DOR: A Romanian Festival

DOR: A Romanian Festival, 2nd Edition
“Confluence: Where Romania Meets the World”
Sunday, September 14, 2025, 4:00 to 10:00 PM
The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi
3545 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs, AL 35124

Music4Romania (www.music4romania.org) cordially invites everyone from the Birmingham community
and beyond to come out to experience the vibrant sights, sounds, and tastes of Romania at the 2nd
edition of DOR: A Romanian Festival to be held at The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi
(www.saintfrancisindiansprings.org) on Sunday, September 14, from 4:00 to 10:00 PM! Everyone is
invited and welcome!

Entitled “Confluence: Where Romania Meets the World,” this year’s festival aims to celebrate
Romanian culture as part of humanity’s vast cultural organism, where every tradition both receives and
gives. Romania stands as Europe’s great cultural crossroads, and many international influences have
woven themselves into a distinctive national identity. From the painted monasteries of
Moldova—whose vibrant frescoes blend Byzantine spirituality with local traditions—to the Romanian
language, a Romance island surrounded by Slavic and Hungarian seas, Romania embodies cultural
synthesis. Shaped by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian influences, the country has
absorbed and transformed each while maintaining its unique character. Every folk melody echoes with
Hungarian harmonies, every wooden gate bears Ottoman geometry, every dish tells migration stories –
Turkish-inspired mici, Austrian schnitzel becoming șniţel, Greek moussaka transformed into musaca.
Language weaves threads—Romanian “cafea” from Turkish “kahve” from Arabic “qahwa”—connecting
Bucharest to Istanbul to Ethiopia. The painted churches of Voroneț and Moldovița showcase artistic
techniques that traveled from Constantinople, while monastery walls inspired Viennese Art Nouveau.

Through interactive activities including a fun Romania 101 country presentation, a Romanian language
session, traditional music, dancing, literary readings, children’s activities, workshops, art exhibits, an
award-winning Romanian movie, and a seated dinner (offered at a charge of $25/person, children under
12 free), the festival hopes not only to celebrate Romania’s dynamic cultural heritage but also to actively
and purposely promote and encourage cross-cultural understanding and dialogue.

For more info and to RSVP for the seated dinner, please email Dr. Alina Voicu at
avoicu1970@gmail.com or text at (205)807-5814. Dinner payments (of $25.00 person, children under
12 free) must be received by September 7, check made payable to Music4Romania – please mail to Dr.
Alina Voicu, The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 3545 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs, AL
35124.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM
4:00– 4:45 PM – Romanian Mosaic: International Threads
Learn interesting facts about Romania’s history and traditions in a presentation that will highlight the
country’s culture as a meeting point of different international influences. Information about Romania’s
painted monasteries, a Romanian language session as well as a segment highlighting two Romanian
women of great beauty and strength, Queen Maria and Princess Ileana, will also be included. The
session will conclude with poetry time featuring award-winning poet Alina Ṣtefӑnescu.

4:45-5:15 PM – Cultural Workshop, Children’s Corner, Art Exhibits, Documentary, and Silent Auction
#1: Turkish Coffee Making and Fortune Telling Workshop
A hands-on interactive experience of the old Romanian tradition of coffee making (which was imported
directly from the Ottoman culture), the workshop will guide the participants through the entire process,
from grinding the beans to making an authentic Turkish brew to understanding the meaningful ritual of
connection and hospitality beyond the experience.
#2. Children’s Corner: Story & Mӑrţișor Time
Children and all young at heart are invited to listen to one of Queen Maria’s beautiful children’s stories,
read by poet Alina Ṣtefӑnescu and her family, and also to make a Mӑrţișor or a Romanian braceiet to
take home. A Mӑrţișor is a trinket attached to a red and white string that symbolizes spring and rebirth
and is traditionally given to loved ones on March 1 st as a talisman for new beginnings, health, and luck.
#3. Mihaela Noroc Photo Exhibit: The Atlas of Beauty & Beyond
Enjoy the beautiful photography of Mihaela Noroc, acclaimed author of three exceptional photo albums:
The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits, The Power of Women, and Girls’ World.
Mihaela has been traveling the world for more than one decade, capturing the unique beauty and
diversity of women around the globe and listening to their stories with the aim of promoting hope and
love. Several of the exhibited photos are part of her newest project, Romanian Women, which has not
yet been published.
#4. Sacred Traditions Exhibit: Romanian Heritage through Folk Costumes, Painted Eggs, and Icons
Admire Romania’s rich cultural tapestry through colorful folk costumes, Easter eggs painted with
symbolic motifs, and various Orthodox religious objects and icons in Byzantine style.
#5. Suceviţa Monastery Documentary: A Poem of Green and Light
Situated in northeastern Romania, in the Bucovina region, Suceviţa Monastery is one of Romania’s most
remarkable painted monasteries and a UNESCO monument. Its famous “Ladder of Virtues” (also called
“Ladder to Paradise”) is one of the most celebrated and striking frescoes in all of European religious art.
#6. Silent Auction Benefiting Music4Romania (www.music4romania.org)
Participants are invited to bid on beautiful items to support Music4Romania’s programs.

5:15 – 6:00 PM – Echoes: From Transylvania to Appalachia
Let the music take you on a journey bridging Romanian and American traditions, from haunting
Romanian doinas performed on cimbalom and wedding songs performed on the unique trumpet-violin
to American old-time fiddle tunes and jazz. Also learn to dance one of the most famous Romanian folk
dances, the Hora. Featuring Jeno Lisztes, cimbalon; Daniel Szasz, violin; Serghei Tanas, violin; Cӑtӑlin
Rotaru, double bass; Wan Ting Yu, piano.

6:00 PM – Poftӑ Bunӑ (Bon Appétit): A Seated Romanian Dinner
Spoil your taste buds by joining us for a seated dinner featuring popular and delicious traditional
Romanian dishes. Featured on the menu will be Zacuscӑ (Vegetable spread), Ouӑ umplute (Romanian-
style deviled eggs), Salatӑ de vinete (Eggplant salad), Mӑmӑligӑ cu brȃnzӑ și smȃntanӑ (Polenta with
cheese and sour cream), Varzӑ à la Cluj (Cabbage à la Cluj), among others. Romanian desserts and wines
will also be served. Please RSVP by email to avoicu1970@gmail.com or by text at (205) 807-5814 and
send payment by September 7. Cost per person is $25.00, children under 12 eat free.

7:30 PM The New Year That Never Came/ Anul Nou care n-a fost (2024)
Experience the emotional resonance of Bogdan Muresanu’s acclaimed debut feature, a masterful blend
of dark comedy and historical drama that was chosen as the Venice Film Festival winner in 2024. Get
transported to December 20, 1989, during Romania’s revolution, and watch the powerful portrayal of
six interconnected lives unfold during the final chaotic day of Ceausescu’s regime.

FEATURED ARTISTS 2025
We are beyond excited and most grateful to feature the creativity of the following artists on this year’s
festival program:
Jeno Lisztes, Cimbalom – https://www.jenolisztes.com
Bogdan Muresanu, Director, Producer and Writer – https://mubi.com/en/cast/bogdan-muresanu
Mihaela Noroc, Photographer – https://www.theatlasofbeauty.com/
Catalin Rotaru, Double Bass – https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2009/08/27/interview-with-catalin-
rotaru/
Alina Ṣtefӑnescu, Poet – https://www.alinastefanescuwriter.com/
Daniel Szasz, Violin – https://danielszasz.com/
Serghei Tanas, Violin – https://alabamasymphony.org/musicians/serghei-tanas/
Wan Ting Yu, Piano – https://festivaluldearte.com/2023/02/22/wan-ting-yu-piano-accompaniment/