PRICES
Romania is the EU member country with the smallest prices for foodstuffs and soft
drinks, according to the European Statistics Office. Specifically, in Romania, such
products were nearly 30% cheaper than the European average. In fact, Romania
also saw the lowest levels of household end consumer prices. At the opposite
pole, Ireland, Denmark and Luxembourg are the most expensive countries to live
in. The most significant differences were in terms of alcohol and tobacco
prices-such products are over 3 times more expensive in Denmark compared to Bulgaria.
The latter country also reports the lowest prices in the hospitality industry.
ENERGY The European Commission approved the takeover
of the Romanian operations of the Italian utilities group Enel by the Public
Power Corporation (PPC) in Greece. The EC reached the conclusion that the
takeover raises no competition concerns, given that the operations of the 2
companies do not overlap. Enel announced in March it would sell its Romanian
operation to PPC for EUR 1.26 bln, in a plan to reduce debt and focus on green
energy. Enel group, which operated in Romania since 2005, is currently a major
player in energy supply and distribution, in renewable energy and advanced
energy services. It services over 3 million consumers in 3 major regions in
Romania. With the takeover completed, the Greek group Public Power Corporation becomes
the largest player in the electricity market in South-Eastern Europe.
BLOUSE The Romanian blouse was celebrated this year as
well on 24 June, both in the country and in Romanian communities around the
world. The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse is a cultural diplomacy
instrument and a means to promote Romanian culture and traditions. The country
hosted events devoted to the traditional blouse, ia, including an Art Safary
exhibition of folk costumes in Bucharest, screenings and creative workshops for
children, as well as a fashion show featuring the traditional blouse as a street
wear element. Some museums, including the Ethnography Museum in Braşov and ASTRA
Museum in Sibiu, received visitors free of charge if they came dressed in
traditional blouses. Last year the Romanian blouse was included in the UNESCO Heritage list.
THEATRE
The central Romanian city of Sibiu, a European capital of culture in 2007, is
hosting the International Theatre Festival, currently in its 30th
year. This year’s theme is Miracle.
Until 2 July, 825 indoor and outdoor events
will take place, bringing together some 5,000 artists and guests from 75 countries.
All the outdoor performances are free of charge. The festival also keeps its
online section, which includes 40 shows. The official opening took place on
Friday night, with the play A Cathedral Full of Organs staged at the Lutheran
Cathedral of St. Mary in Sibiu.
HOLIDAY Orthodox and Greek-Catholic
Christians celebrated on Saturday the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the
last Old Testament prophet. St. John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus;
he urged people to repent their sins and baptised them in the River Jordan. John
also baptised Jesus, presenting him to the world as the Messiah. The Christian
feast day of St. John the Baptist overlaps a pre-Christian tradition in which
24 June was devoted to the Sânziene, gentle fairies believed to bring fertility
and wealth.
ROWING Romania’s Cătălin Chirilă won the silver in the men’s canoe single
500m final on Saturday at the European Games in Krakow-Malopolska (Poland). This
was the 4th medal for Romania, after Bianca Ghelber won the silver in
the hammer throw event, athlete Andrea Miklos won the bronze in the 400 m race,
and Ştefan Comănescu also came in 3rd at the 67 kg kumite.
Romania takes part in the European Games in Krakow-Malopolska, between 21 June
and 2 July with 150 athletes in 18 disciplines. (AMP)