Art & culture

A friend told me one day over the phone, with great excitement (which seemed a bit out of the ordinary in that context) that a new bookstore was opened in Piata Romana. ”What kind of bookstore?” I asked, trying to understand my friend’s temporary inability to build a cohesive description of the place. The answer was: ”You’ll see, it’s so nice and different.”

So I went there that very day to understand what the excitement was all about and I eventually blamed my friend for not being able to convey any of those special things that make Bastilia what it is: a Librarium.

What is a Librarium? It is a universe of books, combined with drawings, inspirational messages, the perfect light, the nicest ” Librarium journey” assistants, history and a great view over Piata Romana and Magheru Boulevard.

The Librarium is hosted by one of the most beautiful old houses in Bucharest city center, with a 98-year history and it has a ground floor dedicated to fiction, a first floor dedicated to specialty books and a second floor (cloud no. 9) where you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and skim a book or a magazine of your choice.

Enjoy your journey! My friend and I sure did.

This is definitely the kind of spot you would only find out about from a local, through Facebook or word of mouth. This is also the kind of place you could make the most of only if you’re passionate about lowbrow painting, illustration, street art, resin toys, limited edition prints and/or comics etc.

I first visited VATRA last December, when this cozy urban cocoon was hosting a Christmas fair. So I decided to write an article about it in order to encourage you to pay Aitch, Kitra and Saddo a visit and buy a different kind of present for your friends and family.

But then I changed my mind and decided to postpone it for one simple reason: I did not want to introduce this art universe and initiative as the host of a gift fair. I wanted to introduce it as what it really is: a workspace for its ”parents” and an exhibition space, also hosting workshops, drawing jams, movie projections and other social events.

If there is nothing in particular you’re interested in out of the artists’ areas of expertise mentioned above, I recommend the goodies room at VATRA: urban toys, prints on paper and canvas, screen prints, hand drawn t-shirts, drawings, paintings, etc. Some of them can even be purchased.

Wagner is my favorite Romanian home & object design brand, born out of the artists’ need to bring the product of their imagination, their lovely stories, to life, through delicate and precious objects.

I fell in love with Wagner the moment I saw the first object created under this unique brand, which appeared to me, at that time, as the most beautiful teapot I had ever seen in my life.

When I found out the teapot was just a small piece of a never ending fairytale, I was so eager to discover more, to take as many of these incredible art objects home. So I headed for La Maison de la Porcelaine Wagner, both excited and nervous. I knew something beyond my imagination was going to be unveiled in that design boutique.

Wagner creates porcelain, furniture and manufacture. You can find amazing samples of all three categories in La Maison de la Porcelaine Wagner, as well as tea and tea accessories.

It is practically impossible not to be overwhelmed by the beauty of this brand and its objects and not to find anything that caters for your taste or that of your beloved, in case you are looking for the best possible present.

Wagner is for me a superlative, it fuels my imagination, it fills my heart with joy and it gives me hope for a better, alternative world.

Also check out their regular courses on the art of porcelain painting. For more information, please send an e-mail to irina@wagnerarte.ro.

In front of the National University of Defence ‘Carol I’ there is the Heroes Monument. Well, what I want to talk about has nothing to do with the University or the monument, but with the place itself.

The stairs below the Heroes Monument is a good spot among skaters to practice and improve their skills. Besides this, it is a place very well known by everyone for relaxing and enjoying a beer bought from the supermarket. Every summer night the place is full of youngsters who hang around. In winter though, the view is still the same over the city but you won’t see that many people around.

I totally recommend the spot for the good vibe which is created by the ones spending their evenings (some even their nights), and no matter the season, the spot offers a good sight over the city towards the centre.

At the Western periphery of Bucharest, near the railroad and in a not very clean and cared of neighborhood, you can find the ruin of the biggest church built in Bucharest before 1800. The spot wasn’t turned into a landmark for tourists maybe because the last part of the road is awful and the place is wild and far from the centre.

The story of this spot is a little bit creepy – the legend says the church is cursed because the Ottoman bombings took place right before the sanctification – so the blessing of the place never happened. Now it is supposed to be haunted. The bell was thrown in Dâmboviţa (the river crossing Bucharest) and now the story says it can be heard at midnight if it is a full moon night.

Yet, I must admit I didn’t hear the bell ringing but I assume it is because I was visiting the place daytime and I left before the sun was preparing to set. Though, I don’t recommend nighttime visits being given the safety of the neighborhood at night.

Anyway, I can assure you it’s a really interesting place, worth seeing even if, like me, you’ll unsuccessfully try to spot the image of Lady’s Chiajna daughter on the right wall of this huge ruin.