And lower, at

EVER SINCE ANCIENT TIMES, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FASCINATED
WITH STARS AND THE COSMIC SPACE, ATTRACTED TO THE
UNKNOWN AND OTHER POSSIBLE FORMS OF LIFE. BUT AN
ALMOST UNEXPLORED, CAPTIVATING, UNPREDICTABLE WORLD
IS MUCH MORE AT HAND. THE WORLD OF THE OCEAN.
Culoare de corali / Color of corals
OAMENII AU FOST FASCINA}I DIN CELE MAI VECHI TIMPURI
DE STELE {I SPA}IUL COSMIC, ATRA{I DE NECUNOSCUT,
DE ALTE EXISTEN}E POSIBILE. O LUME APROAPE
NEEXPLORAT|, CAPTIVANT|, NEPREV|ZUT|, ESTE ~NS|
MULT MAI ACCESIBIL|. LUMEA OCEANULUI.
pe care o cunosc oamenii dispare. Soarele p\trunde greu, culorile se estompeaz\
din lipsa luminii. Ro[ul dispare din spectru. Dac\ v-a]i t\ia la
un deget, s‚ngele ar p\rea negru. Consisten]a apei se schimb\, de la
suavitatea gr\dinii, la un bloc din ce `n ce mai masiv. Coroziv, neprimitor.
Chiar [i cu echipament adecvat, urechile sunt for]ate de presiune, sinusurile
[i t‚mplele sufer\. Parc\ de jur `mprejur nu este dec‚t granit
lichid, iar sub t\lpi se casc\ un pu] f\r\ fund. Imaginea iadului din folclorul
majorit\]ii popoarelor marine, `n care se duc cei ce se `neac\.
~nsp\im‚nt\tor... Marinarii `l numesc Cuf\rul lui Davy Jones. Chiar [i
oceanografii experimenta]i r\m‚n f\r\ cuvinte `n fa]a acestui h\u. Ei `i
spun abisul `ntunecat.
Ce ascunde acest `ntuneric? Lumea. Nou\zeci [i unu la sut\ din
spa]iul p\m‚ntului se afl\ `n ocean. „Trebuie s\ `l explor\m“, spunea
Jacques Yves Cousteau, cunoscutul oceanograf francez. Este nevoie de
un dispozitiv capabil s\ reziste la presiunea din ad‚ncuri, ceva ce se
cheam\ submersibil. Submarinele sunt inutile, c\ci nu pot cobor` la
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 63
about 20 meters below, the world
known to man disappears. The
sun can barely get there and colors
fade away in the absence of light.
® ®
Red completely disappears from
the range of colors. Were you to
cut your thumb, the blood would
seem black. The water’s density is
also changing, from the garden’s
suave, light veil to a more massive
bloc. Corroding, unfriendly. Even
with the adequate equipment,
your ears would feel the pressure
pushing hard, and your sinuses
and temples would be in pain.
Everything around you is liquid
granite and under your soles, a
bottomless pit is opening menacingly.
The image of hell in most
sea peoples’ folklore, the place
where people who drown go. Terrifying...
Sailors call it Davy Jones’
chest. Even experienced oceanographers
remain speechless in front
of this precipice. They call it the
dark abyss.

REPORTAJ Feature 64
Gra]ie marin\ / Marine grace
® ad‚ncimi prea mari. Din cauza masei, ar suferi o implozie rapid\.
Batiscafurile si submersibilele `ns\, micu]e [i rezistente, permit explorarea
acestui univers at‚t de aproape de noi [i at‚t de str\in.
MA{INILE ADUC ADÂNCUL MAI APROAPE
Numai na]iunile bogate `[i permit submersibile, dar chiar [i ele
acuz\ costurile de `ntre]inere implicate. Exist\ numai cinci astfel de dispozitive
`n `ntreaga lume: Alvin, al celor de la centrul Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution din Massachusetts, Nautile al francezilor,
botezat astfel `n cinstea lui Jules Verne, cei doi gemeni Mir I si Mir II ai
Academiei Ruse din St. Petersbourg [i japonezul Shinkai. Raza lor de
operare coboar\ p‚n\ la 6 500 de metri [i 680 de atmosfere, fiind capabile
s\ le arate acvanau]ilor 96% din fundul oceanelor. Niciunul `ns\ nu
a reu[it s\ calce pe urmele lui Jacque Piccard [i Don Walsh care, `n 1960,
au atins fundul Gropii Marianelor, `n batiscaful Trieste, adic\ la 10 991
de metri sub nivelul m\rii!
Istoria scufund\rilor la mare ad‚ncime este scurt\. Primele `ncerc\ri
au fost f\cute `n 1930, `n arhipelagul Bermuda. Pasionatul naturalist
american William Beebe a lansat provocarea realiz\rii unei capsule pentru
scufund\ri la ad‚ncime. Un compatriot bogat, Otis Barton a inventat
batisfera - o bil\ de o]el cu ferestre din cuar], prins\ prin cablu de un vas
aflat la suprafa]\. ~n 1932, cei doi au f\cut prima cobor‚re, la 923 de
metri. Fran]a a trimis sub ap\ primul om f\r\ un dispozitiv de tipul batisferei.
Jacques Yves Cousteau a pus la punct dispozitivul de
scufund\ri pe care `l folosesc scafandrii [i `n acest moment. A urmat un
sir de inven]ii care au `ncercat s\ aduc\ mai aproape de suprafa]\ lumea
ascuns\ a oceanelor.
~n multe privin]e, oceanul este chiar mai ostil dec‚t spa]iul cosmic.
Chiar [i dac\ la un moment dat se vor inventa costume suficient de
rezistente, corpul uman este prea fragil pentru a ajunge vreodat\ s\
p\[easc\ `ntr-adev\r pe fundul oceanului. Probabil c\ nu va exista niciun
moment similar cu acela tr\it de Neil Armstrong, atunci c‚nd a p\[it
pe Lun\. Zborul `n spa]iu presupune imponderabilitate, vitez\ [i presiunea
cabinei `mpotriva vidului de afar\. Cobor‚rea `n ocean este exact
la polul opus. Greutatea te st‚njene[te, mi[c\rile sunt `ncetinite, tonele
de ap\ exercit\ o presiune uria[\ [i peste toate senza]ia nepl\cut\ c\ oamenii
sunt str\ini de cea mai mare parte a planetei pe care o populeaz\.
Dac\ spa]iul ofer\ o c\l\torie vizibil\ c\tre infinit, oceanul `nseamn\
croaziera oarb\ c\tre o lume finit\.
® What does this darkness hide?
The world. Ninety one percent of
the earth’s surface is in the ocean.
“We must explore it,” said Jacques
Yves Cousteau, the well-known
French oceanographer. What we
need is a device able to resist the
pressure of the deep, a device
called submersible. Submarines
are useless, for they cannot go too
deep down. Because of their size
and mass, they’d suffer a rapid implosion.
Bathyscaphes and submersibles
however, being small
and resistant, allow the exploration
of this universe, so close yet
so unknown to us.
MACHINES BRING THE DEEP
CLOSER
Only wealthy nations can afford
to have submersibles, but
even they complain about the high
maintenance costs. There are only
five such devices in the entire
world: Alvin, run by the Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution in
Massachusetts, Nautile, of the
French, given this name in honor
of Jules Verne, the two twins Mir I
and Mir II of the Russian Academy
in Saint Petersburg and the
Japanese Shinkai. Their range of
operation goes down to 6,500 meters
and 680 atmospheres, being
able to show aquanauts about 96%
of the bottom of the ocean. But
none of them managed to follow
in the footsteps of Jacques Piccard
and Don Walsh who, in 1960, inside
the bathyscaphe Trieste,
reached the bottom of Mariana
Trench, meaning, 10,991 meters
below sea level!
The history of deep-sea diving
is rather brief. The first attempts
date back to 1930, in the Bermuda
Archipelago. The passionate
American naturalist William Beebe
launched the challenge of building
a capsule for deep-sea diving. A
rich compatriot, Otis Barton, invented
the bathysphere - a sphere
of steel with quartz windows, cabled
to a ship on the surface. In
1932, the two performed their first
dive, 923 meters below.
France sent its first man under
water without a device such as the
bathysphere. Jacques Yves Cousteau
invented the diving device
still used by divers in the present.
A long series of inventions followed,
trying to get the hidden
world of the ocean closer to the surface.
In many ways, the ocean is
even more hostile than the cosmic
space. Even if suits strong enough
are invented at a certain point, the
human body is too fragile to be able
to set foot on the bottom of the
ocean. There will probably be no
moment similar to the one lived by
Neil Armstrong when he walked
on the Moon. Spaceflight implies
imponderability, speed and the cabin’s
pressure against the void outside.
Deep-sea diving is the exact
opposite: the weight restrains you,
your movement is slowed down,
the tons of water exercise an immense
pressure and on top of
everything, the discomforting feeling
that people are strangers to the
greatest part of the planet they inhabit.
If space offers a visible journey
to infinity, the ocean means a
blind cruise into a finite world.
A GLANCE INTO
THE WATER ABYSS
Current submersibles can
barely move under the water’s
pressure. Their piloting requires
special technical skills and thorough
knowledge of engineering,
physics, mathematics, electronics,
acoustics. The terrifying image of
the deep is enhanced by the intense
coldness and the continuous
condensation, which turns
® ®

REPORTAJ Feature 66
O PRIVIRE ~N ABISUL DE AP|
® Submersibilele momentului se mi[c\ greu sub presiunea apelor. Pilotarea
lor presupune abilit\]i tehnice deosebite [i cuno[tin]e avansate
de inginerie, fizic\, matematic\, electronic\, acustic\. Imaginea terifiant\
a ad‚ncurilor este subliniat\ de frigul intens [i condensarea continu\,
ceea ce transform\ cabinele metalice `n veritabile sicrie. Cu mult sub
zona `n care se scufund\ balenele, microfoanele `nregistreaz\ t‚nguieli
fantomatice. Dac\ se sting luminile, `ntrunericul este str\puns de
desc\rc\rile electrice `n culori de neon ale unor pe[ti-mon[tri. O lume
teribil\ [i incredibil de atr\g\toare pentru naturali[ti.
Revenind la submersibile, trebuie men]ionat Alvin, calul de b\taie al
acestei lumi. Submersibilul celor de la Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
din Massachusetts este opera]ional `nc\ din 1964, `n acest interval
fiind reparat de c‚teva ori. Alvin a descoperit izvoarele minerale calde
din platforma oceanic\, `n jurul c\rora coloniile de bacterii constituie
hrana pentru o bogat\ varietate de viet\]i. Acestea sunt singurele fiin]e
cunoscute a c\ror existen]\ nu depinde de lumina soarelui. Descoperirea
izvoarelor termale, ini]ial `n largul insulelor Galapagos, apoi
pe fundul fiec\rui ocean, este cea mai important\ contribu]ie a submersibilelor
pe t\r‚mul [tiin]ei. Dovada existen]ei ciclurilor de via]\ bazate
pe chemosintez\, av‚nd la baz\ bacterii care supravie]uiesc `ntr-un
mediu acid, [i merg‚nd p‚n\ la viermi tubulari cu sistem sanguin,
populate cu scoici [i alte vie]uitoare marine, `ncurajeaz\ oamenii de [tiin]\
s\ cread\ c\ via]a este posibil\ [i pe alte planete, `n altfel de medii
dec‚t cele bazate pe oxigen. Apele sulfuroase, fierbin]i, fumeg‚nd spre
suprafa]\ la contactul dintre lav\ [i apa oceanic\ nu prea seam\n\ cu o
imaginea paradisiac\ de la `nceputurile P\m‚ntului, de[i chiar asta
reprezint\, mediul protejat de meteori]ii otr\vitori, `n care s-au dezvoltat
primele forme de via]\.
Totu[i, dup\ decenii de servicii `n slujba umanit\]ii, gloria submersibelor
pare s\ apun\. Tehnologia se dezvolt\ `n direc]ia robo]ilor de
scufundare, comanda]i de la distan]\, f\r\ echipaj uman. Cei care sprijin\
cercetarea cu robo]i spun c\ vremea scufund\rii oamenilor la ad‚ncimi nocive
pentru corpul lor s-a dus. Ei pun fa]\ `n fa]\ reac]ia de r\u fizic cauzat\
de depresurizare, cu avantajele cabinei c\lduroase `n care sunt primite
semnalele `nregistrate de robo]ii de pe fundul oceanului. Progresele f\cute
de tehnica transmisiei video chiar [i de la ad‚ncimi impresionante au facilitat
popularizarea acestei idei. De[i prezint\ numeroase avantaje, aceast\
tehnologie rupe `ns\ omul de realitatea ad‚ncurilor, adic\ exact de substan]a
pe care [i-o doresc oceanografii [i care ar sensibiliza publicul larg. Ca
[i `n cazul explor\rii spa]iului cosmic, „zborurile“ cu echipaj uman atrag aten]ia
publicului, spre deosebire de descoperirile f\cute cu ajutorul tehnicii.
{i la fel ca `n cazul spa]iului cosmic, omenirea mai are de a[teptat pentru a
se bucura privind mai de aproape via]a de pe fundul oceanelor. ∫
®
the metallic cabins into real
coffins. Far below the area where
whales dive, microphones pick up
ghost-like wailing. If the lights go
out, the darkness is pierces by the
neon-colored electrical discharges
of some monster-fish. A terrible
yet incredibly attractive world for
naturalists. Returning to the submersibles,
it must be said that
Alvin is the fall guy in this world.
The submersible of Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution in
Massachusetts has been operational
since 1964, having already
undergone several repair works. It
was Alvin that discovered the
warm mineral springs in the ocean
platform, around which colonies
of bacteria serve as food for a rich
variety of living organisms. These
are the only creatures known to
man whose existence doesn’t depend
on sunlight. The discovery of
thermal springs, initially close to
the Galapagos Islands and then on
the bottom of every ocean, is submersibles’
most important contribution
to science. Evidence of the
existence of life cycles based on
chemosynthesis, from bacteria that
survive in an acid environment to
tubular worms with a sanguine
system, including shells and other
sea creatures, is encouraging scientists
to believe that life is possible
Relief marin / Marine relief
on other planets as well, in environments
different from those
based on oxygen. The sulfurous,
hot waters, smoking towards the
surface at contact between lave
and the ocean’s water doesn’t really
resemble the paradise image of
Earth’s beginnings, even if this is
exactly what it represents - an environment
protected from poisonous
meteors, an environment
where the first forms of life appeared
and evolved.
Still, after decades of service
for humanity, submersibles’ glory
seems to be fading. The technology
is developing towards remotecontrolled,
unmanned diving robots.
Those who support research
with robots say the times when
people used to dive to depths
harmful for their body have long
gone. They confront the feeling of
sickness caused by depressurizing
with the advantages of a comfortable,
warm cabin in which the
crew get the signals recorded by
the robots on the bottom of the
ocean. Progress in video transmission
techniques, even from impressive
depths, helped popularize
this idea. Although it brings
numerous advantages, this technology
separates man from the reality
of the depths, which is exactly
the kind of substance oceanographers
crave for and which
would manage to touch the wide
public. Just like space exploration,
manned flights draw the public
attention more than discoveries
facilitated by technology. And,
just like in the case of space,
mankind still has to wait a lot until
it gets to enjoy a closer look to
life on the bottom of the ocean. ∫

CAMPIONII The Champions 68
UN TATAMI, UN CHIMONO,
O OLIMPIC| A TATAMI,
A KIMONO, AN OLYMPIC
PRIMA JUDOKA MEDALIAT| CU AUR OLIMPIC DIN ISTORIA
SPORTULUI ROMÂNESC, ALINA DUMITRU, A VRUT S| ADUC|
NUMELE EI {I PE CEL AL }|RII SALE PE BUZELE ~NTREGII
LUMI. A REU{IT, ~NTR-O ZI DE VAR| TORID| A LUI 2008, ~N
~NDEP|RTATA CAPITAL| A CHINEI.
de Adina Blaj
campioan\ olimpic\ la judo, categoria 48 de kilograme, este
Alina Dumitru din Rom‚nia“, strig\ crainicul din sala mare a
„{i
Universit\]ii de {tiin]\ [i Tehnologie Gymnasium din Beijing.
~ntr-un chimono bleu, cu picioarele goale, sportiva este deja cu m‚nile
sus, cu lacrimi `n ochi [i z‚mbetul pe buze. A reu[it s\ `mplineasc\ cel
mai mare vis al s\u, al antrenorului [i al rom‚nilor: o medalie de aur la
Jocurile Olimpice. Prima din istoria judo-ului rom‚nesc. „Doamne,
nu-mi vine s\ cred! Doamne, Dumnezeule! E aur!“, `[i repeta `ntr-una
Alina.
Secretele campioanei: g‚ndirea pozitiv\, o zi norocoas\, 15 ani de
munc\, s\rb\tori petrecute `n cantonamente [i concursuri, departe de
familie [i prieteni.
Au trecut luni de la evenimentul care a schimbat via]a Alinei, `ns\
nu [i pe ea. A crescut `n ochii celor din jur, se bucur\ de notorietate, dar
„Alina a r\mas aceea[i“, o spune cu m‚na pe inim\ fata blond\, de nici
un metru [aizeci.
R|SPLATA PRIMULUI AUR: UN C|}EL
La 26 de ani, Alina Dumitru `[i tr\ie[te `nc\ visul. S-a apucat de judo
`n clasa a cincea. „Un antrenor a venit la [coala [i ne-a `ntrebat dac\
the Olympic champion
in judo, 48 kilo-
“And
grams, is Alina Dumitru
of Romania,” the announcer
shouts, in the grand hall of
University of Science and technology
Gymnasium of Beijing. In a
blue kimono and barefooted, the
athlete is already holding her
hands up in the air, with tears in
her eyes and a wide smile on her
lips. She managed to fulfill her
greatest dream, but also the greatest
dream of her trainer and Romanians:
a gold medal in the
Olympic Games. The first in the
history of Romanian judo. “God, I
can’t believe it! God, oh my God!
It’s gold!” Alina kept on repeating
to herself in disbelief.
Aur la / Gold at Beijing
THE FIRST JUDOKA THAT WON OLYMPIC GOLD IN THE HISTO-
RY OF ROMANIAN SPORTS, ALINA DUMITRU, WANTED TO
BRING HER NAME AND THE NAME OF HER COUNTRY ON
EVERYBODY’S LIPS. SHE MANAGED TO DO THAT, ON A HOT
SUMMER DAY OF 2008, IN CHINA’S DISTANT CAPITAL.
The secrets of the champion:
positive thinking, a lucky day, 15
years of work, holidays spent
away in training camps or competitions,
far from her family and
friends.
Several months have passed
since the event that changed Alina’s
vice but hasn’t changed her.
She has grown in the eyes of
those around her and enjoys fame
but “Alina is the same,” the
blonde girl, barely 1.60 meters
high, says in all honesty.
THE REWARD FOR THE FIRST
GOLD: A PUPPY
At 26, Alina Dumitru is still
living her dream. She started judo
in the fifth grade. “A coach came

vrem s\ practic\m acest sport. La `nceput a fost joac\: `nv\]am s\
c\dem, s\ ne rostogolim, lucruri foarte atractive. Mi-a pl\cut din prima
clip\. Cred c\ am fost n\scut\ s-o fac. Totul a venit natural, prindeam
foarte repede, am for]a nativ\ `n m‚ini [i picioare“, poveste[te t‚n\ra,
care a cochetat [i cu fotbalul. Sport dur, judo-ul a ajutat-o [i `n via]a de
zi cu zi: „Nu mai sunt at‚t de fricoas\, sunt mai st\p‚n\ pe mine, iar
`ncrederea de sine [i ambi]ia sunt exploatate la maxim“.
Dac\ destinul nu i-ar fi `ntins la picioare tatami-ul, s-ar fi `ndreptat
probabil spre profesia de doctor veterinar. „~mi plac foarte mult animalele.
Am un c\]el de opt ani, un cocker combinat cu setter, care are [i
o poveste. L-am primit `naintea Mondialului de juniori din 2000, iar
p\rin]ii au spus c\ pot s\-l p\strez numai dac\ vin cu o medalie. {i am
luat aurul“. Este una dintre cele mai frumoase amintiri, la acel moment
fiind cel mai important titlu din judoul rom‚nesc. Dup\ nou\ ani, vrea
s\ reediteze performan]a [i la seniori, la Mondialul din septembrie 2009.
Este singura medalie de aur care `i lipse[te din palmares.
Vorbind despre e[ecuri, Alina nu poate uita Olimpiada din 2004,
c‚nd a ratat „la musta]\“, pentru numai c‚teva secunde, o medalie. ~ns\
dup\ Beijing a devenit o amintire f\r\ importan]\.
PESCUIT {I SHOPPING
Nu e u[or s\ devii campion - ]i-o va spune oricare dintre ei. Orele de
antrenament, concursurile de preg\tire, cantonamentele, care te fac s\
lipse[ti de acas\ mai mult de trei sferturi de an, te `ndep\rteaz\ de via]a
normal\. „C‚nd cobor de pe tatami, sunt la fel ca alte fete. Acolo nu iert
nimic; `n via]a de zi cu zi `ns\, m\ impresionez [i `mi curg lacrimile
aproape din orice“, spune „Pi]i“, cum o alint\ prietenii. C‚nd „datoria“
nu `i cere s\ `mbrace chimonoul [i s\ for]eze un ippon, g\se[te vreme
pentru micile sale hobbyuri: pescuitul [i cump\r\turile.
Pescar `nr\it, cum se autodeclar\, merge ori de c‚te ori are ceva timp
liber la lac sau `n Delt\, acolo unde `i place cel mai mult. „N-am ®
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 69
Finala norocoas\ / Lucky finals
to school and asked us if we
wanted to practice this sport. In
the beginning, it was more like
playing: we were learning how to
fall down, to roll over, very attractive
things. I liked it from the
first second. I think I was born to
do this. It all came naturally, I
was catching on very quickly, I
have innate strength in my arms
and legs.” recounts the young
woman, who was also into soccer
at a certain point. A rough sport,
judo has also helped her in everyday
life: “I am no longer so
afraid, I’m in control of myself,
and self-confidence and ambition
are used to the maximum.”
If destiny hadn’t laid the tatami
at her feet, she most probably
would have become a veterinarian.
“I love animals. I have an
eight-year old dog, a crossbreed
between a cocker and a setter, a
dog with a story. I received him
before the junior World Championships
in 2000 and my parents
told me I could keep it only if I
brought a medal back home. And
I came back with gold.” It’s one
of the most beautiful memories,
as that was, at the moment, the
most important title in Romanian
judo. Nine years later, she wants
to re-enact the performance in the
seniors’ World Championships in
September 2009. It’s the only gold
medal that misses from her
record.
Speaking of failures, Alina
cannot forget the 2004 Olympics,
when she narrowly failed to win
a medal. But after Beijing, this has
become an unimportant memory.
FISHING AND SHOPPING
Becoming a champion is not
an easy thing - a fact confirmed
by any of them. The hours of
training, preparation contests,
taking part in training camps,
which will keep you away from
home over three quarters of the
year, all these push one away
from having a normal life. “When
I get off the tatami mat, I’m the
same as any other girls. There, I
don’t let anything go unpunished,
but in every-day life, I get
impressed and start crying for almost
everything,” says “Pitzi,” as
her friends call her affectionately.
When “duty” doesn’t ask her to
wear the kimono and to force an
ippon, she finds time for her hobbies:
fishing and shopping.
A self-proclaimed hopeless
fisher, she goes fishing in a lake
or in the Delta, her favorite spots,
whenever she gets some spare
time. “I haven’t really had the opportunity
to go fishing since I returned
from the Olympic Games.
I was only once and did some
Bolognese fishing, but I prefer using
lead. It’s totally relaxing,”
says Alina, who is proud fisher of
a 1.2 kilo carp.
Shopping is another activity
that she enjoys immensely. No
matter in what corner of the
world judo brought her, she cannot
resist a shopping “treatment.”
“Lately, when I’ve been
seeing something I liked, I
bought it without giving it a second
thought.” She likes buying
clothes and being trendy, but the
essential thing is that they fit ®

CAMPIONII The Champions 70
® prea avut ocazia s\ stau pe balt\ de c‚nd am venit de la Olimpiad\.
Am fost o singur\ dat\ [i am dat la plut\, `ns\ eu prefer s\ dau la
plumb. M\ relaxeaz\ total“, spune Alina, care se laud\ cu o captur\ de
crap de un kilogram [i 200 de grame.
Shoppingul este o alt\ activitate care `i face mare pl\cere. ~n orice col]
al lumii s-ar afla, acolo o poart\ unde judo-ul, nu poate rezista unei
„cure“ de cump\r\turi. „~n ultimul timp, dac\-mi sare ceva `n ochi [i m\
atrage, nu mai stau pe g‚nduri [i cump\r“. ~i place s\-[i cumpere haine,
s\ fie la mod\, `ns\ esen]ial este ca ele „s\ o prind\ bine“. A[a cum o face
chiomonoul. Iar acest mic detaliu n-a sc\pat ochiului vigilent al revistelor
pentru b\rba]i care au ofertat-o s\ pozeze. „Erau propuneri decente,
`ns\, chiar [i a[a, nu m\ reg\sesc deocamdat\ `n ele“, spune judoka.
URM|TOAREA DESTINA}IE: CANADA
Sportul a purtat-o de-a lungul [i de-a latul globului. A cunoscut ]\ri,
mun]i, oceane, civiliza]ii [i culturi diverse, `ns\ ora[ele care au marcat-o
au fost cele latine. „La Barcelona [i Rio de Janeiro am v\zut voie bun\
c‚t n-am `nt‚lnit `n restul lumii. Mi-au pl\cut nu doar ora[ele, ci [i oamenii.
Foarte primitori [i dornici de distrac]ie. Nu-i intereseaz\ ce,
unde, cum, de ce. Dac\ asta au chef, asta fac, `n limita bunului sim]“,
spune campioana olimpic\. Dar `n acest moment o atrage continentul
nord-american. Nu pentru frumuse]ile sale, ci mai ales pentru c\ `n
Canada se afl\ fratele ei. „Nu l-am mai v\zut de vreo [ase ani [i abia
a[tept s\ ajung la el“. {i asta dup\ ce [i-a mai luat un angajament: s\
ajute familia unui b\iat, prin intermediul unui spectacol de dans televizat.
„~mi plac provoc\rile. Pe aceasta am acceptat-o greu, c\ci dansul
nu e pe lista mea de activit\]i extraprofesionale. Am f\cut-o totu[i, pentru
c\ vreau s\ `nv\] s\ m\ mi[c corect pe muzic\, s\ recap\t pu]in din
unduirile elegante pe care judo mi le-a furat“, adaug\ Alina. ∫
Jocurile Olimpice de Var\
∫ Aur 2008
Campionatele Mondiale
∫ Bronz 2005
∫ Bronz 2007
Campionatele Europene
∫ Bronz 2002
∫ Aur 2004
∫ Aur 2005
∫ Aur 2006
∫ Aur 2007
∫ Aur 2008
Cupe Mondiale
∫ Aur 2005
∫ Argint 2005
∫ Aur 2006
∫ Aur 2006
∫ Argint 2006
∫ Aur 2007
∫ Argint 2007
∫ Argint 2008
∫ Argint 2008
Florile victoriei / Flowers of victory
®
her and look good on her. Just
like the kimono does. And this
small detail was not omitted by
the vigilant eye of men magazines
which made her offers for pictorials.
“They were decent proposals,
but, still, I cannot find myself in
them yet,” says the judoka.
NEXT STOP: CANADA
Sports has taken her all
around the world. She has known
various countries, mountains,
ocans, civilizations and cultures,
but the cities that impressed her
greatly were Latin ones. “In
Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro I
MEDALII MEDALS
have seen so much joyfulness as I
haven’t seen in the rest of the
world. I liked not only the cities,
but the people as well. Very hospitable
and ready to have fun.
They don’t care what, where, how
or why. If that’s what they feel
like doing, that’s what they do,
within the limits of common
sense,” says the Olympic champion.
But right now, she is drawn
towards the North-American continent.
Not for its beauties but for
the fact that her brother lives in
Canada. “I haven’t seen him in six
years and I can hardly wait to get
there.” This, after she made yes
another engagement: to help the
family of a boy, through a televised
dancing show. “I like challenges.
This was a challenge
rather hard to accept, for dancing
is not on my list of extracurricular
activities. I did it, however, because
I want to learn how to
move correctly along the music,
to regain a bit of the elegant
movements that judo stole away
from me,” Alina adds. ∫
Summer Olympic Games
∫ Gold 2008
World Championships
∫ Bronze 2005
∫ Bronze 2007
European Championships
∫ Bronze 2002
∫ Gold 2004
∫ Gold 2005
∫ Gold 2006
∫ Gold 2007
∫ Gold 2008
World Cups
∫ Gold 2005
∫ Silver 2005
∫ Gold 2006
∫ Gold 2006
∫ Silver 2006
∫ Gold 2007
∫ Silver 2007
∫ Silver 2008
∫ Silver 2008

TRADI}II Traditions 72
O COMUNITATE ~NCHEGAT|:
AROMÂNII A SOLID
COMMUNITY AROMANIANS
FILOZOFUL LUCIAN BLAGA, PICTORUL CAMIL RESSU, MAICA
TEREZA AU ORIGINI AROMÂNE. COMUNITATEA AROMÂNILOR -
“FARA ARMÂNEASC|”- SE STR|DUIE{TE AST|ZI S| ~{I
P|STREZE NESCHIMBATE SPIRITUL {I TRADI}IILE.
de Ana Nil\
Cronicile bizantine men]ioneaz\ c\ arom‚nii s-au grupat, `n Evul
Mediu, `n autonomii de vlahi. Travers‚nd o istorie zbuciumat\, ei
au fost nevoi]i s\ migreze, din cauza persecu]iilor otomane. ~n
zilele noastre, `i `nt‚lne[ti r\sp‚ndi]i `n comunit\]i unite `n nordul Greciei,
sudul Albaniei sau `n Macedonia. ~ntre 1926 [i 1938, aproape 30.000 de arom‚ni
din Bulgaria, Grecia, Serbia [i Albania s-au stabilit `ntre hotarele de
atunci ale Rom‚niei, `n Cadrilater. Cu greu se g\se[te o regiune balcanic\
ce nu poart\ urmele prezen]ei arom‚nilor. Datele istorice s\race fac imposibl\
cunoa[terea num\rului lor total, `ns\ estim\rile indic\ un milion de
arom‚ni ce tr\iesc r\sp‚ndi]i `n zona Balcanilor. Dintre ei, aproximativ
30.000 tr\iesc `n Rom‚nia, concentra]i mai ales `n zona Dobrogei.
PHILOSOPHER LUCIAN BLAGA, PAINTER CAMIL RESSU, EVEN
MOTHER THERESA HAVE AROMANIAN ROOTS. THE
AROMANIAN COMMUNITY - “FARA ARMÂNEASC|”- IS TRYING
NOWADAYS TO MAINTAIN ITS SPIRIT AND TRADITIONS INTACT.
Byzantine chronicles say
that Aromanians grouped
into Vlach autonomous regions
in the Middle Ages. But facing
a troubled history, they were
forced to migrate in order to escape
Ottoman persecutions. Nowadays,
you meet them spread in united
communities in northern Greece,
southern Albania or Macedonia.
Portul popular / Traditional clothes
Between 1926 and 1938, almost
30,000 Aromanians from Bulgaria,
Greece, Serbia and Albania settled
between the borders of Romania at
the time, in the Southern Dobruja. It
is hard to find a Balkan region
which doesn’t show any traces of
Aromanians’ presence. Very poor
historical data makes it impossible
to know for sure their total number,

S|RB|TOAREA NUN}II
Tradi]iile practicate de sute de ani au suferit modific\ri minore. O semnifica]ie
deosebit\ `n via]a arom‚nilor o are nunta. Un pas important c\tre
nunta `ntre doi arom‚ni este logodna - „a da zborlu“, `n limba arom‚n\.
Comunitatea pune mare pre] pe credin]\, astfel c\ tinerii logodi]i nu pot
locui `mpreun\ dec‚t dup\ ce are loc c\s\toria religioas\. Arom‚ni sunt
cre[tini de rit ortodox, iar slujba religioas\ `n cazul unei nun]i este obligatorie.
Logodna se s\rb\tore[te de c\tre familie [i prieteni `ntr-o petrecere ce
precede nunta propriu-zis\, care dureaz\ cinci zile, de miercuri p‚n\ duminc\.
~n prima zi a nun]ii rudele apropiate ale mirilor sunt g\zduite `n
locuin]ele acestora. To]i particip\ la fr\m‚ntarea aluatului, obicei ce poart\
numele de „aprindere“. Aluatul este a[ezat `ntr-un vas acoperit cu un
prosop peste care se pun bani, care apoi sunt `mp\r]i]i mirilor. ~n cea de-a
doua zi, are loc pe]itul miresei, c‚nd p\rin]ii mirelui “cump\r\” fata de la
p\rin]i [i `mpart bani femeilor din familie.
~n a treia zi, au loc dou\ petreceri `n casele celor doi miri - nun]ile separate
ale miresei [i mirelui. Fata se `mbrac\ `ntr-o rochie elegant\, alta dec‚t
cea tradi]ional\ de mireas\ [i danseaz\ hora, cel mai popular dans arom‚n,
`mpreun\ cu rudele [i prietenii familiei. Nunta mirelui este mai
restr‚ns\, `ns\ respect\ un adev\rat ritual. Mirele `l cheam\ `n casa sa pe
na[, care coase cu a]\ ro[ie o bucat\ de m\tase alb\ (hlambura) pe un lemn
`n form\ de cruce, `n timp ce cavalerii de onoare interpreteaz\ c‚ntece tradi]ionale.
Apoi, merg `mpreun\ la nunta miresei. ~n ziua nun]ii
propriu-zise, slujba religioas\ [i petrecerea au loc `n casa mirelui, dup\ un
ritual simbolic `n care mireasa `[i p\r\se[te familia. Osp\]ul tradi]ional de
nunt\ este bogat `n alimente specifice. Special pentru acest eveniment
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 73
but estimates show about one million
Aromanians live in the Balkan
area. Among them, approximately
300,000 live in Romania, especially
grouped around Dobrogea.
WEDDING CELEBRATION
Traditions kept for hundreds of
years suffered only minor changes.
The wedding has a special significance
in the life of Aromanians. An
important step towards the wedding
between two Aromanians is
the engagement - called “a da zborlu“
in Aromanian. The community
values religion a lot so the young
couple is not allowed to live together
until after the religious wedding
is held. The Aromanians are Orthodox
rite Christians and the religious
service at a wedding is mandatory.
The engagement is celebrated
by family and friends in a party
that precedes the actual wedding,
which lasts for five days, between
Wednesday and Sunday. On the
first day of the wedding, the newlyweds’
close relatives are offered accommodation
in their homes.
Everybody takes part in the battering
of the dough, a custom called
“aprindere“ (lighting up). The
dough is placed in a bowl, which is
covered with a towel and on that
towel, people put money, which is
then given to the bride and groom.
On the second day, the wooing of
the bride takes place, with the
groom’s parents “buying“ the bride
from her parents and giving money
to the women in the family.
On the third day, two parties
are held in the houses of the two -
separate weddings for the bride
and the groom. The girl wears an
elegant dress, not the traditional
wedding dress, and dances the ëhora,
a round dance - the most popular
Aromanian dance, together with
the family’s friends and relatives.
The groom’s wedding is smaller,
but it abides by a strict ritual.
® ®

TRADI}II Traditions 74
® se sacrific\ oi, miei [i berbeci, carnea preferat\ a buc\t\riei arom‚ne. ®
Carnea de porc nu se reg\se[te deloc `n m‚nc\rurile arom‚ne, `n timp ce
legumele, fructele [i cerealele sunt folosite `n cantit\]i reduse. Alimenta]ia
se bazeaz\ `n special pe produsele propriei gospod\rii - carne [i produse
lactate de oaie ori de capr\.
De Anul Nou se prepar\ o pl\cint\ dulce `n care se pun monede, iar de
L\sata Secului se serve[te pl\cint\ cu br‚nz\. Duminica de L\sata Secului
este, de altfel, o zi foarte important\ pentru arom‚ni, care `[i petrec diminea]a
la biseric\. ~n seara de L\sata Secului se str‚ng mai multe familii ca s\
petreac\. ~nainte de a sta la mas\, cei certa]i se `mpac\ spun‚nd: „L`earta
Dumn`l`earta,/ tata-tu si ma-ta/ tsi stim / tsi nu stim / Pasti hariosi”. Tinerii
fac m\t\nii `n fa]a celor b\tr‚ni, sunt binecuv‚nta]i [i r\spl\ti]i cu bani.
CREDIN}E
Na[terea [i botezul sunt, la r‚ndul lor, evenimente de seam\ `n via]a
arom‚nilor [i prilej de s\rb\toare. Tradi]ia cere ca la scurt timp dup\
na[terea unui copil doar c‚teva dintre rudele apropiate ale tinerei mame s\
participe la osp\]ul `n cinstea noului n\scut. La trei zile dup\ momentul
na[terii, are loc `nc\ o `nt‚lnire cu rudele [i femeile apropiate familiei. La
aceast\ reuniune, numit\ Culacu, nu particip\ b\rba]i.
Comunitate cu credin]\ puternic\ `n Dumnezeu, arom‚nii respect\
`ntocmai s\rb\torile [i posturile calendarului ortodox, timp `n care nu consum\
alimente ce con]in ingrediente de origine animal\ [i alcool.
Tot din obiceiurile p\strate de unele comunit\]i de arom‚ni face parte
jocul paparudei, menit s\ aduc\ ploaia pentru recolte bogate. Dac\ nu
plou\ timp de trei s\pt\m‚ni dup\ Duminica Tomii, o fat\ t‚n\r\ este
dezbr\cat\ [i acoperit\ cu frunze [i flori. Ea str\bate satul, dans‚nd `nconjurat\
de alte tinere, care c‚nt\. ~n acest timp, localnicii o stropesc cu ap\,
pentru a chema ploaia.
PORTUL TRADI}IONAL
Portul popular al femeilor cuprinde o rochie numit\ fustan\, cu o curea
metalic\ - pafta, o condu[\ sau un scurtac - vest\ f\r\ m‚neci [i [or]ul popular
numit poal\. {osetele lungi, hrisafi sau pirpodzi, sunt confec]ionate din
l‚n\ colorat\. Femeile `[i acoper\ capul cu o p\l\rie [i o basma colorate, `mpodobite
cu b\nu]i aurii. Elemente asem\n\toare se reg\sesc [i `n portul b\rba]ilor,
basmaua fiind `nlocuit\ de o c\ciul\ din blan\ de oaie. }inuta este
completat\ cu un lan] `n care se prinde briceagul (chiusteca di custura). ∫
The groom summons his
groom-man, who uses red thread
to sew a piece of white silk (hlambura)
on a cross-shaped wood,
while the other best men play traditional
songs. Then, they all go to
the bride’s wedding. On the day of
the actual wedding, the religious
service and the party take place in
the groom’s house, after a symbolic
ritual in which the bride leaves her
family.
The traditional wedding banquet
consists of specific dishes.
Sheep, lambs and rams are sacrificed
especially for this event, as
this is the meat favored by Aromanian
cuisine. Pork is not used at
all in Aromanian dishes, while vegetables,
fruit and cereals are scarce-
ly used. Their cooking is base
mainly on products of their own
household - meat and milk products
from sheep or goats.
For the New Year, a sweet pie
in which coins are places is cooked,
and for Shrovetide, a cheese pie is
being served. The Shrovetide Sunday
is, in fact, a very important day
to Aromanians, who spend their
morning in church. On Shrovetide
evening, several families gather
and hold a celebration. Before dining,
those who are upset with each
other make amends, saying: “L`earta
Dumn`l`earta,/ tata-tu si ma-ta/
tsi stim / tsi nu stim / Pasti hariosi.“
Young people prostrate in
front of the old ones, receive their
blessings and are rewarded with
money.
BELIEFS
Birth and baptism are, in their
turn, important events and reasons
for celebration in the life of Aromanians.
Tradition requires that,
shortly after a child is born, only a
few of the young mother’s close
relatives take part in a banquet in
honor of the new-born baby. Three
days after the birth, another gathering
takes place between the relatives
and women close to the family.
No men are allowed to take part
in this gathering, called Culacu.
A community with a strong belief
in God, Aromanians strictly respect
the holidays and fasting periods
of the Orthodox calendar. During
fasts, they eat no food that contains
animal ingredients and drink
no alcohol.
The “paparuda“ game, meant
to bring rain in order to have rich
crops, is also one of the customs
preserved by some Aromanian
communities. If no rain has fallen
for three weeks after St. Thomas’
Sunday, a young girl is undressed
and covered with leaves and flowers.
She goes around the village,
dancing surrounded by other girls
who sing. Meanwhile, locals spray
her with water, in order to summon
rain.
TRADITIONAL CLOTHING
The traditional clothes of Aromanian
women include a dress
called fustan\, with a metallic
waistband - pafta, some sleeveless
vests (called condu[\ or scurtac)
and the popular apron called poal\.
Their long hose, hrisafi or pirpodzi,
are made of colored wool. Women
also cover their head with a colored
hat and kerchief, adorned with
small golden coins.
Similar elements can also be
found in men’s clothing, only that
the kerchief is replaced with a hat
made of wool. Their clothing is
completed with a chain on which
they tie their pocket knife (chiusteca
di custura). ∫

REPORTAJ Feature
Noul p\le[te `n fa]a vechiului, moda vintage a urcat pe catwalkurile
din `ntreaga lume [i parc\ rochia `nflorat\ din [ifonierul bunicii
nu mai pare ponosit\. Cea mai simpl\ cale de a fi la mod\:
t‚rgurile de vechituri ascund adev\rate comori. Le g\se[ti `n aproape toate
ora[ele mari ale lumii, de cele mai multe ori `n pie]e pitore[ti.
„Rochii vintage? Bine`n]eles! Pantofi cu origini `ndoielnice? Negre[it!
Cercei hand-made? Da! G\se[ti de toate. Dup\ o zi de t‚rg, `mi doream lucruri
de care nici n-a[ fi crezut c\ am nevoie“. E m\rturia unei tinere care
tocmai a experimentat `n premier\ farmecul t‚rgului de vechituri. {i nu unul
oarecare, ci pia]a Rose Bowl din Pasadena, California, care num\r\
aproape 2000 de t‚rgove]i `n cea de-a doua duminic\ a fiec\rei luni. Un
paradis al hainelor [i al accesoriilor, o mul]ime de alte lucruri `nc‚nt\toare.
Lui Alice `i face cu ochiul o cutie cu [iraguri de m\rgele, abia z\rindu-se
dintre [alurile colorate. V‚nz\torul o prive[te gale[ de sub borul p\l\riei:
„10 dolari“. „Privi]i [i aceste inele. Ne `n]elegem la pre], nu v\ teme]i“, o
`mbie. Dup\ scurte negocieri, tranzac]ia nu se face, dar r\m‚n alte sute de
tarabe. T‚rgul are un regim special de taxe de intrare. Cei mai matinali
clien]i pl\tesc 20 de dolari pentru a avea acces `n zori, la ora cinci. Pre]ul
scade p‚n\ la [apte dolari, pentru intrarea la pr‚nz.
De unul dintre cele mai generoase t‚rguri de vechituri din lume se bucur\
turi[tii [i, deopotriv\, locuitorii New Yorkului `n „buc\t\ria diavolului“,
pia]a botezat\ sugestiv Hell’s Kitchen. De la r\s\rit p‚n\ la apus,
`n fiecare weekend, mii de v‚n\tori de chilipiruri se reunesc pe Strada 39,
`n spa]iul ocupat c‚ndva de parc\ri. Un amalgam de vechi [i nou, de antichit\]i
pre]ioase [i c‚teodat\ kitsch, atrage mu[terii din toat\ lumea. Ca s\-i
76
V DE LA / FROM VINTAGE
C|R}I PRE}IOASE, ~N CUTII URIA{E DE CARTON, PENDULE DIN VREMURI APUSE, P|PU{I DE POR}ELAN, CÂNDVA ALE UNOR MICI
PRIN}ESE, HAINE VINTAGE ATÂT DE TRENDY, DISCURI DE COLEC}IE, MEDALII, AMINTIRI DIN MARILE R|ZBOAIE. MOBIL|, BIJUTERII,
CÂTE {I MAI CÂTE, TOATE PREZENTE ~N CELE MAI MARI CINCI TÂRGURI DE ANTICHIT|}I {I VECHITURI DIN LUME ∫ PRECIOUS BOOKS
IN HUGE CARDBOARD BOXES, GRANDFATHER CLOCKS FROM A LONG TIME AGO, PORCELAIN DOLLS THAT ONCE BELONGED TO
SMALL PRINCESSES, SO TRENDY VINTAGE CLOTHES, COLLECTION RECORDS, MEDALS, MEMORIES FROM THE GREAT WARS.
FURNITURE, JEWELRY AND MANY OTHERS, ALL INCLUDED IN THE WORLD’S FIVE LARGEST ANTIQUES FAIRS AND FLEA MARKETS.
de Ana Nil\
The new pales into insignificance
in front of the old,
vintage fashion is displayed
on the catwalks around the world
and the floral dress in grandma’s
wardrobe no longer seems wellworn.
The simplest way of being
trendy: antique markets hide real
treasures. You can find them in almost
all the large cities of the
world, most of the times held in
picturesque squares.
“Vintage dresses? Certainly!
Shoes of questionable origins? Undoubtedly!
Hand-made earrings?
Yes! You can find anything. After a
day at the market, I found I wanted
things I never thought I would
need.” This is the confession of a
young woman who has just had
her first contact with the charm of
a flea market. And not just any flea
market, but the Rose Bowl Drive in
Pasadena, California, which gathers
almost 2,000 vendors on the
second Sunday of every month. A
paradise of clothing and accessories
and a multitude of other delighting
things. Alice sets her eyes
on a box with bead necklaces, barely
visible from among a multitude
of colored scarves. The seller looks
at her idly, from under the rim of
his hat: “Ten dollars.” “Have a
look at these rings too. We’ll settle
on the price, don’t worry,” he
tempts her. After some bargaining,
the transaction fails, but there are
hundreds of other stands. The market
has a special entry fee regime.
The customers who want to enter
the market at dawn, at 5 a.m., have
to pay 20 dollars. The fee drops to
seven dollars around noon.
One of the most generous flea
markets in the world, that lures
both tourists and New York residents
is the “devil’s kitchen,” the
square suggestively named Hell’s
Kitchen. Every weekend, from

Rochie vintage / Vintage dress
descoperi farmecul, rezerv\-]i c‚teva ore bune pentru tarabele bogate, c\ci
lucrurile valoroase se pot ivi de oriunde. Ca dovad\, unul din vizitatori a
cump\rat o ilustra]ie `nr\mat\. Aparent, doar o poz\ veche, `nf\]i[‚nd o
floare. A descoperit `ns\, ascuns\ `n spatele fotografiei, o coal\ pe care
Samuel Francis Smith a scris, `n 1831, versurile c‚ntecului patriotic „My
Country ‘Tis of Thee“. Manuscrisul a fost evaluat de speciali[ti la 100.000
de dolari. A[a c\ nu po]i [ti ce comori se acund `n cuf\rul de colo!
PORTRETUL TÂRGOVE}ULUI PROFESIONIST
Gra]ie unor astfel de surprize, amatorii cu gusturi eclectice nu sunt
pu]ini la num\r. Vin cu sutele, s\pt\m‚nal, consecven]i. Sunt cei care
colec]ioneaz\ c‚te pu]in din toate [i nimic `n mod special. Nu se `ncadreaz\
`ntr-o grup\ de v‚rst\ sau o categorie social\. Oameni obi[nui]i, liceeni,
bunici, vedete sau designeri. Cei tineri sunt trendy [i mereu `n c\utare de
ie[it din comun, la un pre] c‚t mai mic. De altfel, fanii pie]elor de vechituri
pornesc spre t‚rg cu g‚ndul c\ ceea ce vor cump\ra va fi cu mult mai valoros
dec‚t pre]ul pl\tit. Este mai ales cazul mobilierului vechi pe care-l recunoa[tem
`n vitrinele magazinelor cu antichit\]i. Exist\ v‚nz\tori care
ofer\ numai astfel de piese. Nici nu b\nuim num\rul caselor decorate cu
mobil\ din t‚rgurile de vechituri.
„Sunt dependent de obiectele mici [i aparent inutile pe care le
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 77
dawn till dusk, thousands of vendors
and bargains can be found on
39th Street, in a space once occupied
by parking lots. A mixture of
old and new, precious antiques
and sometimes kitsch items, attracts
customers from all over the
world. To discover its charm, make
sure you have several hours to
spare visiting the stands full of
merchandise, for valuable things
can be found practically anywhere.
As proof, one of the visitors
bought a framed picture. Apparently,
just an old photo of a flower.
But the customer discovered a
sheet of paper hidden in the back
of the photo, a paper on which
Samuel Francis Smith wrote, in
1831, the lyrics of the patriotic song
“My Country ëTis of Thee.” The
manuscript was evaluated at
100,000 dollars. So you can’t know
what treasures may be hiding in
that trunk over there!
THE PORTRAIT OF THE
PROFESSIONAL BUYER
Due to such surprises, customers
with eclectic tastes come in
large ranks. They come by the hundreds
every week. They are the
people who collect a little from
everything and nothing in particular.
They don’t belong to a certain
social category or age group. Ordinary
people, high school students,
grandparents, stars or designers.
The young ones are trendy and always
looking for uncommon
things at the smallest price possible.
In fact, fans of flea mar-
® ®

REPORTAJ Feature
Colec]ie de bijuterii / Jewelry collection
® g\sesc `n t‚rguri“, m\rturise[te Andrew Sharratt, c\ut‚nd cu privirea ®
printre standurile `mpov\rate ale celui mai mare t‚rg de antichit\]i din
Marea Britanie, `n Sunbury, Middlesex. Este designer [i caut\ mobil\ pentru
un concept store din Londra. A pus ochii pe o canapea [i dou\ fotolii `n
stil victorian, o bibliotec\ impun\toare din lemn masiv [i un elegant scrin
florentin. Poate [i un candelabru care s-ar potrivit perfect decorului. Trebuie
doar s\ respecte bugetul de 1.500 de lire.
Expozan]ii [i v‚n\torii de comori se integreaz\ armonios `n peisajul din
Kempton Park, care, atunci c‚nd nu g\zduie[te t‚rgul, serve[te drept aren\
pentru curse de cai. Lunar, `n cea de-a doua [i `n ultima zi de joi, sute de
exper]i vin aici s\-[i expun\ cele mai frumoase produse: mobilier, bijuterii,
ceasuri, fotografii [i c\r]i vechi. Spre deosebire de t‚rgul din New York, cel
din Sunbury nu este deschis `n zilele ploioase.
FIESTA SUD-AMERICAN|
Schimb\m continentul [i ajungem `n capitala argentinian\, Buenos
Aires. C‚ndva locuit de cele mai `nst\rite familii, cartierul San Telmo, cu a
sa pia]a Dorrego, este locul de desf\[urare a unui pitoresc t‚rg de vechituri.
Clima bl‚nd\ a Argentinei le permite amatorilor de antichit\]i rafinate
s\ vin\ aici `n fiecare duminic\, tot timpul anului. Avantajele sunt [i mai
numeroase, c\ci de cele mai multe ori pie]ele de vechituri nu sunt preferatele
turi[tilor. Astfel, vei gusta `n tihn\ atmosfera de fiesta.
®
Lucrurile bune `n via]\ necesit\ efort. La fel [i chilipirurile din t‚rgurile de
vechituri. T‚rgove]ul neexperimentat are nevoie de c‚teva ponturi:
∫ Nu dormi p‚n\ târziu. Pentru cele mai bune m\rfuri, trebuie s\ ajungi c‚t mai
devreme `n pia]\. De asemenea, ]ine minte c\ cei mai mul]i v‚nz\tori se
preg\tesc de plecare dup\ ora 16.00. E drept, pre]urile scad [i spre finalul
zilei, `ns\ s-ar putea ca p‚n\ atunci lucrurile deosebite s\ se fi v‚ndut deja.
∫ Verific\ starea vremii. T‚rgove]ii speciali[ti [tiu c\ „prada“ de calitate se
ob]ine c‚nd vremea capricioas\ `i ]ine pe clien]i acas\. {i v‚nz\torii vor fi mai
indulgen]i c‚nd vine vorba de pre].
∫ Las\ cardul de credit acas\ [i asigur\-te c\ ai la tine bancnote cu valoare
mic\.
∫ Cu c‚t cumperi mai multe lucruri de la acela[i v‚nz\tor, cu at‚t pl\te[ti mai
pu]in pentru fiecare dintre obiecte.
∫ Nu te sfii s\ negociezi. Te afli `n t‚rg, toat\ lumea o face. Unii dintre v‚nz\tori
se bucur\ mai mult de procesul negocierii dec‚t de profit `n sine.
78
kets set off to the market
thinking that what they will buy
will be a lot more valuable than the
price they’ll pay for it. This is especially
the case with old furniture
which we see in the windows of
antique shops. There are vendors
offering only such items. The number
of houses decorated with furniture
from flea markets may be too
high to keep track of.
“I’m addicted to small, apparently
useless items I find in markets,”
Andrew Sharratt admits,
gazing inquisitively at the stands
full of merchandise in the largest
antiques market in Great Britain,
held in Sunbury, Middlesex. Sharrat
is a designer and he is looking
for furniture for a concept store in
London. He has his eyes set on a
sofa and two armchairs in Victo-
PONTURI PENTRU TÂRGOVE}UL ~NCEP|TOR TIPS FOR BEGINNER BUYERS
ryan style, an imposing bookshelf
of massive wood and an elegant
Florentine chest. Maybe also a
chandelier that would perfectly fit
the arrangement. He just has to
stick to the 1,500 pound budget.
Exhibitors and treasure
hunters harmoniously fit the
scenery of Kempton Park, which
serves as an arena for horse races
when it doesn’t host the market.
Every month, on the second and
last Thursday, hundreds of experts
come here to display their most
beautiful products: furniture, jewelry,
clocks, photos and old books.
Unlike the New York market, the
one in Sunbury is closed on rainy
days.
SOUTH-AMERICAN FIESTA
We change continent and get
to the Argentinean capital, Buenos
Aires. Once inhabited by the
wealthiest families, San Telmo
quarter, with its Dorrego Square,
is the stage of a picturesque antiques
market.
Argentina’s mild climate allows
refined antiques lovers to
gather here every Sunday all
throughout the year. The advantages
are even more numerous, for
in general, flea markets are not really
favored by tourists. Thus,
you’ll be able to get a taste of the
fiesta atmosphere in peace and
quiet. The chance of finding small
treasures here cannot be over- ®
All good things in life require effort. And so does any good deal in
antiques markets. The inexperienced buyer needs a few tips:
∫ Don’t sleep late. For the best merchandise, you have to get to the market
as early as possible. Also, keep in mind that most vendors are getting
ready to leave after 4 p.m. It’s true that prices tend to drop at the end of
the day, but by then, the most special merchandise might be already sold.
∫ Check the weather forecast. Experienced buyers know that the best quality
“prey” is captured when bad weather keeps customers at home. And
vendors will be more flexible when it comes to the price.
∫ Leave your credit card at home and make sure you have small bills on
you.
∫ The more things you buy from the same vendor, the more likely that you’ll
get a discount for every item.
∫ Don’t be shy to negotiate. You’re at a market, everybody is doing it. Some
vendors enjoy negotiating the price more than the profit they get.

REPORTAJ Feature
® {ansele s\ g\se[ti nenum\rate mici comori nu sunt neglijabile, dar ®
mai important este c\ obiectele tr\deaz\ secrete ale istoriei [i ale localnicilor.
Che Guevara z‚mbe[te de pe c\r]ile po[tale pres\rate pe tarabe. Sticle
vechi, colec]ii de argint\rie, pantofi de tango [i costume tradi]ionale `mpart
acela[i stand. Duminica `n San Telmo nu `nseamn\ doar v‚n\toare de
chilipiruri, ci [i petreceri p‚n\ `n zori. Str\zile sunt invadate de c‚nt\re]i [i
dansatori de tango.
PARISUL ARTELOR
~ntr-o categorie diferit\ de t‚rguri de vechituri se plaseaz\ elegantul
Porte de Vanves. Nu s-a stabilit care a fost prima astfel de pia]\, `ns\ Porte
de Vanves se num\r\ cu siguran]\ printre cele mai vechi din lume. Dateaz\
`nc\ din 1890, c‚nd t‚rgove]ii din suburbiile Parisului se reuneau `n Porte
de Vanves, de-a lungul Montparnasse, pentru a vinde lucruri dintre cele
mai diverse. De atunci, t‚rgul a continuat s\ se extind\.
Aici, `n zona de sud a Parisului vin mai ales parizieni iubitori de art\.
Negustorii sunt, la r‚ndul lor, speciali[ti `n astfel de obiecte, a c\ror valoare
o cunosc [i, de obicei, pre]urile nu sunt dintre cele mai sc\zute. ~[i expun cu
m‚ndrie marfa, negre[it cea mai potrivit\ pentru orice client, [i la pre]ul cel
mai convenabil. Chilipiruri se g\sesc [i aici, cu men]iunea c\ nu le lipse[te
bunul gust. Nu sunt multe locurile de unde po]i cump\ra o e[arf\ secondhand
Hermes la un pre] rezonabil, sau fotografii originale `nf\]i[‚nd
str\zile cochete ale Parisului din 1900. Porte de Vanves ofer\, `n fiecare
weekend, mobilier din secolul al XVIII-lea, bijuterii vechi, tablouri [i
gravuri, c\r]i po[tale vechi sau fonograme. ∫
80
T‚rgul de antichit\]i din San Telmo,
Buenos Aires, Argentina
∫ Are loc `n cartierul San Telmo, Plazza
Dorrego, `n fiecare duminic\, `ntre
10 - 17.00
∫ www.feriadesantelmo.com
T‚rgul de antichit\]i din Sunbury,
Middlesex, Marea Britanie
∫ Se desf\[oar\ `n a doua [i ultima joi a
fiec\rei luni, `ntre 6.30 [i 14.00, `n parcul
Kempton.
∫ www.kemptonantiques.com
Hell’s Kitchen, New York
∫ T‚rgul are loc `n fiecare s\mb\t\ [i
duminic\, `ntre 9.00 [i 18.00, pe West
39th Street.
∫ www.hellskitchenfleamarket.com.
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
∫ Aproape 2.000 de v‚nz\tori se reunesc
`n ultima duminc\ a fiec\rei luni, pe
Rose Bowl Drive, `n Pasadena.
∫ www.rgcshows.com
Porte de Vanves, Paris
∫ Unul dintre cele mai vechi t‚rguri de
vechituri din Fran]a are loc pe bulevardele
Marc Sangnier [i Georges
Lafenestre. Este deschis `n fiecare
weekend al anului, `ntre 7.00 [i 17.00.
∫ www.pucesdevanves.typepad.com
looked, but what’s more important
is that the items for sale allow
you a glimpse of the place’s
history and people. Che Guevara
smiles at you from the postcards
spread on the stands. Old bottles,
silverware, tango shoes and traditional
costumes share the same
stands. A Sunday in San Telmo
means more than just a hunt for
bargains, but also parties till dawn.
The streets are invaded by singers
and tango dancers.
PARIS OF ARTS
A different category of flea
markets is represented by the elegant
Porte de Vanves. It is not yet
known what the first such market
was, but Porte de Vanves is definitely
one of the oldest in the
world. It dates back to 1890, when
merchants from Paris suburbs
gathered at Porte de Vanves, along
the Montparnasse, to sell some of
ADRESE UTILE USEFUL ADDRESSES
the most diverse merchandise.
Since then, the market continued to
grow bigger. It’s mostly art lovers
that come here, in the south side of
Paris. The vendors are also specialists
in such items, whose value
they are perfectly aware of and
therefore, the prices are not really
low. Vendors proudly display their
merchandise, which is undoubtedly
the most appropriate for every
customer and at the most convenient
price.
You can get bargains there as
well, but it must be noted that they
don’t lack good taste. There aren’t
many places where you can buy a
second-hand Hermes scarf at a reasonable
price, or original photographs
of Paris’ fancy streets in
1900. Every weekend, Porte de
Vanves offers 18 th century furniture,
old jewelry, paintings and engravings,
old postcards or phonograms.
∫
San Telmo Antiques Market, Buenos
Aires, Argentina
∫ The market is held in San Telmo quarter,
Plazza Dorrego, every Sunday
between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
∫ www.feriadesantelmo.com
Sunbury Antiques Market, Middlesex,
Great Britain
∫ It is held on the second and last
Thursday of every month, between
6:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., in Kempton
Park.
∫ www.kemptonantiques.com
Hell’s Kitchen, New York
∫ The market is open every Saturday
and Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 6
p.m., on West 39th Street.
∫ www.hellskitchenfleamarket.com.
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
∫ Almost 2,000 vendors gather on the
last Sunday of every month on Rose
Bowl Drive, in Pasadena.
∫ www.rgcshows.com
Porte de Vanves, Paris
∫ One of the oldest flea markets in
France, it is held on Marc Sangnier
and Georges Lafenestre boulevards.
Open every weekend, between 7 a.m.
and 5 p.m.
∫ www.pucesdevanves.typepad.com

REPORTAJ Feature
de Denisa M\run]oiu
~ncrunt‚ndu-se reflex, b\rbatul `ncepe s\ ascut\ lama care seam\n\ cu o
sabie de samurai, lung\ cam c`t este el `nsu[i de `nalt. Acum 12 ani, c‚nd
era nou, acest cu]it avea peste un metru [i jum\tate. A fost fabricat de
me[terii casei Masahisa, cei care, sute de ani, au b\tut s\biile samurailor
Minamoto, fondatorii celui dint‚i shogunat. B\rbatul scund care-l m‚nuie[te
este Tsunenori Iida, conduc\torul casei Hicho, una din cele mai
vechi [i venerabile familii din breasla angrosi[tilor de ton, st\p‚nii absolu]i
ai pie]ei Tsukiji.
~n urm\ cu vreo dou\ zile, tonul de 136 de kilograme `ntins pe burt\ `n
fa]a lui Iida-san, fug\rea macroul prin Atlanticul de Nord. ~n mai pu]in de
o or\, carnea sa, at‚t de pre]ioas\ dependen]ilor de sushi, va fi atent por-
]ionat\ [i trimis\ buc\tarilor care au avut [ansa s\ o achizi]ioneze `n avans.
Iida-san este preg\tit pentru prima lovitur\ de maestru, care va `mp\r]i
pe[tele `n patru sferturi perfecte din numai dou\ t\ieturi. ~[i ]ine r\suflare o
secund\ [i, cu precizie chirurgical\, despic\ ro[ul compact al c\rnii. ~n jurul
lui, parc\ `nlemne[te totul. Iar `n Tsukiji asta `nseamn\ mult, c\ci suntem `n
inima nebuniei frenetice: nebunia s\lbatic\, s‚ngeroas\ [i totodat\ delicioas\
a celei mai mari pie]e de pe[te [i fructe de mare din lume.
82
DOU|ZECI {I PATRU DE OAMENI AU AJUNS PE LUN|. NUMAI
DOI AU ATINS ~NS| FUNDUL CELUI MAI ADÂNC OCEAN. AU
G|SIT ACOLO PE{TI {I VIET|}I ABISALE DINTRE CELE MAI
STRANII PE CARE, DAC| AR PUTEA FI ADUSE LA SUPRAFA}|,
CU SIGURAN}| LE-AM G|SI LA TSUKIJI (TOKYO). VORBIM
DESPRE CEA MAI MARE PIA}| DE PE{TE {I FRUCTE DE MARE
DIN LUME, UNDE UN TON POATE COSTA {I 170.000 DE DOLARI.
Tsukiji
{I ~MP|RATUL PE{TE
AND THE FISH EMPEROR
Frowning, the man starts
sharpening the blade that
looks like a samurai sword,
being almost as long as he is tall.
Twelve years ago, when it was
new, this knife was over a meter
and a half long. It was manufactured
by the craftsmen of the
Masahisa house, who, hundreds of
years ago, crafted the swords of the
Minamoto samurais, the founders
of the first shogunate.
The short man wielding the
knife is Tsunenori Iida, leader of the
house of Hicho, one of the oldest
and most venerable families in the
caste of tuna sellers, the absolute
masters of Tsukiji market.
About two days before, the
136-kilo tuna now lying in front of
Iida-san was chasing mackerel
through the North Atlantic. In less
than an hour, its flesh, so precious
for sushi addicts, will be carefully
portioned and sent to the master
chefs that had the opportunity to
buy it in advance.
Iida-san is ready for his first
master hit, which will divide the
fish in four perfect quarters with only
two strokes. He holds his breath
for a second and then, with surgical
precision, he splits the compact red
flesh. Everything seems to stay still
around him. And that means a lot at
Tsukiji, for we are at the heart of fre-

TWENTY FOUR PEOPLE HAVE REACHED THE MOON. ONLY TWO
TOUCHED THE BOTTOM OF THE DEEPEST OCEAN. THERE, THEY
FOUND SOME OF THE STRANGEST ABYSSAL FISH AND CREA-
TURES WHICH, WERE THEY BROUGHT TO THE SURFACE, WE
WOULD DEFINITELY FIND AT TSUKIJI (TOKYO). WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT THE LARGEST FISH AND SEA FRUIT MARKET IN THE
WORLD, WHERE A TUNA FISH CAN COST UP TO 170,000 DOLLARS.
Tonul st\p‚ne[te epicentrul pie]ei Tsukiji, dar absolut toate bog\]iile
oceanului - de la pe[ti vii [i gusto[i, la cei semi-otr\vitori, creve]i, zeci de
feluri de caracati]ie [i molu[te - sunt licitate [i v‚ndute. La cinci diminea]a,
preced‚nd marea licita]ie de ton, are loc aceea de icre de arici-de-mare,
„uni“, a c\ror culoare portocaliu-aurie face deliciul oric\rui mare chef. Cele
mai pre]ioase „uni“ provin din Hokkaido [i insulele `nconjur\toare [i se
spune c\, pentru o savoare adev\rat\, trebuie s\ le m‚n‚nci direct din
aricii-de-mare vii, cule[i cu m‚na ta. Zeci de b\rba]i se `nv‚rt prin marea
hal\, fum‚nd [i b‚nd cafele din pahare de h‚rtie, `n c\utarea icrelor de-un
portocaliu vibrant. O sut\ de grame de „uni“ nord-japoneze cost\ cam
7.000 de yeni, adic\ 70 de dolari. Mâine „uni“ sunt mult mai ieftine, adic\
`ntre 6 [i 13 dolari suta de grame.
Tsukiji este locul unde se `nt‚lnesc negustori de pe[te din cele [apte
m\ri. Istoria sa a `nceput acum 400 de ani, c‚nd a fost creat\, nu departe de
locul actual, pia]a de pe[te Nihonbashi. Pe 1 septembrie 1923, Tokyo a fost
devastat de Marele Kanto, cutremurul care a ucis peste 140.000 de oameni.
Nihonbashi a fost ras\ de pe fa]a p\m‚ntului [i a ren\scut, nu dup\ mult
timp, ca Tsukiji. Tsunenori Iida, al c\rui str\bunic de]inea o tarab\ `n
vechea pia]\, e unul din cei patru negustori ale c\ror familii au `nceput
afacerile la Nihonbashi [i `nc\ activeaz\ la Tsukiji.
PRINTRE STIVUITOARE {I ALTARE
La Tsukiji, care se `ntinde pe 22,5 hectare, adic\ mai mult dec‚t
suprafa]a `nsumat\ a 40 de terenuri de fotbal american, sunt ®
La Tsukiji g\se[ti cel mai bun sushi / The best sushi is prepared at Tsukiji
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 83
Pia]a se `ntinde pe 22,5 hectare / The market streches on 22.5 hectares
netic insanity: the wild, bloodied
and also delicious insanity of the
greatest market for fish and sea fruit
in the world. The tuna is leading the
epicenter of Tsukiji market, but absolutely
the entire richness of the
ocean - from living, tasty fish to semi-poisonous
ones, shrimps, dozens
of kinds of mollusks and octopuses,
is being auctioned and sold. At 5
a.m., before the great tuna auction,
the market hosts the auction for sea
urchin eggs, “uni,” whose goldenorange
color makes the delight of
any great party. The most precious
“uni” come from Hokkaido and the
surrounding islands and they say
that, in order to enjoy their full deliciousness,
you have to eat them directly
from the living sea urchins,
collected with your own hand.
Dozens of men wander around
the great hall, smoking and drink-
ing coffee from paper cups, in
search of the vibrating orange eggs.
A hundred grams of north-Japanese
“uni” cost approximately 7,000
yens, meaning, about 70 dollars.
“Uni” from Maine are a lot cheaper,
between six and 13 dollars for a
hundred grams.
Tsukiji is the place where fish
merchants from all over the world
meet. Its history began 400 years
ago, when the Nihonbashi fish
market was set up, not far from its
current spot. On September 1, 1923,
Tokyo was devastated by the Great
Kanto, the earthquake that killed
over 140,000 people. Ninonbashi
was wiped out and was reborn,
very soon, as Tsukiji.
Tsunenori Iida, whose ancestor
had owned a stand in the old market,
is one of the four merchants
whose families began doing ®

REPORTAJ Feature
Peste 1.650 de tarabe / Over 1,650 stands
84
® manevrate zilnic dou\ milioane de kilograme de fructe de mare [i
pe[te. L‚ng\ intrarea Kaiko, pitit `ntr-o serenitate relativ\, un clopot sun\ zilnic,
semn c\ la altarul shintoist Namiyoke Jinja (`n traducere „Altarul care te
protejeaz\ de valuri“), rug\ciunile `[i urmeaz\ cursul. ~n exteriorul altarului,
dou\ monumente de piatr\ onoreaz\ fructele m\rii: unul simboliz‚nd un
pe[te mare, negru [i o icr\ c‚t un ou de g\in\, `n fa]a c\rora oamenii pie]ei
las\ zilnic mici ofrande. La poarta principal\, nu departe de altar, dar foarte
departe de serenitate, o pancard\ `ndeamn\ vizitatorii s\ fie aten]i la trafic [i
s\ p\[easc\ cu grij\, c\ci pia]a e plin\ de tot soiul de vehicule, iar podeaua
etern umed\ [i alunecoas\.
~ntr-adev\r, abia te strecori printre camioane mici [i mari, stivuitoare [i
transpale]i, noi sau vechi, electrice sau pe motorin\, murdare ori sclipitor de
curate. Toate au un numitor comun: operatorii mereu ocupa]i cu aprinderea
unei ]ig\ri `n loc s\ fie aten]i la manevre [i la cei 60.000 de oameni care se
perind\ zilnic prin Tsukiji. ~n timp ce condusul f\r\ m‚ni e o chestiune pur
op]ional\, ]igara pare a fi obligatorie, c\ci num\rul fum\torilor `l dep\[e[te
cu mult pe cel al semnelor care interzic fumatul.
DELICATESE LETALE
Pe tarabele din Tsukiji g\se[ti creve]i de peste tot [i de toate felurile: creve]i
ro[ii japonezi, creve]i dulci japonezi (ama-ebi), creve]i decortica]i juruma,
creve]i de Alaska [i creve]i de Maine, proaspe]i sau `nghe]a]i. Al\turi
troneaz\ at‚t de c\uta]ii homari, urechile-de-mare (molu[te bizare, dar comestibile)
[i pe[tii-sabie de toat\ frumuse]ea, fie pescui]i din ape japoneze, fie
adu[i din Cape Town sau Iran. Cei mai iscusi]i negustori se m‚ndresc [i cu
acvarii uria[e `n care `noat\ ciuda]ii fugu, numele japonez al pe[telui-balon.
Sunt foarte scumpi [i adesea letali, c\ci con]in o neurotoxin\ care te poate
ucide `n c‚teva minute. De aceea, numai buc\tarii cu licen]\ special\, ob]inut\
dup\ ani de studiu, au dreptul de a prepara [i comercializa fugu. Consumat\
`n cantit\]i infime, tetrodotoxina poate produce [i euforie sau halucina]ii.
G\se[ti [i sardine, dar [i somon, proasp\t adus din Norvegia sau cu
origini locale. V‚nz\torii prieteno[i te sf\tuiesc s\ nu m\n‚nci somon crud,
c\ci mi[c\rile sale `ntre apa dulce [i apa s\rat\ `l fac gazda perfect\ a
parazi]ilor periculo[i. Un sentiment aparte `]i vor oferi butoaiele pline cu
]ipari de toate formele [i culorile, `ncep‚nd cu ]iparul-de-mare (anago) [i
termin‚nd cu ]iparul de ap\ dulce (unagi), foarte popular printre locuitorii
din preajma marilor lacuri japoneze. Oferta de caracati]e e [i ea generoas\ -
caracati]\ pui [i caracati]\ uria[\, la fel [i aceea de crabi, stridii, scoici. ®
® business at Ninonbashi and are
still active at Tsukiji.
AMONG FORKLIFTS AND
ALTARS
In Tsukiji, which stretches on
22.5 hectares, which is more than
the area covered by 40 American
football fields, two million kilos of
sea fruit and fish are being handled
every day.
Next to the Kiko entrance, hidden
in a relative serenity, a bell is
tolled every day, a sign that
prayers take their course at the
Shinto altar Namiyoke Jinja (The altar
that protects you from the
waves). Outside the altar, two
stone monuments stand in honor of
the sea fruit: a large, black fish and
a fish egg as big as a hen’s egg. The
people of the market leave small offerings
n front of these monuments
every day.
At the main gate, not far from
the altar, but very far from serenity,
a poster urges visitors to watch out
for traffic and to watch their step,
for the market is full of all sorts of
vehicles and the floor is always wet
and slippery.
Indeed, you barely find your
way among the large or small
trucks, manual or automatic forklifts,
both old and new, electric or
on gas, dirty or spick and span.
They have one thing in common:
their drivers who are always busy
Licita]ia de ton / Tuna auction
lighting a cigarette instead of
watching the maneuvers and the
60,000 people going through Tsukiji
every day. While handless driving
is purely optional, the cigarette
seems to be mandatory, for the
number of smokers highly exceeds
the number of ëno smoking’ signs.
LETHAL DELICACIES
On the stands of Tsukiji you
can find shrimps from everywhere
and of all kinds: Japanese red
shrimps (ama-ebi), peeled juruma
shrimp, Alaska shrimps and Maine
shrimps, fresh and frozen. Right by
their side, you can find the popular
lobsters, the so called sea-ears
(bizarre but edible mollusks) and
beautiful swordfish that were either
fished out from Japanese waters
or brought from Cape Town or
Iran. The most skilled merchants
take pride in huge fish tanks, in ®

REPORTAJ Feature
86
®
Gama creaturilor neobi[nuite [i gustoase (cel pu]in a[a sus]in negustorii)
e completat\ cu succes de scoicile-gigant din golful Tsuruga, enorme
molu[te verzi cunoscute ca tairagi-gai, pe[ti-scorpion de-a dreptul grote[ti,
pe[ti-c\lug\r [i ]estoase de ap\ dulce.
TONUL FACE LEGEA
~mp\ratul pie]ei Tsukiji r\m‚ne `ns\ tonul. Cele mai impresionante exemplare
comercializate aici au peste 3,5 metri [i c‚nt\resc cam 650 de kilograme.
Iida-san spune c\ sursa celui mai bun [i mai scump ton se schimb\
`n func]ie de sezon. Iarna, cel mai r‚vnit provine din apele Japoniei de nord,
aproape de Oma [i Hokkaido. Vara `ns\, cel mai bun ton vine din... nord-estul
Statelor Unite. Acest fapt era necunoscut `n Japonia p‚n\ `n vara lui
1972, c‚nd primul ton uria[ a fost adus la Tsukiji tocmai din apele ce scald\
coasta nord-estic\ a Americii. De atunci, valoarea unui pe[te ce obi[nuia s\
fie hran\ pentru pisici a crescut p‚n\ la zeci de mii de dolari.
Cei cinci mari angrosi[ti de pe[te din Tsukiji sunt [i cei care administreaz\
cele cinci case de licita]ii de ton. ~n `ntunericul primelor ore ale dimine]ii,
nu mai t‚rziu de 4, tonul pe care se preg\tesc s\-l v‚nd\ este sortat,
etichetat [i atent a[ezat `n r‚nduri paralele, pe pale]ii de aluminiu ce acoper\
podeaua marii s\li de licita]ii. Fiecare a fost numerotat cu vopsea ro[ie,
direct pe burt\. Poten]ialii cump\r\tori [i brokerii lor sunt apoi invita]i `n
sal\. ~ncep s\ analizeze fiecare pe[te, folosesc mici lanterne pentru a nu
sc\pa detaliile, iau noti]e, gesticuleaz\, arunc\ priviri admirative sau se
prefac nemul]umi]i. Licita]ia se desf\[oar\ rapid, f\r\ drept de apel, prin
semne ale degetelor [i abrevieri cunoscute numai de ei.
Iida-san este st\p‚nul uneia din cele 1.677 de tarabe din Tsukiji [i unul
din cei 1.677 de negustori autoriza]i s\ liciteze la Tsukiji, pentru ca apoi s\
rev‚nd\ pe[tele. Mare parte din restul participan]ilor autoriza]i deservesc
pia]a interna]ional\, satisf\c‚nd cererile preten]ioase ale buc\tarilor din
sofisticatele restaurante pariziene sau new-yorkeze.
Viitorul licita]iilor este `ns\ incert, c\ci se deruleaz\ deja planuri de relocare
a pie]ei. Dac\ totul merge bine, `n 2010 Tsukiji va func]iona `ntr-un
spa]iu [i mai mare, undeva `n districtul Toyosu, o zon\ industrial\ de
cealalt\ parte a golfului Tokyo.
Schimb\rile `i `ngrijoreaz\ pe mul]i negustori. Dar `n vest, acolo unde
pu]ini au auzit de Tsukiji, nu exist\ aceste temeri, ci doar pofta cresc‚nd\
pentru bun\t\]ile oceanului. ∫
Por]ionarea tonului, o art\ / The art of portioning tuna
® which the strange fugu, the
Japanese name given to the balloon
fish, can be watched swimming.
They are very expensive and often
lethal, for they contain a neurotoxin
that can kill you in a matter of minutes.
This is why only chefs with a
special license, obtained after long
years of study, have the right to
cook and sell fugu. Consumed in
very small quantities, the neurotoxin
can produce a state of euphoria
or hallucinations.
You can also find sardines and
salmon freshly brought from Norway
or from local areas. The friendly
sellers advise you not to eat raw
salmon, for its journeys between
sweet and salt water make it the
perfect host of dangerous parasites.
You will get an unusual feeling
from the barrels full of eels of all
shapes and colors, starting from the
sea-eel (anago) and ending with the
sweet water eel (unagi), which is
very popular among the inhabitants
of the great Japanese lake regions.
The offer of octopuses is also generous
- baby octopus and huge octopus,
and so is the offer of crabs, oysters,
seashells.
The range of unusual and tasty
(at least that’s what the merchants
say) creatures is completed successfully
by the giant shells of Tsuruga
gulf, the enormous green mollusk
known as the tairagi-gai, truly
grotesque scorpion-fish, monk fish
and sweet water turtles.
TUNA RULES
But the emperor of Tsukiji market
remains the tuna. The most impressive
specimens sold here are
over 3.5 meters long and weigh
about 650 kilos. Iida-san says the
source of the best and most expensive
tuna changes based on the season.
During the winter, the most
precious tuna can be found in
north Japan’s water, close to Oma
and Hokkaido. During the summer,
however, the best tuna comes
from the north-east of the United
States. That fact was unknown in
Japan until the summer of 1972,
when the first giant tuna was
brought to Tsukiji all the way from
the waters washing America’s
north-east shores. Since then, the
value of a fish that used to serve as
cat food, grew to tens of thousands
of dollars.
The five most important fish
wholesalers in Tsukiji are also
those who manage the five tuna
auction houses. In the darkness of
the early hours of morning, not
later than 4, the tuna prepared for
sale is sorted, labeled and carefully
placed in parallel lines on the
aluminum pallets covering the
floor of the great auction house.
The tuna comes from everywhere.
Some of the fish were caught
along the Australian coast, others
were bred in fish farms in Mexico.
Each was numbered with red
paint on its belly.
Potential buyers and their brokers
are then invited into the hall.
They start analyzing each fish, using
small lanterns to be sure they
won’t miss any details, take notes,
gesture impatiently, look at the fish
with admiration or pretend to be
dissatisfied. The auction takes place
quickly, without the right to appeal,
through almost imperceptible
finger gestures and abbreviations
only they know.
Iida-san is the owner of one of
the 1,677 stands in Tsukiji and one
of the 1,677 merchants authorized
to bid at Tsukiji, in order to resell
the fish. A great deal of the other
authorized participants serves the
international market, satisfying
fancy demands of chefs from sophisticated
restaurants in Paris or
New York.
The future of the auctions,
however, is uncertain, for plans are
already under way to relocate the
market. If everything goes well, in
2010, Tsukiji will work in an even
bigger space, somewhere in Toyosu
district, an industrial area on the
other side of the gulf of Tokyo.
The change worries many of
the merchants. But in the west,
where few people have heard of
Tsukiji, there are no such fears,
there is only a growing appetite for
the delicacies of the ocean. ∫

REPORTAJ Feature
Numele celei mai mari burse de flori din lume este, de la `nceputul
lui 2008, Flora Holland, atest‚nd fuziunea celor mai
cunoscute astfel de institu]ii, din }ara Lalelelor. Zilnic, peste
dou\zeci [i unu de milioane de flori proaspete [i peste dou\ milioane de
flori de ghiveci, valor‚nd circa 15 milioane de euro, sunt tranzac]ionate
prin platforma Flora Holland. Bursa are [ase centre `n diverse or\[ele
olandeze, dar Aalsmeer este cel mai important [i mai vechi. Ar trebui s\
fie o destina]ie a tuturor celor ce viziteaz\ Amsterdamul. La doar o or\
distan]\, cu ma[ina, din centrul cosmopolitei capitale, or\[elul
88
PROSPE}IMEA {I PARFUMUL FLORILOR SUNT INDISCUTABIL LEGATE DE PRICEPEREA CULTIVATORILOR {I RAPIDITATEA
TRANSPORTATORILOR. DOU| LUCRURI ESEN}IALE, CU ACELA{I ~NCÂNT|TOR NUMITOR COMUN: CEA MAI MARE BURS| DE FLORI
DIN LUME, „INIMA“ OR|{ELULUI OLANDEZ AALSMEER. FLOWERS’ FRESHNESS AND SCENT ARE UNDOUBTEDLY CONNECTED TO
THE GROWERS’ SKILL AND THE TRANSPORTERS’ SPEED. TWO ESSENTIAL THINGS, WITH THE SAME DELIGHTFUL POINT IN COM-
MON: THE GREATEST FLOWER AUCTION IN THE WORLD, THE “HEART” OF DUTCH TOWN AALSMEER.
de Cristina Manolache
AALSMEER
SUFLETUL COMER}ULUI
CU FLORI THE HEART
OF THE FLOWER TRADE
The name of the world’s
largest flower auction is
known as Flora Holland, as
of the beginning of 2008, attesting
the fusion of the most well known
such institutions in Tulip Country.
Every day, over 21 million fresh
flowers and over two million potted
flowers, worth about 15 million
Cea mai mare burs\ de flori / The biggest flower exchange
euros, are transacted through Flora
Holland. The auction has six centers
in various Dutch towns, but
Aalsmeer is the most important
and the oldest. It should be an
obligatory stop on the map of all
tourists who come to Amsterdam.
Just an hour away by car from the
cosmopolitan capital, the little
® ®

REPORTAJ Feature
® Aalsmeer tr\ie[te numai din [i pentru flori. Dou\sprezece mii de
locuitori sunt implica]i `n aceast\ industrie. De[i doamnele se bucur\ cel
mai adesea de florile d\ruite, munca dedicat\ acestor parfumate aten]ii
este f\cut\, `n mare parte, de c\tre b\rba]i. Din cei 1.300 de angaja]i ai
bursei de la Aalsmeer, doar 25 sunt femei!
Peste zece mii de sere, din toate col]urile lumii, `[i trimit aici spre tranzac]ionare
pre]ioasa [i delicata ofert\. }ara din care provin cele mai multe
flori de import este, spre surprinderea neaviza]ilor, Kenya, urmat\ de Israel,
Etopia [i Zimbabwe. Se export\ mai ales c\tre Germania, Marea Britanie
[i Fran]a. Rom‚nia se afl\ [i ea pe lista celor mai importan]i clien]i
str\ini ai acestei burse, `naintea Sloveniei, Slovaciei sau Japoniei.
Ca la orice institu]ie care `[i respect\ rangul [i tradi]ia, controlul calit\]ii
este esen]ial. Aranjate `n c\rucioare de lemn, florile sunt examinate. Oare
au fost t\iate prea devreme? Sau prea t‚rziu? Prezint\ semne de boli sau
pesticide? Bobocii sunt inegali? Defectele sunt afi[ate `n momentul licita]iei
pe ecrane gigantice, cump\r\torii av‚nd o imagine exact\ a ceea ce achizi]ioneaz\.
Dac\ un lot de flori prezint\ prea multe nereguli, poate fi refuzat.
Aalsmeer are o reputa]ie de ap\rat.
LICITA}IE... DUP| CEAS
Dup\ ce trec de controlul calit\]ii, florile sunt gata pentru tranzac-
]ionare. {edin]a `ncepe la 6.00 [i se `ncheie la 10.00 diminea]a. Bursa func-
]ioneaz\ dup\ regulile de licitare olandeze, adic\ `n sens invers dec‚t `n
mod normal. V‚nz\torul prezint\ un pre] de pornire, afi[at pe dou\ ceasuri
mari. Pre]ul prim, cel dat de v‚nz\tor, e pozi]ionat acolo unde, pe un ceas
normal, ar fi ora 12. C‚nd porne[te licita]ia, valoarea `ncepe s\ scad\, deplas‚nd
limba ceasului, p‚n\ la momentul `n care cineva liciteaz\ un pre]
mai mic dec‚t cel original. Nu exist\ contra-ofert\ [i de aceea, `n cazul acestei
licita]ii, cump\r\torul risc\ de dou\ ori: fie liciteaz\ `n pierdere, la un
pre] prea mare, fie scap\ ocazia s\ achizi]ioneze lotul respectiv. Ceasurile
indic\ nu doar pre]ul, ci [i calitatea, num\rul de flori din lot [i alte detalii
pe care numai cei experimenta]i le pot `n]elege. Tranzac]iile se fac `n
frac]iuni de secunde. ~ntr-o zi normal\ pot avea loc, `n medie, patruzeci de
mii de v‚nz\ri [i cump\r\ri.
Aproape 300 de brokeri `[i ocup\ `n fiecare diminea]\ locurile `n fa]a
ceasurilor gigantice, cu laptopurile deschise, cu celularele preg\tite [i
degetele deasupra butonului care declan[eaz\ tranzac]ia. Presiunea este
enorm\. Trebuie s\ fac\ fa]\ la peste zece mii de tranzac]ii pe or\ [i s\ ia
decizii fulger\toare, de c‚te 200 sau 300 de ori `n cele patru ore.
®
90
® town of Aalsmeer lives only
from and for flowers.
Twelve thousand inhabitants
are involved in this industry. Although
the women enjoy flowers
ad gifts more often, the work dedicated
to these perfumed presents
is performed, in its majority, by
men. Of the 1,300 employees of the
Aalsmeer auction, only 25 are
women!
Over ten thousand greenhouses
from all over the world send
here their precious and delicate offer.
The country of origin for most
imported flowers is, to the surprise
of amateurs, Kenya, followed by
Israel, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.
Exports are mostly directed to
Germany, Great Britain and
France. Romania is also on the list
of the flower auction’s most important
foreign clients, ahead of
Slovenia, Slovakia or Japan.
Like with all institutions that
respect their rank and tradition,
quality control is essential. Lined
up on wooden carts, the flowers
are carefully examined. Were they
cut too early? Or too late? Do they
show signs of pesticides or disease?
Are the buds unequal? The
flaws are shown on gigantic
screens during the auction and
buyers thus get an exact image of
what they are purchasing. If a
batch of flowers has too many irregularities,
it can be turned
down. Aalsmeer has a reputation
to defend.
AUCTION... BY THE CLOCK
After passing the quality
check, flowers are ready to be
transacted. The session begins at 6
and ends at 10 in the morning. The
auction works by the Dutch bidding
rules, meaning, the other way
around. The seller gives a starting
price, shown on two large clocks.
The first price, offered by the seller,
is positioned on the clock
where the number 12 would normally
be. When the auction starts,
the value starts dropping and the
clock’s hands moves, until someone
bids a lower price than the initial
one. There is no counter-offer
and this is why, in the case of this
auction, the buyer takes double
risks: they either bid a price which
is too high or miss the opportunity
to purchase the batch. The ®

REPORTAJ Feature
® Miza este la fel de mare ca `n cazul oric\rei burse, iar brokerii `[i iau
rolul `n serios. Cump\r\torii au `ns\ acces direct, indiferent de locul `n care
se afl\, prin intermediul internetului.
TIMPUL ~NSEAMN| DES|VÂR{IRE
~n spatele camerelor de tranzac]ionare se afl\ cele mai moderne laboratoare
de cercetare `n domeniul horticulturii, unde noile variet\]i de plante
sunt prezentate cump\r\torilor. Se pare c\ lumea florilor nu este departe
de cea a modei: exist\ [i aici modele, tipare, trenduri, care se schimb\ de la
un sezon la altul. Industria este foarte atent\ la detalii, iar curentul pentru
Câmpuri pictate / Painted fields
anul urm\tor poate fi intuit doar de c\tre ini]ia]i. Dup\ tranzac]ionare,
muncitorii preiau `nc\rc\tura [i o preg\tesc de livrare. „Rapiditate“ este
cuv‚ntul de ordine. Florile sunt ambalate [i transportate printr-o re]ea feroviar\
electrificat\, c\tre portul care deserve[te bursa, aeroport sau gar\. Nimeni
nu leneve[te, nimeni nu `[i trage r\suflarea. Un buchet de trandafiri
cule[i pe r\coare `n Kenya, tranzac]iona]i la r\s\ritul soarelui la Aalsmeer,
poate ajunge p‚n\ la pr‚nz `n vitrina unei flor\rii din Paris.
Aalsmeer sau Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer - cum era cunoscut\ `naintea
fuziunii de la `nceputul anului, este o cooperativ\ cu aproximativ
92
® clocks show not only the price,
but also the quality, number of
flowers in the batch and other details
that only those with experience
in this domain can understand.
The transactions take only a
few split seconds. On an average
day, there can be approximately
40,000 sales and purchases.
Every morning, almost 300
brokers take their seat in front of
the gigantic clocks, their laptops in
front of them, mobile phones at
hand and their fingers hovering
over the button that starts the
transaction. The pressure is enormous.
They must put up with over
10,000 transactions per hour and
make quick decisions, about 200 or
300 times in the four hours. The
stake is just as high as with any
stock exchange and the brokers
take their role very seriously. Buyers
however have direct access, no
matter where they are, through the
internet.
TIME MEANS PERFECTION
Behind the transaction rooms
there are the most modern research
laboratories in horticulture,
where new varieties of plants are
presented to the buyers. It seems
that the world of flowers is not
that different from the world of
fashion: it also has models, patterns,
trends that change from one
season to another. The industry
pays special attention to details
and next year’s trend can only be
guessed by the connoisseurs.
After the transaction, workers
take over the batch and get it ready
for delivery. „Speed“ is the most
important word here. The flowers
are wrapped and transported by an
electrified railway to the seaport
that works for the auction, the airport
or the railway station. Nobody
can laze about or catch their breath.
A bunch of roses picked in Kenya
early in the morning and transacted
by Aalsmeer at the break of
dawn can reach the window of a
flower shop in Paris by noon.
Aalsmeer, or Bloemenveiling
Aalsmeer - as it was known before
the merger at the beginning of the
year, is a co-operative with approximately
6,000 members and
an annual turnover of four billion
euros. Its history begins in 1911,
with what was known as the
„green auction“: farmers and buyers
in the region would meat in a
cafe in the morning to sell and buy
vegetable and fruit. Over time, only
flowers remained the object of
transactions and gradually, more
sellers and buyers from all over
the world joined in.
The most popular fresh flowers,
as expected, are the roses,
about three billion of them having
been sold in 2007. They are followed
by chrysanthemums, which
are also very popular, with about a
billion sold last year. Then, we
have tulips, lilac and gerbera. The
incontestable queen of potted flowers
is the Kalanchoe, with 65 million
sold every year, followed by
orchids, with 45 million pots and
potted roses, with 35 million.
® ®

REPORTAJ Feature
® 6.000 de membri [i un profit anual de patru miliarde de euro. Istoria
sa `ncepe `n 1911, cu ceea ce se numea „licita]ia verde“: fermieri [i cump\r\tori
din regiune se `nt‚lneau diminea]a `ntr-o cafenea pentru a tranzac-
]iona legume [i fructe.
~n timp, doar florile au r\mas ca obiect al afacerilor [i s-au prezentat tot
mai mul]i v‚nz\tori [i cump\r\tori, din `ntreaga lume. Cele mai c\utate
flori proaspete, a[a cum era de a[teptat, sunt trandafirii, cu trei miliarde de
fire v‚ndute `n cursul anului 2007. Urmeaz\ crizantemele, la mare c\utare,
cu un miliard de fire v‚ndute. Apoi, `n ordinea preferin]elor lalelele, liliacul
[i gerbera. Regina incontestabil\ a florilor de ghiveci este Kalanchoe, cu
[aizeci [i cinci de milioane de buc\]i v‚ndute anual, urmat\ de orhidee, cu
patruzeci [i cinci de milioane de ghivece, [i trandafirii de ghiveci, cu trei zeci
[i cinci de milioane de exemplare.
CÂND {I CUM MERGEM ~N VIZIT|
Dac\ ai decis s\ faci o vizit\ la Aalsmeer, plec‚nd din Amsterdam, trebuie
s\ te treze[ti de diminea]\ ca s\ nu pierzi `ntreaga ac]iune. Autobuzul
172 te ia din fa]a g\rii - Centraal Station - [i te duce direct la destina]ie.
Or\[elul este u[or de parcurs. Indicatoarele pentru turi[ti te conduc direct
la cea mai mare cl\dire comercial\ din lume, sediul bursei, pe care o recuno[ti
at‚t dup\ dimensiuni c‚t [i dup\ logo-ul `nsemnat cu o lalea ro[ie.
Un bilet cost\ `n jur de 7 euro, dus-`ntors.
Bursa este deschis\ vizitatorilor de luni p‚n\ vineri, de la 7.30 la 11.00
diminea]a, mai pu]in `n zilele cu s\rb\tori na]ionale. De preferat s\
merge]i luni, pentru c\ este o zi aglomerat\. Miercurea [i joia au loc cele
mai pu]ine tranzac]ii. Zilele premer\toare Cr\ciunului sau Sf‚ntului
Valentin sunt cu adev\rat frenetice. Biletul de intrare `n cl\direa bursei
cost\ 5 euro `n plus. ∫
AALSMEER ~N CIFRE
94
∫ Flori proaspete tranzac]ionate pe zi - 21 de milioane
∫ Flori de ghiveci tranzac]ionate zilnic - 2 milioane
∫ Flori importate anual - 1 miliard 300 de milioane
∫ Suprafa]\ construit\ - 588.000 m 2
∫ Suprafa]a acoperit\ - 999.000 m 2
∫ Suprafa]a total\ a complexului - 1.800.000 m 2
Ceasurile indic\ pre]ul / The clocks shows the price
WHEN AND HOW TO VISIT
® If you’ve decided to pay a
visit to Aalsmeer, leaving from
Amsterdam, you have to wake up
really early in order to catch all the
action. The bus no. 172 picks you
up from in front of the train station
- Central Station and takes you directly
to the destination. The small
town is easy to cross. Tourist indicators
take you directly to the
world’s largest commercial building,
the headquarters of the auction,
which you can easily recog-
AALSMEER ~N FIGURES
nize by its size and the logo - a red
tulip. A return ticket costs about
seven euros.
The auction is open to visitors
from Monday to Friday, between
7:30 and 11:00 a.m., except on national
holidays. It’s better to go on
Monday because that’s the busiest
day. Wednesdays and Thursdays
have the fewest transactions. Days
before Christmas or Saint Valentine’s
Day are truly frenetic. An
entry ticket into the auction’s
building costs five more euros. ∫
∫ Fresh flowers transacted per day - 21 million
∫ Potted flowers transacted every day - 2 million
∫ Flowers imported every year - 1 billion 300 million
∫ Built area - 588,000 m 2
∫ Covered area - 999,000 m 2
∫ The complex’s total area - 1,800,000 m 2

TENDIN}E Trends
de Adina Blaj
96
A WARDROBE
WITH THE
IQ OF A GENIUS
GARDEROB| CU IQ DE GENIU
Moda [i [tiin]a sunt adesea privite ca domenii opuse. Cea
dint‚i are o reputa]ie superficial\ [i volatil\. Cea de-a doua
este considerat\ serioas\ [i, de cele mai multe ori, plictisitoare.
Convergen]a lor a n\scut `ns\ produse demne de science fiction,
care emit lumini, omoar\ microbii, `nmagazineaz\ c\ldura [i o restituie
corpului c‚nd temperatura scade, `]i m\soar\ tensiunea, febra, apa
~}I OFER| O ~MBR|}I{ARE CÂND SIM}I NEVOIA, ~}I ~NCARC|
TELEFONUL CARE TE-A L|SAT BALT| LA CEA MAI IMPORTANT|
DISCU}IE DIN VIA}A TA, ALUNG| MIROSURILE NEPL|CUTE,
TE ANUN}| C| TE-AI ~MBOLN|VIT SAU TE AVERTIZEZ| C| APA
PE CARE VREI S-O BEI NU ESTE POTABIL|. SUNT HAINELE
INTELIGENTE, GATA S| POPULEZE GARDEROBELE MILENIULUI III.
THEY GIVE YOU A HUG WHEN YOU FEEL THE NEED FOR ONE,
THEY RECHARGE YOUR PHONE BATTERY WHEN IT WENT OUT
DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT CONVERSATION IN YOUR LIFE,
THEY CAST AWAY ALL UNPLEASANT SMELLS, THEY
ANNOUNCE YOU THAT YOU HAVE GOT SICK OR WARN YOU
THAT THE WATER YOU’RE ABOUT TO DRINK ISN’T DRINKABLE.
THEY ARE THE INTELLIGENT CLOTHES, READY TO POPULATE
THE WARDROBES OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM.
Fashion and science are often
regarded as two fields on
opposite poles. The first has
a volatile, superficial reputation.
The second is believed to be very
serious and more often than not,
O nou\ mod\: hainele gadget / New fashion: gadget-clothes
boring. Their pairing however gave
life to products worthy of science
fiction, products that emit lights,
kill germs, store hear and restore it
to the body when temperature
drops, measure your blood
® ®

TENDIN}E Trends
® din corp. De c‚]iva ani, designerii de mod\ [i produc\torii lucreaz\ ®
`mpreun\ la inova]ii tehnologice `n domeniul `mbr\c\mintei, care nu trebuie
doar s\ ]in\ de cald, ci s\ ofere [i func]ii demne de smart gadgets.
~MBR|}I{EAZ|-M|!
~mbr\]i[\rile vin, de obicei, de la cei dragi. Dar ce ne facem atunci
c‚nd ei sunt pleca]i [i avem nevoie de tandre]e? Designerii italieni au
creat un tricou care, gra]ie unui sistem de senzori, `i poate transmite
celui care `l poart\ c\ldura celor afla]i departe. Realizat de Francesca
Rosella, de la Institutul de design Ivrea din Torino, „tricoul pentru
`mbr\]i[at“ are o re]ea de senzori amplasa]i `n puncte strategice: pe
umeri, spate, g‚t [i `n zona [oldurilor. Sistemul func]ioneaz\ prin intermediul
unui telefon celular cu Bluetooth, special conceput pentru a recep]iona
o serie de parametri, precum temperatura, ritmul cardiac, respira]ia
sau durata `mbr\]i[\rii primite din partea persoanei dragi.
Datele sunt analizate [i transmise senzorilor, care le transpun `n realitate,
umfl‚nd [i dezumfl‚nd p\r]i ale tricoului, astfel `nc‚t cel care `l
poart\ simte presiunea fizic\ [i c\ldura unei `mbr\]i[\ri adev\rate.
Speciali[tii lucreaz\ [i la crea]ii mai ciudate, precum costumul de
baie ce produce electricitate, put‚nd astfel s\ `ncarce, de pild\, tele-
Senzori personaliza]i / Personalizes sensors
98
foanele mobile. Alte prototipuri sunt [i mai bizare: hainele cu cristale
lichide [i fibre optice, plasate pe bra]e [i umeri, care absorb lumina zilei
[i emit semnale luminoase noaptea. Cea mai mare provocare pentru
toate acestea r\m‚ne probabil rezisten]a la sp\lare, dar s-au g\sit deja
solu]ii: fie c\ se cur\]\ singure, av‚nd implementate o substan]\ activ\,
fie c\ resping praful [i mizeria.
ROCHIILE ~{I SCHIMB| CULOAREA {I M|RIMEA
Rochia inteligent\ [i sensibil\ este fabricat\ dintr-un material elastic
`n care au fost `ncorpora]i senzori care stau aproape de corp. Ei capteaz\
mi[c\rile celei ce poart\ rochia, interac]iunea cu al]i oameni, afi[‚nd
datele prin broderia electroluminescent\ care acoper\ partea de jos. ~n
func]ie de suma [i viteza mi[c\rilor, culorile ledurilor se schimb\,
cre‚nd un adev\rat joc de lumini. Programul algoritmic care controleaz\
rochia este proiectat pentru a urm\ri schimb\rile din organism:
c‚nd transpiri, c‚nd ]i se `ncordeaz\ mu[chii, c‚nd `]i cre[te sau `]i scade
tensiunea. C‚nd stai, rochia este neagr\, `ns\ c‚nd simte mi[carea sau
interac]iunea cu alte persoane, mai multe cercuri albastre se ivesc
`mprejurul ei.
Rochia misterioas\ `[i poate modifica forma [i lungimea chiar `n
cursul unei singure petreceri. Dac\ apari la `nceput cu o rochie gri-palid,
lung\ p‚n\ la genunchi, f\cut\ dintr-un material moale, po]i termina
serata cu o rochie lung\, f\r\ `ncre]ituri, de un ro[u aprins. {i toate acestea
f\r\ s\ te fi dus `n camer\ s\ te schimbi. }es\tura este brodat\
pressure, temperature and water
levels in your body. For several
years, fashion designers and producers
have been working together
on technological novelties in clothing,
which no longer has to merely
keep you warm, but also has to provide
functions worthy of smart
gadgets.
GIVE ME A HUG!
Hugs usually come from your
loved ones. But what do we do
when they’re away and we need
tenderness? Italian designers have
created a T-shirt which, thanks to a
sensor system, can transmit to the
wearer the warmth of the missing
loved ones. Done by Francesca
Rosella, from the Ivrea design insti-
tute in Turin, the “hugging T-shirt”
has a network of sensors placed in
strategic places: on the shoulders,
back, neck and around the hips. The
system works through a Bluetooth
cell phone, especially designed to
receive a series of parameters, such
as the temperature, cardiac rhythm,
breathing or duration of the hug
you receive from your loved one.
The data is analyzed and transmitted
to the sensors, which make the
hug real, by expanding and deflating
parts of the T-shirt so that the
wearer can feel the physical touch
and warmth of a real hug.
Specialists are working on even
stranger creations, such as the
bathing suit that generates electricity,
thus being able, for instance, to
recharge mobile phone batteries.
Other prototypes are even more
bizarre: clothes with liquid crystals
and fiber optic, places on the arms
and shoulders, which absorb daylight
and emit light signals during
the night. The greatest provocation
for all these probably remains resistance
to washing, but solutions have
already been found: they either
clean themselves up, having an active
substance incorporated, or they
reject dust and dirt.
DRESSES CHANGE
COLOR AND SIZE
The smart, sensitive dress is
made of an elastic fabric which incorporates
sensors that have to be
placed close to your body. They
record the movements of the wearer,
interaction with other people,
displaying the data through the
electroluminescent embroidery
® ®

TENDIN}E Trends
100
® cu m‚na, din perle, paiete metalice [i magne]i. Procedeul este destul ®
de simplu, deoarece atunci c‚nd rochia este scurt\, magne]ii intr\ `n
ac]iune [i se pliaz\ pe paiete, `n timp ce culoarea este redat\ datorit\
formei circulare a rochiei care este `ntoars\ `n\untru.
S|N|TATE MONITORIZAT| DE HAINE
De la senzorii de transpira]ie ai echipamentului de antrenament
monitorizat `n timp ce `]i faci [edin]a la sal\, p‚n\ la lenjeria de corp care
are ca scop detectarea celulelor canceroase, hainele din garderob\ au fost
martore, `n lini[te, la o revolu]ie. C‚teva din „hainele inteligente“, care
pot combate insectele [i mascheaz\ diverse mirosuri, cum ar fi cel de
]igar\, au fost testate cu succes [i sunt deja comercializate.
Haina anti-polen este disponibil\ pentru aproximativ 300 de euro.
La fabricarea materialului a fost folosit un proces nanotehnologic `n urma
c\ruia ]es\tura respinge polenul [i apa. Un proiect asem\n\tor a fost
prezentat de un englez student la design: o colec]ie de haine din bumbac,
`mbinate cu nanoparticule, care pot preveni r\celile, gripa [i alte
boli provocate de viru[i [i microbi. Interesant este faptul c\ aceast\
`mbr\c\minte nu necesit\ sp\lare.
Hainele cu aplica]ii biomedicale sunt poate cel mai dificil de conceput.
~n acest sens, compania Textronics a dezvoltat o bustier\ care
monitorizeaz\ b\t\ile inimii, dar [i mi[c\rile sportivului. Compania a
patentat electrozi textili elastici care pot fi `ncorpora]i `n haine, f\r\ ca
purt\torul s\-i simt\.
Una dintre cele mai uimitoare descoperiri `n domeniu este detectorul
de cancer la s‚n, chiar din faza incipient\, aplicat `n sutien. Mai
mult, acest sistem va permite monitorizarea efectiv\ a dezvolt\rii tumorii,
precum [i efectele tratamentelor. „Sutienul inteligent“ va
func]iona pe baza unui dispozitiv de antene cu microunde `ncorporat
`nc\ din fabrica]ie `n materialul textil. Antenele se ridic\ la orice temperatur\
anormal\ constatat\ `n ]esutului pieptului, adesea asociat\ cu
celulele canceroase.
Nu mai este mult [i vom vedea pe rafturile magazinelor, pe l‚ng\
hainele care-l sl\besc, [i confec]ii care-l r\cesc sau `nc\lzesc, care-l dezodorizeaz\
sau chiar vitaminizeaz\ pe cel ce le poart\. „Lumea este
nem\rginit\ c‚nd vine vorba despre combina]ia dintre haine [i tehnologie.
Doar imagina]ia o poate limita“, spune Adam Best, cercet\torul care a fabricat
c\ma[a ce produce energie electric\ doar prin mi[carea corpului. ∫
covering the lower part of the
dress. Based on the amount and
speed of movements, LED colors
change, creating a real show of
lights. The algorithmic program that
controls the dress is designed to
keep track of changes in your organism:
when you sweat, when your
muscles get tense, when your blood
pressure rises or drops. When you
stay still, the dress is black, but
when it feels movement or interaction
with other people, several blue
circles appear around it. The mysterious
dress can change shape and
length even during a single party. If,
in the beginning of the party, you
were wearing a pale grey, knee-long
dress, made of a soft fabric, you can
finish the evening wearing a long,
straight, bright red dress. And all of
this, without having to change
clothes. The fabric includes handmade
embroidery, small pearls,
metallic tinsels and magnets. The
procedure is fairly simple, as, when
the dress is short, the magnets come
into play and stick to the tinsels,
while the color is given due to the
circular dress of the dress, which is
folded inwards.
HEALTH MONITORED
BY CLOTHES
From the sensors for sweat of
the training equipment you use
while in the gym to the underwear
that has the purpose of detecting
cancer cells, the clothes in our
wardrobes witnessed, peacefully, a
real revolution.
Some of the “smart clothes”
which can fight insects and can hide
different smells, such as cigarette
smoke, have been successfully tested
and are already available for sale.
The anti-pollen coat can be bought
for approximately 300 euros. The
fabric was designed based on a nanotechnology
process which helps it
be impermeable to pollen and water.
A similar project was presented
by an English design student: a collection
of cotton clothes, combined
with nanoparticles, which can prevent
colds, the flu and other illnesses
caused by viruses and germs.
What’s interesting is that these
clothes don’t need washing. Clothes
with biomedical accessories are perhaps
the hardest to conceive. Textronics
has created a bra that monitors
heart beats but also the movements
of the wearer. The company
uses elastic textile electrodes that
can be incorporated into the clothes,
without the wearer being aware of
their presence.
One of the most amazing discoveries
in the field is the breast
cancer detector, which is incorporated
in the bra and can detect cancer
from an early stage. Moreover, the
system will allow monitoring the tumor’s
growth and the effects of the
treatment. “The smart bra” works
based on a device of antennas with
microwaves, incorporated in the
fabric during its fabrication. The antennas
rise whenever they detect an
abnormal temperature in your
breasts’ tissue, which is generally
associated with the presence of cancer
cells. Not long from now, besides
clothes that make the wearer
look thinner, we’ll be able to find in
stores clothes that make the wearer
warm or cool, that make the wearers
smell beautifully or feed them
vitamins. “The world is endless
when it comes to combining clothes
and technology. Only imagination
can draw the limit,” says Adam
Best, the researcher who designed a
shirt producing electricity based only
on the body’s movements. ∫

FOCUS
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 103
CUPRINS
CONTENTS
104
Parteneri code-share
TAROM / TAROM
Code-Share Partners
105
H\r]i de rut\
Route Maps
110
Flota / The Fleet
112
Câ[tiga]i mile!
Earn Miles!
113
Tarom - parte a elitei
mondiale / Tarom -
part of the world elite
114
Ghidul c\l\torului
The Traveler’s Guide
116
Telefonie la bordul
aeronavei / On Board
Telephone
118
Informa]ii [i
rezerv\ri / Information
and Booking
120
Rezerv\ri online
Online Booking
121
Birouri de cargo
Cargo Offices
122
Sejururi cu TAROM
Weekend with TAROM

FOCUS TAROM 104
Zboruri directe din România
Direct Flights from Romania
MADRID D
BARCELONA
Zborurile în regim code-share sunt operate de
compania TAROM [i/sau de compania partener\.
The code-share flights are operated by TAROM
and/or the airline partner.
Cod/Code: 9U
Cooperare/Cooperation: Kishinev
Sediu/Home base: Republic of Moldova
FRANKFURT T
MUNCHEN N
BOLOGNA A
MEDITERANNEAN SEA
Partenerii / Code-Share Partners
Cod/Code: RJ
Cooperare/Cooperation: Amman
Sediu/Home base: Jordan
Cod/Code: SN
Cooperare/Cooperation: Brussels
Sediu/Home base: Belgium
Cod/Code: SU
Cooperare/Cooperation: Moscow
Sediu/Home base: Russia
Cod/Code: MA
Cooperare/Cooperation: Budapest
Sediu/Home base: Hungary
VIENNA
Cod/Code: AF
Cooperare/Cooperation: Paris
Sediu/Home base: France
Cod/Code: AZ
Cooperare/Cooperation: Milan, Rome
Sediu/Home base: Italy
Cod/Code: RB
Cooperare/Cooperation: Damascus
Sediu/Home base: Syria
TIMISOARA IM M MMISO MIS S SSO
SIBIU IB BIU
Destina]ii operate de
Compania TAROM
Destinations Operated
by TAROM
BBAIA-MARE
CCLUJ-NAPOCA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDRIATTTTTTTTTTTTIIIIIIIC SSSSSEEEEA AEGEAN
SEA
IASI IA I
Destina]ii operate
împreun\ cu partenerii
Code-Share
Destinations
Cod/Code: LO
Cooperare/Cooperation: Warsaw
Sediu/Home base: Poland
BLACK SEA
Cod/Code: IB
Cooperare/Cooperation: Madrid/Barcelona
Sediu/Home base: Spain
Cod/Code: OS
Cooperare/Cooperation: Vienna, New
York, Washington, Toronto, Zürich, Geneve
Sediu/Home base: Austria

105
Rute intercontinentale
Intercontinental Routes
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 106
NEW YORK 7:00 AMMAN 14:00 BEIRUT 14:00 CAIRO 14:00 TEL-AVIV 14:00
Destina]ii operate
de Compania TAROM
Destinations Operated by TAROM
Destina]ii operate
împreun\ cu partenerii
Code-Share Destinations

FOCUS TAROM
Rute europene
European Routes
Distan]a în mile pentru destina]ii operate de TAROM
Mileage for all Destinations Operated by TAROM
Destina]ia / Destination Mile/Miles
Bucure[ti-Sofia / Bucharest-Sofia 184
Bucure[ti-Chi[inau / Bucharest-Kishinev 223
Bucure[ti-Istanbul / Bucharest-Istanbul 280
Timisoara-Viena / Timisoara-Vienna 289
Bucure[ti-Salonic / Bucharest-Thessaloniki 318
Baia Mare-Viena / Baia Mare-Vienna 335
Cluj-Viena / Cluj-Vienna 357
Viena-Zurich / Vienna-Zurich 365
Bucure[ti-Budapesta / Bucharest-Budapest 387
Sibiu-Viena / Sibiu-Vienna 402
Bucure[ti-Atena / Bucharest-Athens 472
Viena-Geneva / Vienna-Geneva 498
Ia[i-Viena / Iasi-Vienna 528
Bucure[ti-Viena / Bucharest-Vienna 531
Bucure[ti-Var[ovia / Bucharest-Warsaw 579
Sibiu-Munchen / Sibiu-Munich 606
Cluj-Bologna / Cluj-Bologna 617
Bucure[ti-Roma / Bucharest-Rome 722
Cluj-Frankfurt / Cluj-Frankfurt 727
Bucure[ti-Munchen / Bucure[ti-Munich 730
Bucure[ti-Larnaca / Bucharest-Larnaca 775
Bucure[ti-Milano / Bucharest-Milan 849
Bucure[ti-Beirut / Bucharest-Beirut 891
Bucure[ti-Frankfurt / Bucharest-Frankfurt 903
Bucure[ti-Moscova / Bucharest-Moscow 926
Bucure[ti-Damasc / Bucharest-Damascus 934
Bucure[ti-Tel Aviv / Bucharest-Tel Aviv 975
Bucure[ti-Amman / Bucharest-Amman 1016
Bucure[ti-Cairo / Bucharest-Cairo 1036
Bucure[ti-Bruxelles / Bucharest-Brussels 1092
Cluj-Barcelona / Cluj-Barcelona 1133
Bucure[ti-Paris / Bucharest-Paris 1152
Bucure[ti-Barcelona / Bucharest-Barcelona 1230
Bucure[ti-Londra / Bucharest-London 1309
Bucure[ti-Valencia / Bucharest-Valencia 1400
Cluj-Madrid / Cluj-Madrid 1422
Bucure[ti-Madrid / Bucharest-Madrid 1528
Bucure[ti-Dubai / Bucharest-Dubai 2104
Viena-New York / Vienna-New York 4219
Viena-Toronto / Vienna-Toronto 4294
Viena-Washington / Vienna-Washington 4394
107 108
LONDRA 12:00
PARIS 13:00
FRANKFURT 13:00
Destina]ii operate
de Compania TAROM
Destinations Operated by TAROM
ROME 13:00
Destina]ii operate
împreun\ cu partenerii
Code-Share Destinations
MOSCOW 15:00

Rute interne
Domestic Routes
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 109
BUCHAREST 14:00

FOCUS TAROM
110
FLOTA
THE FLEET
Pe cursele interne [i externe, TAROM
opereaz\ cu cinci tipuri de avioane, având
în dotare un num\r de 23 aeronave.
BOEING 737-800
BOEING 737-700
Capacitate Capacity 14B+102Y
Vitez\ de croazier\ Cruising speed 837 km/h
Anvergur\ Wingspan 34.3 m
Lungime Length 33.6 m
Greutate max. la decolare Maximum takeoff weight 68 t/65.7 t
Distan]a maxim\ de zbor Range 6,000 km
BOEING 737-300
Avioane în dotare/Total in service 2
Capacitate Capacity 186Y
Vitez\ de croazier\ Cruising speed 840 km/h
Anvergur\ Wingspan 35.79 m
Lungime Length 39.47 m
Greutate max. Maximum 72,449 t
la decolare takeoff weight
Dist. max. zbor Range 5,000 km
Avioane în dotare/Total in service 4
Avioane în dotare/Total in service 4
Capacitate Capacity 16B+102Y/10B+114Y/138Y
Vitez\ de croazier\ Cruising speed 795 km/h
Anvergur\ Wingspan 28.9 m
Lungime Length 33.4 m
Greutate max. Maximum 56.472 t/60.1 t
la decolare takeoff weight
Dist. max. zbor Range 3,900 km/4,600 km
TAROM operates five types of aircraft
on its domestic and international flights.
The fleet includes 23 airplanes.
AIRBUS A 310 - 325
Capacitate Capacity 20B+189Y
Vitez\ de croazier\ Cruising speed 864 km/h
Anvergur\ Wingspan 43.90 m
Lungime Length 46.665 m
Greutate max. Maximum 164 t
la decolare takeoff weight
Dist. max. zbor Range 9,600 km
AIRBUS A 318 - 111
Avioane în dotare/Total in service 2
Avioane în dotare/Total in service 4
Capacitate Capacity 14B+99Y, 26B+81Y
Vitez\ de croazier\ Cruising speed 850 km/h
Anvergur\ Wingspan 34,1 m
Lungime Length 31,452 m
Greutate max. la decolare Maximum takeoff weight 61.5 t
Distan]a maxim\ de zbor Range 2,780 km
ATR 42-500
Avioane în dotare/Total in service 7
Capacitate Capacity 10B+38Y
Vitez\ de croazier\ Cruising speed 474 km/h
Anvergur\ Wingspan 24.56 m
Lungime Length 22.68 m
Greutate max. la decolare Maximum takeoff weight 18.6 t
Distan]a maxim\ de zbor Range 1,778 km

FOCUS TAROM 112
SMART MILES
Service Center
17 Splaiul Independentei Bucharest, Romania,
Bucharest helpline: 9361
Tel.: +4021 316 04 18/ 303 44 11;
Fax: +4021 303 44 12
e-mail: smartmiles@tarom.ro
NOI V| R|SPL|TIM
FIDELITATEA
La TAROM apreciem `ncrederea [i fidelitatea clien]ilor no[tri, motiv pentru care am creat
SMART MILES, un program special conceput pentru pasagerii fideli. Participa]i `n Programul
SMART MILES [i c\l\toriile dumneavoastr\ vor fi r\splatite cu premii [i beneficii
atractive. Este felul nostru de a v\ mul]umi pentru faptul c\ a]i ales Compania TAROM.
Câ[tiga]i mile cu TAROM [i partenerii s\i
Programul nostru este bazat pe acumularea de mile pe cursele regulate TAROM, `n
func]ie de distan]a parcurs\ [i de clasa de c\l\torie. Milele pot fi preschimbate `n biletepremiu
pe cursele regulate operate de TAROM [i pe cursele code-share* operate de
parteneri (pe locurile alocate TAROM), sau pot fi utilizate pentru promovarea `n clasa
business pe zborurile TAROM. Va rug\m s\ re]ineti faptul c\ at‚t biletele-premiu, c‚t [i
promovarea `n clasa business vor fi acordate `n limita locurilor disponibile.
Nou! Rezerv\ acum zborul t\u premiu cu
mai pu]ine mile!
Din 10 noiembrie ai nevoie cu p‚n\ la 30% mai pu]ine mile pentru zborul-premiu.
Promo]ia este valabil\ pentru c\l\toriile interna]ionale efectuate `n perioada 17 noiembrie
2008 - 31 martie 2009, cu excep]ia intervalului 15 decembrie - 10 ianuarie.
Oferta este supus\ unor termene [i condi]ii. Pentru mai multe detalii, consulta]i site-ul
nostru (www.tarom.ro).
Folosind serviciile partenerilor no[tri - Lan]ul Hotelier Continental, AVIS, American
Express, Clubul de Golf Lac de Verde - beneficia]i de reduceri importante concomitent
cu acumularea de mile `n contul Smart Miles.
CUM S| DEVENI}I MEMBRU
Completa]i formularul de `nscriere (v‚rsta minim\ pentru `nscriere este 12 ani) [i trimite]i-l
`mpreun\ cu cartea de `mbarcare la SMART MILES Service Center, la orice agen]ie
TAROM sau preda]i-l `nso]itorului de bord (`n cazul `n care formularul este completat `n
avion). Deta[a]i cardul temporar de pe formular [i utiliza]i-l de fiecare dat\ c‚nd face]i o
rezervare pentru un zbor TAROM [i ulterior, atunci c‚nd v\ prezenta]i la ghi[eul de checkin
`n aeroport, precum [i la folosirea unuia dintre serviciile partenerilor no[tri.
La prima utilizare a cardului v\ oferim un bonus de 1000 de mile.
~n c‚teva s\pt\mani de la primul zbor TAROM/serviciu furnizat de unul din partenerii
no[tri, ve]i primi prin po[t\ cardul de plastic. Cu ajutorul seriei `nscrise pe acest card,
ve]i putea consulta situa]ia contului dumneavoastr\ on-line, la adresa www.tarom.ro.
~nscrierea `n program se poate face [i accesând site-ul TAROM.
PROFITA}I DE AVANTAJELE CARDULUI SMART MILES SUPER
Pasagerii care acumuleaz\ mai mult de 30.000 mile sau 35 zboruri `ntr-o perioad\ de
12 luni calendaristice consecutive pot opta pentru cardul SMART MILES SUPER `n
schimbul unui anumit num\r de mile. Posesorii de astfel de carduri beneficiaz\ de
avantaje suplimentare: acces la salonul de business, prioritate pe lista de a[teptare, 10
kg de bagaj gratuit, promovare din clasa economic `n clasa business.
*Biletele premiu vor putea fi acordate `n limita locurilor disponibile pe urm\toarele rute
operate `n regim code-share: Bucure[ti - Milano - Bucure[ti, Bucure[ti - Budapesta -Bucure[ti,
Bucure[ti - Paris - Bucure[ti, Bucure[ti - Var[ovia - Bucure[ti, Bucure[ti - Damasc -
Bucure[ti.
PENTRU DETALII SUPLIMENTARE V| RUG|M S| CONSULTA}I www.tarom.ro SAU S|
CONTACTA}I SMART MILES SERVICE CENTER
WE AWARD YOUR
LOYALTY
TAROM appreciates the trust and the loyalty of its clients and that is why we created
SMART MILES, a program specially designed for our loyal customers. Join SMART
MILES and your flights with TAROM will bring you attractive awards and benefits. This
is our way of saying thank you for choosing to fly with us.
Earn miles with TAROM and its partners
Our program is based on accumulation of miles on our scheduled flights, according to
the flown distance and the class of service. The miles may be used for award tickets on
TAROM scheduled flights, code-share flighs* operated by our partners (on TAROM
allocated seats) and also for upgrading from economy to business class on TAROM
flights. Please note that the award tickets and upgrades in business class are subject
to availability.
New! Book your award flight now with less
miles!
As of November 10 you’ll need up to 30% less miles for your award flight. The promotion
is valid for international travels from November 17, 2008 to March 31, 2009 (except
for the period December 15, 2008 - January 10, 2009).
The offer is subject to certain conditions. For more details, please visit our website
(www.tarom.ro).
By using our partners’ services - Continental Hotels, AVIS, American Express, Lac de
Verde Golf Club - you will enjoy great savings and earn more miles!
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
Just fill in the application form (minimum age to enroll is 12 years old) and post it with
your boarding card to SMART MILES Service Center, or hand it to the flight attendant
(if filling the form on board) or any TAROM employee in our agencies. Please remove
the temporary card and use it every time you book and check-in for a TAROM flight and
also when you use one of our partners’services.
You will receive 1000 miles bonus after first use of your card.
In a few weeks from your first flight / service of one of our partners, you will receive your
plastic card. By using the number marked on your card you will be able to access your
account on-line at www.tarom.ro.
You can enroll in the program via TAROM website (www.tarom.ro) by simply filling in
the online application form.
ENJOY THE SMART MILES SUPER LEVEL
Any member who accumulates a minimum of 30000 miles or 35 flights in a period of 12
consecutive calendar months may opt for SMART MILES SUPER card in exchange for
a certain number of miles. The SUPER status will bring you even greater benefits: business
lounge access, priority on waiting-list, separate check-in at business counter, 10
kg free excess baggage, upgrading from economy to business class.
*The award tickets will be granted on code-share flights on the following routes:
Bucharest-Milan- Bucharest, Bucharest - Budapest -Bucharest, Bucharest -Paris -
Bucharest, Bucharest -Warsaw - Bucharest, Bucharest - Damascus - Bucharest.
Please note that the award tickets are subject to space availability.
SHOULD YOU WISH TO GET MORE DETAILS OR TO BE ASSISTED, PLEASE ACCESS
www.tarom.ro OR CONTACT SMART MILES SERVICE CENTER.

FOCUS TAROM 114
Fumatul este interzis pe toate
cursele interne [i externe ale companiei
TAROM.
All TAROM flights on domestic and
international routes are no-smoking.
GHIDUL C|L|TORULUI THE TRAVELER’S GUIDE
Informa]ii utile pentru îmbarcare Check-in recommendations
CHECK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMAND|RI LA ÎMBARCARE
Pe Aeroportul Henri Coand\ Bucure[ti trebuie s\ v\ prezenta]i, pentru efectuarea
formalit\]ilor de Check-In, `n timp util dar nu mai târziu de 45 minute `nainte de ora de decolare
pentru zboruri interna]ionale [i nu mai târziu de 30 de minute pentru zborurile interne.
Pentru zborurile code-share operate de companiile partenere, precum [i pentru zborurile
TAROM operate din str\in\tate, ora de `nchidere a formalit\]ilor poate s\ varieze `n func]ie
de reglement\rile locale. Astfel, TAROM recomand\ pasagerilor s\ se informeze `n
momentul achizi]ion\rii biletului de c\l\torie `n leg\tur\ cu timpul limit\ de prezentare la
Check-In. Nici o decolare nu poate fi amânat\ din cauza `ntârzierii pasagerilor. Se anuleaz\
rezervarea locurilor pasagerilor care nu se prezint\ la aeroport la ora indicat\, transportatorul
avand posibilitatea de a dispune de aceste locuri. Pasagerii care doresc servicii speciale
(m‚nc\ruri speciale la bord, asisten]\ medical\ pe durata c\l\toriei sau asisten]\ pentru
deplasare la sol etc.) sunt ruga]i s\ solicite acest lucru `nc\ din momentul rezerv\rii.
Tarife speciale
Copiii sub 2 ani care nu
ocup\ un loc individual [i au
înso]itor beneficiaz\ de o
reducere de 90%. Copiii între
2 [i 12 ani, precum [i copiii
sub 2 ani care ocup\ locuri
individuale, beneficiaz\ de
reduceri în func]ie de prevederile
tarifelor aplicabile.
Dac\ mai mul]i copii sub 2
ani au un singur înso]itor
adult, numai un singur copil
beneficiaz\ de reducerea de
90%, ceilal]i copii beneficiind
de reducerea perceput\
pentru copiii între 2 [i 12 ani,
chiar dac\ nu ocup\ locuri
individuale. De tarife reduse
mai beneficiaz\ [i grupurile
turistice sau de tineret.
Special Fares
Children under the age of 2
who do not occupy a separate
seat and are accompanied
by an adult may benefit
from a 90% reduction.
Children aged 2 to 12 and
those under 2 who occupy a
separate seat receive a fare
reduction in accordance with
the respective fares. If a single
adult accompanies several
children under the age of 2,
only one child receives the
90% reduction, while the
other benefit from the reduction
offered to children aged 2
to 12, even if they do not
occupy a separate seat.
Tourist and youth groups may
also receive reduced fares.
FUMATUL SMOKING
When embarking from Henri Coanda International Airport, the Check-In formalities for
international flights will be closed with 45 minutes prior to departure. Check-In for
domestic flights will be closed with 30 minutes prior to departure. For code-share flights
operated by partner airlines and also for flights operated from abroad, Check-In closing
time may vary according to local regulations. TAROM recommends that all passengers
should ask for additional information by the time of purchasing the flight ticket. No
departure can be delayed because of the passengers late arrival. Passengers who
arrive too late will be considered to have cancelled their reservation and the carrier will
be allowed to dispose of the respective seats. Passengers should apply for special
services (such as special meals, medical assistance during the flight or wheelchair assintance
while boarding etc.) at the time of booking.

NOUT|}I / NEWS (Iarn\/Winter 2008-2009)
Zboruri din Bucure[ti/Flights from Bucharest
SOFIA 11 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 11 flights per week
MUNCHEN 9 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 9 flights per week
BAIA MARE 10 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 10 flights per week
ORADEA 10 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 10 flights per week
SATU MARE 5 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 5 flights per week
BAGAJE
BAGAJE DE CAL|. Bagaje admise gratuit la transport (pentru adul]i [i copiii peste
2 ani) - Clasa Business: 40 kg; Economic: 25 kg; pentru copiii sub 2 ani se admite transportul
gratuit a 10 kg de bagaj.
BAGAJELE DE MÂN|. Este recomandabil s\ v\ limita]i la un singur bagaj de mân\.
Greutatea acestuia nu trebuie s\ dep\[easc\ 10 kg, iar suma dimensiunilor s\ nu
dep\[easc\ 115 cm.
Pentru zborurile operate cu aeronavele de tip AT42 recomand\m pasagerilor s\ se
prezinte cu un singur bagaj de cabin\, ale c\rui dimensiuni s\ nu dep\[easc\ 85 cm,
iar greutatea 10 kg.
DIN MOTIVE DE SECURITATE, NU ACCEPTA}I BAGAJE APAR}INÂND ALTUI PASAGER!
Noile reguli ale Uniunii Europene
privind securitatea pe aeroporturi
REGIMUL LICHIDELOR DIN BAGAJUL DE CABIN|. Transportul lichidelor, aerosolilor,
gelurilor, cremelor, pastelor etc. `n BAGAJUL DE CABIN| al pasagerilor care tranziteaz\
sau au ca punct de plecare indiferent de direc]ie aeroporturi din interiorul Uniunii
Europene este, acum, restric]ionat la o cantitate maxim\ de 1 litru, `n recipien]i de maximum
100 ml. Ace[tia trebuie s\ fie plasa]i `ntr-o pung\ transparent\, resigilabil\.
Transportul medicamentelor, al alimentelor pentru nou-n\scu]i [i al unor alimente
necesare unei diete speciale, pot fi acceptate `n bagajul de cabin\, f\r\ a fi introduse
`n pungile speciale, transparente [i resigilabile. Articolele cump\rate `n zona de tranzit
de pe aeroporturi din Rom‚nia, de pe alte aeroporturi din UE, ori de la bordul unei
aeronave apar]in‚nd unei companii UE, trebuie s\ fie `nso]ite de chitan]\ sau factur\,
care se p\streaz\ `n vederea controlului de securitate. Dac\ aceste m\rfuri sunt
v‚ndute `n ambalaje speciale [i sigilate, nu le deschide]i p‚n\ la destina]ia final\ sau
`nainte de controlul de securitate, efectuat pe aeroportul de transfer UE.
Animale de companie
~n cabina de pasageri pot fi accepta]i numai c‚ini sau pisici, a c\ror greutate maxim\
nu dep\[e[te 5 kg, incluz‚nd [i greutatea cu[tii standard (dimensiunile maxime admisibile
sunt: 42 x 30 x 21 cm). Animalele de companie acceptate la transport `n cabina de
pasageri trebuie s\ respecte cerin]ele de acces `n teritoriul de destina]ie/tranzit, dup\
caz, s\ nu produc\ disconfort celorlal]i pasageri, s\ fie curate [i s\ nu fie gestante.
Acceptarea acestora este supus\ limit\rilor specifice fiec\rui tip de avion `n parte,
excep]ie f\c‚nd c‚inii utilitari, care beneficiaz\ de un regim special [i care apar]in
pasagerilor cu dizabilit\]i. Animalele de companie care corespund criteriilor de mai sus,
mai pu]in dimensiuni, greutate, ras\ pot fi acceptate pentru transport `n cala avionului, `n
func]ie de limit\rile aeronavei [i a regulilor companiei.
La bordul aeronavelor de tip A318 nu se accept\ animale vii pentru transportul `n cal\.
Dispozitive electronice la bord
La bord este interzis\ aparatura care poate interfera cu echipamentele avionului. Aparatele
electrice de ras, radiourile [i laptopurile pot fi folosite doar cu aprobare. Telefoanele
mobile vor fi închise.
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 115
IA{I 25 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 25 flights per week
SIBIU 9 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 9 flights per week
SUCEAVA 7 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 7 flights per week
BAC|U 4 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 4 flights per week
Zboruri din Sibiu/Flights from Sibiu
MUNCHEN 6 zboruri pe s\pt\m‚n\ / 6 flights per week
BAGGAGE
CHECKED BAGS. Free luggage allowance (for adults and children over 2 years of age)
- Business Class: 40 kg; Economy: 25 kg; children under two have free luggage
allowance for up to 10 kg.
HAND LUGGAGE. We recommend that you carry only one piece of hand luggage whose
weight should not exceed 10 kg and whose dimensions should be less than 115 cm.
For flights operated by AT42 we recommend to the passengers to carry on one piece
of cabin luggage whose dimension should be less than 80 cm, and weight less than
10 kg.
FOR SAFETY REASONS, DO NOT ACCEPT BAGGAGE BELONGING TO ANYONE ELSE!
New Security Regulations
for Cabin Baggage
Volumul maxim 1 litru Punga trebuie s\ fie din plastic transparent [i s\ se poat\ resigila Max. Volume 1L Transparent and Re-sealable
THE CARRIAGE OF LIQUIDS, CREAMS,
PASTES, GELS, AEROSOLS, ETC ON FLIGHTS
DEPARTING FROM WITHIN THE EU IS NOW
RESTRICTED. The transportation of medications,
baby food and special nutrition needed
on board is permitted outside of the plastic
bag. Items purchased within the transit area of
Romanian Airports on other EU airports or on
board of an EU aircraft must be accompanied
by the apropriate invoice, kept for security
control purposes. If the items were sold
packed and sealed, they should not be open
until you reach your final destination or before
the security control at the EU transfer airport.
Pets
In the passengers cabin are allowed only dogs and cats, whose maximum weight is of
5 kilograms, including the weight of the standard cage (the accepted maximum dimensions
are 42 x 30 x 21 cm). The pets allowed to travel in the passengers cabin must
comply with the access requirements in the destination/transit country, must not cause
discomfort to the other passengers, must be clean and not pregnant. Acceptance of
pets is subjected to the limitations of each type pf aircraft, with the exception of service
dogs belonging to passengers with disabilities, which receive special treatment.
Pets which fit above criteria excepting weight, dimensions, strain, may be allowed for
transportation in airplane hold but with taking into consideration company regulations
and limitations of aircraft.
On bord A318 it is not allowed to accept live animals in the hold.
Electronic Devices on Board
It is forbidden to use electronic devices which may interfere with the equipment of the
plane. Electric shavers, radios, and laptops may only be used with the crew’s approval.
Mobiles are to be turned off.

FOCUS TAROM 116
TELEFONIE
LA BORDUL
AERONAVEI
ON BOARD
TELEPHONE
Folosirea mobilelor la bord este
interzis\, dar ave]i la dispozi]ie
telefoane speciale.
INSTRUC}IUNI
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ap\sa]i butonul „ON“ aflat pe partea lateral\ a telefonului.
Trece]i cartea de credit valid\ prin fanta de citire [i forma]i
num\rul interna]ional complet, dup\ cum este explicat în
sec]iunea de mai jos.
Ap\sa]i butonul „LINE“. Dac\ apare cuvântul „LINE“, pute]i
forma num\rul. Dup\ ce a]i format num\rul este nevoie de
aproximativ 15 secunde pentru a se realiza leg\tura.
Dac\ apare în mod intermitent cuvântul „ERROR“, a[tepta]i
un minut [i repeta]i opera]iunile de la punctele 2 [i 3.
Pentru a sfâr[i convorbirea ap\sa]i „CLEAR“ [i trece]i
butonul aflat pe partea stâng\ pe pozi]ia „OFF“. Dac\
ap\sa]i butonul „OFF“ f\r\ a mai ap\sa butonul „CLEAR“,
taxarea apelului se va prelungi cu înc\ 10 secunde.
Formarea num\rului / Dial
LINE + codul ]\rii + codul ora[ului + num\rul apelat
LINE + country code + area code + number
Exemplu / Example
Pentru a forma num\rul 1234567 din Bucure[ti, forma]i
To call Bucharest 1234567, dial: Line 00 40 21 1234567
C|R}I DE CREDIT
ACCEPTATE
ACCEPTED
CREDIT CARDS
Mobiles are not allowed on
board, but you can use our
special phone.
DIALLING PROCEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Press the “ON” button on the side of the telephone.
Slide a valid credit card through the slot and dial the full
international number, as explained in the section below.
Press the “LINE” button. If the word “LINE” appears you
can enter your number. After you have entered the number
the system requires about 15 seconds before a connection
is made.
If the word “ERROR” starts to flash, wait a minute, and
repeat points 2 and 3.
To end the call press “CLEAR” and switch the telephone to
OFF” using the switch on the left-hand side. If “OFF” is
pressed without pressing “CLEAR”, charging will continue
for another 10 seconds.
Serviciul de asisten]\
clien]i Customer
Service Center
Pentru asisten]\ sau informa]ii, v\ rug\m
s\ trece]i cartea de credit prin fanta de
citire [i forma]i: 12#. Asisten]a este disponibil\
în mai multe limbi, inclusiv român\
[i englez\. Apelul dumneavoastr\ este
gratuit.
For assistance or information, please
swipe your credit card and simply dial:
12#. Assistance is available in most languages,
including Romanian and English.
Your call will be free of charge.
Taxe Charges
Taxa pentru utilizatori este de 10,00 $/minut
(sau frac]iuni de minut), apel taxabil
din momentul în care este realizat\ conexiunea
(inclusiv pentru apelurile c\tre
robot telefonic).
Charge to customer is USD10.00 per
minute (or fraction thereof), payable from
the moment the caller is connected
(including calls made to answerphones).
Responsabilit\]i
Liabilities
În eventualitatea unei func]ion\ri defectuoase
a sistemului, r\spunderea AIRCOM
va fi limitat\ la contravaloarea convorbirii.
AIRCOM nu va fi responsabil pentru o
eventual\ pagub\ indirect\ sau nepl\cere.
Compania TAROM nu va fi responsabil\
pentru nici o pagub\ direct\ sau ulterioar\,
indiferent dac\ este legat\ sau
cauzat\ de folosirea telefonului.
In the event of a failure of the system, the
liability of AIRCOM shall be limited to the
cost of the call. AIRCOM can accept no
responsibility for indirect damage or inconvenience.
TAROM shall not be responsible
for any damage whatsoever for
direct or consequential damage arising
out of or in connection with the use of the
phone.
Restric]ii Restrictions
Apelurile c\tre numerele netaxabile sau
serviciile de informa]ii telefonice interna-
]ionale nu sunt posibile. În sistemul de
telefonie de la bordul aeronavei nu se pot
primi apeluri telefonice.
Toll free numbers and international directory
inquiries are not available. The system
cannot accept incoming calls.
Informa]ii Information
Pentru orice întreb\ri sau nel\muriri
legate de serviciul AIRCOM, v\ rug\m s\
contacta]i:
If you have any questions or queries
regarding the AIRCOM Service, please
contact:
AIRCOM Service Passenger Support
Group
P.O. Box 518, Station B, Montreal,
Quebec, Canada H3B 3K3
Fax: 1 (514) 982-36 43,
e-mail: aircom@sita.aero

ZBOR PL|CUT!
FLY COMFORTABLY!
1
2
3
4
5
Roti]i gleznele
Cu picioarele ridicate, roti]i gleznele simultan, mi[când
vârful unui picior în sensul acelor
de ceasornic, iar pe cel\lalt, în sens invers (15 secunde).
Repeta]i, schimbând sensul mi[c\rilor.
Ankle Circles
Lift feet off the floor. Draw a circle with the toes, simultaneously
moving one foot clockwise and the other
foot counter-clockwise (15 seconds). Reverse circles.
Repeat if desired.
Joc de c\lcâie
Cu c\lcâiele pe podea, întinde]i vârfurile picioarelor în
sus; cu vârfurile picioarelor lipite de podea, ridica]i
c\lcâiele. Repeta]i la interval de 30 de secunde.
Foot Pumps
With both heels on floor, point your feet upward as
high as you can; with the tips of your feet on the floor,
lift your heels. Repeat with continuous motion in 30second
intervals.
Îndoi]i genunchii
Ridica]i piciorul cu genunchiul îndoit, în timp ce contracta]i
mu[chiul coapsei. Repeta]i mi[carea [i la cel\lalt
picior, cu o frecven]\ de 20 - 30 de mi[c\ri pentru
fiecare picior.
Knee Lifts
Lift leg with knee bent while contracting your thigh
muscles. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 - 30 times each
leg.
Roti]i umerii
Împinge]i înainte umerii, apoi înapoi, apoi în jos, într-o
u[oar\ mi[care circular\.
Shoulder Roll
Hunch shoulders forward, then upward, then backward,
then downward, using a gentle circular motion.
Îndoi]i bra]ele
}ine]i bra]ele într-un unghi de 90 de grade (coatele
jos, mâinile înainte). Ridica]i mâinile
la piept [i reveni]i, alternând ambele bra]e.
Face]i acest exerci]iu la intervale de 30 de secunde.
Arm Curl
Start with arms held at a 90-degree angle; elbows
down, hands up to chest and back down alternating
arms. Do this exercise in 30-seconds intervals.
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 117
6
7
8
9
10
Genunchii la piept
Prinde]i genunchiul cu ambele mâini
[i ]ine]i-l la piept 15 secunde. Cu mâinile pe genunchi,
reveni]i la pozi]ia ini]ial\. Alterna]i cu cel\lalt
picior. Repeta]i de 10 ori.
Knee to Chest
Bend forward slightly. Clasp hand around left knee
and hug it to your chest. Hold for 15 seconds.
Keeping hands around knee, slowly let it down.
Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times.
Aplecare înainte
Cu picioarele pe podea, apleca]i-v\ u[or înainte,
coborând mâinile pân\ v\ prinde]i gleznele [i
r\mâne]i astfel 15 secunde. Reveni]i la pozi]ia ini]ial\.
Forward Flex
With both feet on floor, slowly bend forward and walk
your hands down the front of your legs toward your
ankles. Hold stretch for 15 seconds and slowly sit
back up.
Ridica]i bra]ele
Ridica]i ambele bra]e deasupra capului.
Cu o mân\ apuca]i încheietura celeilalte mâini [i
trage]i u[or într-o parte. }ine]i strâns 15 secunde [i
repeta]i în cealalt\ parte.
Overhead Stretch
Raise both arms straight up over your head. With one
hand grasp the wrist of the opposite hand and gently
pull to one side. Hold stretch for 15 seconds and
repeat other side.
Dezmor]i]i-v\ umerii
Duce]i mâna dreapt\ c\tre um\rul stâng. Pune]i
mâna stâng\ pe cotul mâinii drepte [i presa]i u[or
c\tre um\r. }ine]i strâns 15 secunde. Repeta]i în
cealalt\ parte.
Shoulder Stretch
Reach right hand over left shoulder. Place left hand
behind right elbow and gently press elbow toward
shoulder. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat other
side.
Roti]i gâtul
Cu umerii relaxa]i, apleca]i urechea c\tre um\r [i
apoi roti]i u[or gâtul înainte [i spre cealalt\ parte,
men]inând fiecare pozi]ie timp de cinci secunde.
Repeta]i de cinci ori.
Neck Roll
With shoulders relaxed, drop ear to shoulder and
gently roll neck forward and to the other side, holding
each position about five seconds. Repeat five times.

FOCUS TAROM 118
INFORMA}II
{I REZERV|RI
INFORMATION
AND BOOKING
Pentru rezerv\ri v\ pute]i adresa agen]iilor TAROM,
agen]iilor de turism sau pute]i accesa www.tarom.ro.
One can book tickets at any TAROM office, through
any travel agent, or online (www.tarom.ro).
BIROURI ÎN ROMÂNIA DOMESTIC OFFICES
BAC|U agbacau@tarom.ro
1 Nicolae Balcescu St.
Tel: + 40234 511 462; Fax: + 40234 206 171
BAIA MARE agbaiamare@tarom.ro
5 Bucuresti Blvd Tel./Fax: + 40262 221 624
BISTRI}A agbistrita@tarom.ro
Coroana de Aur Hotel, 4 Petru Rares Sq.
Tel./Fax: + 40263 216 465
BOTO{ANI agbotosani@tarom.ro
13 Revolutiei Sq. Tel.: + 40231 518 222
Fax: + 40231 518 222
BRA{OV agbrasov@tarom.ro
22 Muresenilor St. Ap. 6,
Tel: + 40268 406 373, Fax: + 40268 406 373
BUCURE{TI
17 Splaiul Independentei St
Tel.: +4021 303 44 44/303 44 00
Fax: + 4021 316 44 44/316 20 36
59 Buzesti St.
Tel: + 4021 204 64 64
Fax: + 4021 204 64 24
Henri Coanda Airport, Calea Bucurestilor
nr. 224F, etaj2
Tel.: + 4021 204 13 55/204 27 25
REZERVAREA LOCURILOR
Rezervarea poate fi f\cut\ pe Internet (www.tarom.ro),
la agen]iile TAROM sau la agen]iile de turism. Dac\ în
rubrica „Reservation Status“ apare codul „OK“, locul
este confirmat ferm. Codul „RQ“ indic\ faptul c\ nu s-a
confirmat înc\.
Se poate întrerupe c\l\toria în orice punct de pe rut\,
dac\ este indicat pe bilet. C\l\toria trebuie s\ se
efectueze în limita perioadei de valabilitate a biletului.
Helpline: 9361 (calling from Bucharest)
Online Booking: technical.assistance@tarom.ro
CARANSEBE{ agcaransebes@tarom.ro
3-5 Mihai Viteazu St.
Tel.: + 40255 516 325; Fax: + 40255 516 325
CLUJ-NAPOCA agcluj@tarom.ro
11 Mihai Viteazu Sq. Tel.: + 40264 530116/432669
Fax: + 40264 432 524
CONSTAN}A agconstanta@tarom.ro
15 Stefan cel Mare St.
Tel.: + 40241 662 632; Fax: + 40241 614 066
CRAIOVA agcraiova@tarom.ro
2 Calea Bucuresti, Unirea Shopping Center
Tel.: + 40251 411 049; Fax: + 40251 411 049
IA{I agiasi@tarom.ro
3-5 Arcu St.
Tel.: + 40232 267 768; Fax: + 40232 217 027
ORADEA agoradea@tarom.ro
2 Regele Ferdinand Sq.
Tel.: + 40259 431 918; Fax: + 40259 431 918
PIATRA NEAM} agpiatraneamt@tarom.ro
18M Stefan cel Mare St.
Tel.: + 40233 214 268;
Fax: +40233 214 268
BOOKING TICKETS
You can book tickets online at www.tarom.ro, through
all TAROM agencies or other travel agencies. “OK” in
the “Reservation Status” column on the ticket shows
the seat is confirmed, “RQ” indicates the seat has not
yet been confirmed.
Postponing along the route is allowed if noted on the
ticket, but only during the ticket validity period.
PLOIE{TI agploiesti@tarom.ro
141 Republicii Blvd., Bloc 31 C1/C2
Tel: + 40244 595 620; Fax: + 40244 595 620
RE{I}A agresita@tarom.ro
4, 1 Decembrie 1918 St.
Tel: + 40255 215 151; Fax: + 40255 215 151
SATU MARE agsatumare@tarom.ro
9, 25 Octombrie Sq.
Tel.: +40261 712 033; Fax: + 40261 712 795
SIBIU agsibiu@tarom.ro
10 Nicolae Balcescu St.
Tel: + 40269 211 157;Fax: + 40269 211 157
SUCEAVA agsuceava@tarom.ro
2 Nicolae Balcescu St.
Tel: + 40230 214 686; Fax: + 40230 214 686
TÂRGU MURE{ agtargumures@tarom.ro
6-8 Trandafirilor Sq.
Tel: + 40265 236 200; Fax: +40265 250 170
TIMI{OARA agtimisoara@tarom.ro
3-5 Revolutiei 1989 Blvd.
Tel: + 40256 493 563/200 003; Fax: + 40256 490 150
TULCEA agtulcea@tarom.ro
M1 Isaccei St.
Tel: + 40240 510 493; Fax: + 40240 511 227

AGEN}II EXTERNE
INTERNATIONAL
BOOKING OFFICES
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
AUSTRIA
Vienna
Schwechat (18 km)
TAROM Office
21 Opernring, 1010 Wien
+43 15818800/5818801
+43 1581880016
A/P: +43 1700732728
tarom@aon.at
BELGIUM
Brussels
Brussels Airport Departure
Hall,
1930 Zaventem
+32 22186382
+32 22198046
financial@tarom.be
BULGARIA
Sofia
Vrazhdebna (10 km)
Concorde International
1000 Sofia 44 Vitosha Blvd.
+3592 9331055/66; 9331055/56
+3592 9331040
CYPRUS
Nicosia
New Marathon Aviation ltd.
2 Naxos St. 1st Floor,1070
28099, CY 2090
+3572 2375266
+3572 2374905
Larnaca
Larnaca International (8 km)
New Marathon Aviation ltd.
Larnaca International Airport
1st Floor Off. 86
+357 24643266
+357 24643268
taromcy@newmarathon.com
EGYPT
Cairo
International (24 km)
Red Sea Tours, 8-A, Kasr El Nil St.
+202 5766655
+202 5766622
A/P: +202 2653954
FRANCE
Paris
Charles De Gaulle (26 km)
TAROM Office
12 Rue des Pyramides 75001
+331 47422542/42654366
+331 42654367
A/P: +330 174372981
agenceparis@tarom.fr
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
GERMANY
Frankfurt
International (12 km)
TAROM Office
13 Zeil St., 60313
Frankfurt/Main
+4969 295270
+4969 292947
A/P: +4969 69025231
frankfurt@tarom.de
Munich
Munich – Airport 85366,
Terminal 1, Modul C,
Office C4-359,
C4-358
+4989 97591140/97591142
+4989 97591141
munich@tarom.de
GREECE
Athens
Eleftherios Venizelos (35 km)
Airport Office
190 19 Spata, Greece
Office 3/H18 2nd floor
Main Terminal Building
+30 210 353 04 05
+30 210 353 23 23
TAROM Office
80-88 Syngrou Ave, 11741
+30 210 921 88 00
+30 210 921 80 44
tarom@athensairport.gr
QATAR
Doha
Trans Orient Travel & Tourism
Centre
Rajan St. PO Box 363
+974 4458458/4432496
+974 4321099/4432698
HUNGARY
Budapest
Ferihegy 2B (16 km)
TAROM Office
Bajcsy Zsilinszky UT 12, 1051
Budapest
+361 235 08 09 / 2350810 /
2350811
+361 317 23 07
A/P: +361 296 86 61
tarom.hu@axelero.hu
ISRAEL
Tel Aviv
Ben Gurion (19 km)
TAROM Office
1, Ben Yehuda St.,
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Migdalor Building 2 nd floor,
63801
Tel Aviv 63458
+9723
5162217/5162292/5162048
+9723 5162382
help@taromtlv.co.il
ITALY
Milan
Malpensa (46 km)
Tarom Office
11 Piazzale Cadorna,
3-rd Floor, 20123 Milan
+3902 864 672 05/869 100 52
+3902 86917505
A/P:+3902 58581245
A/P:+3902 58589266
tarom.milano@gmx.net
Rome
Fiumicino (36 km)
TAROM Office
Via Alessandro Scarlatti 5
int 2
+3906 85305045
+3906 85305114
A/P:+3906 65954033
A/P:+3906 65010876
tarom.roma@virgilio.it
JORDAN
Amman
Queen Alia (35 km)
Petra Travel and Tourism
Shmeisani Abdulhamid
Sharaf St.
+9626 5620760/
5620754/5694765
+9626 5686684
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Riyadh
King Khaled (35 km)
United Travel Agency
Sitten Str., Malaz P.O. BOX
6265 - Riyadh 11442
+9661 4787272
+9661 4793811
A/P: +9661 2221080
KUWAIT
Kuwait
International (22 km)
Al-Athla Travel
Al Homaizi Bldg., Al. Soor St.,
Al. Salheih
+965 2441041/
2441042/2426847/2426846
+965 2428671
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 119
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
LEBANON
Beirut
International (8 km)
Al Sawan Co. S.A.R.L
Al Sawan Building St., No. 62,
Corniche, Rawce, Ain El Tineh
+9611 797430/810375
+9611 797431
REPUBLIC OF MOLDAVIA
Kishinev
Kishinev (14 km)
TAROM Office
3 Stefan cel Mare Blvd.
+37322 541254
+37322 272618
tarom@moldtelecom.md
ROMANIA
Bucharest
Otopeni (16,5 km)
TAROM Head Office
Calea Bucurestilor nr. 224F,
floor 2
Henri Coanda Intl Airport
+4021 2041355/204 2725
+4021 2014761
TAROM Office at
Henri Coanda Intl Airport
+4021 2041355 / 2042725
TAROM Sales Offices:
17 Splaiul Independentei,
+4021/3034444/3034400
+4021 3164444/3162036
E-mail: rezervari@tarom.ro,
technical.assistance@tarom.ro
59 Buzesti St
+4021 2046464/3169044/45
+4021 2046424/2046427
reservationvictoria@tarom.ro
agvictoria@tarom.ro
SPAIN
Madrid
Barajas (13 km)
TAROM Office -
Avenida de Hispanidad, S/N
Aeroporto Barajas, Terminal 4,
PL 2 Salidas
28042 Madrid
Tel: +34 91 564 1883
Fax: +34 91 564 1901
Mail: madrid@tarom.es
SYRIA
Damascus
International (29 km)
Alsham Travel and Tourism 52
Fardoss Street P.O. BOX 248
+96311 2223630/ 2223332
Ä
Ä
Ä
Ä
+96311 2222920/
2247003
SWITZERLAND
Zurich
Zurich (12 km)
TAROM Office
8058 Flughafen Zurich,
Terminal 1, Room 2-271,
P.O. BOX 2512
+41 442529040/8132414
+41 442529080
taromzurich@bluewin.ch
TURKEY
Istanbul
Ataturk (24 km)
TAROM Office
Ataturk International Airport
Room IDL 9403
+90212 4653777
+90212 4653778
tarom@superonline.com
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Dubai
International (5 km)
Al Majid Travel Agency &
Tourism, Al Maktoum St.,
PO-BOX 1020, Deira
+9714 2211176/2211849/
- 2222007
+9714 2276748
UNITED KINGDOM
London
Heathrow (24 km)
TAROM Office, Town Office,
27 New Cavendish St.,
W1G 9TX
+44207 2243693
+44207 4872913
lonoffice@taromuk.co.uk
Airport Office
Heathrow A/P Office,
Terminal 2, Office Block,
Room 223, Hounslow,
Middlesex TW6-1JW
+44208 7455542
+44208 8974071
lhroffice@taromuk.co.uk
USA
300 Lanidex Plaza, 3 rd floor
Parsippany, NJ 07054
+1 (973) 884 3254
Toll Free (within USA):
1 877 FLY TAROM
(359 8276)
+ 1 (973) 428 8060
tarom@rep-northamerica.com

FOCUS TAROM 120
REZERV|RI ONLINE
ONLINE BOOKING
Contact:
www.tarom.ro
e-mail: technical.assistance@tarom.ro
Bucharest helpline: 9361
Tel: (+4021) 317 44 44
(+4021) 316 20 37
Motorul de rezerv\ri prin internet pus la dispozi]ie
de Compania TAROM la adresa
www.tarom.ro este o alternativ\ comod\, sigur\
[i eficient\ la rezervarea clasic\ prin agen]ie.
Serviciile de rezervare online sunt disponibile
24 de ore pe zi de la orice calculator
conectat la re]eaua World Wide Web, fiind
accesibile prin formularul de rezervare rapid\
aflat pe prima pagin\ a site-ului TAROM.
Fluxul de rezerv\ri online a fost g‚ndit `n
c‚]iva pa[i simpli, astfel `nc‚t dvs. s\ dedica]i
un minimum de timp pentru finalizarea
rezerv\rii. Pe l‚ng\ aceste avantaje imediate,
dac\ sunte]i membru Smart Miles primi]i
`n plus 500 de mile bonus la prima rezervare
online [i 100 de mile bonus pentru fiecare
din rezerv\rile ulterioare.
~n urma finaliz\rii rezerv\rii ave]i urm\toarele
alternative: • `n cazul rutelor eligibile electronic
ticketing, la momentul emiterii biletului
electronic, ve]i primi un mesaj e-mail
con]inând detaliile corespunz\toare referitoare
la itinerariul dvs.; • pentru rutele care
nu sunt `nc\ eligibile electronic ticketing
pute]i opta s\ ridica]i biletul de la o agentie
TAROM din ora[ul de plecare sau direct de
la aeroportul de plecare, `n ziua c\l\toriei.
Acest lucru va fi confirmat atât `n pagina de
web, la sfâr[itul rezervarii, prin indicarea unui
cod unic de rezervare [i a locului de livrare a
biletului, cât [i printr-un mesaj automat email
(trimis la adresa indicat\ `n cursul rezervarii
online) ce con]ine principalele coordonate
ale c\l\toriei dvs. De asemenea, `n cursul
rezervarii ave]i op]iunea de a selecta trimiterea
biletului prin po[t\ la adresa permanent\
aflat\ `n ]ara de `ncepere a c\l\toriei;
pentru ca biletul s\ poat\ fi transmis `n timp
util la adresa indicat\ trebuie s\ prevede]i un
interval de cel pu]in 7 zile `ntre data rezerv\rii
[i cea a `nceperii c\l\toriei. V\ rug\m s\
re]ine]i c\ pentru moment livrarea prin po[t\
a biletului nu este disponibil\ `n România,
Belgia, Italia [i Spania. Nu se pot trimite
bilete prin po[t\ `n alt\ ]ar\ decât `n cea `n
care se afl\ punctul de `ncepere al c\l\toriei.
Dac\ voiajul dvs. `ncepe `ntr-unul din ora[ele
ALTE FACILIT|}I
din tabelul prezentat, c\l\toria este rezervabil\
pe Internet la www.tarom.ro. Momentan
nu toate ora[ele din care oper\m zboruri
proprii sau în code share sunt prezente `n
formularul online aflat la www.tarom.ro; pentru
a rezerva un bilet av‚nd un punct de plecare
ce nu apare `n aceast\ list\, v\ rug\m
s\ apela]i la agen]ia sau la agentul autorizat
TAROM aflat `n ]ara respectiv\.
Pentru plata online a biletului pute]i folosi un
card de credit Mastercard, American Express,
Eurocard sau Visa. Costul total al biletului,
confirmat la sfâr[itul rezerv\rii, va fi
debitat automat din contul cardului `n momentul
confirm\rii pl\]ii online. Din motive
tehnice, cardurile de debit nu pot fi utilizate
pentru plata online a biletelor rezervate pe
Internet. Criptarea SSL pe 128 de bi]i a datelor
transmise prin internet asigur\ confiden-
]ialitatea informa]iilor dvs.
Pentru a veni `n `nt‚mpinarea celor care nu
de]in un card de credit sau doresc s\ foloseasc\
alte instrumente de plat\ (numerar,
ordin de plat\ vizat de banca emitent\, card
de debit etc.). TAROM a introdus posibilitatea
de pl\]i off-line la agen]ie, `n termen de
maximum 48 de ore de la finalizarea rezerv\rii.
Pute]i pl\ti la agen]ie numai `n cazul `n
care a]i selectat op]iunea ‘cash’ `n momentul
rezerv\rii online. Nu se pot achita ulterior
prin internet rezerv\rile a c\ror metod\ de
plat\ aleas\ e deja ‘cash’.
Pentru mai multe informa]ii v\ rug\m s\
consulta]i sec]iunea ‘Asisten]a online’ de
pe website-ul TAROM, respectiv rubrica
‘Rezerv\ri online’.
La sec]iunea ‘SuperSpecials @TAROM’ ave]i la dispozi]ie cele mai recente oferte speciale
valabile pe zborurile noastre. Accesând www.tarom.ro pute]i rezerva camere de hotel, excursii
[i transferuri la destina]ie sau `nchiria ma[ini la cele mai bune pre]uri prin Octopus Travel.
The online booking system available at
www.tarom.ro is a comfortable, secured
and efficient alternative to a classical
reservation made by a TAROM agency or
an authorised agent. The online booking
facilities are available 24 hours a day from
any computer connected to the World
Wide Web by accessing the quick search
form located on the main TAROM web
page.
The reservation flow was designed in a
few simple steps so that you spend a
minimum time to finish the reservation.
More, if you are a Smart Miles member
you can get 500 miles bonus at your first
online reservation and 100 miles bonus
for each of the following reservations.
REZERVA}I ONLINE DAC| PLECA}I DIN ORA{ELE DE MAI JOS
BOOKONLINE IF YOUR TRAVEL STARTS FROM THE CITIES BELOW
Athens
Bacau
Barcelona
Baia Mare
Bologna
Brusseles
Bucharest
(Henri Coanda)
Budapest
Cluj
Constanta
Dubai
Frankfurt
Iasi
Istanbul
Larnaca
London
(Heathrow)
Madrid
Milan
Munich
Oradea
Paris
(Charles de Gaulle)
Rome
Satu Mare
Sibiu
You have 2 possibilities to collect your
ticket:
• for e-ticketing eligible routes, you will
receive an e-mail containing the details of
your itinerary when the ticket is issued.
• for e-ticketing non-eligible routes, you
have the possibility to collect your ticket
at TAROM office located in the city of your
departing flight or at the departure airport
on the day of your flight. The chosen
method of ticket collection is confirmed in
the booking engine “purchase“ page as
well as in the e-mail automated confirmation
message (sent to your e-mail
address specified during the reservation
process) that contains your trip details.
You also have the possibility to select
mail as the method of ticket delivery; the
ticket will be sent at a permanent address
OTHER FEATURES
Suceava
Targu Mures
Thessaloniki
Timisoara
Tel-Aviv
Valencia
Vienna
located in the country of departure. In
case you select mail please allow at least
7 days between reservation and departure
time. Please note that, for the
moment, the mail option is not valid for
Romania, Belgium, Italy and Spain. The
ticket cannot be sent from one country to
another.
If your trip starts in one of the cities in the
attached table, the trip is bookable on
internet at www.tarom.ro.
For the moment, not all cities operated by
TAROM or its code share partners are
presented in the quick search form located
at www.tarom.ro. In this case please
contact the TAROM agency or TAROM
agent located in the departure city.
Online payment can be completed using
one of the following accepted credit
cards: Mastercard, American Express,
Eurocard and Visa. The total sum, also
confirmed at the end of reservation
process, will be automatically debited
from the credit card account at the
moment of online payment confirmation.
Due to technical reasons, the debit cards
cannot be used for online payment. The
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol on
128 bits guarantees the confidentiality of
your information sent through the
Internet.
For the persons who do not own a credit
card or wish to pay using other payment
means (cash, payment order, debit card
etc.) TAROM introduced the off-line payment
at the agency in a maximum of 48
hours from the reservation moment. You
can pay at the agency only if you choose
the ‘cash’ option at the reservation
moment. The payment cannot be completed
through internet if you already
have made a ‘cash’ reservation.
For more information please click on the
'Online assistance' button on our web
page, respectively the 'Online reservation'
section.
At the ‘SupersSpecial@TAROM’ web site section you can benefit from our newest
offers on our flights. On www.tarom.ro you can also book hotel rooms, trips and
transfers to destination or rent a car at the best prices through Octopus Travel.

AGEN}I DE VÂNZ|RI
CARGO SALES AGENTS
AGEN}I DE VÂNZ|RI CARGO ÎN ROMÂNIA
ROMANIAN CARGO SALES AGENTS
CARGO - PARTNER
EXPEDITII SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda
Intl. Airport; 3, Sulfinei St.
Tel.: + 402 1 206 67 80
Fax: + 402 1 206 67 85
DELAMODE ROMANIA SRL
111-115 Timisoara Blvd.,
sect. 6, Bucharest
Tel.: + 402 1 077411,
4077412, 4077413, 4077400
Fax: + 402 1 407 74 57
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport, 11C, Aurel Vlaicu St.
Tel.: + 402 1 305 98 27/
28/29/30/31;
Fax: + 402 1 305 98 67/ 64
DHL LOGISTIC SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda
Intl. Airport, 9 Aurel Vlaicu
St., Frans Maas Bldg., 2 nd
Cargo Terminal, Room 25
Tel.:+ 402 1 300 75 42/43
Fax: + 402 1 300 75 40/41
EASI LOGISTIC SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda
Intl. Airport; 9 Aurel Vlaicu
St., Frans Maas Bldg., 2 nd
Cargo Terminal, Room 16
Tel.: + 403 1 405 92 02
Fax: + 402 1 351 90 31
GO TRANS INTERNATIO-
NAL SERVICES 2005 SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport, 224 E, Calea
Bucurestilor, Building ATR
Tel.: + 403 1 228 28 00/02
Fax: + 403 1 228 28 01
KUEHNE&HAGEL
TRANSPORT SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda
Intl. Airport, 224 E, Calea
Bucurestilor, BICC Building
2 nd floor, Room 2-3
Tel.: + 402 1 201 46 40
Fax: +402 1 201 48 58
INTERNATIONAL ROM-
EXPRESS SERVICE LTD
License of Federal Express
Corporation,
155, C. Victoriei, Bl. D1 tron-
son 5, 2 nd floor, Bucharest
Tel.: + 402 1 311 73 76/77
Fax: + 402 1 311 73 78
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport, 13 „C“ Fermei st.
Tel.: + 402 1 201 48 22/25
Fax: + 402 1 201 48 27/28
MASTER MIND SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport; 3, Aurel Vlaicu st.
Master Mind Building
Tel.: +4021 2014606
Fax: +4021 2014601
ROMTRANS S.A.
196 Calea Rahovei,
P.O. BOX 13-11, Bucharest
Tel.: + 402 1 317 61 86,
317 61 59
Fax: + 402 1 317 61 73/74
SDV SCAC ROMANIA SRL
2-4 Gara Herastrau St.,
sect. 1, Bucharest
Tel.: + 402 1 232 10 32/
232 10 52
Fax: +402 1 232 10 11
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport, 224E, Calea
Bucurestilor, Frans Maas
Bldg., 1 st Cargo Terminal
Tel.: + 402 1 201 47 59
Fax: + 402 1 201 47 84
TEEN TRANS RO SRL
2 Gheorghe Sincai St.,
bl. 4, ap. 92, Bucharest
Phone: + 402 1 330 20 00
Fax: + 402 1 330 34 95
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport, 3 A, Fermei A st.
Tel.: + 402 1 350 37 20/21
Fax: + 402 1 350 37 23
TNT ROMANIA SRL
1 st A, Bucuresti-Ploiesti
Road, sect. 1, Bucharest
Bldg. Business Park (BBP)
Tel.: + 402 1 303 45 02
Fax: + 402 1 303 45 80
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport; 49, Aurel Vlaicu St.
Tel.: + 402 1 407 41 28
Fax: + 402 1 407 41 24
Timisoara; 1, Aeroportului St.
Tel.: + 407 233 73 113
UPS SCS Romania SRL
42 Simion Barnutiu St,
et. 4, ap. 404, Timisoara
Tel.: + 402 56 28 72 70
Fax: + 402 56 28 72 40
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport, 3 Sulfinei St.
Tel.: + 402 1 350 92 03
Fax: + 402 1 350 92 05
UNIMASTERS FREIGHT
XPRESS SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport; 11C, Aurel Vlaicu St.
SERBAN INTERNATIONAL Tel.: + 402 1 350 23 23/
TRANSPORTS
312 46 56
9 Batistei St., sect.1, Bucharest; Fax: + 402 1 312 46 57
Tel.: + 402 1 211 03 80/
81/82/83
UTi LOGISTICS ROMANIA
Fax: +402 1 201 45 06 Otopeni, Henri Coanda Intl.
Airport; 11 C Aurel Valicu st.
Tel.: +4021 3145557/
3145559
Fax: +4021 3145549
VRK EXPEDITION
Otopeni, Henri Coanda
Intl. Airport; 224, Calea
Bucurestilor, BICC Building
floor #1, Room 11-13
Tel.: + 402 1 201 46 20
Fax: + 402 1 201 46 19
Traian Vuia Airport
Timisoara, 2 Aeroportului st.
Tel.: + 402 56 38 60 70
Fax: +402 56 38 60 66
WORLD MEDIA TRANS
16 Vasile Parvan St,
Timisoara 1900
Tel.: + 402 56 497 916
Fax: + 402 56 20 23 80
WORLD COURIER
ROMANIA SRL
Otopeni, Henri Coanda
Intl. Airport, L2, Fermei St.
Tel.: + 402 1 350 44 45
Fax: + 402 1 350 44 47
AUSTRIA
BRAINWAY AIRLINE-
SERVICES GEMB H
International Cargocenter
Objekt 263, Gate 3, A-1
300 Flughafen Wien
Tel.: +43 1 700 733 362/3
Fax: +43 1 700 733 361
BELGIUM
AIR SUPPORT BELGIUM
Hector Henneaulaan 144
Box 5,
1930 Zaventem
Tel.: +32 2 752 86 80
Fax: +32 2 752 86 86
DENMARK
SCANPARTNERS
INTERNATIONAL APS
Fuglebzekvej 14,
DK-2770 Kastrup,
Copenhagen
Tel.: + 45 32 527 676
Fax: + 45 32 511 412
FRANCE
GLOBE AIR CARGO
SYSTEM
BP 10524,
95709 Roissy CDG Cedex
Tel.:+33 1 48 623 564
Fax: +33 1 48 625 335
GERMANY
GLOBE AIR
CARGO GmbH
Waldecker Strasse 9
D-64546
Moerfelden-Walldorf
Tel.: +49 6105 406 656
Fax: +49 6105 406 690
P.C. AIRLINE SERVICES
GmbH
Flughafen Schonefeld,
D-12521 Berlin
Tel.: +49 30 60 913 550/52
Fax: +49 30 60 913 551
GREECE
GOLEMIS AIR SERVICES
CO SA
15 Panepistimiou 10564,
Athens
Tel.: +210 325 50 63/65
Fax: +210 323 12 05
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 121
AGEN}I DE VÂNZ|RI CARGO DIN STR|IN|TATE
INTERNATIONAL CARGO SALES AGENTS
HUNGARY
AIR LOGISTIC TRADING
AND CONSULTING LIMI-
TED LIABILITY COMPANY
2220 Vecses, Ulloi ut 809/A
Tel.: + 36 1 235 78 58,
Fax: + 36 1 235 78 59
IRELAND
NORZEL LTD. T/A
AIRLINE CARGO
SERVICES
La Verne, Kilkishen,
Co. Clare
Omega House,
Collinstown Cross,
Dublin Airport
Tel.: +353 61 478 011
Fax: +353 61 478 012
ISRAEL
LIKA BERKOWITZ
INTERNATIONAL
TRANSPORT LTD.
P.O. BOX 3216 Rishon
Le Zion, 75131
Tel.: +972 3 950 25 93
Fax: +972 3 950 25 94
ITALY
CISMAT COMPAGNIA
ITALIANA SERVIZI MARITI-
MI AEREI TERRESTRI SRL
Malpensa Cargo
City-Gate A, 3 rd floor
21010 Somma Lombardo
(VA)
Tel.: +39 025 858 12 43
Fax: +39 025 858 13 48
New Cargo City - Bldg.
333/A, 1 st. floor
00050 Fiumicino Airport
Tel.:+39 06 650 109 07
Fax.: +39 06 652 90 19
REPUBLIC
OF MOLDAVIA
BALMUS TRADE SRL
Str. Chi[in\ului 14, ap. 28
Tel.: +373 225 24 102
Fax: +373 225 29 341
SPAIN
CRS AIRLINE
REPRESENTATIVES SL
Calle Violant D’Hongria
82-88 H.O. Barcelona
Tel.: +34 93 490 41 45
Fax: +34 93 490 39 24
Centro de Carga Area,
Edificio Servicios Generales,
Off. 509, Madrid
Tel.: +34 91 393 74 02
Fax: +34 91 393 74 03
Centro Logistico
Aeroportuario, Office 8
46940 Manises, Valencia
Tel: +34 961523943
Fax: +34 961598770
SWITZERLAND
AIRNAUTIC AG
Freight Building,
West 1-360, P.O. BOX 53,
CH-8058 Zürich - Airport
Tel.: +4143 816 38 44
Fax: +4143 816 38 45
TAIWAN
GLOBAL AVIATION
SERVICE INC.
A3/8F, 126, Nan-King
East Road, Sec. 4, Taipei
Tel.: +886 2 255703513
Fax: +886 2 25770928
TURKEY
CARGOJET KARGO
HIZEMTLERI LTD.STI
Kartaltepe Mahallesi
Sukru Kanalti
Sok Sema
A.P No. 40/4 Istanbul
Tel.: +90 212 660 85 28
Fax: +90 212 660 29 55
UNITED KINGDOM
SKYCAPACITY LTD.
Unit 16 Gatwick Metro
Centre, Balcombe Road,
Horley Surey RH6 9GA
Tel.: +44 1293 821 822
Fax: +44 1293 776 300
UNITED STATES
SUNSHINE SERVICE
INTL. INC.
147-29 183 Street
Jamaica NY 11413
Tel.: + 01 718 656 15 15
Fax: + 01 718 244 13 24

FOCUS TAROM 122
17 Splaiul Independentei,
Bucharest, Romania
Tel: +4021 3184444
+4021 3034414/21/37
Fax: +4021 3034439
e-mail: tours@tarom.ro
Ofertele includ dou\ nop]i cazare cu mic dejun [i transport
cu avionul (excep]ie f\c‚nd programul de trei nop]i,
acolo unde este men]ionat) [i sunt valabile `n perioadele
27.10.2008-19.12.2009 (pr.1), respectiv 08.01-29.03.3009
(pr.2). Ofertele nu includ asigurare medical\, taxele de
aeroport [i de viz\ (acolo unde este cazul), transferurile
la/de la hotel. Pre]urile sunt exprimate `n euro per persoan\,
`n camer\ dubl\ (dbl), repectiv single (sgl).
The offers comprise two-night accommodation with
breakfast and flight ticket (except the three-night accommodation
offer where mentioned) and are available during
Oct. 10, 2008-Dec. 19, 2009 (pr.1), respective Jan. 8-
March 29, 2009 (pr.2). The offers do not include medical
insurance, airport and visa taxes (where needed), and
transportation to/from hotel. The prices are in euros per
person, in double (dbl), respective single room.
SEJURURI CU TAROM WEEKEND WITH TAROM
IARN| / WINTER 2008-2009
PLEC|RI DIN BUCURE{TI
ATENA / ATHENS - 3 nop]i / nights (BB)
FRESH 4* - de la/from: dbl 336 ƒ, sgl 488 ƒ
MARINA 3* - de la/from: dbl 217 ƒ, sgl 295 ƒ
BARCELONA (BB)
GRAN CATALONIA 4* - de la/from: dbl 313 ƒ, sgl 433 ƒ
HCC COVADONGA 3* - de la/from: dbl 299 ƒ, sgl 407 ƒ
HCC OPEN 3* - de la/from: dbl 299 ƒ, sgl 407 ƒ (pr.1);
dbl 306 ƒ, sgl 421 ƒ (pr.2)
CONFORTEL AUDITORI 3* - de la/from: dbl 280 ƒ,
sgl 383 ƒ
ISTANBUL (BB)
ANTIK 4* - de la/from: dbl 201 ƒ, sgl 259 ƒ
ANTEA PALACE 4* - de la/from: dbl 193 ƒ, sgl 255 ƒ
ROMANCE 3* - de la/from: dbl 195 ƒ, sgl 236 ƒ
DIVA’S 3* - de la/from: dbl 178 ƒ, sgl 206 ƒ
BRUXELLES / BRUSSELS (BB)
HUSA PRESIDENT PARK 4* - de la/from: dbl 305 ƒ,
sgl 395 ƒ
HOLIDAY INN CITY CENTER 4* - de la/from: dbl 325 ƒ,
sgl 435 ƒ
IBIS ST. CATHERINE 3* - de la/from: dbl 325 ƒ,
sgl 444 ƒ
DUBAI - 3 nop]i / nights (BB)
TAJ PALACE 5* - de la/from: dbl 628 $+405 ƒ, sgl 1180 $+405 ƒ
RADISSON SAS DUBAI CREEK 5* - de la/from:
dbl 672 $+405 ƒ, sgl 1343 $+405 ƒ
AL JAWHARA GARDENS 4* - de la/from:
dbl 394 $+405 ƒ, sgl 725 $+405 ƒ
VENDOME PLAZA 3* - de la/from: dbl 251 $+405 ƒ,
sgl 466 $+405 ƒ
LONDRA / LONDON (BB)
CAESAR 4* - de la/from: dbl 330 ƒ, sgl 430 ƒ
PALACE 3* - de la/from: dbl 303 ƒ, sgl 383 ƒ
EXPRESS BY HOLIDAY INN 3*: de la/from: dbl 314 ƒ, sgl 431 ƒ
(pr.1); dbl 314 ƒ, sgl 424 ƒ (pr.2)
BAYSWATER INN 3* - de la/from: dbl 303 ƒ, sgl 364 ƒ (pr.1);
dbl 291 ƒ, sgl 371 ƒ (pr.2)
BUDAPESTA / BUDAPEST (BB)
CORINTHIA GRAND ROYAL 4* - de la/from: dbl 383 ƒ,
sgl 485 ƒ
DANUBIUS FLAMENCO 4* - de la/from: dbl 319 ƒ,
sgl 377 ƒ
BUDAPEST 4* - de la/from: dbl 291 ƒ, sgl 320 ƒ
WIEN 3* - de la/from: dbl 281 ƒ, sgl 305 ƒ
FRANKFURT (BB)
NATIONAL 4* - de la/from: dbl 233 ƒ, sgl 290 ƒ
CONTINENTAL 3* - de la/from: dbl 217 ƒ, sgl 244 ƒ
(pr.1); dbl 227 ƒ, sgl 264 ƒ (pr.2)
TOP FRANKFURT 3* - de la/from: dbl 219 ƒ, sgl 269 ƒ
(pr.1); dbl 218 ƒ, sgl 264 ƒ (pr.2)
MUNCHEN / MUNICH (BB)
AMBIANCE RIVOLI 4* - de la/from: dbl 261 ƒ, sgl 340 ƒ
COMFORT 3* - de la/from: dbl 237 ƒ, sgl 287 ƒ
ALFA 3* - de la/from: dbl 240 ƒ, sgl 308 ƒ
ATRIUM 3* - de la/from: dbl 267 ƒ, sgl 326 ƒ
Tarifele sunt valabile la data public\rii [i pot suferi modific\ri `n perioadele
de t‚rguri, expozi]ii, s\rb\tori locale etc. Rezerv\rile la hotelurile din aceast\
ofert\ se vor confirma `n func]ie de disponibilitatea la data lans\rii comenzii.

MADRID (BB)
OCCIDENTAL MIGUEL ANGEL 5* - de la/from: dbl 380
ƒ, sgl 540 ƒ
HUSA PRINCESSA 5* - de la/from: dbl 381 ƒ, sgl 542 ƒ
WESTIN PALACE 5* - de la/from: dbl 411 ƒ, sgl 600 ƒ
CONFORTEL ALCALA NORTE 4* - de la/from: dbl 293
ƒ, sgl 356 ƒ
PRINCIPE PIO 3* - de la/from: dbl 285 ƒ, sgl 342 ƒ
SALONIC / THESSALONIKI (BB)
CAPSIS 4* - de la/from: dbl 346 ƒ, sgl 440 ƒ
CITY & CENTRAL SPA 4* - de la/from: dbl 340 ƒ, sgl 451 ƒ
PLAZA ART 3* - de la/from: dbl 305 ƒ, sgl 387 ƒ
VIENA / VIENNA (BB)
PRINZ EUGEN 4* - de la/from: dbl 293 ƒ, sgl 351 ƒ
HARMONIE 4* - de la/from: dbl 295 ƒ, sgl 349 ƒ
REGINA 4* - de la/from: dbl 312 ƒ, sgl 374 ƒ
MESSE 3* - de la/from: dbl 393, sgl 365 ƒ (pr.1); dbl 293 ƒ,
sgl 365 ƒ (pr.2)
MADRID (BB)
HUSA PRINCESSA 5* - de la/from: dbl 381 ƒ, sgl 542 ƒ
WESTIN PALACE 5* - de la/from: dbl 381 ƒ, sgl 531 ƒ
(pr.1); dbl 411 ƒ, sgl 600 ƒ (pr.2)
ABBA MADRID 4* - de la/from: dbl 318 ƒ, sgl 425 ƒ
Tariffs are available at print time and they do not aplly for: fair and international exhibition
periods, local holidays etc. The reservation to the hotels mentioned in this offer will be confirmed
subject to availability at booking order time.
PARIS (BB)
MERIDIEN MONTPARNASSE 4* - de la/from: dbl 416 ƒ,
sgl 575 ƒ
ETOILE ST. HONORE 4* - de la/from: dbl 427 ƒ,
sgl 582 ƒ
VILLA ST. MARTIN 3* - de la/from: dbl 324 ƒ, sgl 400 ƒ
APOLLO OPERA 3* - de la/from: dbl 299 ƒ, sgl 361 ƒ
TIMHOTEL ITALIE 2* - de la/from: dbl 297 ƒ, sgl 360 ƒ
TEL-AVIV (BB)
CITY 4* - de la/from: dbl 328 ƒ, sgl 422 ƒ
MARINA 4* - de la/from: dbl 340 ƒ, sgl 436 ƒ
METROPOLITAN 3* - de la/from: dbl 330 ƒ, sgl 406 ƒ
PLEC|RI DIN CLUJ
BOLOGNA - 3 nop]i / nights (BB)
GRAND ELITE 4* - de la/from: dbl 278 ƒ, sgl 340 ƒ
STAR HOTEL EXCELSIOR 4* - de la/from: dbl 329 ƒ,
sgl 457 ƒ
REGINA 3* - de la/from: dbl 264 ƒ, sgl 326 ƒ
RAMADA ENCORE FIERA 3* - de la/from: dbl 304 ƒ, sgl
388 ƒ
CLARIDGE 3* - de la/from: dbl 305 ƒ, sgl 395 ƒ (pr.1);
dbl 310 ƒ, sgl 386 ƒ (pr.2)
ASTURIAS 2* - de la/from: dbl 282 ƒ, sgl 351 ƒ (pr.1);
dbl 277 ƒ, sgl 342 ƒ (pr.2)
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 123
ROMA (BB)
GIOBERTI 4* - de la/from: dbl 273 ƒ, sgl 351 ƒ
NAPOLEON 4* - de la/from: dbl 299 ƒ, sgl 374 ƒ
BORROMINI 4* - de la/from: dbl 256 ƒ, sgl 315 ƒ
ZONE 4* - de la/from: dbl 256 ƒ, sgl 315 ƒ
VALENCIA (BB)
HESPERIA PARQUE CENTER 4* - de la/from: dbl 299 ƒ,
sgl 381 ƒ
ABBA ACTEON 4* - de la/from: dbl 296 ƒ, sgl 396 ƒ
EXPO 3* - de la/from: dbl 263, sgl 320 ƒ
FRANKFURT - 3 nop]i / nights (BB)
HOLIDAY INN CONFERENCE 4* - de la/from: dbl 276
ƒ, sgl 391 ƒ
NATIONAL 4* - de la/from: dbl 258 ƒ, sgl 319 ƒ
CONTINENTAL 3* - de la/from: dbl 251 ƒ, sgl 291 ƒ
ELBE 3* - de la/from: dbl 250 ƒ, sgl 322 ƒ
PLEC|RI DIN SIBIU
MUNCHEN / MUNICH (BB)
AMBIANCE RIVOLI 4* - de la/from: dbl 266 ƒ, sgl 345 ƒ
COMFORT 3* - de la/from: dbl 242 ƒ, sgl 292 ƒ
ALFA 3* - de la/from: dbl 245 ƒ, sgl 313 ƒ
ATRIUM 3* - de la/from: dbl 272 ƒ, sgl 331 ƒ
LEGEND| LEGEND
4_ Hotel ____ BB Cazare, mic dejun / Bed & Breakfast
sgl Single/single
3_ Hotel ___ dbl dubl\/double
2_ Hotel __ trp tripl\/triple
NA nu este posibil / Not available

INTERVIU Interview 124
CEL MAI PERSONAL FILM
THE MOST PERSONAL FILM
LANSAT ~N URM| CU CÂTEVA LUNI, „BOOGIE“ A PROVOCAT
REAC}II PUTERNICE, APLAUZE {I CRITICI DEOPOTRIV|. RECENT,
FILMUL A CÂ{TIGAT PREMIUL PENTRU SCENARIU LA FESTIVALUL
DE FILM DE LA HAMPTONS. REGIZORUL RADU MUNTEAN NE
VORBE{TE, ~NTR-UN INTERVIU ACORDAT „INSIGHT TAROM“,
DESPRE CEA MAI PERSONAL| PELICUL| A SA.
de Ana Nil\
CARE A FOST FEEDBACK-UL DUP| CE „BOOGIE“ A ~NCEPUT S|
RULEZE ~N CINEMATOGRAFE?
~n general, foarte bun. Ne-am concentrat destul de mult pe campania
de marketing de dinaintea lans\rii [i ne a[teptam ca filmul s\
func]ioneze bine `n primele dou\ s\pt\m‚ni. Surpriza a fost c\, de[i
rezultatele nu s-au dovedit spectaculoase la `nceput, filmul a avut o
via]\ foarte lung\ `n cinematografe. ~nseamn\ c\ [i-a f\cut singur
reclam\ [i oamenii au continuat s\ mearg\ s\-l vad\ la mult timp dup\
LAUNCHED A FEW MONTHS AGO, “BOOGIE” HAS STIRRED
STRONG REACTIONS, APPLAUSE AND CRITICISM ALIKE.
RECENTLY, THE MOVIE WON THE BEST SCRIPT AWARD AT THE
HAMPTONS FILM FESTIVAL. DIRECTOR RADU MUNTEAN TELLS
US, IN AN INTERVIEW TO “INSIGHT TAROM”, ALL ABOUT HIS
MOST PERSONAL FILM.
WHAT WAS THE FEEDBACK
YOU GOT AFTER “BOOGIE”
STARTED BEING SCREENED IN
CINEMAS?
It was generally very good. We
focused a lot on the marketing
campaign before the launch and we
were expecting the film to go well
Regizorul / Director Radu Munteanu
in the first two weeks. The surprise
was that, although the results were
not spectacular from the beginning,
the movie was kept in movie theaters
for a long time. Which means
it advertised for itself and people
continued to go see it even long after
it had been launched. The film

lansare. Filmul intr\ acum `n a opta s\pt\m‚n\ la Multiplex, lucru
destul de rar chiar [i pentru un blockbuster american.
„BOOGIE“ S-A AFLAT {I ~N ATEN}IA FESTIVALURILOR DE FILM
DE AFAR|. CUM CREDE}I C| ~I PERCEP STR|INII LIMBAJUL {I
MESAJUL?
Eu am v\zut filmul `n sala la Cannes [i Karlovy Vary, iar reac]iile au
fost bune, de[i nu at‚t de calde [i entuziaste ca la Cluj, de exemplu. Din
p\cate, filmul pierde din savoarea limbajului la traducere, de[i se pare
c\ [i str\inii `l `n]eleg destul de bine, at‚ta timp c‚t a fost deja `n
aproape 30 de festivaluri la o jum\tate de an de la premiera mondial\ [i
tocmai am luat un premiu pentru scenariu la festivalul de la Hamptons,
`n SUA.
A IE{IT A{A CUM V-A}I PROPUS? EXIST| LUCRURI CARE NU V|
MUL}UMESC ~NTRU TOTUL LA ACEST FILM?
Cred c\ e[ti complet pierdut dac\ te a[tep]i ca filmul s\-]i ias\ exact
cum l-ai avut tu `n cap `nainte s\ te apuci de filmare.
Filmarea e un proces viu [i dinamic `n care, oric‚t ai `ncerca, nu po]i
controla totul. Trebuie s\ te adaptezi permanent la condi]iile de pe platou,
s\ te calibrezi cu actorii, operatorul, scenograful [i restul echipei.
Sunt lucruri care au ie[it mai pu]in bine dec‚t `n planul meu mental,
dup\ cum sunt secven]e cu mai mult\ via]\ dec‚t speram. Una peste alta,
a[a cum e acum, „Boogie“ reflect\ destul de fidel inten]ia mea in]ial\.
~n bun\ m\sur\ pentru c\ nu m-am l\sat surprins de ce s-a `nt‚mplat la
filmare.
CU CE GÂNDURI A}I ~NCEPUT REALIZAREA FILMULUI?
Dup\ multe luni `n care am tot modificat scenariul, am avut `ndoieli,
am rescris, am t\iat [i am completat dialogurile p‚n\ dup\ repeti]iile cu
actorii, am pornit la filmare foarte `ncrez\tor `n scenariu [i `n poveste.
Cred c\ altfel e foarte greu s\ transmi]i un mesaj clar echipei.
CUM ~L POZI}IONA}I FA}| DE „FURIA“ {I „HÂRTIA VA FI ALBAS-
TR|“?
Cred c\ e cel mai personal film al meu de p‚n\ acum.
A}I SCRIS SCENARIUL ~MPREUN| CU ALEXANDRU BACIU {I
R|ZVAN R|DULESCU. UNDE REG|SIM AMPRENTA LUI RADU
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 125
is now entering its eighth week at
Multiplex, which is rather rare,
even for an American blockbuster.
“BOOGIE” ALSO DREW THE
ATTENTION OF FILM FESTI-
VALS FROM ABROAD. HOW DO
YOU THINK FOREIGNERS PER-
CEIVE ITS LANGUAGE AND
MESSAGE?
I watched the movie at Cannes
and Karlovy Vary and the audience’s
reaction was a good one,
though not as warm and enthusiastic
as in Cluj, for instance. Unfortunately,
the movie loses some of the
charm of its language when it is
translated, although it seems that
foreigners can understand it pretty
well, as it has already participated
in almost 30 festivals, half a year after
its world premiere, and we’ve
just won a best script award at the
Hamptons Film Festival, in the
USA.
DID IT COME OUT AS YOU
HOPED IT WOULD? ARE THERE
THINGS THAT DON’T COM-
PLETELY SATISFY YOU ABOUT
THIS FILM?
I believe you’re completely lost
if you expect the film to come out
exactly as you had it in your head
before you started shooting. Shooting
is a dynamic, live process in
which you cannot control everything,
no matter how hard you try.
You must constantly adjust to the
conditions on set, to get yourself
MUNTEAN? ® ®
tuned with the actors, the cameraman,
the stage designer and the
rest of the crew. There are things
that didn’t come out as good as
they were in my mental plan, as
there are bits that have more life
than I expected. One in all, as it is
now, “Boogie” reflects my initial
intention pretty accurately. And
that is also due to the fact I did not
let myself be surprised of what was
going on during the shoot.
WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS
WHEN YOU SET OUT TO DO
THIS MOVIE?
After several months of continuously
changing the script, having
doubts, rewriting, cutting parts of it
Scene din film / Film scenes
and completing the dialogue after
rehearsals with actors, I set out
shooting the film with a lot of confidence
in the script and in the story.
I think that otherwise, you cannot
really send out a clear message
to your team.
WHERE DO YOU PLACE IT, IN
COMPARISON WITH “FURIA”
AND “HÂRTIA VA FI ALBASTR|”
(THE PAPER WILL BE BLUE)?
I think it’s my most personal
film so far.
YOU WROTE THE SCRIPT
TOGETHER WITH ALEXANDRU
BACIU AND RAZVAN
RADULESCU. WHERE DO WE
FIND RADU MUNTEAN’S
PRINT?

INTERVIU Interview 126
® Noi am scris `mpreun\ sinopsisul filmului, apoi l-am `mp\r]it `n ®
trei. Fiecare [i-a scris partea lui, apoi a intervenit [i a completat p\r]ile
celorla]i. A fost o munc\ `n echip\, am discutat foarte mult p‚n\ ne-am
pus de acord cu firul narativ, cu succesiunea exact\ a secven]elor, a[a c\
e greu de depistat „amprenta“. {i nici nu cred c\ e important.
DE CE „BOOGIE“ {I NU „30 {I CEVA“?
„30 [i ceva“ era prea general, mi-am dorit ca titlul filmului s\
con]in\ `ntr-un fel conflictul. Boogie e Bogdan Cioc\zanu din liceu, cel
pe care Bogdan de acum `l resusciteaz\ pentru o noapte.
~N CE M|SUR| V| IDENTIFICA}I CU PERSONAJUL BOGDAN
CIOC|ZANU?
Acum, `n mic\ m\sur\. Cu c‚]iva ani `n urm\, `ns\, am trecut [i eu
prin criza de 30 [i ceva, am sim]it frustrarea celui care nu mai e st\p‚n
pe timpul lui [i ar da orice s\ mai fie t‚n\r [i f\r\ griji, ca `n vremurile
bune. Dar e clar c\ n-a[ fi putut face filmul atunci, n-a[ fi avut distan]a
necesar\.
CARE ESTE DIFEREN}A DINTRE RADU MUNTEAN REGIZORUL
DE FILM {I RADU MUNTEAN REGIZORUL DE CLIPURI PUBLI-
CITARE?
E diferen]a dintre profesionist [i autor. La reclame, `ncerc pe c‚t posibil
s\ `n]eleg mesajul publicitar [i s\-l transmit c‚t mai conving\tor; ca regizor
de film, m\ implic `n toate fazele lui, de la idee p‚n\ la poster [i campania
de distribu]ie. Voi face film at‚ta timp c‚t cred c\ am ceva de spus.
EXIST| SPECTATORI CARE SPUN C| „BOOGIE“ ESTE
EXCEP}IONAL, DAR {I O MIC| TAB|R| CARE-L CONSIDER|
SLAB. CE LE-A}I R|SPUNDE CELOR DIN URM|?
Departe de mine g‚ndul s\ `mi ap\r pelicula `ntr-un dialog imaginar
cu spectatorii nemul]umi]i. Am `n]eles, de ceva vreme, c\ nu pot face
filme pentru toat\ lumea a[a c\ nici nu-mi mai propun asta. „Boogie“ e
genul care provoac\ reac]ii foarte partizane. Am auzit multe entuziaste,
oameni care s-au identificat cu personajele, pe care povestea i-a amuzat
[i impresionat, care au `n]eles filmul exact a[a cum mi-am dorit. Dar [i
oameni pe care i-a enervat la culme.
Eu nu pot dec‚t s\ m\ bucur c\ filmul deranjeaz\, c\ e incomod [i c\
nu las\ oamenii indiferen]i. Asta e cel mai important. ∫
We wrote the film synopsis together,
then we divided it between
the three of us. Each of us wrote his
share and then we intervened and
completed each other’s parts. It
was team work, we’ve talked about
it a lot until we agreed on the narrative
line, the exact sequence of
events, so the “print” is hard to
identify. And I don’t think it’s important.
WHY “BOOGIE” AND NOT “30
SOMETHING?”
“30 something” was too general,
I wanted the movie title to include
the conflict, one way or another.
Boogie is Bogdan Ciocazanu
from high school, the one resuscitated
for a night by present-day
Bogdan.
TO WHAT EXTEND DO YOU
IDENTIFY YOURSELF WITH THE
CHARACTER BOGDAN
CIOCAZANU?
Now, to a very small extent. A
few years back, however, I went
through the ‘30 something’ crisis, I
felt the frustration of the man who
is no longer in control over his own
time and would give anything to be
young again, like in the good old
days. But it’s clear I couldn’t have
done the movie then, I couldn’t
have taken the necessary distance.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN RADU MUNTEAN
THE MOVIE DIRECTOR AND
RADU MUNTEAN THE DIREC-
TOR OF ADVERTISING VIDEOS?
It’s the difference between the
professional and the author. With
the commercials, I try to understand
the message and send it as
convincingly as possible, as a
movie director, I get involved in all
the movie’s stages, from the starting
idea to the poster and distribution
campaign. I will continue making
movies for as long as I believe
that I have something to say.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY
THAT “BOOGIE” IS EXCEPTION-
AL AND SOME OTHERS WHO
THINK IT IS A BAD MOVIE.
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THE
LATTER?
Defending my film in an imaginary
dialogue with unhappy audiences
is far from me. I have under-
Pe platoul de filmare / On the set
stood, some time ago, that I cannot
make movies for everybody so I no
longer plan to do this. “Boogie” is
the kind of movie that makes you
take sides. I have heard many enthusiastic
reactions from people
who identified with the characters,
who understood the film just as I
wanted. But there are also many
people who were terribly annoyed
with it. I can only be glad that the
film bothers people, that it’s uncomfortable
and doesn’t leave people
indifferent. This is the most important
thing. ∫

VIZIUNI Visions
128
Filmele rom‚ne[ti realizate `n ultimii trei ani graviteaz\ `n jurul
aceleia[i filosofii: con[tientizarea trecutului comunist, `n `ncercarea
de a elibera prezentul. Dovad\ st\ anul 2006, care a adus `n cinematografe
trei pelicule ce evoc\ perioada dictaturii: „H‚rtia va fi albastr\“,
semnat\ de Radu Muntean, „A fost sau n-a fost“, a lui Corneliu Porumboiu
[i „Cum mi-am petrecut sf‚r[itul lumii“, de C\t\lin Mitulescu.
Tema recurent\ a comunismului este abordat\ din trei unghiuri diferite.
Nu lipsesc `ns\ punctele comune: un melanj dulce-am\rui, fapte triste
evocate cu o doz\ consistent\ de umor subtil.
Pelicula regizat\ de Muntean este povestea unui pluton de interven]ie
av‚nd misiunea de a patrula prin cartierele m\rgina[e ale Bucure[tiului,
`n noptea de 22 spre 23 decembrie 1989. „H‚rtia va fi albastr\“ `[i
dezv\luie finalul `nc\ din primele minute, permi]‚ndu-i regizorului s\-[i
focalizeze aten]ia pe tr\irile personajelor: confuzie, nesiguran]\, entuziasm,
bucuria de a fi liber. Unul din solda]i, ajuns `n armat\ prin
interven]iile tat\lui s\u, cu o func]ie important\ `n Ministerul de Interne,
fuge s\ apere sediul televiziunii. Din confuzie, `ns\, e luat drept terorist [i
arestat. Un colonel `l interogheaz\ pe un ton jignitor pe locotententul
Neagu, conduc\torul plutonului. Situa]ia devine ridicol\ c‚nd colonelul
`ncearc\ s\ vorbeasc\ la telefon [i s\ asculte totodat\ anun]urile de la televizor.
Cere volumul mai tare, ceea ce `nseamn\ c\ trebuie s\ ridice iar
tonul, drept pentru care tot nu aude [tirile.
„E povestea pierderii inocen]ei unei genera]ii [i a unei revolte populare
care a scos la lumin\ `n egal\ m\sur\ ce avem mai bun [i mai r\u `n
noi. {i solidaritatea, dar [i egoismul [i r\utatea, acumulate `n zeci de ani
de frustrare“, spunea Muntean despre filmul s\u.
Spre deosebire de „H‚rtia va fi albastr\“, „Cum mi-am petrecut
sf‚r[itul lumii“ poveste[te revolu]ia din 1989 prin ochii unei adolescente
de 17 ani [i a fratelui s\u `n v‚rst\ de [apte ani, care are inten]ii „serioase“
de a-l ucide pe Ceau[escu pentru c\ i-a sup\rat sora. „Filmul se bazeaz\
pe amintirile mele, pe nostalgia mea. Pe credin]a mea `n aceast\ lume.
Am f\cut acest film pentru c\ mi-era dor de gr\dini]\, de liceu, de
Rom‚nia“, spune regizorul C\t\lin Mitulescu.
Tot `n perioada comunist\ este plasat\ [i ac]iunea din „4 luni, 3 s\pt\m‚ni
[i 2 zile“, care a c‚[tigat „Palme d’Or“ la Festivalul de la Cannes din
Romanian movies done in
the last three years gravitate
around the same philosophy:
acknowledging the communist
past in an attempt to free
the present. As proof, the year
2006 brought to our screens three
movies that evoke the dictatorship
period: “Hartia va fi albastra”
(“The Paper Will Be Blue”),
directed by Radu Muntean, “A
fost sau n-a fost” (“12:08 East of
Bucharest”) by Corneliu Porumboiu
and “Cum mi-am petrecut
sfarsitul lumii” (“How I Celebrated
the End of the World”) by
Catalin Mitulescu. The recurrent
Cristian Mungiu
Scen\ din / Scene from “4, 3, 2”
UN FILM NUMIT A FILM CALLED
de Ana Nil\
theme of communism is approached
from three different angles.
But there are several points
in common: a bitter-sweet mixture,
sad facts evoked with a consistent
dose of subtle humor.
The movie directed by
Muntean is the story of an intervention
platoon that has the mission
of patrolling Bucharest’s peripheral
neighborhoods on the
night of December 22-23, 1989.
“The Paper Will Be Blue” unveils
its ending from the first minutes,
allowing the director to focus on
the characters’ emotions: confusion,
uncertainty, enthusiasm, the

ROMANIA
O ROMÂNIE CONFUZ|, UNEORI HAOTIC|, ALTEORI AMUZANT|,
PRINS| ~NTRE AMINTIREA UNUI TRECUT DUREROS ALE C|RUI
URME NU S-AU {TERS {I REALITATEA UNUI PREZENT EXIGENT.
ESTE PORTRETUL ZUGR|VIT DE FILMELE ROMÂNE{TI DIN
ULTIMII ANI.
A CONFUSED ROMANIA, SOMETIMES CHAOTIC, SOMETIMES
FUNNY, CAUGHT BETWEEN THE MEMORY OF A PAINFUL PAST
WHOSE TRACES ARE STILL VISIBLE AND THE REALITY OF A
SEVERE PRESENT. THIS IS THE PORTRAIT DEPICTED BY
ROMANIAN MOVIES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
Regizând / Directing“4, 3, 2”
2007. Felia de realitate dur\ regizat\ de Cristian Mungiu `[i b‚ntuie spectatorii
[i dup\ ce au p\r\sit sala. C\ci povestea tinerei ce recurge la un avort
traumatizant, `ntr-o perioad\ `n care acest lucru era pedepsit prin lege, na[te
probleme morale [i amintiri dureroase. Filmul `nf\]i[eaz\ fidel Rom‚nia din
acea vreme, f\r\ exager\ri sau sentimentalisme: avorturi interzise, teama de
a fi prins, trafic de ]ig\ri, cozi la alimente.
TARELE PREZENTULUI
Cel mai actual dintre filmele rom‚ne[ti ale ultimilor ani pare a fi
„Boogie“ al lui Radu Muntean. Tema central\ este criza b\rbatului trecut
de 30 de ani, care nu se mai simte st\p‚n pe timpul s\u. Aflat `n vacan]\
de 1 mai cu so]ia [i copilul, Bogdan Cioc\zanu `ncearc\ s\ retr\iasc\ o
noapte ca-n tinere]e, cu fo[tii colegi de liceu. Dincolo de drama b\rbatului
nesigur, filmul `nf\]i[eaz\ personaje tipice Rom‚niei `n 2008. So]ia ursuz\
abia face fa]\ responsabilit\]ilor, so]ul munce[te prea mult ca s\ se mai
poat\ bucura de familie, prietenii din liceu aproape au ajuns ni[te rata]i.
Ei `l invidiaz\ incon[tient pe Bogdan, care a copil\rit `ntr-un cartier luxos
[i a avut ma[in\ la v‚rsta majoratului. Cei doi amici ai lui Boogie (porecla
din liceu a lui Cioc\zanu) sunt vizibil frustra]i. Unul a lucrat zece ani `ntro
agen]ie de turism, f\r\ satisfac]ii profesionale, [i se g‚nde[te s\ treac\
„`n v‚nz\ri“, la firma de mobilier a lui Cioc\zanu. Cel\lalt - tipul rom‚nului
plecat peste hotare `n c\utarea mai binelui, `ntr-o Suedie nu at‚t de
primitoare cum s-ar fi a[teptat, este nevoit s\ r\m‚n\ la un job de
INSIGHT TAROM Iarn\/Winter 2008 129
joy of being free. One of the soldiers,
who had made it into an
army due to the interventions of
his father, a man with an important
position in the Interior Ministry,
runs off to defend the headquarters
of the Romanian television.
Because of a mix-up, however,
he is mistaken for a terrorist
and arrested. A colonel interrogates
the platoon leader, Lieutenant
Neagu, in an insulting tone.
The situation becomes ridiculous
when the colonel is trying to talk
on the phone and listen to the TV
announcements at the same time.
He demands that the TV set volume
be turned up, which means
he is also supposed to talk louder
on the phone, which means he
can’t listen to the news broadcast.
“It’s the story of a generation’s
loss of innocence and of a popular
riot that brought out both the bad
and the good we have in us. And
the solidarity, but also the selfishness
and meanness accumulated
over decades of frustration,”
Munton said about his movie.
Unlike “The Paper Will Be
Blue,” “How I Celebrated the End
of the World” recounts the 1989
revolution through the eyes of a
17-year-old girl and her sevenyear-old
brother, who has “seri-
„Hârtia va fi albastr\“ / “The paper will be blue“
ous” intentions of killing Ceausescu
for upsetting his sister. “The
movie is based on my memories,
my nostalgia. On my belief in this
world. I made this movie because
I missed kindergarten, high
school, Romania,” says director
Catalin Mitulescu.
“4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2
Days,” the winner of the Palme
d’Or in the 2007 Cannes Festival,
is also set during the communist
rule. The slice of rough reality
served by director Cristian
Mungiu haunts the audience even
after they leave the movie theater.
For the story of the young woman
who resorts to a traumatizing
abortion, in a time when this was
punished by law, gives birth to
moral issues and painful memories.
The movie realistically depicts
the Romania of that time,
without exaggerations or sentimentalism:
forbidden abortions,
the fear of being caught, trafficking
cigarettes, queues for food.
THE FAULTS OF THE PRESENT
The most up-to-date of Romanian
movies in the last few years
seems to be “Boogie” by Radu
Muntean. The central topic is the
crisis of the man over 30, who no
longer feels in charge of his
® ®

VIZIUNI Visions
130
®
asemenea nesatisf\c\tor. Exist\ [i trimiteri la era comunist\, dar filmul
se concentreaz\ mai ales pe drama interioar\ a personajului principal,
n\scut `n societatea de ieri [i for]at s\ tr\iasc\ `n societatea de ast\zi.
Rom‚nia din filmele rom‚ne[ti nu `nseamn\ `ns\ numai amintiri
legate de comunism. E drept, reminiscen]ele acelei perioade `[i fac sim]it\
prezen]a [i `n ziua de azi, a[a cum reiese din pelicula „Moartea domnului
L\z\rescu“ regizat\ de Cristi Puiu. Calvarul unui b\tr‚n intelectual prin
spitalele bucure[tene, `ntr-o noapte de s‚mb\t\, este prezentat `n aceea[i
manier\ sumbr\: nep\sarea medicilor [i a infirmierelor cu care intr\ `n
contact, indolen]a [i neimplicarea de care se love[te personajul principal.
Dup\ cum spune regizorul, filmul nu trateaz\ `ns\ problema sistemului
de s\n\tate din Rom‚nia, `n particular, ci natura uman\ cu defectele
sale duse la extrem. „Sunt pline spitalele de \[tia ca voi!“, `i spune
aproape cu deta[are un doctor pacientului. De altfel, spitalele rom‚ne[ti
devin scena unei comedii negre.
Ironiile sunt pres\rate pe mai tot parcursul filmului. Unul dintre
medici, de data aceasta prietenos [i implicat, `l consult\ pe domnul
L\z\rescu: „De ce nu ne-ai spus c\ ai varice sparte? Ai vrut s\ ne faci o
surpriz\?“. ~ns\ o singur\ figur\ binevoitoare nu este suficient\. Finalul
aparent deschis este confirmat de titlul filmului, iar spectatorului `i
r\m‚ne sentimentul c\ b\tr‚nul a pierdut lupta cu sistemul `nc\ de c‚nd a
chemat salvarea. Meritul peliculei a fost recunoscut la Festivalul de la
Cannes, `n 2005, c‚nd a c‚[tigat premiul „Un certain regard“. De o asemenea
recunoa[tere s-au bucurat [i celelalte filme rom‚ne[ti realizate `n ultimii
ani, care au beneficiat de aten]ia special\ a festivalurilor interna-
]ionale de film. La doar c‚teva luni de la lansare, „Boogie“ a c‚[tigat premiul
special al juriului la Festivalul de Film de la Palic [i reprezint\
Rom‚nia la Premiile Academiei Europene de Film, competi]ie la care premiul
pentru cea mai bun\ pelicul\ i-a fost atribuit, `n 2007, lui Cristian
Mungiu, cu „4,3,2“. ∫
„Cum mi-am petrecut sfâr[itul lumii“ / “How Celebrated the End of the World“
„Moartea domnului L\z\rescu“ / “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu
Regizorul / director Radu Munteanu
own time. During a Labor Day vacation
with his wife and child, Bogdan
Ciocazanu is trying to relive a
night like when he was young,
with his former high school colleagues.
Beyond the drama of the
insecure man, the movie depicts
characters that are typical for the
Romania of 2008. The sulky wife
can barely put up with the responsibilities,
the husband works too
much to be able to enjoy his family,
his high school friends are almost a
bunch of losers. Without even realizing
it, they envy Bogdan, who
grew up in a fancy neighborhood
and had a car when he turned 18.
Boogie’s (Ciocazanu’s nickname
from high school) two friends are
visibly frustrated. One of them
worked for ten years in a tourism
agency, without any professional
satisfactions, and is considering
getting into “sales” at Ciocazanu’s
furniture company. The other one,
the kind of Romanian who leaves
abroad looking for something better,
getting into a Sweden which is
not as welcoming as he expected,
also has to settle for a similarly unsatisfying
job. There are several
connections to he communist era,
but the film focuses on the interior
drama of the lead character, who
was born in yesterday’s society
and forced to live in nowadays’ society.
Romania in Romanian movies
means more than just memories
about communism. It’s true that remains
of this period are still present
today, as Cristi Puiu’s movie
“Moartea domnului Lazarescu”
(“The Death of Mr. Lazarescu”)
shows. His Golgothan adventure
through Bucharest’s hospitals on a
Saturday night is presented in the
same bleak manner: the uncaring
doctors and nurses he runs into,
the laziness and lack of involvement
of those people that the lead
character gets in contact with.
As the director says, the movie
doesn’t deal with the problems of
the health care system in Romania,
in particular, but with human nature
and its faults taken to the extremes.
“The hospitals are full with
the likes of you!” a doctor tells the
patient with an incredible ease. In
fact, the Romanian hospitals become
the stage of a dark comedy.
Ironies are sprinkled all
throughout the film. One of the
doctors, this time a friendly, involved
one, checks on Mr. Lazarescu:
“Why haven’t you told me
you’re a varicose? Did you want to
surprise us?” But a single friendly
face is not enough. The seemingly
open ending is confirmed by the title
of the film and the audience is
left with the feeling that the old
man lost the battle against the system
ever since he called for that
ambulance. The film’s value was
also acknowledged at the 2005
Cannes Film Festival, when it won
the ‘Un certain regard’ prize. The
other Romanian movies done in
recent years also enjoyed similar
appreciation, benefiting form the
special attention of several international
film festivals. Just a few
months after its release, “Boogie”
won the special prize of the jury at
the Palic Film Festival and is representing
Romania in the European
Film Academy Awards, a
competition which granted the
best movie prize to Cristian
Mungiu in 2007, for his “4, 3, 2.” ∫

TEATRU Bucharest stage 132
INVITA}IE LA PREMIERELE
STAGIUNII INVITATION TO
THE SEASON’S PREMIERES
„VISUL UNEI NOP}I DE VAR|“ - TEATRUL METROPOLIS
F\r\ a [tirbi `n vreun fel magia feeriei shakespeareene, regizorul Drago[
Galgo]iu propune o viziune proasp\t\, modern\, asupra pove[tii cu
elfi, z`ne [i adolescen]i `ndr\gosti]i. Al\turi de tinerii ([i talenta]ii) actori
Ioana Barbu, Vlad Logigan, Alina Grigore [i Radu Iacoban (interpre]ii celor
dou\ cupluri de `ndr\gosti]i), avem pe scen\ un alt cvartet, de data aceasta
la deplin\ maturitate artistic\, actorii Marian R‚lea, Ionel Mih\ilescu,
Gabriel Spahiu [i Marian Ghenea. Ei sunt me[te[ugarii care fac teatru `n
teatru [i, dac\ nu le iese spectacolul, ar putea pl\ti cu capul! Admirabilii actori
scot la iveal\ nesecate resurse de umor (de cea mai bun\ calitate!) interac]ion`nd
cu publicul, ob]in`nd imprevizibile efecte comice prin aluzie,
mimic\, sau mici, nevinovate abateri de la textul original. Muzica (aleas\
tot de Drago[ Galgo]iu) `nso]e[te jocul actorilor cu tangouri pasionale,
sonorit\]i preclasice [i chiar hip-hop. O minunat\ idee regizoral\ este distribuirea
a doi actori `n rolul n\stru[nicului Puck: Constantin Cojocaru, un
virtuoz al expresivit\]ii, [i artista de circ Vanda Rotaru, nu mai `nalt\ de un
metru. Astfel, spiridu[ul pus pe [otii este polimorf [i ubicuu, cu un haz
irezistibil. Dar revela]ia spectacolului este Tudor Aaron Istodor (fiul Maiei
Morgenstern [i al lui Claudiu Istodor), care, `n rolul lui Oberon, arat\ c\
are toate [ansele s\-[i egaleze, ba chiar s\-[i dep\[easc\ celebrii p\rin]i. ®
Marius Manole, Dragos Huluba
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S
DREAM” - METROPOLIS
Without denting the magic of
the Shakespearean extravaganza
in any way, director Dragos Galgotiu
is offering a fresh, modern
vision of the play with elves,
fairies and teenagers in love.
Next to the young (and talented)
actors Ioana Barbu, Vlad Logigan,
Alina Grigore and Radu Ia-
Doina Chiriac
„Visul unei nop]i de var\“ / “A Midsummer Night’s Dream“
de Gabriela Hurezean
coban (who play the two couples
of lovers), the stage gives us another
quartet, this time in their
full artistic maturity, actors Marian
Ralea, Ionel Mihailescu,
Gabriel Spahiu and Marian Ghenea.
They are the craftsmen that
make theater in theater and, if
their show doesn’t come out
right, they risk paying with their
heads!
The admirable actors reveal
inexhaustible sources of humor
(of the best quality!), interacting
with the audience, obtaining unpredictable
comic effects by using
allusions, facial expressions or
small, innocent deviations from
the original text. The music (also
selected by Dragos Galgotiu) accompanies
the actors’ play with
passionate tangos, pre-classical
sounds and even hip-hop. A
wonderful idea was to cast two
actors as the playful Puck: Constantin
Cojocaru, a virtuoso of expressivity,
and circus artist Vanda
Rotaru, who is just one meter
tall. Thus, the spirit full of pranks
is polymorphous and ubiquitous
and has an irresistible humor.
But the revelation of the show
is Tudor Aaron Istodor (the son
of Maia Morgenstern and Claudiu
Istodor) who, as Oberon,
shows he has all the chances to
catch up and even outrun his famous
parents.
®

TEATRU Bucharest stage 134
„IOANA {I FOCUL“ - TEATRUL DE COMEDIE
® Dup\ ce a cucerit lumea cu piesele sale, Matei Vi[niec `ncepe s\ fie
jucat [i `n ]ara sa de ba[tin\, cu deplin succes, semn c\ `n teatrul nostru
lucrurile reintr\ `n normalitate. De data aceasta, dramaturgul rom‚n (stabilit
la Paris) mediteaz\ `n cheie ironic\ la felul `n care se scrie istoria.
Cea care dirijeaz\ demonstra]ia, pe scena Teatrului de Comedie, este
reputata C\t\lina Buzoianu. Urm‚nd unor spectacole de mare dramatism,
ea scoate acum la iveal\ un poten]ial de umor pe care pu]ini i-l
b\nuiau. „Ioana [i focul“ arat\ cum se altereaz\ istoria, gloria unora fiind
pl\tit\ cu moneda descalific\rii altora.
O trup\ de actori ambulan]i preg\te[te o reprezenta]ie de b`lci despre
Ioana D’Arc. Surprinz\tor, apare chiar eroina (excelent interpretat\
de Dorina Chiriac), pus\ `n situa]ia de a-[i juca propriul rol, dar dup\
alte indica]ii regizorale. Acum totul este butaforie: armele, rugul,
r\zboiul. Povestitorul (Marius Manole) comenteaz\ marea b\t\lie ca pe
un meci de fotbal, m\sc\ricii lumii se adun\ la congres (cu haz fabulos),
suger`nd c\ academicienii care „`mbun\t\]esc“ istoria, dup\ cum bate
v`ntul, nu sunt cu nimic mai serio[i, Fran]a este o „topmodel\“ unduindu-se
senzual, iar regele Charles al VII-lea (Drago[ Huluba) - un bebelu[
care, `n loc de sabie, ]ine un... biberon.
„LEAR“ - TEATRUL „LUCIA STURDZA BULANDRA“
Pentru orice mare actri]\, vine un moment al provoc\rii maxime,
care `i poate reconfirma (sau nu...) valoarea. Mariana Mihu] a cunoscut
acest v‚rf al carierei, atunci c`nd regizorul Andrei {erban i-a propus
rolul titular din piesa lui Shakespeare, „Regele Lear“. Cine a v\zut deja
premiera recent\ de la „Bulandra“ [tie c\ actri]a a trecut magistral [i
acest prag. Al\turi de Mariana Mihu], `n distribu]ia exclusiv feminin\,
reg\sim nume de mare calibru: Valeria Seciu, Dana Dogaru, Ioana Pavelescu,
Virginia Mirea, secondate de tinere actri]e ca Andreea Bibiri,
Daniela Nane, Dorina Chiriac, Ilinca Manolache, Mihaela Mih\escu, Lia
Bugnar [.a. Andrei {erban explic\ de ce a ales varianta insolit\ de
punere `n scen\: „Tr\im `ntr-o lume `n care femeile sunt tot mai puternice.
Germania este condus\ de o femeie, America era c`t pe-aici s\ aib\
un pre[edinte femeie (...). Apoi, am ales actri]e, pentru c\ femeile dau
drumul mult mai bine robinetului cu emo]ii, iar «Regele Lear» este o
pies\ a emo]iei pure. Ideea c\ b\rba]ii trebuie s\ fie duri [i autoritari, e o
mare prostie“.
De remarcat decorul absolut fabulos creat de Drago[ Buhagiar, care
aduce un r`u `n mijlocul scenei [i permite zidului de castel s\ se n\ruie,
transform`ndu-se `n st`nci aride. ∫
“IOANA SI FOCUL” - COMEDY
THEATER
®
After having conquered the
world, Matei Visniec’s plays have
now begun to be successfully staged
in his native country as well, a sign
that things are getting back on the
right track in our theater. This time,
the Romanian playwright (who lives
in Paris) meditates ironically on how
history is being written. The director
of the demonstration, on the stage of
the Comedy Theater, is the wellknown
Catalina Buzoianu. After
highly dramatic performances, she
now reveals a potential for humor
that few ever suspected in her.
“Ioana si focul” shows how history is
being altered, and how some people’s
glory is paid with inconsidera-
“LEAR” - “LUCIA STURDZA
BULANDRA” THEATER
For any great actress, there
comes a time of maximum challenge
which can reconfirm (or not...)
her value. Mariana Mihut reached
that peak of her career when director
Andrei Serban offered her the
lead role in Shakespeare’s play
“King Lear.” Those who have already
seen the recent premiere at
“Bulandra” know that the actress
has magnificently met the challenge.
Next to Mariana Mihut, the all-female
cast includes famous names,
such as Valeria Seciu, Dana Dogaru,
Ioana Pavelescu, Virginia Mirea, together
with young actresses such as
Andreea Bibiri, Daniela Nane, Dorina
Chiriac, Ilinca Manolache, Mi-
tion for others. A traveling theater
troupe is staging a representation
about Joan of Arc. The heroine herself
(excellently played by Dorina
Chiriac) appears and has to play her
own part, but following different indications.
Everything turns into a
cheap imitation: the weapons, the
stake, the war. The narrator comments
the great battle like a soccer
match, the world’s buffoons gather
for their congress (with incredible
jocularity), suggesting that the men
of science who “improve” history,
veering about like weather cocks, are
in no way more serious, France is a
“top model” with sensuous curves
and King Charles VII - a small baby
who, instead of holding onto a
sword, holds onto a... nursing bottle.
„Ioana [i focul” / “Joan and the Fire“
haela Mihaescu, Lia Bugnar and
others. Andrei Serban explains why
he has chosen this unusual approach
to the play: “We live in a
world in which women are getting
more powerful. Germany is being
led by a woman, America was this
close to having a woman president.
Also, I chose to have a female cast
because women can shower you in
emotions so much more and ëKing
Lear’ is a play of pure emotion. The
idea that men have to be tough and
authoritarian is nonsense.” We also
have to note the absolutely fabulous
stage design, created by Dragos
Buhagiar, who brings a river in the
middle of the stage and allows the
castle wall to crumble down into
arid rocks. ∫

TEATRU Bucharest stage 136
„REVIZORUL“ - TEATRUL DE COMEDIE
De[i a pus `n scen\ un num\r impresionant de spectacole, „Revizorul“
lui Gogol este pentru Hora]iu M\l\ele adev\rata lovitur\ de
maestru. Cei care p`n\ acum l-au iubit ca actor, `l vor adora ca regizor,
dup\ geniala montare de la Comedie. Dac\ Gogol ar fi tr\it ast\zi, Hora]iu
M\l\ele ar fi fost, cu siguran]\, cititorul lui preferat. Acel cititor
care descifreaz\ `n cheie modern\ un text clasic, `n]eleg`nd `n profunzime
sensurile [i aduc`ndu-le la zi, f\r\ a tr\da scriitura original\, `mbog\]ind-o
cu sugestii. Piesa clasic\ este, `n viziunea lui M\l\ele, atemporal\
[i implicit actual\. Rolul titular, [napanul Hlestakov, este interpretat
cu schimbul de {tefan B\nic\ Jr [i Hora]iu M\l\ele `nsu[i. Dar cel
care str\luce[te inegalabil este George Mih\i]\, `n rolul Primarului. Paleta
interpretativ\ pus\ `n slujba personajului s\u se `ntinde de la dezabuzarea
lenevos-ab\tut\, `ntr-un pianissimo excelent articulat, p`n\ la
isteria paroxistic\ a disper\rii, atacat\ `ntr-un fortissimo devastator (de
comic). Celelalte roluri, de[i mici ca `ntindere, au pregnan]\ [i vigoare.
Valentin Teodosiu, `nterpret`ndu-l pe Zemlianka, are un moment fulminant,
care s-a putea numi Marea Arie a Calomniei, c`nd susur\ la urechea
falsului revizor tot felul de lucruri, pe c`t de odioase, pe at`t de
caraghioase. Personajele feminine, so]ia [i fiica Primarului, sunt un fel
de Matrio[e ]\c\nite, interpretate de Virginia Mirea [i Delia Seceleanu.
~ns\ farmecul special al mont\rii de la Comedie const\ `n micile g\selni]e
regizorale pe care, desigur, le ve]i descoperi cu `nc`ntare.
“THE GOVERNMENT
INSPECTOR” - COMEDY
THEATER
Although having staged an
impressive number of shows,
Gogol’s “The Government Inspector”
is Horatiu Malaele’s real masterful
hit. Those who until now
have loved him as an actor will
adore him as a director, following
the brilliant performance staged at
the Comedy Theater. If Gogol
were alive today, Horatiu Malaele
would definitely be his favorite
reader. The reared who deciphers
a classical text in a modern key,
having a deep comprehension of
the meanings and modernizing
them, without betraying the original
text, on the contrary, enriching
it with suggestions. The classical
play is, in Malaele’s view, outside
time and, implicitly, relevant for
Scen\ din „Revizorul“ / A scene from “The Government Inspector“
SUCCESE PERENE PERENNIAL SUCCESSES
current times. The lead role, inspector
Khlestakov, is played in
turns by Stefan Banica Jr. and Horatiu
Malaele himself. But the
most remarkable act is that of
George Mihaita as the Mayor. The
interpretative range at his character’s
disposal stretches from the
lazily cast-down disappointment,
in an excellently articulated pianissimo,
to the paroxystic hysteria
of despair, approached in a
devastating (amusing) fortissimo.
The other parts, although quite
short, are vigorous and pithy.
Valentin Teodosiu, who plays
Zemlianka, has a fulminating moment
which could be called the
Great Aria of Calumny, when he
is whispering to the false inspector’s
ears all sorts of things, both
heinous and silly. The female
parts, the Mayor’s wife and
® ®

TEATRU Bucharest stage 138
„EDUARD AL III-LEA“ - TEATRUL NA}IONAL „I.L. CARAGIALE“
® Cei care nu [i-l pot imagina pe excentricul Alexandru Tocilescu orchestr`nd
o monumental\ pies\ istoric\, vor avea o surpriz\ de propor-
]ii, asist`nd la spectacolul „Eduard al III-lea“ (tot Shakespeare!), montat
pe uria[a scen\ a Na]ionalului bucure[tean. Spa]iul vast este foarte bine
„mobilat“ prin decor, proiec]ii video [i mari mi[c\ri de mase, `nso]ite de
muzic\ [i tobe, ce dau o vibra]ie aparte atmosferei. ~n rolul principal,
Ion Caramitru revine impresionant pe scen\, `nregistr`nd, ca [i George
Mih\i]\ sau Mariana Mihu], un apogeu al carierei. De[i nu se afl\ `ntrun
moment de acalmie al domniei sale, r\zboinicul rege Eduard se
`ndr\goste[te adolescentin de Contesa de Salisbury (Crina Mure[an).
Cotropit de farmecul ingenuei, bravul Eduard uit\ c\ are o nevast\, 11
copii [i ni[te r\zboaie de dus, devenind un pu[tan juc\u[, obsedat de un
singur g`nd: cum s-o cucereasc\ pe ne`nduplecata aristocrat\. Scena `n
care `ncearc\ s\-i dicteze secretarului s\u (Andrei Aradits) o epistol\ de
dragoste, siropoas\ [i infantil\, are un haz irezistibil, ca [i dialogul cu
so]ia sa, Philippa (Simona Bondoc) sau urma[ul la tron, Eduard Junior
(Daniel Badale). Pentru c\ Tocilescu [i Caramitru sunt doi arti[ti cu
mult sim] al umorului, spectacolul este agrementat din bel[ug cu ironie
fin\, [arj\ elegant\, aluzii latente, momente burle[ti... „Eduard al III-lea“
este o superproduc]ie de cea mai bun\ calitate, una dintre pu]inele care
pot anima cu adev\rat cea mai mare scen\ din ]ar\. ∫
®
daughter, are some sort of
nutty matryoshka dolls, played
by Virginia Mirea and Delia Seceleanu.
But the special charm of
the performance resides in the
small tricks invented by the director,
tricks that you will certainly
be delighted to discover.
“EDWARD III” -
“I.L. CARAGIALE” NATIONAL
THEATER
Those who cannot imagine the
eccentric Alexandru Tocilescu or-
chestraintg a monumental history
play are in for a great surprise
when watching “Edward III” (still
Shakespeare!), a play arranged on
the huge stage of the Bucharest
National Theater. The wide space
is very well “filled” by the stge
decorations, video screenings and
great movements of masses, accompanied
by music and drums,
which give a special vibe to the atmosphere.
In the lead role, Ion
Caramitru has a spectacular comeback
on stage, registering, as
George Mihaita or Mariana Mihut,
a peak of his career. Although he
is not going through a calm mo-
ment of his rule, the warrior king
Edward fools in love adolescently
with the Countess of Salisbury
(Crina Muresan). Taken over by
the charm of the ingÈnue, the
brave Edward forgets he has a
wife, eleven children and several
wars to fight, becoming a playful
youngster, obsessed with only one
thought: how to conquer the hardto-get
aristocrat. The scene in
which he is trying to dictate to his
secretary (Andrei Aradits) an infantile,
mushy love letter has an
irresistible charm, just like his dialogue
with his wife, Pilippa (Simona
Bondoc) or his heir to the
throne, Edward Junior (Daniel
Badale). Because Tocilescu and
Caramitru are two artists with a
great sense of humor, the show is
full of subtle ironies, elegant cari-
Oana Mure[an, Ion Caramitru Mult umor / Lot of humor
catures, latent allusions, burlesque
moments... “Edward III” is a super-production
of the highest
quality, one of the few that can
truly animate the largest stage in
the country. ∫

SCENA CULTURAL| Cultural scene 140
Periplu muzical bucure[tean
Musical journey through Bucharest
SFÂR{ITUL IERNII ADUCE ~N DAR
BUCURE{TENILOR TREI SUPER CON-
CERTE: STING, VONDA SHEPARD {I
JAMES BLUNT. SPECTACOLELE VOR
AVEA LOC PE 10, 18, RESPECTIV 21
FEBRUARIE.
Sting, solistul britanic distins cu [aisprezece premii Grammy, va
sus]ine, pe 10 februarie, la Bucure[ti, un concert extraordinar,
inclus `n turneul de promovare al celui mai recent proiect al
artistului, „Songs from the Labyrinth“. Interesant este c\ albumul a fost
`nregistrat al\turi de celebrul muzician bosniac Edin Karamazov,
maestru al l\utei [i fost elev al dirijorului rom‚n Sergiu Celibidache.
„Songs from the Labyrinth“ este un tribut adus marelui compozitor elisabetan
John Dowland (1563 - 1626), pe care Sting l-a descoperit la
`nceputul anilor ‘80.
Cel de-al doilea super concert al lunii februarie o aduce `n Bucure[ti
pe Vonda Shepard, c‚nt\rea]a new-yorkez\ ce [i-a `nmul]it considerabil
num\rul fanilor gra]ie coloanei sonore a serialului de comedie „Ally
McBeal“. Shepard va concerta, pentru prima dat\ `n Rom‚nia, pe 18 februarie,
la Bucure[ti, `n cadrul turneului european de promovare a
noului s\u album, „Far from the Sun“. C‚nt\rea]a `n v‚rst\ de 45 de ani
a devenit extrem de popular\ gra]ie pieselor de pe coloana sonor\ a serialului
de televiziune „Ally McBeal“, `ntre care „Searchin’ My Soul“,
„Tell Him“ [i „Hooked On a Feeling“.
Recitalul Vondei Shepard va fi urmat, trei zile mai t‚rziu, de concertul
solistului folk-rock James Blunt. Show-ul de la Bucure[ti face parte
din turneul de promovare a celui mai nou album al s\u, „All the souls“,
care `l va purta pe artist `n 140 de ]\ri din Europa, SUA, Asia, Australia
[i Africa de Sud. Blunt, premiat drept cel mai bun artist britanic `n
cadrul Premiilor Industriei Muzicale Britanice, a debutat cu albumul
„Back to Bedlam“ scris `n Kosovo `n 1999, pe vremea c‚nd artistul era
ofi]er al armatei britanice. Albumul a fost un succes mondial [i s-a
v‚ndut `n peste 11 milioane de exemplare, transform‚ndu-l `n cel mai
de succes artist debutant al tuturor timpurilor. Hitul cu care s-a lansat
este „You’re beautiful“, care a dominat toate topurile de specialiatate. ∫
THE END OF THE WINTER SEASON BRINGS AS A GIFT TO
BUCHAREST’S RESIDENTS THREE SUPER CONCERTS: STING,
VONDA SHEPARD, AND JAMES BLUNT. THE PERFORMANCES
WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 10, 18, RESPECTIVE 21.
Sting, the British singer
who has won sixteen
Grammy awards, will
hold, on February 10, in
Bucharest, an extraordinary concert
part of the world tour promoting
his latest project, “Songs
from the Labyrinth“. The interesting
part is that the album was
recorded together with famous
Bosnian lutenist Edin Karamazov,
a former student of Romanianborn
conductor Sergiu Celibidache.
“Songs from the
Labyrinth“ is a tribute to the
British composer John Dowland
(1563-1626), whom Sting discovered
in early ‘80s.
The second super concert of
February brings to Bucharest
Vonda Shepard, the New York
singer whose fans’ number increased
significantly due to the
soundtrack of the “Ally McBeal“
TV comedy series. Shepard will
perform for her first time in Romania,
on February 18, in
Bucharest, as part of the European
tour promoting her new al-
bum “Far from the Sun“. The 45year-old
singer became extremely
popular thanks to the songs comprised
by the “Ally McBeal“
soundtrack, among which
“Searchin’ My Soul“, “Tell Him“,
and “Hooked On a Feeling“.
Vonda Shepard’s gig will be
followed, three days later, by the
concert of British folk-rock star
James Blunt. The Bucharest concert
is part of the tour promoting
his latest album, “All the souls“,
which will carry Blunt in over 140
countries in Europe, USA, Asia,
Australia, and South Africa.
Blunt, who was awarded the best
British artist, made its debut in
2004 with the “Back to Bedlam“
album, written in Kosovo during
the 1999 conflict, where he served
as an officer under NATO. The album
was a worldwide success
and was sold in over 11 million
copies, which made Blunt the
most successful debutant of all
times. His breakout hit was
“You’re beautiful“, a single that
peaked all musical charts. ∫