#RetrospectiveOfTheYear. Dolj and Craiova were magical in 2024 too!

The year 2024 was very good to us, here in Dolj! We enjoyed and had many events that proved to us, one after another, that we are a community that is getting closer and enjoying itself more and more! 

Here is a retrospective of the most important events held in Dolj in 2024:

- The reopening of the "Amza Pellea" Memorial House, in April, was a magical moment, which we all enjoyed! The house where the great actor grew up was renovated and set up as a museum, with the help of the Dolj County Council, becoming a section of the Oltenia Museum. Objects donated by Amza Pellea's daughter, Oana Pellea, have found a place of honor in the heart of Băilești and can be seen by all those who want to know everything about our beloved actor.

- The Easter Fair, superbly organized by the Craiova City Hall, once again transformed the "Nicolae Romanescu" Park in Craiova into a fairyland, where people enjoyed themselves and became children again. Craiova demonstrated, once again, its immense potential, through this event that brought tens of thousands of tourists to the city and county, who were able to really get to know us, and we thank them!

- In May, we all said "Yes, we Will!", on the occasion of a special edition of the International Shakespeare Festival, conceived, organized and staged by the "Marin Sorescu" National Theatre, together with financiers and sponsors, both publicinstitutions and private environment. 30 years after the first edition of the festival, Shakespeare spread throughout the city and we had, for the first time, the Shakespeare Village, the reproduction of an Elizabethan village on the Craiova hippodrome in the "Romanescu" Park.

- The middle of June welcomed sports and nature lovers with the fifth edition of "Pedală in Bănie", a unique event, financially supported by the Dolj County Council also, which encourages us to exercise while enjoying the beauties of the county. Half-marathons, cross races, mountain bike races, all complemented by an atmosphere of friendship and respect for nature made June 15th and 16th fantastic! We can't wait for the next editions!

- Because we live intensely, we enjoy and we have something to show the world, the third edition of the "Intencity" Festival, financially supported and organized by the City Hall of Craiova, together with sponsors, volunteers and the whole community, was once again at height at the end of June. We had three days of music in Craiova, in a generous space, composed of the "Ion Oblemenco" Stadium, the Polyvalent Hall and the entire surrounding area, which meant areas for activation and spending time by the festival-goers. Alan Walker, Helena Paparizou, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, DubiozaKolektiv, Subcarpați, Damian Drăghici & Brothers were just some of the artists who made us vibrate and feel extraordinarily good!

- The "Film in sat" arts festival, at its second edition in Dolj, in Cernătești commune, delighted an entire community in July, and the rural landscape in our county became even more appreciated thanks to this event, supported financed by the Dolj County Council and organized by the "Cuzin Toma" Association. Cula Cernăteștilor, a museum space that reveals our history, shone again this year, being open to visitors until late in the evening, to perfectly complement the atmosphere dedicated to visitors.

- Puppets Occupy Street, the first animation theater festival in Romania, once again fascinated the entire audience with the Steampunk edition. We became children again with theater groups from all over the world, invited to Craiova to share their art and joy with everyone, symbolically opening and closing the festival with the traditional parades of giant puppets. After 11 editions, we are happy that our city has become more and more known thanks to Puppets Occupy Street, a cultural landmark for the whole country and beyond!

- The Half-marathon of Craiova meant noble causes to which the whole community made its contribution! Hundreds of people from Craiova ran for the causes they believe in, donating the money from registrations to valuable social projects. By showing kindness, understanding, involvement and compassion, together with the good citizens of Craiova, we showed again that we are united and stronger when we are together!

- The Christmas Market in Craiova, which is still ongoing, meant a tourist boom for our city, which became too large for all the curious tourists to come and meet us, at home. We have a lot to offer, to show and many things to share with those who cross the threshold of the county and of Craiova, but we also learn, alongside them, to be open, to enjoy our heritage and to transform ourselves, day after day, into better and more generous hosts!

We are convinced that 2025 will also be a spectacular year for the entire county and for Craiova, and we invite you to join us at all the events that will take place. On the eve of the holidays, when we draw a line and make this summary, we can say frankly and openly: Dolj is magical, Craiova is magical, discover them!

Photo: Târgul de Crăciun Craiova | Facebook, Targul de Paste din Craiova | Facebook, SemimaratonulCraiovei | Facebook, Puppets Occupy Street Festival Craiova | Facebook, Film in Sat | Facebook, Craiova IntenCity | Facebook, Pedala in Banie | Facebook, Casa Memorială Amza Pellea | Facebook, Festivalul International Shakespeare, Craiova | Facebook