Nadia Comaneci

Hello! We do what we do and we get back to gym! And if the last time we talked about Sandra Izbasa, this time we talk about absolute champion of all time, Nadia Comaneci!

Nadia Elena Comaneci is a Romanian gymnast, the world's first gymnast to receive a perfect ten in Olympic competition. Is the winner of five Olympic gold medals. It is considered one of the best athletes of the twentieth century and one of the best gymnasts in the world, of all time, "Goddess of Montreal," the first gymnast modern era took 10 absolutely. Roman is the first sports included in the memorial International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

Nadia was born in Onesti, daughter of George and Stefania-Alexandrina Comaneci, was named after "Nadezhda" ("Hope"), the heroine of the film. Some sources claim that would be born as "Anna Kemenes".

He competed nationally for the first time in Romania in 1970 as a member of the team or the city. Soon, he began training cuBéla Karolyi and his wife Marta Karolyi, who later emigrated to the United States and become coaches of many American gymnasts. At age 13, Comaneci's first major success was winning three gold medals and one silver at the 1975 European Championships, from Skien, Norway. That same year, the Associated Press news agency called "Athlete of the Year in Romania".

At 14, Comaneci became the star of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Quebec. Not only became the first gymnast to score a perfect ten obtained Olympics (seven times), he also won three gold medals (in the all-around, beam and bars), a silver medal (team composed) and bronze (ground). Home success earned him the distinction of "Hero of Socialist Labor," the most distinguished young Romanian with this title.

Comaneci defended his European title in 1977, but the Romanian team left the competition in the finals, in protest against arbitration. At the 1978 World Championships Nadia Comaneci one above average weight and out of shape. Fall in parallel sent her 4th place, but won the title on beam.

In 1979, Comaneci, normal weight again, won the third title (becoming the first athlete in the history of gymnastics who managed this performance). At the World Championships in December, she won the preliminary competition but was hospitalized before participating in the team competition due to infections of the blood from a cut wrist, caused by a metal buckle. Despite doctors' recommendations, she left the hospital and competed on beam, where she scored 9.95. His performance gave Romania the first gold medal in the team competition.

He participated in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, ranking second after Elena Davidova to AA when he was forced to wait for note until Davidova year has ended. Nadia has kept the title on beam, but also won another gold medal in the floor exercise, and one silver, along with the team.

Comaneci retired from competition after the Games. Between 1984 and 1989 she was a member of the Romanian Gymnastics aFederatiei and helped Romanian junior gymnastics training. On the night of 27/28 noiembrie1989 illegally crossed the Romanian-Hungarian border [6], eventually asking the U.S. government for political asylum. This dramatic gesture had a major effect on public opinion, even the ruling family of Romania. Nadia spent the next years promoting lines of gymnastics apparel, Jockey underwear, aerobic equipment and wedding dresses. In 1994, she was engaged to U.S. gymnast Bart Conner and returned to Romania for the first time since leaving. Comaneci and Conner were married in Romania in April 1996.

In 1999, Comaneci became the first athlete to be invited to speak at the United Nations to launch the Year 2000 International Year of Volunteers. She is currently busy with gymnastics and charity work around the world. She and her husband own the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy Gymnastics Academy, the Perfect 10 Production Company and of several sports equipment shops and publishers of International Gymnastics Magazine.

Nadia Comaneci is vice president of the Board of Special Olympics, Honorary President of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, the Honorary President of Romanian Olympic Committee, Ambassador of Sports Romanian, Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and a member of the International Gymnastics Federation Foundation. He was twice awarded the Olympic Order, the IOC granted.

In December 2003, was published his first book, Letters to a Young Gymnast (in English: Letters To A Young Gymnast). Nadia created a charity clinic in Bucharest to help orphaned children in Romania.

Hopefully all of Romania will appear in a future Nadia once a second.

God bless you!

Stefan Lucian

Hello dear readers! Because it's Thursday today talk about personality. And actually I chose to introduce you the great painter Lucian Stefan novel.

Stefan Luchian was born on February 1, 1868, to Stefanesti, a village (now city) of Botosani, the son of Major Dumitru Luchian and Elena Chiriacescu. Future vocation declare painter since childhood. He stubbornly resists her mother's efforts to enroll in military school. In 1873 the family moved to Bucharest. Stefan Luchian join painting class in 1885 at the National School of Fine Arts, which he graduated in 1889, winning the bronze medal for expression and a head study from nature. Undisputed master was, during this period of training, Nicolae Grigorescu, which Luchian find encouragement, not to hinder the free development of personality. In the fall of 1889 he went to Munich, where he studied two semesters at the Academy of Fine Arts and executed copies of the works of Correggio and Rembrandt at the Art Museum. Return home in 1890 and participate in the first exhibition of art society art circle. Get next year in Paris, where he studied at the Académie Julian and knowledge in museums and exhibitions, Parisian artistic life, which is in the Impressionist period in full effervescence. Last race of the fall painting shows the influence of Manet and Degas obvious, and penchant echo of fashionable, which Luchian will continue to have for a while in Bucharest.

Returned to Bucharest in 1896 will be the main initiator of the "Exhibition of Independent Artists," which opens in front of the Official Show. Join the contest for the painting department of the Fine Arts School in Iasi, from withdrawing But protesting backstage machinations. In 1900 part two pastels at "Exposition Universelle" in Paris. In the same year when the first manifestations of a disease spinal cord disease known as Multiple Sclerosis, which, after improvements transient exacerbations alternating with us, let him crippled for life. His fate is against disease and poverty material going hand in hand. However, continue to work frantically till 1915 continuously exposed to various exhibitions. This eminent artistic life time Luchian not know for a long time success. Thus, the exhibition din1905 the only buyer of a painting was the painter Grigorescu. A small group of admirers and friends cheering him, but provided that the material continues to be the most precarious.

From 1909 until the end of life will be pinned on the couch. But fixed in memory "sparkling beauties" of the Romanian landscape, you will play a series of works, miracles of simplicity and finesse, synthetic colors and architectural shapes, bright coloring and delicate at the same time. Oil technique Luchian join them for landscape and for many lifes with flowers, pastel, which reach an unmatched craftsmanship. Fluidity contours, smooth the delicate petals, he evoked the better through Easter. Luchian started painting flowers before, but only in 1908 he focused his creative energy in this direction throughout, all passion for nature, our love for life and beauty. That's why "flowers" Luchian have the almost dramatic intensity of feeling, that inner light, that severe simplicity which makes many of them - is enough to mention Anemones - true masterpieces.

Luchian died on June 28, 1916. Towards the end of his life could not you brush your fingers paralyzed. Ask someone to tie the wrist. Thus, finally, an inexhaustible flame passion for art, life of an artist.

Here are some of his works:

God bless you!

Parliament Palace - part III

Hello! We continue today with the great Palace of Parliament and as I said before, although I could insert some pictures, i prefer to make you corious enough to visit it and to see with your own eyes the monument.

Nicholae Balcescu Hall

Hall named after the great politician, historian, thinker and revolutionary democrat novel, Nicholas Balcescu. (1819-1852).

Hall Greek Doric columns have capitals of bronze.

Pink marble used for these columns is Ruschita and chandeliers and appliqués designed by architects are performed by artists from Medias.

Note that the curtains are silk brocade woven in Sighisoara technique and gives maximum ambient space and beauty.

Flowering carpet is woven in Cisnadie and masks covering radiators are handmade from brass.

In this room is found only building material that is not Romanian namely mahogany, indeed precious, they are made doors. This is a gift received from friend Ceausescu, Mobutu Sese Seko, the president of Zaire (now Congo).

Nicolae Iorga Hall

Hall named Nicolae Iorga (1871 - 1940), historian, orator, politician and writer, member of the Romanian Academy, prime minister in 1930.

The room is decorated with the same types of wood for ceilings and walls, predominantly oak. Casetoanele formed between wood poles are wrapped with silk material they are made and curtains.

The furniture is art-deco (style monument in the middle of the '20s and '30s, long regarded as an extension of Art Nouveau and Jugendstil's).

The walls are decorated with works of artists: Margaret Sterian - "Stylized Flowers" and "Vase with Flowers", Nicolae Blei - "Vase with flowers and table flowers", "Autumn in Andriasu", "Vase with Flowers" and "Spring in Andriasu "(Post-Impressionism), George Simon -" Chrysanthemums with violin "(realism art from 1900), Zamfir Dumitrescu -" Flowers in autumn landscape "(Flemish painting style).

A.I.Cuza Hall

Hall named after Romanian and Moldavian ruler was completed before 1989, and was meant to be a conference hall at the highest level: "Meeting Documents seminars and talks," what would be called Romania. This is one of the most impressive rooms of the Palace, with the largest height (about 20 m), and the second area - 2040 m².

This room is located in the central axis of the palace, opening with a large balcony to Constitution Square and Union Blvd.

Room with a pink background has eclectic architecture with the main element composition of capital employed column with Corinthian style column processing time with traditional ornaments Brancoveanu style architecture. The columns are of white marble Ruschita.

Other elements that participate in interior architecture of the hall are carved with motifs monumental doors, framed in marble frames and masks cast in brass radiators, ornate.

Ceiling, composed of 7 skylights fast, the cross hall, made of gilded metal is cut in vault (chandelier hidden).

Velvet brocade curtains sewn with gold thread highlights the luxury of this room. Background wall there is a strong central arch, lighted contour, flanked by two columns.

And it must have the throne room leader and for the smooth running of activities was ordered to build a balcony that was installed orchestra, with a capacity of 31 people, with access to a higher level.

Thus, the hall hosted in 1995, conducted by Yehudi Menuhin concert in reopening the International Music Festival "George Enescu".

This room has concentrated on its performance, a large number of artisans in the capital and in the country, masters ipsosari, modelers, artists, specialists in carved marble, etc.

Ion I. C. Bratianu Hall

Hall, located on the axis of the palace, on the ground floor is medium in size. Thanks to the two courtyards that surround this room is exceptional brightness, enhanced by chandeliers and appliqués that reproduce vintage chandeliers.

It consists of a central space with an opening of 42 m flanked on two sides towards the two ships side patios 6 m.

Central area is separated from spaces side by a series of free columns dressed in marble.

Perimeter decoration is a rhythm of arches and pillars of marble richly decorated. Marble decoration decoration combines with stucco made in the same manner both walls and the ceiling. The ceiling has a circular groove formed by the space tangent to the central square is embroidered with a large central rosette on the axis where there is a spectacular chandelier. Also within the circular perimeter rosettes are smaller chandeliers suspended.

Compositional principles of the ceiling over the floor with a large rosette, central geometric elements consist of different types of marble from quarries, all local.

Red velvet curtains with gold and silver thread, with trimmings and tassels are embroidered by nuns in monasteries Agapia and Varatec.

It was originally called the Provincial Hall that one was supposed to symbolize the original theme decoration counties, which has not been done.

Follows that over a week to finish and presentation Parliament House and in two weeks to continue with something else.

God bless you!

The legend of Mures and Olt

Hello my dear readers! Because today I want to present something special and general theme is geography, I thought to say an old legend, the legend of the Mures and Olt.

This story happened very, very long ago, at a time when yet walked on earth to do evil all the many beasts. When living on our land, on top of huge mountanins an old man called . He sits there day and night in a tower, to be sure nothing wrong will happens in the country. For that princes and kings surrounding honored him and cherished him. Whenever there is any danger, he anounce the kings and fight the enemy himself.

Hasmas, burdened with years, no longer looks as sharp as it once was. But he had two strong sons near him, Mures and Olt.

-My children, told the old man, I'm going to ask you something.

-Speak, father! One of his sons sad.

- Always be good brothers and not separated forever to be eyes for country and branches that can defend. One who will break vows bad would happen to him.

He took the old broadsword or afraid to break in two and gave each child one piece. Was enchanted sword, the enemy will be hit with it will be stone.

After a while came the news that the earth burst country's enemies. Mures looked toward the north and dusk, and Olt eastward. There were some strong enmity - ogres that some stallions gone on higher than mountains. Olt fought two days and three nights and eventually came out winners.

Seeing how strong they were, the chief ogre, Harghita, thought how to separate them. Sent two messengers to the two brave, asking them for one of them to come to battle with ogres captain. One of them will win will remain king over the land of another. The brothers could not decide which to go to his father and does not violate promise to break.

Ogre deceived by Caliman which lies north dressed in coats and more resembling Captain ogre, Mures go to battle with him. Same goes to the south by Puciosul Olt, believing that it is the chief ogre.

Moving away from each other, the brothers made their vow memories and trying to return. But being surrounded by ogres and wounded barely managed to return to their father Hasmas and to ask forgiveness. Then they both died. Their blood turned into two rivers Olt.

Hasmasul, upset, took three boulders which struck the three ogres who turned in the mountains: Harghita, Caliman and Puciosul.

Hasmasul hardened pain he there with his hands on the head of two sons, Mures and Olt.

I expect you tomorrow on the blog! God bless you!

Hungarians, Szeklers and Saxon

Hello dear readers! It's Monday, so we have a new history lesson! This time we will talk about this existence on the Romanian lands of the Hungarians, Szeklers and Saxons.

Install the Pannonian Plain in the late ninth century, Hungarians, later called Hungarians began their expansion eastward where armed resistance hit populations slave, Turan and Romanian inside and outside the Carpathian arch. In this expansion have relied on the Székely and Saxon. Hungarian conquest precipitated the crystallization process leading to the establishment of policy Transylvanian principality.

Hungarians. Coming from Altai mountain regions, Hungarians, Finno-Ugric origin, were submitted successively occupying lands west of the middle of the steppe between the Volga and Ural Mountains, and most of the Dnieper and Don, to reach the North Sea coast. Under the leadership of Árpád also left the region and across the Northern Carpathians, settled in Pannonian Plain, in an area called Country Ugvarului, hence the name of Hungarians date newcomers. Gathered in a state Magyar tribes undertook numerous expeditions to Western Europe robbery whom ended Otto the Great in the Battle of Luchfeld. South were greeted by the Byzantines, and eastward over Romanians and Slavs gave us learn the process of political and state structure. Gesta Hungarorum, anonymous notary of King Béla chronic, mention of the late ninth century three duchies and principalities of Gelu, Glad and Menumorut. As Stefan initial submission to central and southern Transylvania, Hungarians annihilated indigenous political structures in the late twelfth century and early thirteenth century, the conquest of Transylvania was completed. Contact between Slavic and Hungarian Roman population can be detected through a series of mutual linguistic influences.

Szeklers. Extending domination Kingdom of Hungary to the limit and the Eastern Carpathians was done Székely intake. Related Hungarians and their vanguard fighters during the conquest of Pannonia, Transylvania Szeklers were installed first in Bihar, then Tarnave Mures and the beginning of the thirteenth century in the Carpathian curve passes and border defense. The chronicler tells us that they Keza peaceful coexistence with the Romanian population in Transylvania, borrowing many elements of civilization that port, writing and how to make their homes. Knowing the initial organization archaic tribal tribes and nations divided into branches, Szeklers gradually evolved into a feudal own organization based on respect for freedom granted by the Hungarian royalty.

Saxons. German colonists generally known as the Saxons arrived in Transivania in small groups settled in the region Orastie, Sibiu, Tarnavelor in Barsa, reaching north to the region Bistrita-Nasaud. Come to the parts of Flanders, the middle Rhine and Saxony, received sizeable properties and privileges and have founded their own settlements, with a significant contribution to the development of trade, crafts and mining. Cities such as Sibiu, Brasov, Sighisoara, Medias, Bistrita, founded by her, saw a strong flowering. Autonomous organization of the Saxons, the direct dependence of the Hungarian royalty and freedoms enjoyed were recorded in Andreanum issued by King Andrew II, in which are included and important news about the Romans in that territory.

To stop invasions Cumans settled south of the Carpathians and the Hungarian expansion paves the way over the mountains, King Andrew II installed Barsa Teutonic Knights. Entering them into conflict with the kingdom of Hungary, Transylvania shortly left traces of their passage being Feldioara and Codlea. Under a privilege in 1247 was brought to a detachment of Knights Severin John's mission to defend the kingdom against the Tartars and participate in organized expeditions south of the Danube. Knights Ioanit it was for a vast territory (Country Severin), which for unknown reasons it occupied only etemer.

Now as you can see, not be denied that the Hungarians have their positive side in the development of Transyvania, but do not forget that the Roman people was there long before.

God bless you!