Reality Shows: the Most Useless Type of TV Programme?

  Today I saw a funny picture saying: "A book commits suicide every time you watch a reality show". And it lit up a light bulb in my head (figuratively speaking, of course). Since the beginning of the 21st century, people in various countries have been complaining more and more about the intellectual regression of the population, and especially the younger generations. We cannot place the blame on just one factor, but I believe that the effects of the media on the people definitely play a big part. 

  Personally - and forgive me if you're a fan - I think that reality shows are useless. Of all types of TV programmes, they bring nothing that is enriching intellectually or spiritually. And if you want to have a laugh, even the cheesiest of comedies is a better solution, as even Ace Ventura has a bigger IQ than some of the participants in those shows. More often than not, reality shows provide us with a cocktail of random people, who may not have better things to do, forced to stay together in a house, or on an island, or to compete against each other in order to become  the best bride / groom / daughter-in-law / chef / whatever, and to win a big money prize. We basically have to watch their (generally contradictory) personalities interact, creating an "entertaining" show, often reaching the verge of scandalous and vulgar. Of course, all these shows are arranged and directed in order to create a certain atmosphere. I am proud to say that Big Brother was axed in Romania on the show's second edition, back in 2004, because of obscene behaviour displayed on air, but that didn't stop our television producers to come up with other stuff. And there we go again. The bigger the scandal, or the bigger the frequency of insults, the bigger the audience. 

   But is it worth it, really? What for? At maximum, I would only save talent shows, as they are mainly about music and dancing, and it is always worth discovering new talents, or even enjoying the show as variety. Although, in some situations, that type of talent scouting is not always fruitful, but I digress and we'll talk about it in another post. But generally speaking... I hardly see any benefits. Sometimes they are not even funny. I once tried to watch something, but after a couple of minutes I got a headache from the excessive shouting of the participants. 

     Don't get me wrong: people need and deserve to be entertained and laugh. But there are many other and more clever ways. What about a real comedy show? Or a funny movie or TV series? At least we see professional actors, witty scripts, and a certain sense of measure. So, I dare to say that not only a book commits suicide when we watch that sort of stuff, but also a movie or a good-quality TV programme does the same, to which we add the (spiritual) suicide of all the people working behind them, and who want and know how to make good-quality television. Let's choose carefully what we watch! 

The Romanian Traveller: the Black Sea and the Romanian Seaside

 

  It's summer and many of us might have already started the holidays. For some of us, summer without the seaside does not make sense, some of us come from countries that do not have a sea coast, whilst some of us do, but the waters are cold and the beaches are far from ideal for sunbathing. For all these categories of travellers, I will share something about my own country, because, after all, there is more to Romania than just Bucharest and the region of Transylvania, although these parts of the country are still top destinations in their own right. 
   

   As you all might know, Romania opens on the Black Sea, and no - the Black Sea is NOT a closed sea or a very large lake! First, let me give you some factual info. The Black Sea is bordered by 6 countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Turkey. In the North-East, it is connected to the sea of Azov through the Strait of Kerc, and in the South it flows into the Sea of Marmara through the Strait of Bosphorus, which, at its turn, flows into the Aegean Sea through the Strait of Dardanele. 
     

   The Romanian seaside may not be as popular as the ones from the Mediterranean countries, and it only has about 250 kilometers worth of coast, but it definitely has its own charm.  I went there almost every year of my life, and seaside holidays are a big part of the Romanian culture. People of all ages and statuses have been following the same tradition for generations, and I don't think that will ever change. Mamaia is by far our most popular and most trendy resort, followed by Vama Veche- the choice of the wild and free, Neptun, Olimp, Jupiter, Costinesti, and several others. 
    

    So, this is a general insight on what you can get....

• crowded beaches and vibrant nightlife - from restaurants and clubs in Mamaia to camp fires on the beach in Vama Veche.
• traditional Romanian food, from fancy or rustic restaurants to the kiosks selling crepes, pastries and corn on the cob. 
• a fair note of Turkish cultural influences, which are very present in the historical region of Dobrogea, which the Black Sea coast is part of.
• Water parks and water sports, for the most active of us.
• convenient and good-quality shopping, especially clothes, beach accessories, toys and souvenirs.
• the budget for accommodation may vary, and there are enough options to fit all budgets. However, if a hotel is your cup of tea, I would advise you to for a 3 star hotel - a good balance between quality and price.  

 Have I convinced you?  Then, all you have to do is book... and prepare your suitcase!

The American Dream: Myth or Reality?

                                               

  As I'm writing this piece, the radio is actually playing... what else if not Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA", so the perfect soundtrack is in place! :) Historically speaking, on the 4th of July in 1776, the United States of America were formed, declaring their independence from the British Empire. 

    Let's fast-forward from the times of George Washington to the present day. Apart from being a huge economic, political and military power, the USA are definitely a controversial country, from many points of view, and I often get the impression that people either love them or hate them. 

   But what about the cultural point of view? Being a relatively new country compared to the ancient civilizations of Europe or Asia, I would describe American culture as the culture of glamour and modernity, and of popular culture more than anything else. 

   I have never been to the States... or at least not yet. However, all my friends, family members and aquaintances who have been there only had good things to say. And still, compared to many other countries, the huge quanitity of popular culture that they exported and that we all consumed gave us a pretty detailed insight of American society. The USA gave us the Hollywood movies and their stars, from the classics of the 40s' and 50s' to today's blockbusters packed with visual effects. The USA gave us music legends such as Michael Jackson and Madonna, and the rock-chick inside me would also add the likes of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and Guns'N Roses to the playlist. Last but not least, the USA gave us the TV series we grew up with on a daily basis. In the early 1990s' in Romania, everyone in the family, from children to grandparents were watching "Dallas" together. And later, we saw the arrival of teenagers' favourites "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Baywatch". 

     Putting all these things together, an image of an entire society could be created. In a way, I believe that was actually the American Dream: a world where everything sweeps you off your feet, a world of the highly successful, of wealthy businessmen working for big corporations, of beautiful and glamorous people with perfect lives, a youth where love and fun were on the top spot, and the famous houses with swimming pool. :)

     Many of us grew up loving the American society, and looking at it as a lifestyle role model. Are all these things real, or just a projected image? Is the so-called American Dream just a dream sold to foreigners?  Or being the best of the best is actually their way of life, and their major purpose? I think I will find out only when I get there, and I promise someday I will. In the meantime, let's wish our American friends a happy 4th of July! 

The Value of Folklore and Its Legacy

 

  

  National folklore is rarely part of our everyday lives, especially if we're talking about younger generations and city life, and as far as I noticed, some countries give it more importance than others. Romania, for example, tends to be one of these countries, although perhaps not many people are in touch with this part of our national culture. These days Bucharest is hosting an International Folklore Festival in Park Cismigiu, in the city center. The highest amount of participation, however, came still from Romania, featuring Turkish and Hungarian national minorities, plus foreign participation from Bulgaria, Serbia and Latvia. In spite of bad weather, I decided to take a look around and see what is going on. And that gave me some food for thought.

       

     What can we describe as folklore? Traditional music, dances, poems and legends sometimes belonging to anonymous authors, handmade objects and artefacts which are products of long and minutious work, and homemade food. They are not landmarks of modernity, but of ancient tradition, passed on from generation to generation. And the fact that during the event people still took an active interest in it, both Romanians and foreign tourists, made me believe that people do not lose touch with the past, no matter how modern their lives actually are. 

       

      And also, the part related to song and dance gave me a pleasant surprise. Numerous artistic assemblies of children and adults from all parts of the country have performed in front of the audience, and their performances were great - joy, simplicity, and a love for folklore. Now, I must admit I generally don't listen to folkloric music, and my knowledge of traditional Romanian dances is pretty basic. I've been a city girl all my life, and not even my grandparents were based in the country-side. However, leaving my own knowledge and abilities aside, I still appreciate folklore not as a consumer, although I love to buy traditional artefacts, all full of colour and different between themselves, according to the region they come from.  But my appreciation is especially for what folklore represents for people: a tradition which is still alive, even for the youngest generations, and which still keeps us in touch with our ancient culture.

    I believe folklore is something we should at least be aware of, no matter where we're from, and also if we don't perform it or consume it often. It does shape a country's national identity, and it will always be a part of who we are as a nation.

     

Synchronized Cultural Events: a Big Challenge to Promote Your Country's Culture

  

One of the latest trends in the social and cultural life of big cities is the organization of what I call synchronized events, such as the Night of the Museums, the Night of Cultural Institutes and so forth. Basically, several cultural institutions organize simultaneous events for an entire day or night. Personally, I am a big fan of such manifestations, because not only does it keep you rapidly up to date with what happens in your city's cultural life, but it also offers a wide range of shows, workshops, exhibitions, and so much more, to choose from, so that in theory it would be impossible not to find something that you like. 

     

   This evening I attended the Night of Cultural Institutes, which took place in Bucharest. And, as much as I was eager to attend this event, there was definitely some room for improvement. Nevertheless, I realized what a big challenge it is to organize an attractive cultural event, in a situation where fragmentation is a big problem. Tonight, the Cultural Institutes of Great Britain, Czech Republic, Austria, Turkey, Hungary, Spain, Romania, Greece, France, Belgium, Italy, Poland and Germany took part, to a bigger or smaller extent, in the event. Yes, all these Institutes exist in Bucharest, which is a landmark of a multicultural environment. Therefore, so many venues in just one night makes fragmentation unavoidable. Everyone wants to go to each place, and to spend a short amount of time everywhere. This means that it is crucial for each Institute to organize an interesting and lively event, which is able to grab the attention and involvement of the audience in a short amount of time. Nobody can afford to alternate lively sections with "chilling" ones, and this is what, in my opinion, was the big mistake of various institutions. Such events should be permanently upbeat, not just in certain moments. Of course, as a spectator, you will choose some events or sections of events instead of others, and you won't be able to attend everything. But at least you would be sure that no matter where you go and when, you would never be bored. And that would be the ideal Cultural Institute "crawl"! ;)

    So, what does it take? I would say that it is essential to take out the major weapons of your national culture, the most original traditions, lively traditional music and dance, interactive workshops of languages or arts and crafts, theatre and improvisation, and also traditional food and drinks. Whatever is alternative, not typical of your country, or too long to be followed actively should be avoided. In these situations, we look for something that resembles a proper celebration, is interactive, is colourful, and, most of all, gives a proper insight on the cultural identity of your country. Some Institutes succeeded, some others did not - or at least in parts. But let's hope that the following years would take this interesting typology of event to its maximum potential. 

     

    

Happily United... in the World Cup Craze

Many of us would agree that sports also count as culture. They emphasize every country's particular tradition, and also what people value as supporters. However, very few manifestations bring people together like the FIFA World Cup. Traditionally speaking, once every four years, it looks like everyone is getting high on football, both as a patriotic manifestation to support their own country, and as a means to socialize with their friends over a beer and some high-adrenaline moments. 

Normally, I'm not that into football, and I must admit I haven't even watched the opening ceremony. Not to mention that Romania's national team has gone from bad to worse in the past years, and those who are old enough to remember Hagi's generation of the late '80s through the '90s will definitely know what I'm talking about. Therefore, my beloved Romania is out of the equation, but because I have two countries, I am supporting Italy. And I'm excited! And probably many other people who are not regular football fans are equally excited. It's about being in the middle of events, being on the edge, even if from a distance, loud like a vuvuzela, and hoping to become "Campioni del mondo". But those who have friends in various countries of the world would also be happy for their friends' national teams, if they won. Oh, well... Let's all concentrate, cross our fingers, clench our fists, and.... may the best team win! ;)

The Italian Job: the Perspective of a Happy Immigrant

   

 Today is the National Day of Italy, which is my second country - the country in which I spent a fair part of my childhood and where I returned as a young adult. Historically speaking, it is the anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Republic, which occurred by population referendum on the 2nd of June 1946. 

   Beyond historical dates, Italy is a lot of things: food, art, music, love, fashion, cinema, architecture, natural landscapes and so much more. Of course, it has its fair share of economic, social and political problems, and the dissatisfied citizens included in the package. But the more I travel, the more I realize that no country in this world is perfect. When I first ended up in Italy with my family, I was far too young to decide, so the choice was not mine. But now, I believe that it was destiny that brought us there.

   

  Unfortunately, Italy has also been the venue for a large ammount of immigrants of not-so-great quality, including from Romania, who made it in the news, taking the attention off the honest ones. Or at least, so we think... You would ask me what has been my life as an immigrant in Italy really like? And if I say "fabulous" you probably would not believe me. I will start with an anecdote from my chidhood. When I started kindergarten in Milan, the teacher playfully asked the children if they had a place for little "Alessandra". And what did the little ones do? They all came ahead with their chairs. Sweet and chivalrous! :) Fast forward: year 2007. I was preparing to leave Romania to return to Italy. The Romanian media was full of news according to which criminals of Romanian origin and their deeds were on the rise in Italy, causing Italians to treat Romanians badly only because of their nationality. I was seeing difficulties ahead, but I was determined to return to a place where I was happy and be happy once again. And I'm telling you that what I feared the most.... was the least of my problems. The people I came into contact with were by far the best part of my stay in Italy, from strangers in the street, to the staff of various institutions, to colleagues and friends, with whom I formed a really close bond. From Milan to Sicily, Italy gifted me with an extended family, and some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. With them I had the craziest fun I had not had since I was at school, but I could also count on their moral support in times of need. What else could I ask for? 

       

   What's the catch? I have no idea. It may be the fact that intelligent people can always recognize a person of good quality (and I have always been confident in my quality as a person). It may be that Romanian and Italian cultures are too similiar to have discrepancies or communincation issues. Or, it may be the fact that fluency in Italian language and a sound knowledge of Italian culture and society helps everyone. But one thing is for sure: I never suffered and I was never given bad treatment because of my Romanian nationality. 

   This proves only one thing: when it comes to happiness, it's the people who do the job. Not just the economy, although it wouldn't be that bad if it could grow again. Human value, mixed with a rich cultural heritage, in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, having a laugh together over a large pizza. That is my Italy, where I know I will always feel welcome. Buon compleanno, bella Italia!