The website www.acasalabrancusi.ro will be launched at the Constantin Brancusi Memorial House in Hobita on 19 February, marking 150 years since the sculptor's birth, an occasion for which several events have been prepared in three villages of the Pestisani commune.

The website www.acasalabrancusi.ro was created by the 'Acasa la Brancusi' (Home to Brancusi) Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and aims to develop Gorj's authentic tourism identity, promote natural, cultural and artistic heritage, including the legacy of sculptor Constantin Brancusi, showcase local gastronomy, support events and festivals and attract visitors and tourists to the area.

The events will begin at 9:30 at the Constantin Brancusi Technological High School with the launch of the 'Generatia Infinit' (Infinite Generation) magazine, the 'Brancusi - omul infinitului' (Brancusi - The Man of the Infinite) competition and a crossword booklet titled 'Constantin Brancusi 150 de ani de la Nastere' (Constantin Brancusi, 150 years since birth). The same venue will host the book exhibition 'Brancusi - pasi spre infinit' (Brancusi - steps to the infinite), 'Brancusi - prin ochi de copil' (Brancusi - through the eyes of a child), featuring pupils' artistic creations, as well as a performance by the 'Emilia Bubulac' folk ensemble.

The cultural programme is organised by the Pestisani Town Hall in partnership with the Gorj County Council, the Constantin Brancusi Technological High School in Pestisani and the Discover Pestisani Association. The events will take place in three villages of the sculptor's native commune, namely Pestisani, Hobita and Bradiceni.

'They will start at 9:30 with a programme prepared by the teaching staff of the Constantin Brancusi Technological High School in Pestisani and will continue at 12:00 with events in the courtyard of the Constantin Brancusi Memorial House. A series of tourism-focused activities will take place there. A regional route will be launched, starting from Hobita, from Brancusi's home, with the Constantin Brancusi Memorial House as the zero point of the route. Members of the Home to Brancusi DMO, the county-level DMO, will also be presented, and a tourism promotion website for Gorj County, www.acasalabrancusi.ro, will be launched. There will of course also be artistic moments offered by professional artistic ensemble ‘Doina Gorjului' and soloist Larisa Carlugea. She will perform a medley of songs by Maria Tanase, as we are trying to create a Maria Tanase - Brancusi moment,' president of the Discover Pestisani Association Isabela Coara told AGERPRES on Monday.

The day will continue at the Bradiceni Cultural Centre with exhibitions, including one of old traditional costumes from the Hobita area and 'The village of Hobita tells its story,' an exhibition of old objects donated by villagers, as well as the launch of several editorial albums.

'At the Bradiceni Cultural Centre, with the support of the Gorj County Centre for the Conservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture, the launch of a travelling exhibition called 'Brancusi. Calea spre lumina' (Brancusi. The path to light) will take place, along with the opening of an exhibition and the launch of three albums dedicated to Brancusi, tourist Gorj and the county's folk craftsmen. We invite everyone who wishes to participate in the events marking the birth of Constantin Brancusi and the 150th anniversary of his birth. Shortly, we will also return with the annual calendar of events planned for the entire Brancusi year by the Pestisani Town Hall in partnership with the Gorj County Council,' Isabela Coara added.

Graphic artist Marian Avramescu will be present at all events in Pestisani, creating free portraits and caricatures for the public. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Popescu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)