Happy New Year! A Dolj-like 2020, from Discover Dolj!

New Year's Eve is a good opportunity to make a list of "what you have achieved" in the year that will pass and one of "what you want to do" in the coming year. We do not know if you have reached us yet, but we advise you to do so, in a retrospective of ... remembrance. So, here's what you shouldn't miss in Dolj, year round and anytime!

A praise given to the best wine in Oltenia - let's not be modest and say „in the country” - and for the vegetable that you rarely could criticize. The festival that takes place in Băilești in autumn is an opportunity to try the local flavors and get in touch with the village world, the beautiful and the one full of jokes of Amza Pellea. Along with the locals and their stories, the visit is even more important!

A walk in May, in the middle of nature, is only welcome and even indicated. About 60 kilometers from Craiova, there is an oasis of tranquility and greenery, protected by law as an area of national interest: the Romanian peony reserve from Plenița. With a surface of 50 hectares, the forest guarded by special trees becomes a holiday place every year, when the red flowers open and offer a real visual show.

For the lovers of rustic celebrations, we must mention three important events that take place in our county: the Acacia Celebration, the Rose Celebration and the Pine Celebration. These take place in several localities, such as Poiana Mare, Ciupercenii Noi, Vela, Amărăștii de Jos or Celaru, and they aim to promote the natural beauties of the county, while at the same time gathering communities around folklore music, traditions and rustic dishes, in a celebration of nature and of what it has to offer.

The traditions of the villages of Dolj village are loaded, in the shelter of darkness, with a mysterious and silent air. A strange tradition, but full of meaning and respected by the people of Salcia, are the fires of Joimari. On the Thursday before Easter, people gather firewood and go to the cemetery, where they light fires at the graves of their loved ones. Thus, they remember them and call them by their side. It is said that, through this tradition, the gates of the other worlds are opened, and the deceased return to their families. The custom says that those who return to the world of the living remain here for 40 days, until the Ascension of the Lord.

The Oltenia Museum, with its three sections - History and Archeology, Ethnography, Natural Sciences - and the Art Museum, all located in precious buildings, restored by the Dolj County Council, offer visitors a real history of Oltenia, Dolj, but also of art in general. Starting from objects discovered in the region and reconstructions of traditions, reaching so far and offering one of the most authentic experiences of rediscovery, including through the works of Brâncuși present in Craiova, the city's museums are an unmissable objective, anytime!

The "Maria Tănase" festival is another famous event that takes place in Dolj, more precisely in Craiova, generally in November, every two years, and which pays tribute to the most beautiful Romanian voice, Maria Tănase. Soloists and instrumentalists from all over the country and across borders are competing, for several days, to win the trophy of the festival, which has given the most beautiful voices in the folklore over the years. All their performances can be watched live, from the spot, in the hall of the National Theater "Marin Sorescu".

As we were talking about theater, we cannot speak about the year 2020 without mentioning the "Shakespeare" Festival, a reference for Craiova and Dolj. With a new edition every two years, the festival founded by Emil Boroghină usually takes place at the end of April - the beginning of May. A real actorial, directorial and theatrical feast, in general, takes place these days, when Craiova becomes the capital of the world theater. With reference companies arriving in Craiova, we can say that the attendance at "Shakespeare" is mandatory!

We cannot conclude without reminding you of the Fair of Popular Craftsmen, of Dolju-n Bucate, of Street Delivery Craiova, of the Festival "Musical Craiova", of Puppets Occupy Street or of the International Festival "Elena Teodorini". Or places like the "Romanescu" Park, the "Alexandru and Aristia Aman" County Library, the Historical Center of Craiova, the splendid old houses, older than a hundred years and, leaving Craiova, the banks washed by the Danube from Cetate, Bechet, Calafat, Desa ori Ciuperceni, our forests, the plains and, above all, the simple and beautiful people.

Dolj does not only belong to us, the Oltenians, but to all of us.

We look forward to your visit next year, to get to know him better together! Happy New Year!