Activities / Bontida Cultural Days -the 8th edition 29-30 august 2009
The historic environment offers a perfect setting for the enjoyment of cultural activities.
The BHCT Centre promotes the full use of the historic environment within its educational and cultural programmes as a means of familiarising the public with, and helping them to understand and enjoy the quality of historic buildings and landscapes. Bánffy castle is one of the most spectacular ensembles in Transylvania and is therefore a perfect venue for cultural activities.
Bonţida Cultural Days contribute to influencing the public perception on the value of historic environment and its role in society, directing the local community and participants towards acknowledging the traditions, the cultural heritage – the prerequisite of unspoiled preservation of the cultural identity. The programmes are designed to highlight the rich and diverse culture of the area and to help in the understanding of traditions and values of the different ethnic groups which are represented.
The Bontida Cultural Days are held each year, during the last weekend of August, when, the castle is hosting various cultural events and activities. Since 2002, when the first edition took place, the event constantly grew in popularity. The events are designed to be inclusive of all ethnic groups (Bontida is the home of Romanian, Hungarian and Roma people, in equal proportion). Consequently events incorporate music and dance from each of these origins, together with additional concerts, theatre and special events for children.
The Cultural Days also offer the opportunity to promote the work of local craft businesses, other project initiatives and involve the public in the workshop skills which are being taught at the castle.
Each year attracts more and more people, in 2009 the event attracted 5 000 visitors.
This year was held the 8th edition of the Bonţida Cultural Days. Every year we try to diversify the program to please the demands of both local community and visitors from other parts of the country and abroad. The festival offers programs for children, youth and adults, so every age has found a “place” in the courtyard of the castle during the weekend.
Exhibitions, horse riding demonstrations, a large variety of programs for children, concerts, Renaissance dances and many other new events have all been part of the cultural programs offered this year.
The festival’s opening began with Renaissance dances offered by the Ensemble Passeggio and they were followed by speeches delivered by political personalities. During the day – in addition to interactive scout programs (organized in partnership with the Hungarian Scout Association, Scout Group no. 51), interactive games for children, exhibitions and book presentations – anyone interested had the opportunity to participate in traditional furniture painting, stone carving or other handcraft workshops (organized in partnership with the Foundation Téka from Gherla and Association Portéka from Gheorgheni). Saturday night was booked for music concerts: Knock Out and Transylmania, followed by a open-air film projection (organized in partnership with TIFF) Horaţiu Mălăele – Silent Wedding.
On Sunday, the second day of the festival, parallel activities have particularly contributed to create an exciting atmosphere for everybody. Like every year, the attraction of the day was the dance of the giant puppets, Hentida and Bontida, performance which actually is a quick glimpse of the marriage episode from a traditional folktale whose eponymous character bears the name of the village. In the morning, the puppet theater and the illusionist show drew the excitement of children, while later that afternoon, the highlight became a series of folk dances, music concerts and the performance of the Schools in Bontida and Rascruci .
Finally, the day ended with the most popular concert of the Romanian folk singer – Ducu Bertzi – to the delight of the numerous public gathered around the stage.
The partnership between the Transylvania Trust Foundation, the local authority of Bontida and other specialized non-governmental organizations (Téka Foundation, Portéka Association, Hungarians Scout Association, Green Transylvania Association, TIFF-Transilvania International Film Festival) is essential to efficiently plan a successful cultural event.
