Events – Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Studio House, Vulcana -Pandele commune, Dâmboviţa county

Between 1st and 7th March 2022, CJD organised an engraving exhibition at the National Museum Complex ”Curtea Domnească” in Târgoviște. In this exhibition, the most representative works resulting from the introductory course in the art of engraving for children will be exposed, conducted by Dâmbovița County Council in the first 3 years of the project sustainability, the course being attended by students of the “Bălașa Doamna” Arts Highschool in Târgoviște.During the introductory course into the art of engraving, the children received information about the history of engraving (famous artists who approached the engraving technique, as well as a brief presentation of their works), teaching the specific type of drawing to be engraved, transposing the preparatory drawing on the engraving plate, the engraving itself, the engraving technique and the individual choice of the way of making the plastic composition and implicitly of the engraving. Students learned to prepare the plate for printing using the role with printing ink and then to print the engravings created during the course, using the printing paper and the press purchased especially for this project. At the end of the course, students received participation diplomas from the National Union of Visual Artists. The aim of this course it was pursued the visibility of Romanian graphic art, with emphasis on engraving technique, revitalizing the traditional engraving craft and highlighting Romanian engraving, increasing visitors’ interest in the uniqueness of the museum – the only engraving workshop house in Romania, with wood press. By organising the engraving exhibition from 1st and 7th March 2022, CJD has proposed to contribute to the achieving of the project’s specific objective – by conserving, restoring and capitalizing the cultural and natural heritage, respectively, community development in Dâmbovița County, by increasing the tourist and investment attractiveness of the House Gabriel Popescu Workshop at Vulcana-Pandele commune.

The project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, financed by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism within the PA16 / RO12 Program Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage and implemented by the Dâmbovița County Council (CJD) between 01.07.2015 – 30.04.2017, according to Financing Agreement no. PA16 / RO12-LP14 / 30.06.2015, has reached its fifth year of sustainability. Between 1st and 7th March 2022, CJD organized an engraving exhibition at the National Museum Complex ”Curtea Domnească” in Târgoviște. The exhibition can be visited from 08:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m. In this exhibition, the most representative works resulting from the introductory course in the art of engraving for children will be exposed, conducted by Dâmbovița County Council in the first 3 years of the project sustainability, the course being attended by students of the “Bălașa Doamna” Arts Highschool in Târgoviște. During the introductory course into the art of engraving, the children received information about the history of engraving (famous artists who approached the engraving technique, as well as a brief presentation of their works), teaching the specific type of drawing to be engraved, transposing the preparatory drawing on the engraving plate, the engraving itself, the engraving technique and the individual choice of the way of making the plastic composition and implicitly of the engraving. Students learned to prepare the plate for printing using the role with printing ink and then to print the engravings created during the course, using the printing paper and the press purchased especially for this project. At the end of the course, students received participation diplomas from the National Union of Visual Artists. The aim of this course it was pursued the visibility of Romanian graphic art, with emphasis on engraving technique, revitalizing the traditional engraving craft and highlighting Romanian engraving, increasing visitors’ interest in the uniqueness of the museum – the only engraving workshop house in Romania, with wood press. By organising the engraving exhibition from 1st and 7th March 2022, CJD intended to contribute to the achieving of the project’s specific objective – by conserving, restoring and capitalizing the cultural and natural heritage, respectively, community development in Dâmbovița County, by increasing the tourist and investment attractiveness of the House Gabriel Popescu Workshop at Vulcana-Pandele commune. Located in the patrimony of the “Curtea Domnească” National Museum Complex in Târgoviște, since 1969, the Gabriel Popescu House Atelier was inaugurated as a museum on 15th May 1972. Made by the French architect Alexandre Clavel, based on the artist’s sketches, between 1902 and 1905, the house was a unique building in Romania, having from the beginning the destination of a workshop – and this feature was preserved until today, and it highlights the work of one of the most brilliant engravers, Gabriel Popescu. Following the restoration project that was carried out by the Dâmbovița County Council, the Gabriel Popescu museum-workshop took shape, returned to a new life, and the tourists who cross beyond its threshold and step into this space will be able to get closer to a special universe. Representatives of the cultural institutions in the county, the students of the “Bălașa Doamna” Art Highschool in Târgoviște and, at the same time, the general public and the art lovers were invited to the opening ceremony.
Dâmbovița County Council, through the National Museum Complex “Curtea Domnească” Târgoviște, organized on Thursday, April 8th 2021, the exhibition “155 years since the birth of the engraver Gabriel Popescu – personalities who marked the artist’s destiny”, organized at “Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House Vulcana – Pandele, where there is the only wooden press, with rollers, for printing metal engravings. The history of Romanian art – especially the engraving from the beginning of the twentieth century – was marked by the finesse, balance, precision of execution, understanding of shapes, distribution of lights and the power of expression of the work of the great engraver Gabriel Popescu, at 155 years since his birth. The works of Gabriel Popescu (April 8th, 1866, Vulcana Pandele commune, Dâmboviţa county – April 15th, 1937, Vulcana Pandele commune, Dâmboviţa county) generally appear in different techniques (aquaforte, chisel, dry needle or pen , charcoal, watercolor, oil, etc.) scenes from Vulcan Pandele (Scene from the Mouth of Volcanoes with children and geese, In the garden at the Vulcana), portraits (wife Martha Canazin, his children, mother of the wife – Antonine Canazin, self-portraits, Carol I – King of Romania), but also paintings made after works by other artists, such as: GD Mirea, JB Carpeaux, Fr. Erhmann, P. P. Rubens etc. As a scholar in Paris, between 1894 and 1899 of the Ministry of Public Works and then of the Royal House, he followed in parallel painting (at the Julian Academy, in the studio of Bougereau, HL Doucet and Gabriel Ferrier) and engraving (at the Ecole Nationale et Spéciale des Beaux -Arts in the class of Jules Jacquet). His life was marked by the meeting with great personalities of the time: Gheorghe Duca, the one who noticed his drawing talent and obtained a scholarship in Paris, King Carol I, Jules Jacquet, Spiru Haret, Take Ionescu, Dimitrie Paciurea, Alexandru Clavel . At Vulcana Pandele, in the artist’s house, we present in a photo-documentary exhibition the artist’s connections with the listed personalities. Along with original documents is also exhibited “Portrait of King Carol I”, an engraving especially appreciated by M. S. King himself. The patrimony of the National Museum Complex “Curtea Domnească” Târgoviște, the collection “Gabriel Popescu” was enriched this year by donating family correspondence during the artist’s studies in Paris, donated by the artist’s niece, Mrs. Ioana Beldiman, correspondence we invite you to see at Casa Atelier Gravor Gabriel Popescu. The exhibition will remain open until April 8th 2022, in order to provide enough time for tourists to watch it in maximum safety.

Engraving Exhibition at CNMCD

The project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, financed by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism within the PA16 / RO12 Program Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage and implemented by the Dâmbovița County Council (CJD) between 01.07.2015 – 30.04.2017, according to Financing Agreement no. PA16 / RO12-LP14 / 30.06.2015, has reached its fourth year of sustainability.

Between 15^th and 21^st March 2021, CJD organized an engraving exhibition at the National Museum Complex ”Curtea Domnească” in Târgoviște. The exhibition can be visited from 08:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m.

In this exhibition, were exposed the most representative works resulting from the introductory course in the art of engraving for children, conducted by Dâmbovița County Council in the first 3 years of the project sustainability, the course being attended by students of the “Bălașa Doamna” Arts Highschool in Târgoviște.

During the introductory course into the art of engraving, the children received information about the history of engraving (famous artists who approached the engraving technique, as well as a brief presentation of their works), teaching the specific type of drawing to be engraved, transposing the preparatory drawing on the engraving plate, the engraving itself, the engraving technique and the individual choice of the way of making the plastic composition and implicitly of the engraving. Students learned to prepare the plate for printing using the role with printing ink and then to print the engravings created during the course, using the printing paper and the press purchased especially for this project. At the end of the course, students received participation diplomas from the National Union of Visual Artists.

The aim of this course it was pursued the visibility of Romanian graphic art, with emphasis on engraving technique, revitalizing the traditional engraving craft and highlighting Romanian engraving, increasing visitors’ interest in the uniqueness of the museum – the only engraving workshop house in Romania, with wood press.

By organising the engraving exhibition from 15^th to 21^st March 2021, CJD intended to contribute to the achieving of the project’s specific objective – by conserving, restoring and capitalizing the cultural and natural heritage, respectively, community development in Dâmbovița County, by increasing the tourist and investment attractiveness of the House Gabriel Popescu Workshop at Vulcana-Pandele commune.

Located in the patrimony of the “Curtea Domnească” National Museum Complex in Târgoviște, since 1969, the Gabriel Popescu House Atelier was inaugurated as a museum on 15^th May 1972. Made by the French architect Alexandre Clavel, based on the artist’s sketches, between 1902 and 1905, the house was a unique building in Romania, having from the beginning the destination of a workshop – and this feature was preserved until today, and it highlights the work of one of the most brilliant engravers, Gabriel Popescu.

Following the restoration project that was carried out by the Dâmbovița County Council, the Gabriel Popescu museum-workshop took shape, returned to a new life, and the tourists who cross beyond its threshold and step into this space will be able to get closer to a special universe.

Representatives of the cultural institutions in the county, the students of the “Bălașa Doamna” Art Highschool in Târgoviște and, at the same time, the general public and the art lovers were invited to the opening ceremony.

The project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, financed by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism within the PA16 / RO12 Program Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage and implemented by the Dâmbovița County Council (CJD) between 01.07.2015 – 30.04.2017, according to Financing Agreement no. PA16 / RO12-LP14 / 30.06.2015, has reached its fourth year of sustainability.

Between 15^th and 21^st March 2021, CJD organizes an engraving exhibition at the National Museum Complex ”Curtea Domnească” in Târgoviște. The exhibition can be visited from 08:00 a.m. to 16:00 p.m.

In this exhibition, there will be exhibited the most representative works resulting from the introductory course in the art of engraving for children, conducted by Dâmbovița County Council in the first 3 years of the project sustainability, the course being attended by students of the “Bălașa Doamna” Arts Highschool in Târgoviște.

The aim of this course was to increase the visibility of Romanian graphic art, with emphasis on engraving technique, revitalizing the traditional engraving craft and highlighting Romanian engraving, increasing visitors’ interest in the uniqueness of the museum – the only engraving workshop house in Romania, with wood press.

By organising the engraving exhibition from 15^th to 21^st March 2021, CJD intends to contribute to the achieving of the project’s specific objective – by conserving, restoring and capitalizing the cultural and natural heritage, respectively, community development in Dâmbovița County, by increasing the tourist and investment attractiveness of the House Gabriel Popescu Workshop at Vulcana-Pandele commune.

IIiiIIIn January, a series of activities took place at the “Gabriel Popescu Atelier House” museum. Thus, on January 15th , we celebrated the National Culture Day, where, among the portraits made by the engraver Gabriel Popescu, there is also Mihai Eminescu`s portait, and a group of children from Glodeni, accompanied by the librarians Gabriela Nica and Sorina Vârjoghe, attendened the event.At the same time, on January 23rd, took place the event “At new laws, new man” – 200 years since the birth of the ruler Alexandru Ioan Cuza, activity in partnership with the “Queen Mary” Association of Heroes` Cult, “Mihai Viteazul” branch Dâmbovița, Association of Heroes` Cult “Regina Maria”, sub-branch Vulcana Pandele, communal library “G-ral Constantin Olteanu” Vulcana Pandele, Cultural Center “Izvor de Apă Vie” Vulcana Pandele. In the lobby of the museum, a photo-documentary could be watched, about the personality of the ruler and his connections with Vulcana Pandele.

During November – December 2019, a series of projects were carried out within the museum, namely: << STEAUA SUS RĂSARE, "IROZII", an forgotten habbit at Vulcana Pandele >>, which started from an old photograph from Vulcan Pandele. After the related documentation, during the winter holidays and with the help of a local craftsman, a “Star” was made according to the old photo, as well as replicas of the crowns worn by the characters in the photograph. Together with the children from the Gura Vulcanei kindergarten, the habit of singing the „Steaua” carol was resumed. At the same time, on December 6th, at the History Museum, in Târgoviște, the National Engraving Biennial Gabriel Popescu was held.

In October, an important event took place for Vulcana-Pandele commune, in which the representatives of the museum participated. At the 17^th edition of the Festival of the Pumpkin, the Vulcana Pandele “Izvor de Apă Vie” Cultural House, together with the museum “Gabriel Popescu Atelier House”, organized a workshop, called “Autumn at the museum” using, besides the children`s imagination, leaves and autumn fruits.

On September 29th 2019, at ”Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House, an event to honour professor Dumitru Bendic was held. 70 years ago, professor Bendic took over the leadership of the Brănești and Vulcana-Pandele choir. The choir was awarded many prizes both in Romania and abroad. In the end of the event, some of the former choristers demonstrated, by singing, the reason why they were so successful in the past. They were rewarded with diplomas and presents, and after that everybody enjoyed a traditional meal and must, a traditional Romanian wine.

We invite you on Sunday, September 29th , 2019, at 11:30 am, at the gravor „Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House, at a moment of remembrance dedicated to a son of the village, who claimed to animate the choral movement in the mid-20th century, Dumitru Bendic.

In July, the whole activity was focused on documenting and preparing the photo-documentary exhibition “Tradition and modernism in the Romanian wedding” and the presentation “Wedding traditions and customs at Vulcana Pandele”, during the Vulcana Pandele`s Days Festivities. (July 19-21). In addition to copies of the photographs and documents, following the field documentation, we also exposed original photographs. Our exhibition was complemented by another exhibition dedicated to the evolution of the wedding dress in Vulcana Pandele, organized by the cultural centre in the locality. The event took place at the “Izvor de Apă Vie” Cultural Centre, the exhibition being enjoyed by a large number of visitors, both on the day of the opening and afterwards.

On the occasion of the Universal Day of the Romanian Embroidered Peasant Blouse, ”The Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House in the Vulcana-Pandele Commune hosted, in June, a number of events organized by the Vulcana-Pandele Village Hall, ”The Living Water Spring” Cultural House, the Pandelea Tradition Association, ”The Gheorghe N. Costescu” Library of Pucioasa, the Vulcana-Pandele Library, the Doiceşti Cultural House, the Gura Ocniţei Cultural House, ”The Ion Mareş” Secondary School of the Vulcana-Băi Commune, the Vulcana-Pandele Secondary School, and the Branești Secondary School. On this occasion, during the ”Sânziene Stories” activity, several folk artists spoke to the participants about issues such as: the sewing technique used in the embroidered peasant blouses, herbalism, the Sânziene headbands, and the wood and stone carving. Moreover, an exhibition called ”The Romanian Embroidered Peasant Blouse, a national symbol” was organized (private collector).

On 15^th May, children, parents, grandparents from Vulcana-Pandele attended the event “Families visiting the museum, on museum day and family day ” and built a family tree. The event was jointly organized with the Vulcana-Pandele Communal Library.

At the same time, the re-invention of the Gabriel Popescu collection took place.

On 8th May 2019, the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House received the visit of the participants in the ”Tracing Our Cultural Heritage” Erasmus Project, which has the following partners: Dimotico Scholeio Asinou (Perifereiako), Cyprus – coordinator, Osnovna Skola Tomasa Goricanca Mala Subotica – Istituto Comprensivo Statale Masaccio, Italy, Ceip el Picacho – Spain, École Saint Gilles Hennebont, France, and Vulcana-Pandele Middle School, Romania. The hosts organized a practical demonstration of imprinting and presented the guests the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House Museum, that was restored and consolidated within PA 16 / RO12 Program ”Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage”, financed by the SEE Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014.

From 8th to 15th April, within the ”Open Doors Week” event, at the Gabriel Popescu Atelier Workshop a vernissage was organized to exhibit photos and documents on the occasion of ”The Celebratory Year of the Romanian Village”. The vernissage aimed at cherishing documentary materials about the churches, schools and town hall in the commune before the mid-20th century. Furthermore, during the ”The Week of a Different Kind of School” (15th to 19th April), children from the Prahova County visited the ”Mihai Viteazul” School at Pucioasa and the ”Gura Vulcanei” Kindergarten.

In order to enhance the tourist attractiveness of Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, revive the art of engraving, and promote the engraving art and engraver Gabriel Popescu`s personality, in the second year of sustainability of the Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, the Dâmboviţa County Council offered a number of pupils an initiation course in the art of engraving, from 8th to 12th April 2019.

A group of 8 children (pupils attending The Bălăşa Doamna Art Highschool) participated in the course that was held at Târgovişte, for five days, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. each day. During the classes, each participant received a kit of materials to work with throughout the course. The engraving classes included also: information on the history of engraving (famous artists who approached the technique of engraving and a brief presentation of their works), teaching a few specific types of drawings and then engraving them, placing the preparatory drawings on the engraving plate, teaching a few engraving techniques and helping the pupils make their individual choices in terms of making their art compositions, and the engraving work itself. The students have learned to prepare the printing plate by using an ink roll and then to print the etchings they created during the classes on paper, with the printing press that was purchased particularly within this project.

The pupils received diplomas from the Ploiesti Branch of the National Union of the Romanian Plastic Artists. The students’ works will be framed and exhibited at an one week-exhibition that will be held at the Târgoviște Royal Court National Museum Complex, in the fourth and fifth years of the project sustainability.

It is expected that representatives of the county cultural institutions and art-loving people will visit the exhibition.

In March, within the project “The Museum comes to you” and as a result of the partnerships, the activity “The legend of the snowdrop at the gravor Gabriel Popescu Atelier House” took place at “Gura Vulcanii” kindergarten. Pictures of the museum were presented to the children and a snowdrop workshop was organized, using paper and cardboard remains, left from the museum’s previous exhibitions.
Also, the representatives of the museum, Mrs. Elena Diaconu and Mrs. Andreea Duţă organized the project “Do it yourself, I teach you how!”, a workshop to make mărțișoare* (small ornaments with a woven red and white thread, offered on a gift, especially to women and girls, on March 1^st, hanging on the neck, caught on the coat, etc.) and greeting cards using the classic seam point of Romania, the little cross, and telling about the appearance, significance and evolution of the mărțișor* in time;
At the same time, within the museum, on March 6th, the reading and documenting point was opened during the activities dedicated to the Year of the Book through the “Reading out loud day at the gravor Gabriel Popescu Atelier House”. In partnership with the Vulcana Pandele Communal Library, the International Women’s Day organized a seating and on March 20^th, the International Francophonie Day was celebrated.

February 21^st – 24^th 2019 – Dâmboviţa county’s participation through the Dâmboviţa County Council at the Tourism Fair of Romania

“Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House from Vulcana – Pandele commune, Dâmboviţa County, a project implemented through the EEA Programmme and Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, among the attractions of the Romanian Tourism Fair

The main tourist attractions in Dâmboviţa County are promoted within the Romanian Tourism Fair, during 21^st – 24^th February 2019 (organized at the Romexpo Bucharest Exhibition Center), a national impact exhibition. The participation at the Romanian Tourism Fair represents a good opportunity to ensure the visibility of the tourist objectives in Dâmboviţa County, including the “Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House from Vulcana – Pandele commune, Dâmboviţa County, a project implemented through the SEE Programmme and Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014.

The Romanian Tourism Fair, organized annually at ROMEXPO, is the most famous and important action of increasing tourist areas in Romania, carried out at national level. At its 41^st edition, the fair enjoys, as in previous years, both the participation of local authorities and state-owned institutions, as well as private operators and private economic agents, active in the field.

Every week, in October, at the Vulcana Pandele Cultural centre, the students from the Vulcana Pandele Gymnasium School students attended an unconventional lesson of history under the title: “Romania 100, Vulcana Pandele”.On this occasion, information, documents and photos about the participation of the local people in the First World War and the realization of the Great Union have been valued in order to prepare the inaugural moment of the commemorative plaque dedicated to the pandemic heroes.

Also in October, the visitors who passed the threshold of the museum arranged inside the Atelier House Gabriel Popescu were delighted by the exhibition dedicated to the great engraver.

In September, under the project “Proud to be Romanians! – Romanians in the world, yesterday and today, Romanians at home and abroad “, the “Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House together with the “Water Spring” Cultural Centre, at the suggestion of Mrs. Rosa Andrei, established in Castellon de la Plana, organized a day at the museum with the theme “Gourmet Cultural Interferences, Romania – Spain; meeting between cultures and generations “. The participants, elders, adults and children as well, enjoyed the culinary preparations and the artistic works of Gabriel Popescu and met the work of the Spanish artist, born in Barcelona, Joan Miro, “Inundation II”, a model for stamps that was donated to the Romanian state in August 1970.

From 16^th to 19^th July, the “Dolls and Stories Workshop” took place at the 6^th edition of the “Skilled Hands” creative camp, organized by the “Water Spring” Cultural Centre. The workshop aimed at familiarizing a number of children with the denominations of the traditional costumes and the materials used to make them.
From 20^th to 22^nd July, many groups of children visited the museum, where they performed artistic programmes throughout the celebration of the Vulcana-Pandele Commune.

From 6^th to 9^thJune 2018, within the educational Project “Romania 100, Vulcana Pandele”, a scientific communication session took place at the Nicolae Iorga Memorial Museum, Vălenii de Munte Commune. The main purpose of this educational project was to involve a number of students in specific activities, in order to develop their knowledge in the fields of history and arts, their artistic spirit, cultural horizon, communication skills and personal ability to involve in cultural events. In terms of its objectives, the project has proposed the discover and valorise the national and local historical and cultural elements. On 22^th June, the activity “Ia de Drăgaică, Ziua Drapelului” (with special guests: Petruța Şurian, “Semne Cusute”; Olivia Gheorghe, popular artist, and Mihaela-Elena Spiridon – photographer) was held. This activity was organized in partnership with the “Izvor de apă vie” Cultural House and the Vulcana-Pandele Communal Library. Also, on 24^th June, the ”The International Day of the Traditional Popular Romanian Blouse” was celebrated at the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House premises.

On 15^th May 2018, on the occasion of the “World Family Day”, the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House celebrated 46 years since its inauguration. The event was organized in partnership with the Vulcana-Pandele Communal Library. Also, within Project “Romania 100, Vulcana-Pandele”, which is being implemented throughout the whole year, the presentation with the same name – “Romania 100, Vulcana-Pandele” was projected in the cultural hall. Through this action, a practical history lesson was held, and at the same time, an invitation to visit the temporary exhibition at the premises of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House.

PRESS RELEASE 23^rd April 2018 : In order to enhance the tourist attractiveness of Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, with the intention of reviving the art of engraving, promoting the engraving art and engraver Gabriel Popescu`s personality, in the Year 1 of sustainability of the project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, The Dâmboviţa County Council held an initiation course in the art of engraving dedicated to children, during 16^th – 20^th April 2018. The course was organized for a group of 8 children (students of “Bălăşa Doamna” Highschool of Arts) and was held in Târgovişte, between 14:00 and 18:00 o`clock, during five days During the classes, each participant received a kit of materials to work. The engraving classes included information about the history of engraving (famous artists who have approached the technique of engraving and a brief presentation of their works), teaching specific draws to be engraved, placing the preparatory draws on the engraving plate, the engraving process, engraving techniques and individual options towards achieving the plastic composition, and the engraving itself. Students have learned to prepare the plate for printing by using ink rolls and then printing the etchings they created during the classes, by using the paper for the printing press which was purchased especially for this project.The children received diplomas from the National Union of Plastic Artists, Ploiesti Branch. The works carried out during this course will be framed and exhibited at an exhibition that will be held at the Royal Court National Museum Complex for a week in the Years 4 and 5 of sustainability of the project. The exhibition will be attended by representatives of the county cultural institutions and the art-loving audience.

During 10^th – 15^th of April 2018, the “Gabriel Popescu” Engraving Atelier House, at Vulcana-Pandele, hosted the activities of the Open Doors Week.

Thus, photographs, documents, materials and published articles were exposed, through which the links between the artist and the Royal House were made, within the “Gabriel Popescu and the Royal House of Romania” activity. At the same time, the Centenary of the Great Unification was celebrated by a series of history courses organized in the museum area. Thus, the exhibition opened in January this year and the photo-documentary montage attended by students of several classes from the Vulcana-Pandele middle school were capitalized. Also, in the activity “Our heroes are coming bank home”, which was held in the memory of the heroes in the village, trees were planted (both in the courtyard of the museum and on the land near the school of Gura Vulcanei village).

Dâmboviţa County Council and the “Royal Court” National Museum Complex organize the ”Open Doors Week” at the Engraver Gabriel Popescu’s Atelier House at Vulcana-Pandele, Dâmboviţa County, from 10th to 15th April 2018. Also, in the same week, an activity based on the theme “Our heroes are coming back home” (practical lesson of history and tree planting in the memory of those who died to unify the nation) will take place. Entrance is free of charge.

Dâmboviţa County Council at Romanian Tourism Fair 2018

Our county was represented by Dâmboviţa County Council, during February 22 – 25th 2018, at the Romanian Tourism Fair, a national tourism exhibition, held at the Romexpo Center in Bucharest. Among the Dâmboviţa tourist attractions, the Royal Court National Museum Complex, the Ialomiţa Cave, the Neagra Bison Reservation, the Brâncovenesc Palace at Potlogi, and the “Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House, at Vulcana – Pandele commune, were promoted. At this event, Dâmboviţa County Council was represented by councillors Mugurel Dragomir, Ruxandra Pavel and Anda Gagiu. Visitors to the presentation stand of Dâmboviţa County received both promotional materials on the main tourist attractions of the county and additional information on the less known tourist locations in the area and the available accommodation places.We need to mention that the participation in the Romanian Tourism Fair represented a good opportunity to bring the main Dâmboviţa tourist attractions to the attention of potential tourists.

Press Release, January 23^rd, 2018:

Dâmboviţa County Council, through “The Royal Court” National Museum Complex Târgovişte, marked the opening of the Centenary of the Grand Union on January 23^rd, 2018 by opening a photo-documentary exhibition arranged at the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, called “Romania 100, Vulcana-Pandele – Images and Documents“. In addition to well-known photographs, during the First World War and the great union from Alba Iulia, objects from the patrimony of the “The Royal Court” National Museum Complex Târgovişte were also valued, with exhibits related to the Vulcana-Pandele locality and the historical period concerned. The exhibition was completed with photographs and documents discovered in the village, among them a “flag” sewn by the mothers and wives of the heroes in the commune, dead in the First World War. Also, in order to mark the Day of the Union of Romanian Principalities, a lithography with the prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza and aspects during his reign was exhibited. Photocopies of original documents were exhibited in the lobby of the museum, in order to be consulted by interested visitors. The event was attended by: Deputy Cornel Ştefan, Mayor of Vulcana-Pandele commune, col (r) Radu Vasile, delegation of the Dâmboviţa Heroes Cult, composed of Gheorghe Şerban – President, Prof. George Coandă – First Vice President. (r), Marian Pavel and Posta Nicolae – vice-presidents. Together with the children from the Vulcana Pandele School – teachers, citizens, military cadres in retreat and reserve, commune’s parish priests and guests from neighboring communes attended.

Press release December 22^nd 2017

Dâmboviţa County Council, through the “The Royal Court” National Museum Complex Târgovişte, organized today, December 22^nd 2017, in partnership with the Vulcana-Pandele School, “Ion Mareş” School, Vulcana – Băi, and the Cultural House ” Izvor de apă vie”, the activity “In search of Santa Claus“, during the Carols Festival 2017. In spite of the cold weather, the children of the aforementioned schools came to the “Gabriel Popescu” atelier house in Vulcana-Pandele, in order to decorate the Christmas tree, placed on the museum terrace. The adornments were manufactured by the little ones from natural and recyclable materials (pine cones or fir cones, sweets packaging). According to tradition, the children sang carols, being rewarded with apples and pretzels. Supported by the goblins, the little hunters started to look for Santa Claus, at the locals’ houses. The group also visited Vulcana-Pandele Town Hall.

05.12.2017 Dâmboviţa County Council awarded the participants in the 6^th edition of the “Gabriel Popescu” National Biennale of Engraving

Dâmboviţa County Council, through the “Royal Court” National Museum Complex Târgovişte, organized today, 5^th of December 2017, the award ceremony and the opening of the 6^th edition of the “Gabriel Popescu” National Biennale of Engraving. The biennale bears the name of the first great Romanian engraver, born in Dâmboviţa county, who lived and worked in the house with a workshop at Vulcana-Pandele, where there is the only wooden press in Romania – with rollers, to print engravings in metal. The event took place at the Art Museum in Târgovişte. Dâmboviţa County Council was represented by Ivan Vasile Ivanoff – the County Secretary, and Ovidiu Cârstina – manager of the “Royal Court” Museum Complex. The jury was made up of: president – Conf. Dr. Ioana Beldiman and members – prof. Atena Simionescu, graphic designer Răzvan Constantin Caratenase, professor and member of the Board of Directors of the Union of Plastic Artists in Romania, plastic artist Andrei Scarlătescu and museographer Maria Neacşu – as secretary. Following the assessment of the 74 engraving works participanting in the 2017 edition of the “Gabriel Popescu” National Engraving Biennial, the jury decided to award eight prizes and awards to: Florin Pânzariu (special prize), Fântânariu Suzana (1^st prize) , Stoiciu Florin (2^nd prize), Dragoş Răzvan Petrişor (3^rd prize), Voicu Mihail (award I), Radu Aura Evelina (award II), Niţă Rada (award III), Stratulat Cristina (award IV). The exhibition is open until 31^st January 2018 at the Târgovişte Art Museum on Tuesdays and Sundays, from 8.00 to 16.00.

16th to 19th November 2017

Dâmboviţa County Council at Romanian Tourism Fair – “Restoration and Consolidation of Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, within Programme PA16 / RO12 Preservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014.

The main attractions of Dâmboviţa County were promoted within the Romanian Tourism Fair, that took place 16 to 19 November 2017 at Romexpo Bucharest Exhibition Center), the most important national exhibition event. Dâmboviţa County Council was represented by Mugurel Dragomir, Ruxandra Pavel and Anda Gagiu – councillors at European Projects Department. Brochures on the main tourism objectives in Dâmboviţa County were distributed. The participation at the Romanian Tourism Fair was a good opportunity to enchance the visibility of the tourist and cultural objectives in Dâmboviţa County including Gabriel Popescu Atelier House in Vulcana – Pandele, Dâmboviţa County, project implemented within the Programme and Financial Mechanism SEE 2009 – 2014.

PRESS RELEASE 28.11.2017

Today, 28th November 2017, Alexandru Oprea, President of Dâmboviţa County Council, together with representatives of the Ministry of Culture and National Identity, the Ministry of Regional Development, Public Administration and European Funds and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Bucharest, visited at Gabriel Popescu Atelier House in Vulcana-Pandele Commune to mark the closure of culture programmes funded by EEA Grants 2009 – 2014.

On this line, prior to this visit, during a conference that took place in Ilfov County, the main achievements of the programmes and projects implemented within the current funding framework were presented. At the same time, a series of successful stories were exhibited in order to share the project promoters` experience.

We recall that the investment objective of Gabriel Popescu Atelier House was rehabilitated through a project carried out by the Dâmboviţa County Council within PA16 / RO12 Program “Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage” financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014.

The project total eligible costs were of 2,516,808.24 lei, out of which 2,139,287 lei – EEA grants, and 377,521.24 lei – funds from the state budget.

The mayor of Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Vasile Radu, the director of the “Curtea Domnească” National Museum Complex, Ovidiu Cârstina, and the representatives of the Project Implementation Unit also attended the event.

We mention that under the PA16 / RO12 Programme, the project implemented by Dâmboviţa County Council was the only project selected for the visit in order to mark the closure of programmes funded by the Norwegian funds.

At the end of the event, plastic artist Andrei Scărlătescu made an engraving demonstration.

For the third consecutive year, Dâmboviţa County Council was awarded in the Administration Excellence Awards Gala

Dâmboviţa County Council was awarded on Thursday, October 12^th 2017, during the 13^th edition of the Administration Excellence Awards Gala, in culture field, for the project “Restoration and Consolidation of Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, within Programme PA16 / RO12 Preservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage, financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014.

The reward was handed to the County Secretary, Ivan Vasile Ivanoff, as the official representative of Dâmboviţa County Council.

The Administration Excellence Awards Gala is an event organized every year by the National Public Administration Portal www.administratie.ro and the “People and Companies” Agency and is an action dedicated exclusively to the central and local public administration in Romania – experts, authorities, and professionals in the field.

This year’s edition took place in Bucharest and brought together a large number of heads of public institutions in Romania – prefects, presidents and vice presidents of county councils, public administrators, public administration representatives and professional associations.

The program of this year’s event included the seminar “Modern Management in Administration”, which was launched in 2006, as the first national programme to promote projects and commendable initiatives in the field of public administration.

The Administration Excellence Awards Gala highlights the best results achieved by the local public administration in Romania, illustrating the efforts made for the development of this system, the positive initiatives of the experts in the field, as well as the important projects that the representatives of the local and central administration have supported.

Within the cultural section, where Dâmboviţa County Council was awarded, a number of prizes were awarded for the most successful projects in the fields of: public services, social services, tourism, infrastructure, education, health, urbanism, and modern technologies.

We would like to remind that at the 2015 edition, Dâmboviţa County Council was awarded the prize for excellence in the tourism section for the project “Rehabilitation and modernization of the technical infrastructure in order to increase the tourist potential of the Ialomiţa Cave in the Bucegi Massif, Dâmboviţa County”, and in 2016 our institution won the prize for excellence in the social services section for the project “Modernizing and expanding the Casa Soarelui Social Services Complex “.

Press Release 15th of May 2017: 45 years since the opening – as a museum – of the Atelier House Gabriel Popescu

Today, 15 May, 2017, the leadership of the Dâmboviţa County Council attended to the event dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the opening – as a museum – of the Gabriel Popescu Workshop House. The Atelier House has been recently rehabilitated through a Norwegian-funded project.

During the ceremony dedicated to this event, merit diplomas were awarded to the people who have been involved over time in the preservation of the great artist Gabriel Popescu, the first of Romania’s greatest gravors. On this occasion, President Alexandru Oprea thanked everyone for their commitment and expressed showing his respect, appreciation and support for the promotion of the Romanian culture. The program included other artistic moments, both a photo exhibition on the history of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, and a demonstration in the art of engraving by artist Andrei Scărlătescu.

Ovidiu Cârstina – Manager of “The Royal Court” National Museum Complex, representatives of the Project Implementation Unit, staff of Dâmboviţa County Council, historians and architects, students and local people attended the event as well.

Alexandru Oprea, President of the Dambovita County Council: “I am honorred to address some words about an artist and a museum which little known by the general public and the Romanian artistic environment. As a part of the “Royal Court” National Museum Complex since 1969, the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House was opened to visiting on 15 May 1972, that is 45 years ago. Designed by French architect Alexandre Clave, based on the artist’s sketches, between 1902 and 1905, the house is a unique buildingof this sort in Romania, as it was also a workshop from the very begining.

Gabriel Popescu, the artist was born here, in Vulcana-Pandele, in 1866, in a large family. He was the son of the priest of the village. Although he was preparing to follow his father’s profession, his talent proved to be defining. On a large scale, our artist, the first Romanian engraver in the field, is the founder of the Romanian engraving school. In this capacity, he was the holder, for several decades, of the engraving chair of the School of Fine Arts in Bucharest. A both solitary and discreet man with a deep knowledge of the human nature, expressive and impeccable in execution, Gabriel Popescu let the art to talk for him and that was the why he didn`t gain a larger notoriety. Thanks to his exceptional qualities, he received several distinctions and medals at various exhibitions. He was appreciated and encouraged by His Majesty, King Carol I of Romania, whose portrait he engraved in the year of the royal jubilee – 1906. He mastered all the engraving techniques and showed a particular interest in each of them. He also excelled in other fields – stamps, medals and plaques making. He rests in peace in his hometown near the church where his father served. The shadow cone, installed after the artist’s death in 1937, was followed by a revival once the Vulcana – Pandele Museum opened its door to public in 1972.

A new approach to promoting the museum, was made when it was included in a financing line within the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014, as the Project “Restoration and consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune , Dâmboviţa County”.

Thus, the restoration of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House and the reconstruction of his house have brought the museum into a tourist and scientific circuit and should be the impetus for reaching high visibility parameters on the Romanian cultural and scientific market. Those who enter the museum enter another universe where they have the opportunity to develop themselves, learn and study, recreate, develop different activities out of the daily routine. We therefore recommend to visit the museum and discover the engraving artist at his home.

Celebrating 45 years of existence as a museum, we can only admire the way Gabriel Popescu Atelier House returned to a new life. The tourists who will reach this place will be able to approach this unique universe. “

Press Release 27th April 2017: Dâmboviţa County Council organized on 27th April the press conference on the completion of the Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, within Programme PA16 / RO12 Preservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage, financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014.

The project falls within Component 1 of Programme PE16 / RO12 “Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage”. The project aims to restore, conserve and protect the historical monument – the Gabriel Popescu Atelier
House. The project aims to increase tourism by completing the Project investment and hence to support the development of the local community.

The event was attended by: Mrs. Claudia Gilia, Vice President of Dâmboviţa County Council, Mr. Valeriu Florin Gilia – Executive Director of European Programs Department in Dâmboviţa County Council, Mrs. Mădălina Breazu – Project Manager, representatives of the Project Implementation Unit, representatives of cultural institutions in Dâmboviţa County, representatives of local public administration.

The total eligible costs of the Project are of 2,516,808.24 lei (VAT included) of which:

·2,516,808.24 lei – non-reimbursable funds

2,139,287.00 lei – EEA grants

377,521.24 lei – state budget funds

·Non-eligible funds: 33.108 lei

The initial deadline for completing the project was September 30, 2016. Therefore, by that date, the museum restoration works ended. The restored/preserved/capitalized historical monument is now opened to visitiors.

Following the signing of Addendum no. 3 / 30.09.2016 to Financing Contract PA16/RO12-LP14/30.06.2015, the period of project implementation was extended with the additional activities meant to increase the visibility of the Romanian graphic art, focusing on the technique of engraving, revitalizing the craft of the traditional engraving and highlighting the Romanian engraving art, thus increasing the interest of the visitors for the uniqueness of the museum – the only engraving workshop in our country with a wooden press. Among these activities we mention: organizing a course of initiation in the art of engraving for students of high schools / art schools and for young people interested in learning the techniques of classical engraving; collaboration with Romanian or foreign engraving artists or with professional engraver associations for organizing creative camps at the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, turning a documentary about Gabriel Popescu’s life and work; creating a virtual tour of the museum; developing a strategic guide for tourism and scientific valorisation.

Mrs. Claudia Gilia, Vice President of Dâmboviţa County Council, spoke about the implementation of the project: “At the end of each project, we must also thank the people who have actively involved in everything which this special
project meant. First of all,we would like to thank the man who, as we know him, dedicated and diligent, was particularly devoted to this project: senator Adrian Ţuţuianu. Also, my congratulations go to the implementation team, without whom they certainly would not have been successful today, and I also want to congratulate the builders for having succeeded in bringing back the charm of this monument in such a short time. I invite the people from Dâmboviţa County and not only form our County to visit the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, a historical monument of a special importance for the cultural heritage of Dâmboviţa.“

Communication and International Relations Office

Press Release 25th April 2017: The “Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County, Project financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, promoted during “Romanian Spring at Brussels Festival”

At the invitation of Arthis – the Belgian-Romanian Cultural House, during 22nd – 23rd of April 2017, a delegation of Dâmboviţa County Council went to Brussels in order to represent Dâmboviţa County at the 12th edition of the ”Romanian Spring at Brussels Festival”.

The festival hosted many stands, exhibitions and famous artists who came from Romania especially for the event.

At Dâmboviţa County Council’s stand, brochures and flyers were offered, in order to promote the county, the diversity and attractiveness of the Dâmboviţa area from cultural and tourist point of view. The event was a good opportunity to promote the “Gabriel Popescu” Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County, a project financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.

https://www.cjd.ro/comunicate_de_presa/judeul_dambovia_prezent_la_festivalul_primavara_romaneasca_la_bruxelles

Press Release 4th April 2017: In order to increase the tourism and investment opportunities of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, with the intention to resurrect and promote the art of engraving and Gabriel Popescu’s personality, under the Project “Restoration and

Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana – Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, Dâmboviţa County Council organized a graphic – competition camp for 10 professional artists during 27 – 31^st March.

This activity was organized under Addendum no. 3 / 30.09.2016 to Financing Contract PA16/RO12-LP14/30.06.2015 for Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, within Programme PE16 / RO12 Conservation and Revitalisation of the Natural and Cultural Heritage, funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.

This new activity consisted of a five – day camp for professional artists. The participants stayed at King Hotel in Targoviste. They were transported every day to points of interest and cultural heritage in the city and in the county (Târgovişte Vulcana-Pandele, Potlogi, Ialomiţa Cave etc.) that were sources of inspiration for the graphic works.

The works performed by the 10 professional artists attending this camp were noted on 31^st March by art people – members of the Union Artists of Romania – Ploieşti Branch, during the competition held at the History Museum of Târgovişte starting from 11:00.

1^st prize was awarded to work no. 1 named “COMPOZIȚIE”, Artist: Ana OPRIŞOREANU

2^nd prize was awarded to work no. 9 named “LUMINĂ DIN LUMINĂ”, Artist: Valter PARASCHIVESCU

3rd prize was awarded to work no. 4 named “OCHIUL DIVIN”, Artist: Răzvan – Petrișor DRAGOȘ

The other professional artists received certificates of participation and the works that participated in the competition were:

work no. 2 named “Curtea Domnească din Târgoviște 2017”, Artist: Marilena GHIORGHIȚĂ

work no. 3 named “Interiorul Muzeului de Artă Târgoviște”, Artist: Aneta FILIP

work no. 5 named “MEMORIA TIMPULUI”, Artist: Mihai ȘERBĂNESCU

work no. 6 named “Tinerețe fără bătrânețe și viață fără de moarte”, Artist: Alfred DUMITRIU

work no. 7 named “ISTORIE”, Artist: Cristina BOTEZ

work no. named “Gabriel Popescu – Gravorul și soția”, Artist: Alexandru GRECU

work no. 10 named “MEMORII”, Artist: Vlad DUMITRIU

The 10 works that participated in the contest at the end of the camp will be displayed at Gabriel Popescu Heritage Museum in Vulcana Pandele.

Today’s exhibition – contest was attended by: Mr. Valeriu Florin Gilia – Executive Director of European Programs Department in Dâmboviţa County Council, Bejgu Marcel – President of the Romanian Artists Union (Ploieşti), Adet Tiberius, Anghel Cristian, Nicolae Adrian, Sutu Florinel – members of the Romanian Artists Union (Ploieşti), Mr. Ovidiu Cârstina – Manager of “The Royal Court” National Museum Complex, representatives of the Project Implementation Unit.

During the graphic-competition camp, documentary trips to the major sights of Dâmboviţa County were organized, during which, the participating artists made sketches in order to make an idea that served later on creating the graphics to be exposed and their rewarding at the end of the camp. Each participant chose his own compositional topic, inspired either by the sketches realized during the documentary trips or by their own ideas and plastic expression.

The additional activities organized within the project, which includes this camp as well, were meant to: increase the visibility of the Romanian graphic art, by focusing on the engraving techniques; revive the traditional engraving craft and enhance the Romanian engraving art; increase the interest of the visitors in the uniqueness of the museum – the only atelier house in Romania with a wooden press.

The participants of the graphic-competition camp received 1 DVD with the documentary on engraving/romanian graphic art which emphasizes the life and work of the great engraver artist – Gabriel Popescu, documentary realized in the same project.

For further information on the project, please contact the Employer, Dâmbovița County Council (Piața Tricolorului nr. 1, Târgoviște, Județul Dâmbovița), e-mail: consjdb@cjd.ro , tel: +40 245 207 600; + 40 245 212 230, websites: www.cjd.ro and www.casaateliergabrielpopescu.ro .

Contact person: Mădălina Breazu, Project Manager, e-mail: madalina.breazu@cjd.ro

Project financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, under the Programme PA 16 / RO12 “Preservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage”. For official information about the EEA and Norway Grants, please visit www.eeagrants.org

Press Release 24 March 2017: The little gravors, awarded at the end of the introductory engraving art course, under the Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana – Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”

In order to increase the tourism and investment opportunities of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, with the intention to resurrect and promote the art of engraving and Gabriel Popescu’s personality, under the Project “Restoration and
Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana – Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, Dâmboviţa County Council organized a 10-day introductory engraving art course, dedicated to children.

The best works created during this course were framed and displayed in an exhibition which took place today, 24 March 2017, at the Conference Room of the King Hotel in Târgovişte.

Today’s event was attended by: Mr. Valeriu Florin Gilia – Executive Director of European Programs Department, Mrs. Mădălina Breazu – Project Manager, Andrei Scărlătescu, member of the Romanian Artists Union (Ploieşti) and the etching class lecturer, Mr. Ovidiu Cârstina – Manager of “The Royal Court” National Museum Complex, Ionuţ Lăscaie – manager of Dâmboviţa Cultural Centre, representatives of the Project Implementation Unit.

The target of this activity were 16 children, split in 2 groups. The course provided information on: the history of the engraving art (famous artists involved in this process and a brief presentation of their works), the specific draws meant to be engraved, how to place a preparatory draw on the engraving plate, engraving process, engraving techniques and individual choices on how to achieve the plastic composition and how to engrave. Students have learned to prepare the plates for printing by using ink rols and then they printed the etchings which they had created during the classes by using the printing paper and the press purchased for this project.

The additional activities organized within the project, which included this course as well, were meant to: increase the visibility of the Romanian graphic art, by focusing on the engraving tehniques; revive the traditional engraving craft and enhance the Romanian engraving art; increase the interest of the visitors in the uniqueness of the museum – the only atelier house in Romania with a wooden press.

Today, the participants watched a documentary on engraving/romanian engraving art which emphasizes the life and work of the great engraver artist – Gabriel Popescu.

For further information on the project, please contact the Employer, Dâmbovița County Council (Piața Tricolorului nr. 1, Târgoviște, Județul Dâmbovița), e-mail: consjdb@cjd.ro , tel: +40 245 207 600; + 40 245 212 230, website:

www.cjd.ro and www.casaateliergabrielpopescu.ro .

Contact person: Mădălina Breazu, Project Manager, e-mail: madalina.breazu@cjd.ro

21st March 2017: Press Release

In order to increase tourism opportunities in relation to the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, aiming at resurrecting and promoting the art of engraving and Gabriel Popescu’s personality, within the Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana – Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, Dâmboviţa County Council organized introductory classes in the art of engraving, dedicated to children.

The classes were organized for two groups of 8 children each, at Târgoviște, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., for ten days as following:

Group 1:

· 20.02 – 24.02.2017

· 27.02 – 01.03.2017

· 04.03 – 05.03.2017

Group 2:

· 06.03 – 10.03.2017

· 13.03 – 17.03.2017

During the classes, each participant received a kit of materials to work. The engraving classes included information about the history of engraving (famous artists who have approached the technique of engraving and a brief presentation of their works), teaching specific draws to be engraved, placing the preparatory draws on the engraving plate, the engraving process, engraving techniques and individual options towards achieving the plastic composition, and the engraving itself. Students have learned to prepare the plate for printing by using ink rols and then printing the etchings they created during the classes, by using the paper for the printing press which was purchased especially for this project.

The best works created during the classes will be framed and displayed in an exhibition which will take place on 3rd of March, at 11:00 a.m. The exhibition will be attended by representatives of cultural institutions in the county and a representative from the project partner, namely the National Heritage Institute.

The children will receive participation certificates from the National Union of Artists.

For more information about the project, please contact the Employer, Dâmbovița County Council (Piaţa Tricolorului nr. 1, Târgoviște, Dâmbovița County), e-mail: consjdb@cjd.ro , tel: +40 245 207600; + 40 245 212230, website: www.cjd.ro and www.casaateliergabrielpopescu.ro .

Contact person: Madalina Breazu, Project Manager, e-mail: madalina.breazu@cjd.ro

Project financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009 – 2014, under the Programme PA 16 / RO12 “Preservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage”.

For official information about the EEA and Norway Grants, please visit www.eeagrants.org

http://ripostapenet.ro/2017/03/22/consiliul-judetean-dambovita-cursuri-de-initiere-in-arta-gravurii-pentru-copii/

16 to 19 February 2017

The participation of Dâmboviţa County, through Dâmboviţa County Council, at Romanian Tourism Fair

• Engraver House “Gabriel Popescu” in Vulcana – Pandele, Dâmboviţa County, a project realized through the Programme and the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 as RTF`s main attractions

The main attractions of Dâmboviţa County were promoted within the Romanian Tourism Fair, from 16 to 19 Februray 2017 (organized at Romexpo Bucharest exhibition center), an important national exhibition event.

The team, set up within the territorial administrative units in Dâmboviţa County, was represented by Mugurel Dragomir – counselor, Ruxandra Pavel – counselor and Stoica Răzvan Georgian – counselor in sports, tourism, youth associations and public order departments. Brochures with the main objectives of Dâmboviţa County were distributed.

Brochures were distributed to tourists and visitors of the exhibition stand at the Romanian Tourism Fair, from 16 to 19 February 2017, through present team members, who have directly distributed brochures with the project, supported by Dâmboviţa County Council’s own budget.

We mention that the participation at the Romanian Tourism Fair was a good opportunity to provide high visibility objectives in Dâmboviţa County including Engraver House “Gabriel Popescu” in Vulcana – Pandele, Dâmboviţa County, a project realized through the Programme and Financial Mechanism SEE 2009-2014.

06.01.2017: Reportage – Kanal D News – Rubrica „Ati fost aici” (show ”You Were Here”)

The Atelier House at Vulcana-Pandele – unique across the country! The monument that hosts the works of the greatest Romanian engraver artist.

17 to 20 November 2016

The participation of Dâmboviţa County, through Dâmboviţa County Council, at Romanian Tourism Fair

Engraver House “Gabriel Popescu” in Vulcana – Pandele, Dâmboviţa County, a project realized through the Programme and the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 as RTF`s main attractions

The main attractions of Dâmboviţa County were promoted within the Romanian Tourism Fair, from 17 to 20 November 2016 (organized at Romexpo Bucharest exhibition center), an important national exhibition event.

Advertising materials were distributed to the tourists who visited the exhibition stand at the Romanian Tourism Fair, from 17 to 20 November 2016, by the team members mentioned before, who have directly distributed adversiting materials of the project, which have been made from Dâmboviţa County Council’s own budget.

We mention that the participation at the Romanian Tourism Fair was a good opportunity to provide a high visibility of the Dâmboviţa County objectives including Engraver House “Gabriel Popescu” in Vulcana – Pandele, Dâmboviţa County, a project realized through the Programme and Financial Mechanism SEE 2009-2014.

tgp

Press Release: Date: 18 July 2016

Dâmboviţa County Council is implementing the Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”, within Programme PE16 / RO12 Conservation and Revitalisation of the Natural and Cultural Heritage, funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.

The project falls within Component 1 of Programme PE16 / RO12 “Conservation and revitalization of cultural and natural heritage”. The project aims to restore, conserve and protect the historical monument – the Gabriel Popescu Atelier House. The project aims to increase tourism by completing the Project investment and hence to support the development of the local community.

Date of Project completion: 30 September 2016. Until now the works have been completed and the Acceptance of the works at their completion has been admitted.

In the forthcoming period, the following sub-activities will be carried out:

Reopening the museum area. This task will consist of carrying out a theme project on the permanent exhibition, in connection with the reconstitution of the interiors (living spaces, workspaces) as they used to be when artist Gabriel Popescu lived at Vulcana-Pandele. Also, given its specific as memorial house specific, the theme exhibition will focus on the engraver’s personality – his family, and will highlight the heritage assets resulting from his activity as an engraver and also founder of the National School of Engraving.
Making available to public the historical monument that has been restored / preserved / capitalized. This task will include activities with the public and will consist in opening the museum to visitors in order both to capitalize the restored historical monument, and to increase the visitor numbers.

For more information on the Project, please contact the Beneficiary – Dâmbovița County Council (Piața Tricolorului nr. 1, 130060 Târgoviște, Județul Dâmbovița, e-mail: consjdb@cjd.ro , telephone: +40 245 207 600, + 40 245 212 230, websites: www.casaateliergabrielpopescu.ro and www.cjd.ro)

Contact person: Ms. Mădălina Breazu, Project Manager, e-mail: madalina.breazu@cjd.ro

Project financed by the EEA Financial Mechanism 2009-2014, within Program PA 16 / RO12 Conservation and Revitalisation of the Natural and Cultural Heritage.

For official information about the EEA and Norway Grants, please visit: www.eeagrants.org

Press Confrence On 12^th April 2016

On 12^th April 2016, Dâmbovița County Council organized a press conference for the Project “Restoration and Consolidation of the Gabriel Popescu Studio House, Vulcana-Pandele Commune, Dâmboviţa County”. The project is being implemented within Component 1 of Program PE16 / RO12 Conservation and Revitalisation of the Natural and Cultural Heritage, funded by the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.

The event took place at the Conference Room of Hotel King, located at Târgoviște.

Mr. Adrian Ţuţuianu, President of Dâmbovița County Council, brought the status of the works to the local media attention.

The conference was also attended by: Mr. Valeriu Florin Gilia – executive director of European Programs Department, Mrs. Mădălina Breazu – Project Manager, Mr. Dan Lăcătuș – site manager, Mr. Petre Ciurel – contractor representative, members of the Project Implementation Unit, Mrs. Agnes Erich – Manager of the “I. H. Rădulescu” County Library, Mr. Ovidiu Cârstina – manager of the “Târgoviște Royal Court” National Museum Complex, and Mr. Ionuț Lăscaie – Manager of Dâmboviţa Cultural Centre.

The general objective of the Project is to protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage. This will facilitate public access to the historical monument.

The Project specific objectives:

– To conserve, preserve and promote the Romanian engraver Gabriel Popescu Studio House, as part of the architectural and cultural heritage of the Dâmboviţa County

– The opportunity to include the rehabilitated heritage objective into the national and international circuit of museums

– To establish tourist routes to heritage buildings in the Dâmboviţa County

– To increase of tourist flow in Dâmboviţa County and South-Muntenia Region

The total eligible
costs of the Project are of 2,235,222.69 lei, plus VAT, of which:

• 2,202,114.60 lei – non-reimbursable funds

• 1,871,797.48 lei (EEA Grants)

• 30,317.21 lei (state budget funds)

• Non-eligible funds: 33,108 lei

Subsequently, Dâmboviţa County Council, the Project Promoter, is to sign an addendum that will extend the project implementation period by 5 months, of which 2 months are needed to complete the works (due to work ceasing), 1 month to achieve the completed works handover and to carry out rectification works, 1 month to put into place the museum, 1 month to make the restored / preserved / capitalized historical monument available to the public.

At the end of the press conference a site visit was carried out.