Wendy Wolfson, Somerville, MA, US
Visiting Romania was akin to traveling back in time. But traces of the past both beautiful and tragic are still there standing and have not yet been plasticized in a shopping mall. The place has its own set of particular memories and demons. Ceacesceau’s hallucinatory Hall of the People was the most impressively appalling edifice I had ever seen. But one could still see the graceful buildings of old Bucharest, with their crumbling, carved stone naiads and scrollwork standing between the communist era buildings. Night in the city rustles with the wings of the thousands of birds that roost in the trees in the park. In the countryside, people tend their patchwork plots of land. I valued the chance to see the world with different eyes; and to spend time with people who had a very different point of view than my own and learn from them. This included my fellow writers as well as the Romanian writers I met. The program organizers were just great. They were exceptionally gracious and led us on all sorts of explorations. They were enthusiastic about exchanging ideas and answering our questions. We enjoyed each other’s company and laughed--a lot.
I treasure the memories of that week and hope I would have the chance to do something like this again.
Kate Walker, Australia
I applied for the 2004 Writers’ Cultural Exchange to Romania on impulse. Didn’t know what to expect. Just took a punt. Romania turned out to be the most amazing country: grand scenery, eye-popping architecture and history stretching back thousands of years. The best part of the tour for me was the people. Our Romania ‘minders’, Florin and Daniel, looked after us like shepherds devoted to their flock. We met Romanian artists of all kinds. We struck up conversations with shopkeepers and strangers on trains. We took zillions of photographs.
And of course got to know our fellow writers while lingering over long dinners, dodging traffic in Bucharest, scrambling over the Carpathian mountains and drifting through castles indescribably grand. I’ve never
spent a week like it. We laughed and ate, talked and listened, and learned lots! We had a ball!
Katherine Bynum, Tennessee, US
Picture a slow train ride through the Transylvanian countryside. A picnic on the top of the Carpathian Mountains. A tour of Ancient Bran castle with its white stucco walls, creepy feel, and foreboding landscape. See the castles of kings, beautiful monasteries, fortified towns and the intricatearchitecture of Bucharest and surrounding villages.
Carol Thornton, Luton, UK
You provided a wonderful introduction of Bucovina's landscape, culture and literature, and gave us some idea of the country's and the region's history. I believe that for each of the participants, Romania is no longer a place on a map, but it has become a place a people in our hearts.
Cecilia Hae-Jin Lee, Los Angeles, US
"When I initially received the cryptic email from one Florin Dan Prodan, I never imagined that the amazing country of Romania would reveal itself to me. I was invited with a handful of writers for a cultural exchange - an opportunity to meet Romanian poets and journalists, to open up an international dialogue and to discover the beauty of the landscape, culture and people."
John Ray Gutierrez, San Francisco, US
When I received the phone call that the other writers had arrived I was a bit nervous to meet them. What would they expect of me? What would I expect of them? I had already been in Romania for a few days and the artists who I had met so far were wonderful warm people. I felt at home here already. The sights, atmosphere and culture had swallowed me up in a whirlwind of excitement that every following second I eagerly anticipated with the enthusiasm of a child opening gifts on Christmas day. I entered the room and was greeted with smiling faces. Talented Artists from different cultures sat in a rustic eastern European setting awaiting my presence. It was dinner time and what soon awaited us was an adventure of a lifetime that I will never forget for the rest of my life. In the next few days I would laugh, play, share, and endure these people, building a comradery that will keep us friends forever. Wendy, with the constant sarcasm of a preppy school girl, so charming and funny that I would gravitate towards her for most of the trip. Katherine, a sweet caring southern girl who her mere presence made you feel all warm and fuzzy in side. Kate, so full of wisdom and knowledge that everyone would stop to listen whenever she spoke. Meri, strong and fearless always eager to try new things and who shared stories that would bring tears to your eyes. And, last but surely not least, our guides in this magnificent journey Florin, the ambitious young artist whose aspirations inspired and Danel our Leader. He is truly a Noblemen. Yes, I had gone to Romania in the hopes to do a film but what I took away from this experience was more then just a cultural exchange of ideas I experienced so much. So my friend what are you waiting for and apply and if your lucky you may be chosen for the chance of a life time.
See photos from September 2004 edition at www.fotosmeri.photosite.com/rumunia or find other participants oppinions at
http://www.alviogut.20m.com/catalog.html
