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DOR: A Romanian Festival

Are you ready to enjoy the beautiful sights, sounds, and tastes of Romania without a passport? Music4Romania (www.music4romania.org)cordially invites you to DOR: A Romanian Festival to be held at The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi (www.saintfrancisindiansprings.org, 3545 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs, AL 35124) on Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. A free, family-friendly event, the festival will include traditional music and dance, poetry, children’s activities, and an ongoing arts exhibit and silent auction benefiting Music4Romania. A seated dinner featuring Romanian cuisine will also be offered, at a charge of $20/person (children under 12 eat free). Activities appropriate for children will be provided throughout the duration of the festival. Everyone is invited and welcome!

For more info and to RSVP for the seated dinner, please email Dr. Alina Voicu at avoicu1970@gmail.com or call (205)807-5814. We look forward to seeing you on September 22!

FESTIVAL PROGRAM 

4:00 PM - ROMANIA: Land of Legends, Beauty, and Wilderness 

Learn a few interesting facts about beautiful Romania at a short presentation led by Alina Voicu and George Ponta highlighting the country’s rich history, mysterious legends, natural beauty, and painted monasteries, among others. Poems read by Romanian sculptor-poet Mircea Lӑcӑtuṣ will conclude the presentation. 

4:30 PM - Music & Dance Corner with Arrhythmia String Quartet 

Listen to traditional Romanian music and learn to dance one of the most famous Romanian folk dances, the Hora, at an interactive event featuring Arrhythmia String Quartet. The program will include beloved traditional selections such as Ciuleandra, Hora Mӑrṭiṣorului, Porumbescu’s Balada, and the Wedding Suite from Maramureṣ featuring the unique trumpet-violin. 

5:30 PM - Children’s Corner Children and all young at heart are invited to learn a few Romanian words, have their faces painted with traditional Romanian designs, and participate in various arts & crafts activities, including making Marṭiṣoare (traditional Romanian good luck charms) and Romanian bracelets. 

6:30 PM - Poetry Corner with Alina Ṣtefӑnescu Enjoy award-winning poet Alina Ṣtefӑnescu

Listen to Alina reading poems that draw Romanian folk idioms and myths into a father’s explanation to a daughter of why they left their homeland. There will also be various symbolic objects and folk art on display, most of it from Transylvania. The poems are dedicated to Alina’s father, Doru Ṣtefӑnescu. 

7:00 PM - Poftӑ Bunӑ (Bon Appétit): A Seated Romanian Dinner Spoil your taste buds by joining us for a seated dinner featuring some of the most popular and delicious traditional Romanian dishes. Featured on the menu will be Zacuscӑ (Vegetable spread), Ouӑ umplute (Romanian-style deviled eggs), Salatӑ de Boeuf (Vegetable and beef salad), Mӑmӑligӑ cu brȃnzӑ si smȃntanӑ (Polenta with cheese and sour cream), and Sarmale (Cabbage Rolls). Romanian desserts and wines will also be served. Please RSVP to avoicu1970@gmail.com by September 15. Cost per person is $20.00, children under 12 eat free. 

FEATURED DISPLAYS

-Arts Exhibit featuring painting, photography, sculpture, traditional folk costumes and more

-Silent Auction benefiting Music4Romania