TAL Festival’s first ever twin town participation is a sell-out

ONE of the many sold-out events of the very successful TAL (Thame Arts and Literature) Festival, that has just ended, was Dan Manea’s talk about his love for Sinaia, the beautiful Romanian mountain town twinned with Thame.

The public had the opportunity to hear from the Sinaia, Land of the Elites author and to go with him on a virtual walk into Sinaia’s historical buildings and its glorious past.

Dan Manea (right) with two of his fans, David Bretherton (left) and Malcolm Dent (centre)

Dan Manea told his audience: “This book invites you to stroll not only on the streets of the town, but also inside its history, which for the last 130 years, has been strongly woven into the history of Romania itself. It offers a succession of stories and images, seen through the eyes of an architect in love with his town. This book represents an invitation to walk through the halls of this vast open-air bearing the name of Sinaia: The Pearl of the Carpathians; the capital of Romanian tourism; the resort priding itself with two Royal Railway Stations, where the Orient Express makes a stop, the royal residence town or the summer capital of Romania, as it has been called over the years.”

The author reminded the audience about the connection between the Royal Families of the UK and Romania. Queen Marie, mother of King Michael of Romania, was one of Queen Victoria’s nieces.

Inspired by the publication of Dan Manea’s book, Romania’s National State Television produced a series of 60 one-minute episodes about Sinaia and its architectural jewels, such as Peles Castle, Sinaia Monastery and many other buildings which awarded Sinaia the title of the Romanian town with the largest number of historical monuments per capita. All episodes have featured quotes from Dan Manea’s book.

Marius Ciortan, Secretary of the Sinaia and Thame Friendship Association, said: “The event itself would not have been possible without the help from TAL organisers, Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association and Sinaia’s ASPE Cultural Association.”

The four guests from Sinaia were hosted by families of Thame Rotarians who welcomed them with friendship and offered them the opportunity to visit the area and get a taste of some of Oxfordshire’s and Buckinghamshire’s most beautiful places. They also joined a team in the TAL Festival quiz at the Barns Centre on Sunday evening.

The friendship between Thame and Sinaia has built a vibrant association and its next event will be a ‘Wine from the Transylvanian Alps’ tasting event at Thame Town Hall on Wednesday, November 29, at 7:30 pm. The event was initiated by Malcolm Dent, one of Thame-Sinaia’s newest members.

For more information about Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association and how to get tickets, visit www.facebook.com/thamesinaia

SOURCE: Contributed