Midnight Summer Event – Sanziene in Minovici Orchard

The night of Sanziene(fairies) at the Minovici Orchard (on 23rd – 24th June) is an original show- event which brings to people of Bucharest a very special experience meant to revive the public interest for Minovici museums.

We have produced six editions to date, attended by over 5000 spectators. Originating from an ancient Romanian custom – Sanziene (fairies on the summer solstice night celebration) – and associating it with different cultures, this event reunites prominent artists, but also graphics exhibits, dancers, musicians or fashion students, all creating a magic atmosphere.

In the fairy-like illuminated orchard, visitors are able to admire, year after year, many theme exhibits or read fragments from works of essays contests winners.

The Association was awarded a financial grant for the second edition of this event (2006), by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN in Romanian), as, at that time, the Minovici cultural project had achieved its goals, namely to revive the Minovici museums, establish a permanent event and promote awareness about the Minovici family contribution to Romanian culture.

The Authors, Artists, Directors and the creative participants in shows and exhibitions:

2013

• Actress Maia Morgenstern, choreographer Valentin Rosca brought to the orchard fragments of the “Mic si-al dracu” (Tiny, but bad”) show of The Jewish State Theatre;
• Exhibitions –paintings by artists Ioan Nemtoi and Daniela Fainis;
• Band, “Trei parale” of old Romanian music;
• The soloist of the Romanian Opera Hse Bianca Stoicheciu and Valentin Stoica;
• “Sound” choral group, lead by Voicu Popescu;
• Bucharest Municipality Museum’s Memorial Houses dedicated exhibition;
• “Forgotten Monuments” exhibition, in collaboration with Arché Association;
• “Prejudecati” fashion collection for “Iconic” traced the link between popular Romanian Art and haute couture;
• Andra Andreeascu’s fashion collection;
• A designated specially chosen corner of the orchard, where children are invited to play and create the care and guidance of trained educators.
Prestigious “The Atlantic” (http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/06/the-solstice-and-the-supermoon/100540 / photo no. 5) chose in 2013, probably amongst hundreds of other similar events in the world, to write about the Sanziene Night in Minovici orchard.

2011:

• Classical fragments and folkloric interpretations played at various  instruments (wind instruments) by Cornelia Tihon, “George Enescu” Music Conservatory, Bucharest;
• Poetry- a selection by Matei Visniec, dramatized by Ilinca Bernea and interpreted by actors: Brandusa Casandra Mircea, Ioana Macaria, Silviu Biris, Constantin Florescu;
• Modern dance moments with Razvan Mazilu and Monica Petrica;
• Ladies fashion by designers Elena Perseil and Rhea Costa;
• Traditional Romanian songs interpreted by “Sound” choral group, lead by Voicu Popescu;
• Popular dance invitation from Larisa Barbu, “Alunelul” folkloric group coordinator;
• Flavia Lupu painting exhibition;
• “Wood, Northern Oltenia Churches” photography exhibition by Serban Bonciocat and Luiza Zamora;
• Creative workshops for children
• Dance with students of the “Educa” Ballet School, choreography by Jaqueline Bratu;
• Films show – presentation of works entered in the contest “1 minute documentaries” on art, created by youngsters (1st edition).

2010:

Pro-bono recital offered by soprano Felica Filip for the benefit of Minovici Museums, specially organized for that occasion;
• “Glockenspiel” (“Game of Bells”), a rondo from Beethoven’s Sonatina, interpreted by Luminita Ihnatiuc, “George Enescu Philarmonics”;
• “Sanziene Summer” moment, choreography by Jaqueline Bratu and interpreted by ballerina Bianca Stoicheciu of Romania Opera House;
• The Little Sanziene (fairies)  of the “Educa” Ballet School, choreography by Jaqueline Bratu;
• Students Diana Stancu, Loredana Benga, Andreea Ilinca and Monica Musat, Theatre Faculty – “Hyperion” University, coordinated by Prof. Rodica Mandache and Prof. Eusebiu Stefanescu, recited passages of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “As You Like It” and “Sonnets”;
•  Alexandra Poiana, Theatre Faculty – “Hyperion” University as show hostes, a
• Show direction by members of the EU-RO DOCS”; Documentary Film Romanian Association.

2009:

• “Sanziene Song”, a mixture of folk songs and jazz;  Special recital by Teodora Enache Group
• Emil Comedie, Alina Constantinescu, Larisa Dragan, Alexandra Galafeteanu, Sandra Galan, Ana Manican, Lavinia Nistor and Adriana Radu exhibit “Interknit Sculpture”, coordinated by Prof. Doina Lucanu;
• The show was directed by Simona Teodoroiu and hosted by actress Daniela Nane that worn a beautiful sanziana-inspired dress with a 10 meter – long train, specially created by Prof. Unda Popp, National University of Arts, Bucharest, Decorative Art and Design Faculty;
• Designer Valentina Vidrascu presented a set of works entitled “Romanian Ia” (i.e. national blouse). Studens of the National University of Arts, Bucharest, Decorative Art and Design Faculty (Fashion) also contributed with apparel;
• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, played by the students of the National University of Arts, Bucharest, Decorative Art and Design Faculty (Scenography) – Galina Bobeicu, Mihai Buzea, Oana Gheorghe, Ramon Gorjanu, Oana Grigore, Oana Iordache, Adnana Mezdrea, Bogdan Mosorescu, Carmen Mustafa, Iulia Petrescu, Camelia Raluca, Maria Tache – coordinated by PhD students Anca Albani and Roxana Ionescu – took us to William Shakespeare’s world;
• The well-known artist Maria Constantinescu presented some of work, themed under the title “From Tradition, to Modernism, to Symbol”;
• Students Ana Maria Bunescu, Amina Ioana Burloiu, Adriana Mirela Ciuperca, Alexandra Elena Colbeanu, Alexandra Coman, Andra Cristescu, Raluca Diana Ghencea, Anca Alexandra Higiu (National University of Arts, Bucharest, Decorative Art and Design Faculty – Textile Art), coordinated by Daniela Frumusanu, created “Vegetal Dream”.

2008:

• Marius Mihalache (bones) prepared a unique musical ambiance with Dragos Mihu (drums) and Nicu Baran (bass);
• Fashion Show. Ileana Olympia Andruchovici, Venera Arapu, Wilhelmina Arz, Razvan Ciobanu, Lena Criveanu, Romanitza Iovan, Oana Manolescu, Irina Marinescu, Maria Marinescu, Oana Mizil, Andreea Musat, Stephan Pelger, Catinca Roman, Cristian Samfira, Carmen Secareanu, Liliana Turoiu Udrea and Valentina Vidrascu each presented one dress for the audience that night;
• “Vegetal Alchemy, from plant to textile pigment” decorative exhibition organized by students of the National University of Arts, Bucharest, coordinated by Daniela Frumusanu;
• Unconventional artwork and the research conclusions on “Bucharest’s Lost Gardens” of landscape students (“Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism), under the supervision of Cerasella Craciun.

2007:

“Land’s Song” special show with Grigore Lese, accompanied by Doina Lavric, Zamfira Muresan, Lorena Nechifor and Teodora Serban;
• The danse of Liliana Iorgulescu and Andreea Duta;
• “Performing for a Dress” realized by Prof. Unda Popp of the National University of Arts, Bucharest, Decorative Art and Design Faculty (Fashion) with students from National University of Theatre and Film “I.L. Caragiale”, directed by Costin Anghel;
• Fashion designer Valentina Vidrascu presented “Hora” and “Dragaica” apparel collections;
• Painting works of “Nicolae Tonitza” and “Dimitrie Paciurea” high school students, coordinated by Roxana Trestioreanu;
•  Works by landscape students (“Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism), under the supervision of Cerasella Craciun.
• Philips Color and light games “Led’s See the Future”.

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