Alba Iulia set a new world record for the third time on Saturday, following 'The Great Hug of the Alba Carolina Citadel' in 2009 and the largest human-made map of a country in 2018 - this time, for the largest table made from recyclable materials in the world.

The initiative was part of the event 'The Table That Unites,' organised by Bloom The World, with 10,000 participants registered from Alba Iulia, Alba County, neighbouring counties and even from abroad.

Measuring 2.7 kilometres in length and located within the ditches of the Alba Carolina Citadel, the table was built from nearly 1,500 Euro pallets and 2,700 Doka panels, and was surrounded by 5.4 kilometres of benches and chairs.

Decorated with 10,000 flower stems, the table was set with 10,000 ceramic plates made from recycled materials, specially created for the event. To serve the 10,000 guests, organisers prepared five tonnes of food and 5,000 litres of water.

While the previous records — the Great Hug and the human map — were organised by the local administration, 'The Table That Unites' was the idea of a young entrepreneur from Alba Iulia, Alexa Vilcan, who had previously hosted similar community meals in spectacular locations across Romania, such as the Retezat Mountains and Meziad Cave.

'‘The Table That Unites' is more than just a 2.7 km-long table. It's a symbol of human connection, the power of community, and the way traditions can come alive in the present day,' said Alexa Vilcan.

The project attracted support from over 40 companies, which donated everything from food and drinks to benches, plates, cutlery, flowers, detergents and napkins. More than 1,000 people were involved in the organisation.

Following the Guinness World Records announcement, people who hadn't secured a seat at the table were allowed into the citadel ditches to enjoy the festivities. Organisers arranged folk performances from local ensembles, children's activities, historical reenactment shows and concerts by The Motans, Miniraver, Cristian Alexievici Band and Moving Elements.

'The Table That Unites' was organised by Bloom The World, Magic Maker Communication, Asociatia 11even, AVA Smart Events and Vanzator de Idei, with the support of Alba Iulia City Hall.

Alba Iulia earned its first Guinness World Record in 2009, when nearly 9,800 people, including then-president Traian Basescu, took part in the 'Great Hug of the Alba Carolina Citadel,' encircling the star-shaped bastion fortress along a 3,450-metre route.

In 2018, more than 4,800 people set a world record and entered the Guinness Book with the largest human-made image of a country, which also included the number 100 inside the map to mark the centenary of the Great Union of 1918. The official record title was 'Largest human image of a country/continent.'

Alba County also set another Guinness record in 2009, when more than 100 locals gathered at the stadium in Rosia Montana to pan for gold using the 'saitroc' - a traditional wooden pan used to separate gold from crushed ore. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marinela Brumar; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)