The “Alexandru and Aristia Aman” County Library started, in May 2011, the establishment of an amateur theater troupe.
The 11 people who signed up for the theater group quickly formed a team. Librarian Liana Resteanu worked with this team like a true director and, from a heterogeneous group, created a theater group called “The Brave Ones”, who easily went from the spectator’s seat to the stage. The work is not easy at all, and rehearsals take place 2-3 times a week.
The theater troupe “Cutezătorii” debuted with the show “Găițele”, an adaptation of the play by Al. Kirițescu, which they presented at the “Night of Libraries”, on October 1, 2011, in the “Nicolae Romanescu” hall of the Aman Library.
Encouraged by the audience’s appreciation, they prepared another comedy show, “A murit Bubi”, an adaptation of Tudor Mușatescu. In 2013, they added another piece from our classics to their repertoire, “Titanic vals”, by Tudor Mușatescu.
The “Cutezătorii” theater troupe performed not only at the “Alexandru și Aristia Aman” County Library, but also at the Librarians Association Conference, held in Brașov, at the “Elena Teodorini” Lyric Theater, at the Craiova Days, at the Craiova Penitentiary, at the House of Culture in the communes of Cârcea, Vârvor and Coșoveni, as well as at two editions of the “Krastyo Pishurka” International Theater Festival, held in the city of Lom, Bulgaria.
Considering the successes achieved by the troupe, the director of the “Alexandru and Aristia Aman” County Library launched the idea of organizing a theater festival that would bring together troupes made up of retirees, but also encourage other libraries to follow suit. Thus, on November 5, 2013, the first edition of the “Always Young” Festival began, in which amateur troupes made up not only of retirees, but also of young people participated. After all, theater is a form of art that brings together people of all ages and occupations.
For two days, in the festivities hall of the “Elena Cuza” National College, a real theater marathon took place, to the delight of the audience. The “Arlechin” troupe of the “G.T. Kirileanu” County Library in Piatra-Neamț played the play “Şefele”, adapted from Werner Schwab, followed by “Găițele”, adapted from Al. Kirițescu, played by the “Ambitioșii” of the “Panait Istrati” County Library in Brăila. The “Barbu Ștefănescu Delavrancea” Dramatic Circle in Bucharest offered us “An Unforgettable Visit”, a dramatization of I.L. Caragiale, followed by the “Cutezătorii” troupe of the “Alexandru și Aristia Aman” County Library in Dolj to conclude with the play “Titanic Waltz”, adapted from Tudor Mușatescu.
The performances were judged by Prof. Dr. George Sorescu – critic and writer, Alina Rece – theater director, and Prof. Dr. Nicolae Bălașa – writer and playwright.
In addition to the shows, we, the hosts, offered the participants a varied program, which included visiting the library, a walking tour of Mihai Viteazul Square, visiting the Natural Sciences and Ethnography and Folklore sections of the Oltenia Museum, getting to know Craiova’s places of worship, especially the “Saint Dumitru” Cathedral, and a walk in Romanescu Park. The guests were very impressed not only by our city, but also by the organization of the festival, declaring that they would vote for Craiova as the European Capital of Culture, especially since, through this event, we also made our contribution to supporting this project.
On the last day, November 7, the award ceremony for the bands took place. The jury handed out the diplomas in the “Nicolae Romanescu” hall of the “Alexandru and Aristia Aman” County Library, in a relaxed atmosphere, with the promise that, as it started, the festival seems to have a long life. Throughout its duration, the festival was publicized by local television and newspapers, and the public was delighted with the idea of organizing such an event.
This is, so far, the small history of the band, whose members have been, over the years:
Antoaneta Cârstea, Ciobanu Ioana, Iuliana Firan, Elena Găină, Dan Constantin Nichita, Elena Betolean, Sever Țupangiu, Doli Hagianu, Stela Bucur, Iulia Popa, Marin Zdrenghea, Mădălina Popescu, Maria Crișu.
Coordinator: librarian Liana Resteanu.