DOR: A Romanian Festival, 3rd edition

DOR: A Romanian Festival, 3rd Edition
“Rooted in Song: The Village Remembers”

Music4Romania (www.music4romania.org) warmly invites the Birmingham community and friends near and far to gather for the third edition of DOR: A Romanian Festival, held at The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi (www.saintfrancisindiansprings.org), 3545 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs, AL 35124, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 3:30 to 8:30 PM. Come spend an afternoon and evening steeped in Romanian music, story, craft, and cuisine — everyone is welcome, and all activities are free (except the seated dinner).

This year’s festival, “Rooted in Song: The Village Remembers,” turns to the oral and musical traditions that have carried Romanian village life forward across generations — and across the ocean, including into diaspora communities like our own here in Alabama. Stories, songs, and ballads are the mortar of that village life, passed hand to hand, voice to voice, heart to heart, holding together everything that might otherwise be lost to time. From a solo violin opening to a candlelit closing, from festive folk dance to quiet poetry, the program traces how song has always been the village’s way of remembering itself. Through an afternoon and evening of live performance, hands-on workshops, exhibits, a seated Romanian dinner, and a short award-winning film, DOR hopes not only to celebrate Romania’s living heritage but to actively build cross-cultural understanding and connection.

To RSVP for the seated dinner ($25/adult, children under 12 free), please click on this link Zeffy RSVP & Payment OR email Dr. Alina Voicu at avoicu1970@gmail.com and pay by check made payable to Music4Romania, mailed to The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 3545 Cahaba Valley Road, Indian Springs, AL 35124. Reservations and payment must be received by September 20.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

3:30 – 4:30 PM – Romanian Tapestry

The journey opens with George Enescu’s Lăutarul (The Fiddler) for solo violin, followed by an interactive country presentation on Romania’s journey from village to world stage — its art, science, poetry, and people. Poet Alina Ștefănescu closes the session with an original meditation on village memory.

4:30 – 5:15 PM – Featured Performance: Bucovina Folk Ensemble

The Atlanta-based Bucovina Folk Ensemble performs traditional Romanian dances and folk songs in full costume, with audience participation including a Hora — everyone on their feet.

5:15 – 6:30 PM – Workshops & Exhibits

All activities running simultaneously:

#1. Mihaela Noroc Photo Exhibit

Enjoy the photography of Mihaela Noroc, acclaimed author of The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits, The Power of Women, and Girls’ World. This year the exhibit features photographs of Romanian women only, most in traditional costumes — unpublished work that will be part of Mihaela’s next book.

#2. Sacred Traditions Exhibit

A close, contemplative look at Romanian Orthodox heritage — hand-painted icons in the traditional Byzantine style, eggs decorated with centuries-old symbolic motifs, and other sacred objects — carrying forward the thread of faith that runs through the whole program.

#3. Mihaela Laslo Art Exhibit

A beautiful display of angel art by Mihaela Laslo, including her “Guardian Angel” collection, featuring Romanian dress and motifs.

#4. Folk Craft Table

Try your hand at traditional Romanian folk crafts — string a mărţișor charm as a token of spring and renewal, paint a wooden spoon or coaster with folk motifs, or make a bookmark to take home a small piece of the day.

#5. Children’s Corner

A cozy stop for young ones and the young at heart, featuring a reading of the beloved Romanian folktale Tinereţe fără bătrâneţe (Youth Without Age, and Life Without Death), face painting, and various arts and crafts activities.

#6. Romanian Phrase Corner

A playful first taste of the Romanian language — pick up a handful of everyday words and phrases with the help of friendly guides and printed cards.

#7. Folk Costume & Dance Workshop

Enjoy an exhibit of folk costumes, learn a few basic dance steps with members of the Bucovina Folk Ensemble, and strike a pose for a keepsake photo.

#8. Silent Auction Benefiting Music4Romania (www.music4romania.org)

Bid on a curated selection of items donated in support of Music4Romania’s cultural and educational programs, in Romania and here in Alabama.

#9. Wild Forever Screening

Settle in for Wild Forever, Episode 3 of Charlie Ottley’s Wild Carpathia documentary series, looping throughout the workshop hour for anyone who’d like a quieter seat — a journey through the painted monasteries, wooden churches, and living traditions of Maramureș and Bucovina.

6:30 PM – Poftă Bună (Bon Appétit): A Seated Romanian Dinner

Join us for a seated dinner of traditional Romanian dishes, shared around the table. Featured on the menu will be Ouă umplute (stuffed eggs), Salată de vinete (eggplant salad), Zacuscă (roasted vegetable spread), and Platou ţărănesc (rustic countryside platter) to start, followed by Mămăligă cu brânză și smântână (polenta with cheese and sour cream), Tocăniţă de pui (chicken stew), and Sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), as well as assorted desserts and wine. Cost per person is $25.00, children under 12 free.

The dinner reservation and payment deadline is September 20. Please RSVP and pay at this link

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/dor-3rd-annual-romanian-festival

or, to pay by check, email avoicu1970@gmail.com and mail a check payable to Music4Romania to The Episcopal Church of St. Francis of Assisi, 3545 Cahaba Valley Rd., Indian Springs, AL 35124.

8:00 PM – Short Animated Film: Opinci / My Father’s Shoes (2019, 18 min)

An 18-minute stop-motion short — directed by Anton and Damian Groves and illustrated by Maria Surducan, winner of Best Film at the Transilvania International Film Festival and Clermont-Ferrand — that carries the day’s theme of storytelling passed between generations into its quiet, closing chapter.

8:20 PM – Carrying the Light

The evening closes as it began — with violin music featuring Ciprian Porumbescu’s beloved Balada, a work of longing and beauty. Guests are invited to light candles and carry that light into the night.

FEATURED ARTISTS 2026

We are beyond excited and most grateful to feature the creativity of the following artists on this year’s festival program:

Bucovina Folk Ensemble – Irina Milici, Garofaș Milici, Victoria Pauliuc, Viorel Pauliuc — Facebook

Mihaela Noroc, Photography – theatlasofbeauty.com

Mihaela Laslo, Print Art — Facebook

Alina Ștefănescu, Poet – alinastefanescuwriter.com

Daniel Szasz, Violin – danielszasz.com

FEATURED SCREENINGS

Opinci / My Father’s Shoes — Romanian animated short, Best Film TIFF 2019, directed by Anton & Damian Groves

Wild Forever — documentary, Charlie Ottley’s award-winning journey through the painted monasteries, wooden churches, and living traditions of Maramureș and Bucovina

DOR: A Romanian Festival is part of Music4Romania’s ongoing series which aims to present uplifting events that speak the language of the heart, bypassing any boundaries, building bridges and uniting people from various backgrounds, and carrying a message of hope and beauty for the future. All events are free but donations are gratefully accepted to benefit our educational and charity programs both in Romania and the US.

We look forward to seeing you there!