History Faculty teachers complain about the noise from spring festival in downtown Bucharest

Teachers from the Faculty of History within the University of Bucharest have sent a letter to mayor Gabriela Firea in which they complain about the “constant phonic pollution” produced by the spring festival currently taking place in Universitatii Square. The festival, called Bucharest – the capital of love, is taking place these days in the small square located just across the street from the Faculty’s building. “The Faculty of History of the University of Bucharest, an institution of tradition and elite in the Romanian higher education system, is subject to a constant phonic pollution that hinders the normal teaching and academic process,” the teachers said in the letter. They also reminded the mayor that the Faculty’s teaching activity takes place Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 20:00, and Saturday between 08:00 and 16:00, and includes lectures, seminars, consultations, conferences, and scientific circles. Also, the students have access to the reading room of the faculty’s library from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 19:00, and on Saturdays between 08:00 and 14:00. “For several days we have been unable to conduct our activity due to the constant noise pollution created by the “Festival of Love,” which is taking place at this moment in Universitatii Square. The rehearsals, concerts, and ambient background music cover any other activity conducted in the faculty, making it impossible for the teachers to work, and creating a state of stress and agitation among both students and teachers, thus blocking the educational process,” reads the letter. The teachers also said that they previously complained about other events organized there, but they never got any answers from the competent authorities. Thus, they now ask the mayor to prohibit the organization of events before 20:00 in the weekdays, and before 16:00 in weekends. The Bucharest – capital of lovefestival is currently taking place in Universitatii Square in Bucharest. Its program includes a martisor fair (small items tied with red and white strings, which men give to women in Romania on March 1), concerts, and shows. The festival will end on March 8. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com (photo source: Creart on Facebook; photo by Dragos Toader)