Category Archives: History

Who was Octavian Goga, the politician?

So, we had a draft article. It was based on wikipedia and attempting to watch videos on Youtube.  When writing it, we realised that we didn’t really know a lot about Goga the poet and Goga the prime minister. First, … Continue reading

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YouTube channel talks about Romanian business successes

The site: https://www.youtube.com/@vlaicudr  The topic, Romanian commercial successes, like eMag, Bitdefender, and Altex. It’s not necessarily a site celebrating great inventors, but savvy business owners who have created successful brands in Romania. Vlaicu Dragos tells us how eMag started when … Continue reading

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Bank museum exhibit in Bucurest

Occasionally, the local BNR is open to visitors.  This is not one of those occasions. We heard from a foreigner who was confused after reading about the ‘Money speaks to Us” exhibit at the Banca National de Romania.  It was … Continue reading

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Was Kintsugi in Cluj before Japan?

The story of Kintsugi is as follows.  When a shogun in Japan, perhaps Yoshimasha, broke his pot, he sent it to China to be repaired.  There, it was repaired with ugly staples.  So, the next time a teapot broke, it … Continue reading

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Historic names of Cluj

The Burgermeister was once offended By Cluj being called Klausenburg.  “Bizza!” he complained, in 1904. “Bizza! Zurüd! Es gibt fein Klausenburg in Ungard. Der offizielle und historische Name is Kolozsvar. Bitte nach Kolozsvar, Ungarn, zu adressiren. Restorat der Universität Kolozsvar.” … Continue reading

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Macedonian nightclub fire reminiscent of Collectiv fire

Monuments can stand for more than one thing. The monument on the main avenue in town, with the bell tower, was built to remember the Memorandists, protestors who wanted more state-funded institutions to use the Romanian language. But we often … Continue reading

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Happy Martisoare

The first of May is celebrated throughout Europe, but slightly differently in each country. Most have similar-looking traditions, creating a false friends kind of misunderstanding, where similar symbols might have different meanings. The white and red threads are one example. … Continue reading

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Is the roach problem under control?

Two years ago, Cluj heard many stories of eateries being closed because of insect manifestations. Cluj 24 reported that many fast food shops have been closed after cockroaches and unsanitary conditions were found at fast food places at Iulius Mall. … Continue reading

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La mulți ani, poem and December news

România esti bine? Poți să stai aici, lânga mine? În europa, o să fie Împreună, bucurie.  Că prieteni fără un plan Sărbătorim, Și la mulți ani! – Des Sousa Please excuse Des, that’s ‘s first poem in Romanian.  It’s okay, … Continue reading

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Banffy Castle

Have you been to Electric Castle?  Have you seen Metropolis or Nosferatu with live music at the film festival in the castle?  If so, you probably know what Banffy Castle looks like at night. The Banffy Castle in Bontida is … Continue reading

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