Over 200 artists from around the world, at Icon Arts Transilvania Festival

Over 200 artists from around the world are gathering, between July 24 and August 11, to the Icon Arts Transilvania Festival, one of the longest-living events dedicated to contemporary arts of Romania, which reached its XVI-th edition, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES by the organizers. 

For three weeks over 20 events will be held, in 10 cities and towns, the festival managing to unite several communities around the contemporary arts. 

"During the period of July 24 - August 11, nearly every night, a special cultural program will unfold in the middle of century old citadels, but also on dedicated stages with special significance in the context of the Centennial of the Greater Union. The festival's program doubled as of this year, so that 10 cities and towns will host over 20 events: Sibiu, Biertan, Viscri, Alma Vii, Richis, Malancrav, Cloasterf, Dealu Frumos, Rasnov Citadel and Sinaia - Peles Castle", says the press release. 

The first event will take place Tuesday, July 24, whin the reputed violin player Gabriel Croitoru performing alongside his students in the fortified facility of the Biertan church. 

A special place during the festival will be marked by the presence of London Schools Symphony Orchestra, for the first time in Romania, which will hold two concerts under the artistic leadership of conductor Peter Ash. 

According to the organizers, the Icon Arts community reunites a record number of international artists, from several continents, the festival bringing together, in a special way, different communities - urban audience, locals and international artists. 

"Artists invited this year are coming a long way in order to take part in the "Icon Arts Festival". A record number of artists will come for studies and to hold concert from: China, Germany, Italy, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Great Britain, Romania, Republic of Moldova, USA, summing up a number of over 200 people. Many of the old Saxon spaces where the festival will take place, such as Richis or Biertan, are priding themselves with new locals, representing one of the most diverse population, coming from dozens of nations, who fell in love with Romania and chose to move here," it is said in the press release. 

Also, the Icon Arts Festival is a binding agent between three other festivals, "in the same spirit, of unifying various communities and branches of arts: "Rasnov Film and History Festival", where jazz concerts will take place, the "Haferland Week Festival", dedicated to promoting Saxon culture from Transylvania, but also the horror and fantasy film festival "Full Moon", that will take place in the fortified citadel of Biertan."

Also, the stand-alone international project "Music: A Bridge Between People" contains three cultural events which will be also be promoted by Icon Arts. 

Organizers specified that afternoons and evenings will contain events such as "Postmodern quilting bee", where the "local cooking class will take place alongside presenting local traditions." 

"Organizers wish, with this opportunity, to promote now only the new arts, cultural and architectural spaces - some being part of the UNESCO Universal Heritage - but also to promote among guests "Sibiu - European Cooking Region 2019", even more so that we are celebrating Romania's Centennial, but also the European Year of Cultural Heritage," the press release reads. 

The full schedule can be consulted on www.iconarts.ro, and there will be free admission, within the available seats, through prior reserving.