Friday, May 27th, 2011 PACT celebrated Neighbor’s Day in Bucharest with the organization friends. This year, PACT has been an official partner of the European Federation for Local Solidarity (http://www.european-neighbours-day.com/) and marked the 11th anniversary of the event alongside millions of European citizens, being celebrated the first time in Paris 2000.
In Bucharest the event organized by PACT Foundation was held in “Parcul Copilului” and brought together friends of organization, Bucharest’s old music (Trei Parale Band), Romanian folk music (Ansamblul Romanasul), therapeutic dance (Social Assistance Home Fundeni), young folk singers (students of Spiru Haret university Theatre), and citizens of Bucharest (waking in the park along friends, children or grandchildren). Four talented students of the Fine Arts School “Nicolae Tonitza” participated on a painting contest, trying to reveal in their work the concept of neighborliness, inspired by the event during which they worked. Competition winner, Madalina Lungu, was chosen by public’s vote and her painting was then auctioned by Mrs. Elena Moraru for the amount of 200 lei. The money will go to Community Found of PACT Organization for setting up community-based organizations or supporting existing community-based organizations.
Outside Bucharest, PACT launched the contest “PACT for neighborhood” destined for the community-based organizations founded during the 8 years of their activity. Thus CBOs and initiative groups were encouraged to organize events that celebrate Neighbor’s Day, promoting social cohesion and solidarity in their communities.
12 organizations from 12 communities have joined the competition launched by PACT Foundation: Sons of Francesti Village Association (Tisana village, Gorj county), IDCON Association (Arcani village, Gorj county), Sons of Vranesti Village Association (Vranesti village, Calinesti commune, Ages county), Education and Culture for People Valea Mare Podgoria Association (Stefanesti village, Arges county), Bileanul Initiative Goup (Bila village, Giurgiu county), Gaujani Traditions Community Group (Gaujani village, Giurgiu county), CÂNDeştiACTIV Initiative Group (Candesti village, Dambovita county), Wiliam Tyrell Foundation (Slatina city, Olt county), Roma-Romanian Association (Dorobantu commune, Calarasi county), Barca Young Hopes Cultural Artistic Association (Barca commune, Dolj county), ProEuro Young Malu Mare Association (Malu Mare commune, Dolj county).
There were 5 categories of prizes, the winners were chosen based on following criteria.
Young Hopes Cultural Artistic Association, from Barca village, Dolj county – won the special prize for most beautiful written story about the community and most eloquent pictures. Young Hopes won the award for delightful description of the community that inspired us and we are thankful. Their stories reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of Barca village, customs and traditions, models of neighborliness, love for native land and relate about neighbors and good neighborly deeds, communion and solidarity. The pictures reflect the atmosphere and sustain their story.
ProEuro Young Malu Mare Association, Dolj county – prize for most creative and visible / best promoted event. ProEuro Young Association won the prize for a large promotion in the media (newspapers: Cuvantul Libertatii, Editie Speciala; on-line: www.oradedolj.ro; television: GTV, Oltenia 3TV, TV Terrasat). Location for the event was settled by reusing the old town hall, formerly a mansion with porches. The association had organized activities that reflect old traditions (folk art exhibition – carpets, shirts, socks – that reminds about the places where they knit, spun, interlace, and tell stories) combined with modern elements (hairstyle and make-up made by local young ladies) also games and toys for children. They offered prizes and diplomas for various categories like skillful actions of participants (best hairdresser, best outdoors chef, most beautiful exhibition of folk art, etc) and attained a raffle of neighborliness, all culminating with a grilled meal.
Gaujani Traditions Community Group, Giurgiu county – prize for the most participatory, more creative and lively event. Gaujani Group won the award for making some original posters on the occasion of Neighbor’s Day and mobilizing a large number of community members (250 participants). This was a good opportunity to organize a contest and an exhibition of traditional tasting homemade products. Beside sharing recipes between competitors, organizers set up a jury that awarded participants with diplomas according to next categories “most tasty stand”, “the richest table”, “most traditional meal”, “most original table” etc. The contest was filled with traditional folk dances and gypsy style dances. Last but not least, we were pleased to announce that next year the group will organize a Festival of sweets with the participation of several town communities to talk up about Neighbor’s Day.
Bileanul Initiative Goup, Giurgiu county – prize for most fun and friendly event of good neighborly. Bileanul Group won the award for organizing rustic celebration that broke the barriers of ethno-cultural diversity and age between participants in the community, giving evidence of significance in the practice of good neighborliness. We were particularly impressed by the group’s wish to carry on a tradition of community neighbor and close opportunity between people in the future, since this event.
Education and Culture for People Valea Mare Podgoria Association (AECO), Arges county – special award for relevant pictures and a series of events around Neighbor’s Day over an entire week. AECO organized a several activities with the children who wrote compositions, drawings and other artistic works about neighbors and good neighborly relations which were exhibited and awarded on May 27. The children also made cards for their close neighbors and with this occasion they led their neighbors to clean up the school surroundings. The entire event ended with a well deserved picnic between neighbors.
Congratulations and thanks to all participants, all events were valuable and creative, mobilizing people in the community together to make beautiful, fun and useful things. The enthusiasm of those who participated and organized these events express people’s desire for more solidarity and their willingness to come together around a simple but generous project.
The winners will receive the prizes by the end of the week consisting in books useful for strengthening organizations activities and community groups by developing human resources, also in DVDs ad CDs music or movies relevant to the profile and beneficiaries they work with.
May 31st, 2012 – a date to be marked in your calendar because it’s the time when we’ll celebrate together next year Neighbor’s Day.
