Exclusive collection of 50 NFTs released in runup to 15th Bucharest International Air Show

An exclusive collection of 50 Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) featuring moments from the Bucharest International Air Show (BIAS) throughout its lifetime marks the 15th edition of the air event, which will take place August 29 to 31.

The first official collection of NFTs titled 'Cloud Chasers', capturing the most spectacular moments in BIAS history, was released on Monday by BIAS together with the National Institute for Research and Development in Informatics - ICI Bucharest, offering fans, geeks and collectors the opportunity to own a piece of air show history, secured and authenticated through blockchain technology.

"Today we are launching a new collection in what the digital, the virtual area means, those Non-Fungible Tokens everyone is talking about. In 2023, on May 8, we launched the first functional institutional marketplace and the first collections, which were developed together with Romanian state entities - AGERPRES, the National Stamp Company Romfilatelia, the Central University Library. They were subsequently expanded, and today we are releasing this collection together with BIAS, in honor of the 15th Bucharest International Air Show. And we did this because aviation means creativity, talent and lots of technology, and we thought of coming forth to aviation enthusiasts with this formula that allows ownership of digital images in NFT form, unique images that are intended alike for aviation and technology enthusiasts," ICI Bucharest director general Victor Vevera said on Monday, at the collection release event.

The 50 NFTs are divided in two categories: 15 'Stratosphere VIP', and the other 35 - 'Sky Legend'.

"These images have been captured over the previous 14 editions of BIAS. Those from the current edition, running August 29-31, will be part of a new collection that will be developed by ICI together with its partners. Behind the collection is the entire ICI team, (...), there is a tremendous amount of work, the desire to be present in the digital realm with new technologies that target not only young people. Although, according to the surveys we have conducted, the vast majority of collectors are young, they are not to be found exclusively in the young age category. So many want to hold this shred of history digitally immortalized in an NFT for eternity and which will endure as a turning point - the 15th edition of BIAS," Vevera said.

In his turn, general director of the Romanian Airclub and coordinator of the BIAS air shows George Rotaru referred to the exhibition with photographs from the 14 previous BIAS editions, which were put on display "so that everyone who passes through Baneasa Airport have the opportunity to see these special moments showcased to promote our event."

"The Bucharest Airports Company and its partners - the Romanian Airclub, the Romanian Air Force, Romaero, Romatsa and the AIBO Club - have been joining forces to organize this special event - BIAS, which draws tens of thousands of people every year to Baneasa, an airport with tradition, and a highlight in the history of our aviation. Precisely because enthusiasts come in huge numbers to this special event, BIAS is rolling out something new, something revolutionary: today's NFTs. (...) Looking around, you will also see many special photos from the 14 past BIAS editions. Our media partner, AGERPRES, helped us with this exhibition that will remain here until the curtain rises on this year's show. Everyone who passes through Baneasa airport will have the opportunity to see these special moments that are showcased to promote our event," said Rotaru.

According to Ciprian Iacob, a member of ICI Bucharest's Executive Blockchain Laboratory, NFTs are unique digital certificates stored on blockchain for proof of ownership and authenticity of a digital object. Unlike other types of digital files, NFTs cannot be copied or replaced, each one being unique in its own way.

"This is a very important aspect, because we are working here with digital assets from the Bucharest Air Show archival resources featuring images from the former editions and minted in the 'Cloud Chasers' collection - a set of digital works that bring each flight and aerial acrobatics to life. It is absolutely spectacular and we've been told that there is a high demand to access and collect these assets," said Iacob.

The 15 special 'Stratosphere VIP' NFTs offer exclusive access to real-life aviation experiences such as meetings with pilots, early access to autograph sessions and entry to the VIP area of the show. The other 35 'Sky Legends' NFTs artistically recreate key moments from BIAS shows in a one-off digital experience.

All 'Cloud Chasers' NFTs are available on the official ICI D|SERVICES platform: http://nft.ici.ro/cloud-chasers, developed by ICI Bucharest. Users can purchase NFTs using digital wallets compatible with the MultiversX blockchain technology (EGLD).

ICI D|Services (nft.ici.ro) is an official institutional NFT platform developed by ICI Bucharest, the first in Europe and Romania supported by a public institution, which offers a regulated and secure environment for the creation, listing and trading of NFTs.

The platform holds some of the most noteworthy institutional NFT collections, such as: the Nikola Tesla Museum, Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, David Popovici, AGERPRES, Romfilatelia, Romanian Post Company, Broadcaster Radio Romania, ICI Bucharest, Grammy Award Winner and many more.

Soon, the 'Cloud Chasers' collection will also be available for VR view at the Romania Virtual Museum (https://nftmuseum.ro/), along with other important institutional collections, offering a unique interactive experience for collectors and enthusiasts.

The Bucharest International Air Show (BIAS) is the largest and most important aviation event in Romania, which has been putting Bucharest on the relevant international map since 2009, bringing together civil and military pilots from the country and abroad every year.

BIAS takes place at the Bucharest Baneasa 'Aurel Vlaicu' International Airport, the third oldest airport in the world, a place imbued with aviation history. Each year, the event attracts over 150,000 spectators eager to enjoy unforgettable performances put on by over 150 daredevil pilots.

AGERPRES National News Agency AGERPRES is among the media partners of the event.