During the White Night of the Art Galleries, in the busiest week of the year – Romanian Design Week – there were so many great events, that only the preparations fever helped us not to panic every time we wondered if the public will get through to the dusty Filaret, from the glamorous city centre. Across from the bus station known especially to those leaving to Basarabia, we had put a new landmark on the map : Carol Factory – the name by which the old industrial areas of Hesper Factory will be reconverted into a cultural and events centre. Perhaps the most beautiful of our project so far, totaling more than two years of efforts with our partners from Eurodite.
We still had butterflies in our stomach even when the Facebook event attendees exceeded 1000: we knew that even in less difficult days, we could count on a mere half. That is why the result exceeded our full expectations: in the afternoon, evening and night of May 23rd, over 2,000 people visited the space delimited by Compressors Hall (with the green mobility exhibition) and Galvanizing Hall (which hosted the Romanian-Dutch conference on cultural conversion of industrial spaces, followed by the Metrobranding screening).
Even more gratifying was that after the event, the new Facebook page – Carol Factory – gathered in a few hours, over 1000 supporters, assuring us that we are on the right way. We thank them all and hope they will be close to us during the following phases of this complex and perhaps difficult conversion of the site.
We owe thanks to:
Participants: Egbert Fransen, Jeroen Saris, Jaap Modder, Teodor Frolu, Optar, Sinapseria, Pegas, Biţa Color, Spokes, Urmează-ţi Pasiunea, Turific!, Uleiosul, Cyclists’ Community in Bucharest, Urban Eye.
Sponsors: Reynaers, Rockwool, Rigips, Chairry, Menatwork, Sensio, Pubicicleta
Volunteers, overflowing with energy and enthusiasm: Amira Hameed, Diana Badoiu, Andreea Tuturman, Mădălina Licsor, Simona Istoc, Cornelia Turiac, Iolanda Poloșanu, Ana Constantinescu, Anastasia David Limona, Ioana Lupașcu, Horia Vâlceanu, and Alex Matei.
Vlad Bâscă – photos and videos (more here).
We’ll see you again, soon!
FB Halele Carol
