Artmania, one of the most important international rock festivals in Romania, which in 2025 reached the anniversary edition, brought in the last weekend in July, in Sibiu, big names of rock music and launched a national cultural education for young education: Rock Talk – School of Rock.
Over 200 children and teenagers participated in this music mentoring program, who gives them the chance to learn directly from consecrated artists and to sing live on the festival stage. An exciting moment was when 30 young guitarists from all over the country played at the festival “More than words”, The legendary piece of the extreme band, right in front of their idol guitarist, Nuno Bettencourt.
Moreover, some of these young people were invited to accompany him on stage at a unique moment: a live tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, without fireworks, only with guitars and emotion, who deeply impressed the public present in the Great Square of Sibiu.
Artmania 2025 and Rock Talk – School of Rock Photo Artmania Festival
The moment that changed everything
On a hot afternoon at Artmania 2025, dozens of young guitarists from all over the country had the privilege to interpret “More Than Words” Direct for Nuno Bettencourt, the legendary guitarist of the extreme American band.
The emotion was huge: Nuno descended from the stage to listen to them, to speak and to convey a message that will remain with them all their lives – true music is made with soul, courage and without shame.
This was the time of launch Rock Talk – School of Rocka revolutionary initiative in Romania, designed as an educational and community refuge for young people who want more than Tiktok and disposable trending.
An unprecedented cultural project, which transforms the Artmania Festival from a simple event into an educational and community space dedicated to young people between 12 and 25 years.
What is Rock Talk – School of Rock
It is the first national music mentoring program launched by a rock festival in Romania, in partnership with universities “Lucian Blaga” from Sibiu and West in Timisoara, with the support of private companies and community “Put your hand on the guitar”.
The program offers free or low price access to young people, workshops with established artists, repetitions and live concerts, all meant to form an authentic artistic community, in which music is more than a trend-it is a voice, a symbol of freedom and belonging.
Artmania 2025 and Rock Talk – School of Rock Photo Artmania Festival
The impact and stories of young people. Nuno Bettencourt: “There is no big guitarist without big mistakes”
“When I learned” More Than Words “, I didn’t even dream that we would sing it right in front of Nuno”acknowledged Andrei, 17, from Iasi, participant in the first wave Rock Talk.
For many, this project is not only a chance to sing, but the beginning of a path to discovering one’s own voices and the construction of an authentic cultural future, far from the superficiality of the social networks.
On this occasion, Nuno Bettencourt sent to young guitarists and the public at the Sibiu Festival a simple and powerful message: “The technique comes over time, the school helps, but what really matters is not to be ashamed of what you feel.”. He also told them that “There is no big guitarist without big mistakes”, And in the end, he confessed: “You almost made me cry. “
A live tribute to Ozzy Osbourne who joined generations and continents
Within Artmania 2025, between two international concerts, in the Great Square of Sibiu, the young guitarists brought a spontaneous tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, accompanied by their mentor across the ocean. Without spectacular lights or special effects – just guitars, emotion, a live recital and an audience that responded with applause and tears. And a clear message: True music unites generations and continents.
“Sometimes, education means you know that somewhere in the country, a child has taken the courage to follow his dream because you listened to him,” concluded Cosmin Marcu, the founder «Put your hand on the guitar» – Play Cultural Association, one of the key partners of the initiative.
Artmania: More than a festival
Codruța Vulcu, the founder of Artmania, mentioned on this occasion: “Each generation needs landmarks. We choose to offer them through culture, not through algorithms.”
Through solid educational partnerships, easy access and a living community, Artmania began to build a school of the future, in which young people grow along with real models and tools to tell their story.
“I always dreamed of a festival that does more than bringing troops on stage. Rock Talk is the beginning of a long -term mission: to offer young tools, trust and real models.”the organizers mentioned.
And the moment when the 30 guitarists interpreted “More than words”, In the Great Square in Sibiu, it was not just a surprise. It was a teaching of a pole between a musical history and a future that starts shy, but promising. On online, the interpretation recording went viral, and the reactions came from all over the country. “It is incredible that this is happening in Romania! ”a former guitarist wrote in Canada.
Rock Talk – School of Rock: a silent cultural revolution that has just started
The program promises to expand in 2026 in several cities in the country, with a digital mentoring platform and campaigns supported by universities and cultural NGOs. Rock Talk – School of Rock It is not just an artistic project, the organizers say – it is a response to a silent crisis: the lack of authentic landmarks for young Romanian. And in a music market suffocated by artificial, Artmania chose to invest in the future, not in viral.
“I witnessed a meeting between generations that gave me creeps. It was about authentic and future emotion,” acknowledged Dragoș Varga, the dean of the university “Lucian Blaga” from Sibiu, emphasizing the power of a community in which culture becomes a binder between generations. “It is a space where my son grew up. And now he comes to the festival with his friends. Music, somehow, keeps us together.”
And the impact is already visible: young people sing on stage, create communities and bind real friends, beyond screens and algorithms. “When a child puts his hand on the guitar, a silent revolution can start,” also noted Cosmin Marcu, from «Put your hand on the guitar».
It is, in essence, a new cultural phenomenon, in which young people, no matter where they come, have the chance to dream on stage. “These children are not just the public tomorrow – they are the artists of tomorrow”, said writer Radu Vancu, referring to Rock Talk As a form of affective and aesthetic education, in which music becomes support and compass.
Conclusion: A generation that does not shut up
In a world where young people are often labeled as disinterested or distracted, Rock Talk – School of Rock Demonstrate the opposite: if they are offered authentic models, they will build roads. The guitar thus becomes not only a musical instrument, but the symbol of one’s own voice, freedom and community.
“We started Artmania with the dream of building a community. Now we build bridges between generations”also mentioned Codruța Vulcu. And, between two guitar agreements, in Sibiu, a new cultural Romania was born – one in which the emotion, not the algorithm, sets the tone.
