Of course, a new organization of the annual Chivalrous Festival dedicated to Romanian Wine, coming after editions such as those of Iași & Cotnari, Alba Iulia & Jidvei, Tulcea & Babadag, Timișoara & Recaș, should also lead to the “conquest” by the Romanian Consulate of the OEVE of a new traditional wine-growing area. And so it was to be, this time being, as the song goes, “Oltenia – eternal Terra Nova”. And, as the presenters of the Knights’ Ball said, paraphrasing Alexandru Andrieș, “I was in Craiova / and I saw the Oltenians”! But they also added: “I saw Olteni, met wonderful people, admired beautiful women, bathed in authentic folklore, savored old and tasty dishes and, of course, drank good wines!”. It would be appropriate to give here a detailed (…and, as far as possible, balanced!) analysis of such a complex event, but I can’t! All I can do is write a sentimental chronicle, which is largely explicable given that so many beautiful things have touched my/our hearts and have made some small and inherent setbacks, which were otherwise quickly overcome, instantly forgotten. I don’t even know what to write about first: about the graceful evolution of the barefooted maidens who brought to a good and delicious end the ritual of crushing grapes at the Banu Mărăcine Didactic Station, about the must drunk from the ceramic jugs given to each participant, about the declaration of the Wine of the Knights 2024 (Terra Valachorum is now an exceptional Fetească Neagră from the Crama Dascălu) or about the Proclamation on the Harvest Feast, read with moving pathos by the President of the Oenological Commission, Eques Sergiu Nedelea? About the scientific, historical content of the academic session at the opening of the events, or about the continuous efforts of the Consulate’s organizational team? Naturally, once we get to this chapter, I cannot fail to notice the work of the two Proconsuls – OKT Eques Ornatus Marius Farmazon and Eques Gratzian Mărgărit, of the Chancellor – Eques Adrian Bădiță, of the Events Advisor – Eques Marcello Battaglia, of the Rector of the Academy and also the Lector of the ceremony – Eques Paul Stoicescu-Drăgușin, of the Coordinating Marshal – Eques Dan Preda. As well as the one who, although it was his debut, was in charge of successfully solving the major organizational issues but also the small quibbles that arose along the way, the Festival Director – Consiliarius Andrei Botis. So, should I write about the evening of authentic folklore or about the traditional Oltenian dinner at the Preajba Lake Complex, where you didn’t know whether to look at the plate full of goodies or at the figures performed with a sensual plastic sense by the most beautiful dancers within a radius of several hundred kilometers? And our guests from our friendly consulates (Moldova, Austria, Slovenia), led by our old friend in the Senate leadership, Generalvisitateur Senator Josef von Jenei, can testify that it was a very special evening indeed! Shall I write about the guided tour of the Citadel of Bania, or about the relentless and seemingly endless rain that relentlessly pounded down just when the cavalry parade to the University was supposed to start? Or about the dazzling sun that, not only symbolically, illuminated our path after the end of the ceremony of accreditation and enthronement in rank, when we were still able to parade along the route University of Craiova – Alexandru Ioan Cuza Street – Calea Unirii – Ramada Plaza Hotel? Obviously, the Wine Knights’ Ball, held in the Ballroom “Constantin Brâncuși” at the Ramada Plaza was the highlight of the closing evening of the Festival.
Apart from everything, the menu with “nouvelle cuisine” accents and, of course, the wine, the festive moments and the speeches, we enjoyed, as usual, “de la musique avant tout chose” and, once again, the artist whose voice and stage presence really charmed us – soprano Adina Sima, soloist of the National Operetta Theater, this time accompanied by Remix Band and backing vocals by the talented Teodora Rotaru and Rebeca Ianna. Not just out of pride, I cannot fail to mention that the Ball also saw the launch of the volume “Wines of the Champagne, Bordeaux, Tuscany and Rioja fairy-tale wines”, the work of Gratzian Mărgărit and the author of this confessedly subjective retrospective, as well as the editorial crowning of a Consulate project that has been sustained for almost a year online, on our Facebook account. And all 100 volumes exhibited on the Consulate’s stand were quickly given away, “obliging” the authors to a flattering uninterrupted string of autographs… The Festival was also the occasion to highlight some deserving Confratelli, who have distinguished themselves through their work and received the recognition of the Consulate and the Senate. The following awards were presented:
Order of Knightly Virtue
-in the rank of Knight: Eques Gratzian Mărgărit, Eques Adrian Bădiță, Judex Iulian Boghiu, Judex Ioan Urda -in the rank of Officer: Eques Eugen Burcă, Eques Dan-Silviu Boerescu, Eques Marcello Battaglia -in the rank of Commander: Eques Dragoș Danubianu, Eques Dan Preda Signum Honoris: Eques Costin Dinu Meritum Vini: Eques Sergiu Nedelea The Diploma of Gratitude was awarded to Consiliarius Andrei Botiș, Director of FCVR 2024, who, in addition to the considerable effort made in the months leading up to the Festival, also has the merit of having established a new knightly destination – the Craiova Chair. …Beyond the honours (absolutely well-deserved!) and the organizational trepidations (so natural at an event of such grandeur) the fact that so many Wine Knights from all over the country (…but also from abroad!) were able to meet, chat freely and make new friends seems to me to be by far the most important element of such an event. Perhaps never has our motto had a better cover: AMICITIA PER VINUM!
Eques Dan-Silviu Boerescu
Communication, Image and PR Advisor Photo gallery of the event, here: https://shorturl.at/IBjCQ
