The fourth edition of the Buzau International Arts Festival (BIAF) is about to kick off on August 23, inviting the public until September 20 to exciting happenings such as a tribute concert to the recently passed away musician Nicu Covaci, or an exhibition of icons painted on discarded ammunition boxes left behind by the troops during the Ukraine war.

This year's edition reunites the two festivals that laid the foundations of BIAF: the Buzau International Film Festival - BUZZ IFF, and the COMIC 7 B International Independent Theater Festival.

The official opening of the festival is scheduled for August 23, starting at 5:30 p.m., in Buzau city's Crang Park.

The first day will open with spectacular shows by street performers and events dedicated to children, families and everyone who wants to relax and feel good: the Superchill drummers, jugglers, acrobatic dancers, impressive performances by Circo Cristal from Argentina, costumed mascots, living statues, giant puppets, colorful balloons and much more, creating a magical setting for the participants to enjoy. The highlight of the evening will be the tribute concert dedicated to the late artist Nicu Covaci - leader of the legendary band PHOENIX; band drummer Ovidiu Lipan Tandarica will make an appearance as a special guest. The cin5i Troupe from Buzau will perform in the opening. On August 24, the vibrant atmosphere continues with juggling shows, acrobatics, stilt artists and living statues. The evening will culminate with a fire acrobatics show by the Symbol of Light troupe, a warm-up Dj set with DJ Arggo, and an exceptional concert offered by beloved singer MIHAIL, who will for the first time take the stage of a festival in Buzau, the organizers said in a release.

Between August 25 and September 8, the Buzau Art Galleries will host am exhibition by plastic artist Ion Nedelcu (NED), and on September 11, Greek artistic photographer Haris Germanidis, at his first time in Romania, will present a collection of photos that capture the essence of contemporaneity in art.

On September 5, Ukrainian artist Oleksandr Klymenko, the protagonist of the documentary 'The Saints Are Watching', screened in the official competition of BUZZ IFF, will attend the opening of a unique exhibition of icons painted on ammunition boxes left behind by the troops during the war in Ukraine. From August 25, the Buzau Youth Park turns into a film venue, offering moviegoers the chance to watch festival films in a relaxing setting and experience exciting meetings with their creators. BUZZ IFF 2024 debuts with a special event: the 'Bluesferatu' cine-concert, which combines the charm of live music with the magic of classical cinema. BUZZ IFF means 50 films from 22 countries, divided into 5 competition sections - feature, short film, documentary, student film and children's film, that can be watched daily at the George Ciprian Theater Hall, with free entry, informs the cited source.

Between September 8 - 13, the Comic 7 B Competition will take place, a contest of independent theater performances featuring famous Romanian theater and movie actors, as well as peers from abroad. BIAF concerts and musical events bring to the public artists such as: Marius Mihalache & Band (August 30), Daphna Levy & Band, bluesmen Krissy Matthews Band from Great Britain, and Florin Giuglea Trio (September 15), Orkid (September 19).

The BIAF Talks series of open conferences brings together discussion sessions and workshops that will explore dialogue-provoking topics from the field of art and culture, offering new perspectives from established artists who will engage in direct dialogue with the public. Translator and film critic Irina Margareta Nistor will be celebrated at BIAF on September 3 with a series of special events that will feature a group of special guests, highlighting the unique career of one of the most prominent personalities of the Romanian movie industry, and honoring her contribution to the development of culture and cinematography. One of the most anticipated events is the Hotel Nemesis Artistic Residency (August 25 - September 14), organized with the support of the European Festivals Fund For Emerging Artists (EFFEA), where theater director and trainer Georgia Tsangaraki (Greece) will hold a three-week workshop, immersing 15 professional and amateur actors in the art of acting through his own patented Spiral Effect method. Most of the BIAF 2024 events are accessible for free, offering a unique opportunity to all culture lovers to enjoy this extraordinary festival, the organizers further said.

BIAF 2024 is organized by the CulturAll Association and the Bulevardul Culturii Association, in partnership with the Buzau City Hall and the Alexandru Marghiloman Cultural and Educational Center. BIAF is a project financed by the Culture Ministry. AGERPRES (RO - author: Florin Zafiu, editor: George Onea; EN - editor: Simona Klodnischi)