The ages of classical music and Robert Schumann

The meeting scheduled on Tuesday, 27th of July, took place at 6 o’clock, a meeting organized by Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ for the good music amateur public. As usual, the Foreign Languages Centre has been the host.

The fourth meeting scheduled for July throughout ‘The ages of music’ project’ was marked by another composition side of Robert Schumann called CONCERTO.

In the beginning of the presentation made by Mr. Liviu Topala had pointed out a few small details about what a fantasy, an overture and a concerto means.

The Fantasy  - a free-form instrumental musical composition, with a sense of improvisation and virtuosity.

 The Overture – is linked as genre to opera, but is the the preamble (summary) of a work, which represent a specific theme,  played before.

The Concerto – is a work composed for one of more soloist instruments – written in three or four parts – in which is revealed the soloist virtuosity along with the orchestra.

Being all these presented, the public could listen to the first concerto called Concerto for four horns and orchestra, where Schumann appears as a creator of an unique melodica and harmonization.

Conducted by Brett Mitchell there have been listened fragments from Manfred opera, the success of the piece being to this real talented American conductor.

Being brilliant with the creation of his works melodica, Schumann writes a few concertos for cello, violin and piano.

Therefore, Concerto for cello and orchestra interpreted by Mischa Maisky and the Boston Symphonic Orchestra, brought again in the attention of the public, serious alternations along with other joyful, the cello being almost a human presence by its tonality.

One of Schumann’s masterpieces, Concerto for violin and orchestra, interpreted by the violonist Liviu Prunaru and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bucharest, conducted by Cristian Mandeal, have given measure to the art hard to express both by instruments and for the conductor.

Schumann composes for orchestra because of his great love – his wife Clara Schumann, who saw the music and everything that means musical creation, through the great composers of that time: Beethoven, Brahms.

For piano he written a work in three parts, initially presented by Clara as musical fantasy. After four years of working, modifying and a lot of dedication, the fantasy becomes Concerto for piano and orchestra in A minor. Interpreted by Daniel Barenboim and conducted by Sergiu Celibidache the concerto meant the ending of the Tuesday evening, a time when we would have liked the local press to be present as well.

You are welcome on Tuesday, 3rd of August 2010, at 6 o’clock, same location, last meeting with Robert Schumann (referent Carmen Cazaciuc)

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

‘The ages of music’ at the second meeting

The evening of Tuesday, 20th of July 2010 was again offered by the ‘Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum for the classical music lovers.

As usual, 6 o’clock was the time of the meeting between the guests and our host- The Foreign Languages Center – which again was happy and welcoming towards its guests.

The musical moments offered last evening within the Ages of music project were a few chapters from the chamber music composed by Robert Schumann.

 The specific compositions signed by Schumann is that the piano, as an accompaniment instrument, is equal, during the play, with the instrument for which it was composed.

All five works for the music chamber presented together with video images completed this chapter really appreciated by the audience, last evening.

There have been works interpreted by major artists: Antonio Tinelli (Italy)  - clarinet, present a few years ago on the stage at the ‘Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum, Martha Argerich (Argentina) – piano and Mauricio Vallina (Cuba) – piano, Helene Grimaud (France) – piano, R. Capruçon (France) – piano and many other instrumentalists from Japan, Lithuania and Norway.

The three romances for the wind instruments were interpreted by saxophone, flute and oboe with piano as accompaniment, awaking the interest for the audience for this kind of Schumann’s specific works.

The piece for two pianos and three other instruments – two cellos and a horn – has given some color, being compared with musical mathematics, as strict and precise as warm, giving a special mood.

The concluding piece of audition and presentation evening, Piano Quintet – the most important chamber work of Schumann – in four parts (a slow one and other three moving) was piano interpreted, violin I, violin II , viola and cello by major artists of the world. 

On 27th of July, same hour, 6 o’clock, we again invite at the Foreign Languages Centre to present you other works of Robert Schumann, full of great rafinement both compositional and interpretative. (referent Carmen Cazaciuc)

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

‘The ages of music’ has no age

On Tuesday, 13^th of July 2010, 6 o’clock, by the ‘Mr.Gh..Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum’s initiative and the goodwill of the Foreign Languages Center, there has been held a special artistic event which fitted perfectly in the cultural life of the city even though this is the holiday season.

The chosen place and the audience allowed commemorating the composer and pianist, Robert Schumann, one of the leaders of the German romanticism of the nineteenth century’s beginning.

The project, started this year, on July, by the ‘Mr.Gh.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum, is called ‘The Ages of music’- auditions and presentations and aims to meet weekly with those interested in good music.

The first part of the project marked Schumann’s personality, whose birth we celebrate this year 200 years from. 

Schumann, the composer and his work were marked by auditions and presentations of several voice clips and piano interpretations of great exception. Thus, the public has experienced special moments hearing and seeing the great pianist Vladimir Horowitz, Ukrainian-born American musician, Helen Grimaud – piano and Thomas Quasthoff - baritone.

It was, therefore, an hour and a half of music and information about the life and the artistic work of Robert Schumann, while the public – adults and youth, could find out what an artistic work and a lied means.

So, every Tuesday in July, we are welcoming everyone who is interested in classical music, at the same hour – 6 o’clock - in the same warm and welcoming place, the Foreign Languages Center.

Translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

Musical auditions at the Foreign Languages Center

Starting from July 2010, the ’Mr.Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum initiates a project called ‘The Ages of Music’ with auditions and presentations. 

It will begin on Tuesday, 6th of July 2010, 5 o’clock, at the Foreign Languages Center of ‘Duiliu Zamfirescu’ Vrancea County Library, with the presentation of Robert Schumann whose birth we celebrate 200 years from.

Composer and pianist, representative of the German romanticism from the beginning of the nineteenth century, Schumann is not only a great musician but a leading intellectual of his era.

We invite people from our city on Tuesday to join our first activity called ‘Schumann, the piano creation and the lied as genre from the cycle ‘Schumann – the composer and his work’.

Director,

Valentin Gheorghita

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

And so this is how we appeared in the ’Adevarul’ newspaper …

John Korst and Anamaria Catanoiu,  on top of 5 tones of books

‘Adevarul’ newspaper

VIDEO   A retired American postman collected 90,000 books for the children from Romania.

*Extract from an article published on the adevarul.ro website.

Ana Jitarita

17 hits

Tuesday, 29^th of June 2010

The American John Korst wants to continue his ‘mission’ in our country

A retierd American postman sent to Romania in the last six years, nearly 90.000 books in English, donated by his fellows from St.Louis. From Sibiu to Brusturoasa (Bacau), from Pechea (Galati) to Reghin, the books sent by John Korst help the Romanian students to improve and learn better the language of Sheakspeare.

16 tones of books for three libraries

The biggest project that John Korst was involved in has included three public libraries and required a donation of over 16 tones of books.

One third of them, about 10.000 volumes, have been reached to Vrancea County Library, the rest being divided between the libraries in Baia Mare and Suceava. With this impressive background of English books, three years ago, the institution from Focsani, founded the Foreign Languages Center.

A gold mine

‘The volumes are very good quality and cover all the areas. There are expensive encyclopedias, valuable old books, dictionaries and important titles from sociology, psychology, literature and critical thinking.’ said Anamaria Catanoiu, the Center’s coordinator.

For the impressive amount of books, the institution from Focsani has reserved an entire section. ‘We have not yet made an estimate value of the volumes. We must first finish the inventory in order to have an accurate picture of the donation. However, we are talking about several hundred million clearly. But, if it comes to judge by the value of the books, this is a very expensive gold mine.’ mentioned Anamaria Catanoiu.

The head of the Centre said also that American ‘model’ is followed, in the recent years, also by Romanian donors. Recently, the library has received a donation of 700 volumes of Romanian literature from a private person.  

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

The ages of music and the last summer meeting

August started with the last part of the chapter called SCHUMANN from ‘The ages of music’ project, begun by the ‘Mr. Ghe.Pastia’ Popular Athenaeum.

Therefore, on Tuesday, 3^rd of August, 6 o’clock, the Foreign Languages Centre was as usual the meeting place for those who, even though is holiday, have answered to our invitation.

The last past of Schumann’s auditions – presented by Mr. Liviu Topala – was dedicated to componistic creation called SYMPHONY.

As a form, symphony (symphonia) means ‘together’, the ancients giving this name to a singing in public group musicians. Also, the choirs who were singing in octave were called in Ancient Rome, symphonics. In a manuscript dating from the fifteen century discovered in Leipzig, this term is referred for indicating a musical instrumental composition. For the seventeenth century, the musical composition called commonly known as ‘symphony’ is an instrumental prelude of a lyric work, a genre developed at the same time in Italy, especially in Florence.

The author generation of this ‘gallant style’ from the eighteen century which will determine the transition to the classic style, includes several strong reactions regarding the aesthetics of baroque music. The basis of the symphony is made by Haydn, who created this musical genre in four parts in a well - defined form. The first part is really fast, the second part is favorable for the rare tempo, the third part is a form of minuet (dance) – for Haydn and Mozart – and the forth part is the closing part of musical ideas and of the exposed theme. This last part has either a sonata form, rondo (dance), where the theme is repeated and developed. Talking about the third part, Beethoven – the first romantic – comes up and changes from minuet to scherzo (joke) – making it much moving.

The symphony is a work in four parts written strictly for orchestra, Robert Schumann fulfilling his musical creation with this genre, (being more bounded) as his wife desired. Schumann’s symphonies are abounding in melody and color, being still less dense comparing to romantic symphonies.

There have been listened four symphonies, first – inspired from Beethoven’s symphonies – being exuberant and joyful and interpreted by the Symphonic Orchestra of Zurich, conducted by David Ziman. The second symphony full of harmony, in a warm and rare tempo has been presented in the beginning of the fourth meeting. The third symphony (being written by Schumann as the last one) was listened with a rare and very old videotape. This one was written as an order in 1850, when the Bishop of Koln, became Rhenish (Renania) after the name of his region. The last symphony is the most valued and has been built hardly by Schumann after four years of theory, audition and many studies.

The fourth symphony delighted the public because it was interpreted by the Symphonic Orchestra of Vienna, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. The great music man – conductor, composer, pianist and pedagogue, Leonard Bernstein is mostly know for his concerts – a lesson that made his appearances on the screen to be the most desirable and pleasant.

You are welcome on Tuesday, 14^th of September 2010, at 6 o’clock, same location, to meet with other composers who have made music an instrument good enough for your hearts.

Have a nice holiday! (referent Carmen Cazaciuc)

Article translated by Oana Zlatovici - volunteer

We “officially” have a free film Club

Director Teodora Fintinaru speaking

Watching movie

Librarians

Beginning

Anamaria and Sorin

Opaque curtains, a projection screen, a video-projector and even popcorn: this is how the first and only free film Club in Vrancea was inaugurated. 

Along with 30 spectators whom had the pleasure of watching the marvelous movie “Farenheit 451”, screened after Ray Bradbury’s book with the same name, we’ve inaugurated what we hope to be an alternative to the non-existing cinema in our city; this appears to be highly appreciated and encouraged.

After the inauguration of the “Film-fan Club” blog (http://clubulcinefililorfocsani.wordpress.com/), the classic generic of the “Telecinemateca” show, broadcasted on TVR1, opened the movie. After that, librarians, students and teachers enjoyed for 2 hours the story of books banned and burnt in an imaginary future.

At the end of the movie, the spectators were invited to taste the famous popcorn, always associated with movies, and for some chit-chat.

The event was described by Sorin in an article in the “Monitorul de Vrancea” newspaper; we thank the author and the whole news-staff on this occasion for letting us post the article on our blog.

We welcome you thus every Thursday at 5.30 pm to watch and comment on classic movies from Sorin Tudose’s and Vrancea County Library’s collection.  

Article written by Anamaria Catanoiu, The Foreign Language Center coordinator

Monitorul de Vrancea

The film-fan club, a unique project.

By Sorin Tudose

The new project of the “Foreign Language Center” – “The Film-fan Club Focsani” was launched yesterday at the headquarters of the institution. At the event, librarians, students and teachers took part, willing to find out more about this unique club. Those who took part in the project prepared everything in such a way that it made it look like a cinema. Soundtracks, a projection screen, a video-projector and also a vast collection of books regarding the film world assured an atmosphere worthy of such an event. “The proposition of creating such a club was unique but we asked from the very beginning to create something more than just a cinema. We wanted it so that the viewers could talk among themselves after the end of the movie, to exchange opinions because all those things will lead to a wide horizon”, said Teodora Fintinaru, director of Vrancea County Library.

Anamaria Catanoiu, the coordinator of the “Foreign Language Center” also said that such a club is a very good idea, especially because we don’t have a cinema in the city. “We want from this film club to show its members valuable pieces of the film industry and to familiarize them with specialty terms, with the values of the seventh art. Also, we want to attract the community towards <books> through this club because many movies will be played and they could compare them with the inspiration source”, declared Anamaria Catanoiu. The idea of this club came from a film-fan from Focsani who was a member of the “Film-fan Club Iasi”, located in the “Cultural Center” in Copou park and which turned five years old not long ago.

After the members found out all the information about the club and its blog (http://clubulcinefililorfocsani.wordpress.com/), they all watched the movie “Farenheit 451”, a screening after Ray Bradbury’s book with the same name. This happened after the nostalgic generic of “Telecinemateca” was played and the older guests remembered their childhood. The participants were pleasantly surprised by the movie but also by this idea which is meant to bring a new vibe to the county cultural space.

The film enthusiasts can now meet every Thursday at 5.30 pm at the headquarters of the Foreign Language Center. Two movies from every great director of the universal movie industry will be played. Next Thursday they will play the classic movie of Richard Brooks “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” with Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor. The movies belong to the library’s own collection as well as the initiator’s collection. The club is open to everyone regardless of age and is free because it is created with a cultural-educational purpose. For the feeling of a group membership the library will create personalized badges for every interested person. (Sorin Tudose)

Translated by Ovidiu Panaite - volunteer

The inauguration of a cinema-club at the Foreign Language Center

The inauguration of a free cinema-club for all ages is one of the unique activities and surprises that the Vrancea County Library offers during the “Librarian’s week”.

            Thursday, the 22^nd of April, at 1pm, at the Foreign Language Center the inauguration of a new free cinema-club will take place and also the blog will be launched and the first movie will be played.

          The initiator of this unique project in Vrancea is the journalist Sorin Tudose, a young cinema-enthusiast, who wanted to make one of his dreams from college come true. The project, along with its partners the County Library and the  POTPOURRI Association from Focsani, is a very complex one because of its educational and formative component which make it unique and tends to become more than just “watching a movie”.

            After the inauguration, the first official movie, “Farenheit 451”, a “classic” gift, from 1966, will be played for the genre enthusiasts, but also for the librarians; also, the blog “Focsani film-fan club” will be launched (http://clubulcinefililorfocsani.wordpress.com/).

            The club is free for everyone.  The meetings will be held every week, on Thursdays, at 5.30pm, at the headquarters of the Foreign Language Center; the club is open for everyone, regardless the age.

            “Sorin Tudose’s idea was well-received because it is a unique project for our county. The idea is very good also because, for the moment, there is no active cinema in our city. We want to re-create the atmosphere present in a cinema, but our purpose is a more profound one; to be educational and formative, not just for the viewing. We want to teach them about the cinematic art and we do this starting with the book, the original novel. The library has all the necessary resources to permit the club’s members to form a correct and complete view over the seventh art”.

The schedule of the National Librarian’s week in Romania continues at all the library’s sections with a series of events:

Thursday, 22^nd of April, 12pm, in the youth section, Earth Day will be celebrated by the parents and children of the No. 6 Kindergarten Focsani; they will be bringing fish for the library’s aquarium under the coordination of educator Oancea Valerica.

Thursday, 22^nd of April, 2pm, at the headquarters, the presentation of the collections and services for the Pedagogical Highschool “Spiru Haret” will take place under the coordination of prof. Ion Stanel and Marcu Livia, library’s collaborators. 

Written by Anamaria Catanoiu, Foreign Language Center coordinator

Translated by Ovidiu Panaite - volunteer

The journalist’s workshop….at an end

working

working...

workingggg hard

giving diplomas

again diplomas

they all get diplomas?

all diplomats

In short we can resume Zack Baddorf workshop, that took place at the Foreign Language Center of the Vrancea County Library, in something like this:
The 30 participants learned what it truly means to be a journalist, even if they don’t have and never will have any sort of connection with this profession. The main idea was not to convince them to embrace this job by presenting the benefits of it, but to help those that are not initiated in: learning how to read a newspaper properly, in sorting and understanding the information they read correctly, and in knowing how to analyze an article. Basic stuff, as many may say, but essential, and unfortunately, many times ignored or treated superficially. 
From the art of interviewing, to interpreting articles, to framing and making the layout, and without forgetting the art of photography, every corner of journalism was taken to account in the theoretical presentation, and even more in practice.
The modern technology came in handy; the course contained a lot of exercises for the journalist trainees, being presented by Zack with a video projector.

The second day of the workshop challenged their observation skills and their creativity, the photography course being an excellent way of learning how to take a real picture. 

The last part of the workshop showed the participants how to make a layout for the newspaper, the multimedia room, donated by Rotary "Varana" Club Vrancea, being too small for the 30 participants. The 7 computers that belong to the library were backed up by laptops that had all the necessary programs for editing photos or for making layouts installed, like Lightroom  and Quark Xpress.

Finally, all their work was rewarded with diplomas and a superb group photo with Zack, which will remind us of all the time that we spent together.

We thank Zack, and every one that supported us, we thank the local mass-media which promoted us (like that, between future colleges!). We hope to see you again at a new workshop (it remains to negotiate with Zack if and when he can come again), because your requests are just too many. If not, Zack encouraged us to become, the present graduates of the workshop, the new professors of the future workshop. It remains a possibility, and why not? A challenge.

Even so, the final conclusion would be that the team of this workshop remains a team from now on and to make a newspaper online (why not?).

All the impressions of the participants at this workshop are here, great and transparent, and waiting for you comments, the readers of this blog.

Hîrju Angelica
“Spiru Haret” Pedagogic High School, cls. XI
Being the first workshop with this theme, I enjoyed participating and it was very interesting. I hope to take part in more workshops with the same theme in the future. 

 Şerban Mariana
“Spiru Haret” Pedagogic High School, cls. XI
It was my first workshop and it gave me a very good impression. It’s very interesting and I believe that the information that you assimilate here will be of use in the future. If I ever have the chance to participate at a workshop like this I will take part with pleasure because the organizing and the rest made a very good impression on me.

Voloc Anamaria
CN Cuza Focşani, cls. XI
I can describe this journalism workshop as a good experience, constructive and special for all the teenagers that are interested in the domain or just seeking to exercise their knowledge of English .

Mocanu Alexandra
“Spiru Haret” Pedagogic High School, cls. XI
At this workshop everything was ok, because the atmosphere wasn’t dense. I didn’t think it would be otherwise, but I am happy to see that everybody is getting along and even up till now there were no problems regarding language. At the same time, I’m happy that a lot of known people came. There are also people that I expected to come, but they didn’t show up. Even so, it’s ok. Zack is very calm and precise, and the thing that brings me joy is that you can clearly see that he is a professional. I’m very happy that Ana is holding up and organizing projects that are accessible and innovative. It’s a great opportunity for many people.

 Grigorică Silvia
“Spiru Haret” Pedagogic High School, cls. XI
I participated at this workshop because I was curious about the way that an activity like this takes place. Now, that I have discovered, I realize that I was very lucky because I found out things that I didn’t even know. Zack is a great guy and he had the patience to explain everything in detail. I’m glad that I participated because it was an experience that will not be forgotten. It would be a lot better if more activates like this one would take place.

Borş Elena
Academy of Economic Studies – Marketing College, first year, Bucharest
American style!, I believe that this exclamation explains the impression that the workshop had on me. Compact and easy to understand, that is the way that Zack organized his course, more that a way to write an article it teaches us to be efficient. We thank Ana for giving us the opportunity to think in an American way, of learning the way to learn from the best in the journalistic domain.

  Bobaru Ionelia
Teacher, School group Dumitresti
What do journalism courses in an American style have in common with those held in a Romanian way? Honestly, from what Zack taught us,not much, or maybe just the theory. In the two days in which we held the workshop we learned and understood, short and to the point, what journalism means and how one can do photo journalism. And so, dear Foreign Language Library Section of the Vrancea County Library ”Duiliu Zamfirescu”, congratulation for hosting this event so welcomed by the students!

Drăgoi Constantin
“Spiru Haret” Pedagogic High School, cls. XII
A very fascinating course. Everything was structured and programmed in a way that didn’t make this gathering tiresome or boring. The team work and constant communication between Zack and us helped us to learn those basic factors of journalism. If the school classes were like this course, I don’t think I would have reason to complain.

Unguru Olga
„Al. I. Cuza” University – Marketing and Communications in Business, Iasi
The things that are happening at this workshop of journalism are great and unique. Here you have the opportunity to learn different interesting things about journalism and, of course, you have the possibility to exercise your English language skills. In addition, you meet new people who you can talk to. As for Zack, I can say that he is an interesting person that has a vast experience in the journalistic domain, who really knows what he’s doing. We can thank Zack and Ana for everything they’ve done and hope that this workshop isn’t the last, in contrary, but the first in opening a road in this direction.

Stoinescu Beatrice
Franco-Romanian juridical college, first year, Bucharest
The workshop proved it’s self as I had expected! INTENSIVE! It wasn’t boring or tiresome. I had sufficient time for brainstorming during the question session, and Zack proved to be an „excellent teacher”.

Goia Monica
NC Economic, cls. XII
Some knowledge about journalism and everything about the job, I can say that I had some knowledge beforehand, but this workshop helped me gain extra knowledge. I don’t think that I will embrace this domain, but you never know. Also, I think that this course is extremely helpful for those students that already decided to follow a journalist career. A very good initiative and the more workshops, the better, especially in a small town like ours. This was an opportunity for those of us who participated of knowing one another, but most importantly of expressing our point of view.

   Boldea Anca Raluca
“Nicolae Titulescu” University – Law School, first year, Bucharest
It was a successful workshop. The time was used usefully and at the same time it wasn’t tiresome. Zack gave us concentrated data, which can be used outside the journalism domain in our everyday life, even if as a school project or a publication.

 Gherghe Cristina Ioana
CN Economic, cls. X
No comment! Zack is more than a professional. He does his job with love and dedication that you can even memorize two-three words of what he says. This workshop gives you the chance to learn something new, to meet new people…Sincere Congratulations, Ana, for the work that you keep doing for us. Without you the library would remain only…a library.

   Dîrdală Andrada
Bucharest University- College of Sociology and Social assistance, year II
Being the first workshop with this theme at which I ever participated I liked it very much and it was very interesting. I hope that in the future I will be able to participate at more workshops that have the same theme. 

    Dîrdală Sabina
University of Bucharest – Geography College, first year
It’s the first workshop of this type that I ever participated in and I can say that I was pleasantly impressed by Zack. I liked the way Zack explained and talked to us. I will consider this workshop as a new experience that will surely help me in the future. Even if I am not at a university that teaches journalism I would like in the future to take up journalism and this experience will certainly help me very much. Thank you Zack for showing us a new face of journalism.
  
  Cozma Ioana
CN Unirea, cls. IX
I came to this course because I was interested, in particular, about the meaning of journalism in the USA. Certainly I have observed differences between the way that Americans see journalism and the way we see this job. I liked the way Zack talked to us, the fact that we communicated. Certainly I will consider this course in the future. It would be great if more activities of this sort would take place.

Alstanei Alexandra         
CN Unirea, cls. XI
The experience that the Foreign Language Center offered us; surely, is a road opener! From the possibility of polishing my English skills, to the chance of speaking with a person that has been a witness to the realities of the world, and going even to the point of “planting” the hope for an aspirant of journalism, they all became one in only two days of “marathon” on an innovated field bordered by patience and friendship.

  Pădureţ Alexandra
CN Unirea, cls. XI
I consider that this journalism workshop is an excellent opportunity to find interesting information about the domain, to interact with other people, and to swap ideas. At the same time, it’s a good opportunity to exercise and to better your English language knowledge

Ververiş Mădălina Elena
Technical School “Ion Micu” , cls. XII
The way the Foreign Language Center of Vrancea organized the journalism workshop was a great idea. Zack explained in detail what a day in a life of a journalist is. Keep it up!

  Grădişteanu Cristina
“Al. Ioan Cuza” University – Faculty of Letters, specialization journalism, second year, Iasi
The utility of this workshop can be seen in the fact that the undicided students, in what involves their profession, can get a generel idea abaut the work of a journalist. The practical part helps us more in fixing the new information. Zack is OK, you can tell that he enjoys giving some tips to trainees. More activities like this one would be welcomed in our town.

Georgescu Bogdan George
Tehnical School „Valeriu D. Cotea”, cls. X
This course is interesting and educational. I recommend it to all those that wish to start a career in the domain.

  Rusu Oana
CN Unirea, cls. XI
I found out about this workshop from the paper, even if I don’t really read the press too often and thought about enlisting, not because reading the newspaper would interest me, but because I was interested about the work done behind the written press. Zack is a formidable man from many points of view. The first time I didn’t think I would understand too much but, after a few hours, not only did I understand, but I learned that things are more complicated than I thought. I gained the basic knowledge of a journalist and I think that I would like to write an article sometime. In this workshop I have seen new perspectives; I have meet new people and heard a lot of different opinions.

   Grigoraş Alina Loredana
   CN Unirea, cls. XI
For me the workshop seems to be an extraordinary experience...I came and enrolled because I read about this event in the local newspaper. I arrived in the morning and found out that a Peace Corps member will be teaching the course and not a Romanian one; as such the lessons will be in English. I can say that for a few seconds I became nervous and thought that I will not be able to keep up. But it was nothing like that! It was truly superb, it’s not hard, it’s quite a unique experience and it’s worth a shot and it will help me for sure in the future! I hope that I can take part in more similar occasions!

  Ionică Alexandru
CN Unirea, cls. XI
To me the workshop seems an excellent idea because it helps you improve your language and your vocabulary in English but it also offers the possibility of taking a few journalism courses, an occupation that is greatly neglected but one that can help our country to evolve a lot. Zack is OK, he is not boring and makes the course interesting.

  Lupu Gabriel
„Ştefan cel Mare” Theoretical High School ,Râmnicul Sărat, cls. XII
It’s a very good course because we can learn new things from people with experience. I liked everything, the atmosphere was great. I hope that there will be more courses like this one.

Ghiu George
Westminster Journalism University, London, second year
This course is very usefull for those students that want to follow a journalist’s career. I appreciate very much the joining of theory and practice and Zack is an excellent “professor”.

Stoica Roxana
CN Unirea, cls. XI
From my point of view, the journalism course is very interesting. Thanks to Zack I found out a lot of things about journalism. Thrugh this course I improved my English. Zack is willing to share all of his knowledge.

Nedelcu Georgiana
 CN Unirea, cls. XI
The greatest thing in my vacation happened, I met a man with a lot of experience and a talent, I would say a native talent, of boosting those with who he speaks about journalism. I made my English better; I talked and accumulated the basic knowledge of a journalist.

Zlatovici Oana Florentina
“Spiru Haret” Pedagogic High School, cls. XI
The experience is unforgettable, that is how I can name the things that I like a lot, once I had been through them. Zack’s theories have taught me a lot. While I was listening, I was thinking that they were very very useful, plus I learned how to express my words through photography. Thank you Zack, thank you Anamaria Cătănoiu.

 Erin O’Halloran
Peace Corps volunteer USA
At the Organization for kids with autism „Speranţa Andradei”, Focşani
  I thought the workshop was very sucessful. Well attended and very focused. I felt the sessions were informative and the duration of each session was compatible with the attention span of the average attendee. Zack is a very good presenter and brings a well of knowledge to the subject matter. The students were very engaged and their contributions were pertinent and thoughtful. I hope to see similar workshops offered in the future.

Tudor Bezea
MAUX DESIGN Focsani
In a period in which you hear talks about the credibility of information sources and of the necessity of communication between teenagers, Zack’s journalism workshop deserves only praise.

 Dana Lepădat
Radio Romania and Cultural Correspondent
It’s unbelievable how a journalist can be so busy, that related years in a row about the problems in war zones is occupying his time to teach others how it is to be a journalist in an objective and ethical way. I was impressed with Zack’s seriousness in everything he did and he didn’t do it just to say that he did it. Worth praising, and I wish that one day (maybe after another generation has passed, I don’t know) I will be able to do transmissions just like him, with so much professionalism.  


Article written by Anamaria Cătănoiu, Coord. Foreign Language Center
Translated by Constantin Drăgoi - Volunteer

Journalist’s Workshop….in progress

Here we are, at last, at the first day of the workshop. Zack has installed the software on the computers, located in the Varana Rotary Club multimedia room, and we did the last tests with the video projector. I decided that we can compensate the small number of computers with some laptops making it better for all.

The participants are students from high schools all over the county and even from Râmnicu Sărat (Spiru Haret Pedagogic High school, Al.I.Cuza NC, Economic National College, Unirea NC, Technical High school “Ion Mincu”, Technical High school “Valeriu D. Cotea”, School Group Dumitrești, Theoretic High school "Stephen the Great"- Râmnicul Sărat), students and MA’s at journalism and other domains in the country (University of Bucharest – Sociology and Social Assistance, University of Bucharest – The Geography Faculty, University of Iași - Marketing and Communication in Business, University of Bucharest - AS, the College of Law French-Romanian –Bucharest, Nicolae Titulescu University - Bucharest) and abroad (University of Journalism, Westminster, London).

 “The available seats were occupied on the first two days of registration. Because there were and there are still a lot of solicitants, I opened a new list for a workshop which will take place during the vacation at the beginning of February. I talked with Zack about the possibility of redoing the workshop and he approved. Already there are ten people registered on the new list. There are still 20 places left. The principle is the same – first come, first served, because Zack is very strict regarding the number of seats and participants at the workshop. Anyway, we were expecting this kind of success and the great number of solicitants” (Anamaria Cătănoiu - coordinator of the The Foreign Language Center of Vrancea County Library)

The program for the two days of workshop is very generous and….full.

Newspaper Workshop- schedule

Day 1
09:00- Introduction and Ideas
10:00 - Break
10:10 – How to Interview
10:50 – Break
11:00 – Writing News Event Articles
11:50 – Lunch
13:20 – Writing Feature Articles
14:15 – Break
14:25 – Writing Opinion/Monthly Columns
14:50 – Break
15:00 - Practice Writing
16:00 – Day 1 Completed

Day 2
09:00 – Article Editing
10:00 - Break
10:10 - Photography
10:50 – Break
11:00 – Photo Practice
11:30 – Lunch
13:00 – Layout
14:00 – Break
14:10 – Photo Editing/Layout Practice
15:10 – Break
15:20 – Planning Your Newspaper
16:00 – Workshop completed

We are waiting for impressions from the participants after the two days of work …and the professor’s opinion on his trainees.

See you soon with pictures!

Article written by Anamaria Cătănoiu - coordinator of the the Foreign Language Center

Translated by Constantin Drăgoi - volunteer