One of the TAL’s events which was sold out, was Dan Manea’s talk about his love for Sinaia, a beautiful Romanian mountain town twinned with Thame. The public had the opportunity to hear from “Sinaia, Land of the Elites” author who invited the public to a virtual walk into Sinaia’s historical buildings and its glorious past.
Dan Manea confessed: “This book invites you to stroll not only on the streets of the town, but also inside its history, which for the last 130 years, has been strongly woven into the history of Romania itself. It offers a succession of stories and images, seen through the eyes of an architect in love with his town. This book represents an invitation to walk through the halls of this vast open-air bearing the name of Sinaia: The Pearl of the Carpathians, the capital of Romanian tourism, the resort priding itself with two Royal Railway Stations, where Orient Express makes a stop, the royal residence town or the summer capital of Romania, as it has been called over the years.”
The author reminded the public about the connection between the Royal Families of the UK and Romania. Queen Marie, mother of King Michael of Romania, was one of Queen Victoria’s nieces.
Inspired by the publication of Dan Manea’s book, Romania’s National State Television produced a series of 60 one-minute episodes about Sinaia and its architectural jewels, such as Peles Castle, Sinaia Monastery and many other buildings which awarded Sinaia the title of the Romanian town with the largest number of historical monuments per capita. All episodes have featured quotes from Dan Manea’s book.
The event itself would not have been possible without the help from TAL organisers, Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association and Sinaia’s ASPE Cultural Association.
The 4 guests from Sinaia were hosted by families of Thame Rotarians who welcomed them with friendship and offered them the opportunity to visit the area and get a taste of some of Oxfordshire’s and Buckinghamshire’s most beautiful places.
The Association which has made the twinning between Thame and Sinaia more and more vibrant will organise a “Wine from Transylvanian Alps” tasting event at Thame Town Hall on Wednesday 29 November, 7:30 pm. The event was initiated by Malcolm Dent, one of Thame-Sinaia’s newest members. For more information about Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association and how to get tickets, visit www.facebook.com/thamesinaia
