Bucharest Days celebrate the first documentary mention of Romania’s Capital. The famous Vlad the Impaler (Dracula, as he inspired Bram Stoker’s masterpiece) mentioned the name of the city, Bucuresti in Romanian, in a letter to the wealthy nobles of that time.
Usually, the celebrations would be joyful and marked through festivals, good moods, delicious food and open-air concerts. This year, though, the City Mayor decided there would be no public celebration.
There is no official press release from the City Hall regarding the events to be organized during this period.
The main events during Bucharest Days
iMapp Bucharest
iMapp Bucharest is an international video mapping competition held in Bucharest, Romania. Artists and technology enthusiasts gather to transform the Palace of the Parliament‘s facade into a vibrant canvas.
Through video projections, 3D animations, and sound, the event showcases captivating narratives that engage the senses. Bucharest City Hall organizes the event with the help of The Center for Creation, Art and Tradition of the Municipality of Bucharest (CREART).
This year’s theme is CONTRASTS, and worldwide awarded artists from Greece, Hungary, and other countries will make the Palace of Parliament a giant canvas where they will „paint” their masterpieces in light and shadows.
The event is on Saturday, September 23, and the entrance is free.
Live performance of classical music in front of Bucharest Athenaeum
The Festival Square is part of the series of projects of the George Enescu Festival, the world’s third most important musical event, after the BBC Proms and the Lucerne Festival. Initiated to celebrate this significant event of Bucharest through a concert with free access, together with all the residents and tourists of the city, the Festival Square brings to the center of Bucharest, near Athenaeum, on the stage of the „George Enescu” Square, the best-rated orchestras, ensembles and conductors from Romania.
Open Streets on Calea Victoriei
Open Streets is every weekend on Calea Victoriei and other streets. These are close to car traffic and enjoy the public with live amateur performances, street food and other events. For a full schedule, please check our dedicated page in the link.
Bucharest Fountain Show
The artesian fountains of Unirii Square, built during the communist period, were restored to life following an investment of 9 million Euros. Bucharest can now boast the first smart fountains in Europe designed 100% on a computer, with a fantastic show of colour, music, and 3D projections on the water. In fact, Bucharest holds the Guinness Record for the longest choreographed fountain system in the world.
Four “water screens” facing the four cardinal points were integrated into the central fountain in Unirii Square. They are designed to create a huge multimedia platform for videos and laser projections. Each theme has a musical mix and a specific colour palette. The show lasts about 45 minutes, and access is free.