Tens of thousands of people are expected in Hobita between June 24 and 28 for a large-scale series of events marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Constantin Brancusi, organised under the cultural project 'Pestisani: Home to Brancusi - 150 Years of Art and Genius', mayor of Pestisani commune Cosmin Pigui told AGERPRES on Monday.

'This is a special event taking place over five days and dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great sculptor Constantin Brancusi. In fact, it is an umbrella event bringing together several events under the Brancusi 150 banner. We have the RomaniA Autentica Festival, which marks ten years since its launch, a flower festival, the Stradivarius concert, three days of authentic folk music and two days of symphonic performances, and we are expecting a large number of guests and participants. (...) This year we want the event to be truly exceptional because it marks 150 years since Brancusi's birth. Tens of thousands of people are expected over the course of these days. We expect 300 to 400 participants in the traditional costume parade alone, in addition to motorcyclists who will arrive dressed in folk costumes. The idea is to promote crafts, customs and traditions. After all, this is where Brancusi himself started from. He refined his talent in Craiova, Bucharest and later Paris, but his journey began with the traditional crafts of his native village, Hobita,' the mayor said.

The programme includes the RomanIA Autentica (Authentic Romania, with the title playing on the words Romania and ie, the traditional Romanian blouse, Editor's note) Festival, featuring a traditional costume parade, a fair bringing together 100 folk craftsmen, including eight Living Human Treasures, demonstration workshops, music and authentic traditions; the Rhapsody of Flowers Festival, with floral installations inspired by Brancusi's work, ikebana workshops, exhibitions and artistic floral creations, as well as a flower and floral arrangement fair; the International Stradivarius Tour - 'The Muses', an extraordinary concert to be held in the courtyard of the Constantin Brancusi House Museum; the exhibition 'Brancusi 150: Towards Infinity', organised in partnership with the National Heritage Institute; and the photography exhibition 'Brancusi and the Muses', organised in partnership with the Gorj County Centre for the Conservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture.

The 'Pestisani: Home to Brancusi - 150 Years of Art and Genius' project also includes a large open-air exhibition in Hobita Park, offering visitors a visual journey into the universe of the artist who forever changed modern sculpture.

A conference entitled 'The Future of Traditional Crafts in Romania. Status, Rights and Support for Folk Craftsmen' will also take place, while the programme will be complemented by concerts and performances featuring folk and light music artists, authentic ensembles and symphonic recitals.

The events will also include an immersive multimedia show inspired by Brancusi's artistic universe.

The cultural project 'Pestisani: Home to Brancusi - 150 Years of Art and Genius' is financed by the Ministry of Culture. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)