A "Happy News Year" in Romania
Posted Monday, January 01, 2007, 4:04 PM by Lonely Planet
Leif Pettersen sees in 2007 in the EUs newest member state...
The phrase 'Happy News Year' (in English), is all over the media here. What I briefly thought was a wildly self-perpetuating translation slip, is in fact Romania acknowledging what is sure to be a huge news-making year. Their photo-finish entry into the EU is still somewhat tenuous. Romania will be closely supervised while they fulfill deal-breaker commitments to eradicating corruption and enacting judicial reforms. They also face the indignity of other EU members limiting the number of Romanian workers admitted to their countries - including England, Spain and even smug new-comer Hungary. But never mind that, I came here for debauched partying.
I had left in September after 13 uninterrupted months, Romania-ed out, swearing not to return for at least a year. But my weakness for poignant moments and unhinged parties tore me from my retreat on Sardinia and drew me to Iasi - Romania's second largest city - to witness the European Union membership celebrations on December 31st.
Due to a hastily enacted law, passed in October, prudent distance has been placed between moonshine aficionados and the booster rocket-sized fireworks they once freely procured. The reduced possibility of being taken out by a pyrotechnics mishap dulled the edge of mayhem I'd envisioned, but Iasi was nevertheless in high gear. The square fronting Iasi's magnificent Palace of Culture was the focus of the festivities, with Romanian and European Union flags hung together from every post-like protuberance.
After five hours of live music, 25 minutes of fireworks, several bottles of community champagne and wine and untold calories burned dancing with strangers, I limped home through the frozen night with thousands of new EU citizens, all facing a whopping 'news year', as they cope with their new position within Europe and the world.
For more from Leif on Romania check out www.killingbatteries.com.
Labels: Europe
Join the Discussion:
4 Comments:
Very interesting, and nice writing, to boot. I hadn't known that Romania was just now gaining entry into EU, looks like it's a big deal, and sounds like the writer has had good times in this country.
And a happy news year to you, too.
Cool blog.
Party hardy as they say and Happy New Year.
Cheers!
Seniors Living Guide Travels
I was not impressed by the writing: a little too much atttitude, way too little meaning behind it.
Post a Comment
« Read more on the blog homepage