The Ocnele Mari Salt Mine becomes this weekend a stage for leading Romanian and international jazz ensembles performing at the sixth edition of The Jazz Cave Festival, organised by the Romanian Union of Performing Musicians (UCIMR). Visitors descending underground will find not only high-quality music, but also a series of cultural events, all in the cool, saline air of the cavern, the organisers said.

'It's a weekend filled with joy and emotion because, here in the salty heart of the earth, alongside the sixth edition of The Jazz Cave Festival, we also host the fourth edition of the Romania Underground painting exhibition, with collective contemporary works and three solo shows by renowned artists, plus the photo exhibition 'Dualitate' by Gelu Stanculescu,' said Anca Monea, representing the Ocnele Mari Salt Mine. 'Jazz fits beautifully with the unique setting and acoustics of Ocnele Mari, and we are glad UCIMR brings again this year national and internationally recognised artists from Europe and America,' she said.

Held for the third consecutive year in the Valcea salt mine, sheltered from the heat outside, the festival promises a rich musical and visual experience in a location as unusual as it is generous.

'This year too, the festival brings new and important names from Romanian and international jazz, and we've invited artists from Ramnicu Valcea and from across the country, offering the public refined cultural experiences, because Valcea is an attractive region and it can be a site for concerts, festivals, music and contemporary arts. This is the third year the jazz festival takes place in Ramnicu Valcea, and I hope it grows the way the Brezoi blues festival did, so we can enjoy it even if it promotes a more demanding genre, for an audience that is less familiar with the style. But precisely because of the exceptional location, the festival can develop here. Just think about it: while people outside are roasting in the heat, we are sitting here at 16 degrees in an extraordinary environment. Visitors enjoy this oasis of cool air, the beneficial air of the salt mine, and all the attractions it offers to those who dare to descend and discover interesting things,' said Gheorghe Dican, vice-president of the Plastic Artists Union of Romania, a partner of UCIMR in the organisation of the event.

This year's edition gathers artists from three continents and expands the programme across two additional venues in Ramnicu Valcea - the Art Museum and Zavoi Park - which host recitals and public events.

Festival organiser Sebastian Gheorghiu highlighted several changes. 'We moved the festival to July, and the weather is on our side. Last year we had three days; now we have an extra day, 21 bands, nine from abroad, and a lot of joy and energy on and off stage. We want artistic diversity - ethno-jazz, pop-jazz, classic jazz. Last night we opened at the Art Museum with a wonderful voice from Ukraine, Irina Dubenko. That stage is dedicated exclusively to female voices, while Zavoi Park hosts the evening concerts. This festival will be here next year too, and I hope we stay here until at least 2030.'

Jazz Cave Festival concerts continue until Sunday near midnight - underground in the salt mine during the day, and from 17:00 at the Art Museum and Zavoi Park. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Ramona Dinca; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)