The new face of Cinema Republica

Yesterday evening, as I was in a hurry to catch the bus, I realized that the bus station was not in the same place I left it in the morning, in front of Cinema Republica (The Republic). The big crowd and the police officers were not waiting for bus 32, but for something much more important. Somehow I managed to get on the bus thanks to an old lady that stopped it in the middle of the street and asked the driver to open the doors.
So what was all that about?... Cinema Republica got a new face and a new name. Now it is called Cinema Florin Piersic after one of the most important Romanian living actors, who is from Cluj. He was at the grand opening, of course. There were rumors (my dad told me) of him making his appearance on the back of a horse. The fireworks were very nice!

Republica was, in the old days (before the malls), the largest and most up-to-date cinema in Cluj-Napoca, home of TIFF and other film festivals.

Where to find and buy local food

Some 10 or 15 years ago (when we didn't have supermarkets and malls) people found mainly local (Romanian) food in markets. In summer farmers traveled to our Cluj markets  from other regions to bring vegetables and fruit that didn't grow in our region. People cooked and ate products which were "in season".

Things have changed now. We can buy exotic products, tasteless tomatoes and Peruvian apples all year round. Local authorities don't encourage local farmers very much and half the markets are full of imported vegetables and stuff. There are some local farmers which sell their products in the market and there are still many people who choose to buy only local vegetables because they taste better. You can buy local vegetables, fruit, dried fruit, jam, pickles, dairy products, eggs and traditional meat products. There are small markets in each neighborhood, but the biggest is Leul Market in Piata Mihai Viteazul (farmers are close to the back entrance).

During spring and summer there is a Saturday local farmers' market near Republica Cinema in Piata Mihai Viteazul every two weeks, or you can stop at farmers' gates in the surrounding villages (e.g Apahida), they will be happy to sell you fresh vegetables and fruit (they usually keep samples at the gates if they want to sell). You can also buy traditional and local products from Christmas, Easter markets or fairs in the city center.

Happy New Year 2011!

We wish you all the best for this year ....

.... and if you have the chance, visit Cluj!