The “Mihai Eminescu” theater in Botoșani, a true architectural jewel, over a century old, opened its doors after a decade of rehabilitation. The actors have returned to the theater after 10 years and are working on an exceptional premiere. The building is one of the most beautiful monuments in Romania.
Mihai Eminescu Theater from Botoșani PHOTO Cosmin Zamfirache
The “Mihai Eminescu” theater in Botoșani operates in a historical monument building of rare beauty, in the style of French eclecticism, over 110 years old. It was a luxurious theater, built with expensive materials, by the richest people in the city. It is also considered one of the most beautiful in Romania, being the first city theater in Moldova. The theater from Botoșani bore the brunt of the war and later of the communist interventions. In addition, due to the lack of interest in the ’90s, it has deteriorated strongly. It required a rehabilitation which, with many stumbling blocks, lasted no less than 10 years. On Wednesday, the theater was partially opened. That means the actors are back in the building rehearsing for a premiere performance. The theater will probably be open to the public at the end of December.
A luxurious theater of the Moldavian nobility and merchants brought back to life
Since the beginning of the 19th century, Botoșani has been one of the most prosperous fairs in the Principality. A cosmopolitan city based on trade and crafts with extensive connections in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Tsarist Empire. Jews, Armenians, Lipovans and, obviously, Romanians lived here. In the city lived not only very rich tenants, but also Moldavian boyars. It was a “resort city”, as described by historians, full of greenery, picturesque parks where you could spend hours, extremely beautiful houses made by foreign craftsmen in German or French style.
Theater statues PHOTO CJ Botoșani
These merchants and nobles from the Botoșani fair encouraged education and culture. Botoșani was one of the first cities in Romania where a show was performed in Romanian. Even Mihai Eminescu was part of a troupe of actors, in Botoșani, as a prompter. From 1865, approaches were made to the General Committee of Theaters in Romania and the Ministry of the Interior for the establishment of a national theater in Botoșani. Without receiving an answer, the people of Botoşani made a public outcry and built, at their own expense, a theater. In 1912, the “Eminescu Theater Joint Stock Company” was established, with 75 shareholders and a capital of 400,000 lei. The theater was built with foreign craftsmen in the style of French eclecticism and was named after the great poet “Mihai Eminescu. The construction it was a real architectural jewel, at the time one of the most beautiful theaters.
Performance hall and stage PHOTO Cosmin Zamfirache
In 1914, the first show took place, “Our Lorica”. During the Second World War, the theater building was bombed. It was rebuilt in 1958, but modified. It was then that the theater was re-established, operating until today. In 2013, Botoșani City Hall received European funding worth 5 million euros, to rehabilitate the town’s theater, which was heavily degraded, and bring it back to the original plans from 1912. In 2014, the works began. With scandals and scandals specifically Romanian, the works were stopped, then advanced and finally the funding lost. It was only after a few years that the works were resumed, obtaining new funding. The costs have tripled in the meantime, rehabilitating the theater ending up costing 15 million euros.
One of the most beautiful theaters in Romania
Wednesday, December 11, the work is almost finished. The auditorium, booths and many of the common areas were put to use. The actors, after spending 10 years in an old, rented building at the Youth House, in conditions totally inappropriate for the artistic act, returned to the theater building. More precisely, they are rehearsing for a new show, for the first time, which will be presented to the public, in the rehabilitated space, most likely at the end of December.
The Botoșani theater, outside PHOTO Cosmin Zamfirache
The theater has a luxurious performance hall in the early 20th century manorial style, with period-scented boxes and balconies. The stage is very deep, ideal for all kinds of directorial ideas, from classical to avant-garde theater. On the ceiling of the performance hall are huge, hand-made chandeliers. The halls are paved in marble with the same vintage flavor, with statues and gold leaf ornaments. Upstairs are rehearsal spaces, studio rooms, modern booths and many other spaces. Beyond the vintage atmosphere, the theater is equipped with hi-tech devices, especially sound and lighting, elevators and more.
“We’re back home”
The actors were overwhelmed with emotions when returning to the theater where most of them started their careers. Some have spent several decades working in this building. “We are overwhelmed with emotion, the entire theater team, the actors, have returned after so many years in the theater. Today there will be a first rehearsal after a 10-year break. If we look at the stage, at the equipment, we have everything we need for the show”says Alexandru Vasilache, director of the “Mihai Eminescu” Theater in Botoșani and director for two decades at this institution. “Actors are children who received a great gift today”, states Irina Mititelu in Botoșani. “Returning to the theater represents hope and the desire to perform at the highest level”, adds Gina Pătrașcu Zamfirache, another actress with experience in the Botošan theater.
Hall of the theater PHOTO CJ Botoșani
“I was in exile for 10 years. Now I feel like I’m back home and nowhere is better than home,” concludes Lenuș Teodora Moraru, another actor with almost three decades of artistic experience in Botoșani. For Răzvan Amitroaie, one of the youngest actors in the troupe, returning to the theater building is a special experience. “I grew up here. My mother was in the theater’s marketing department, my father, Cezar Amitroaie, an actor. And they had nothing to do with me. They were bringing me here. I knew the theater by heart”says Răzvan Amitroaie. At the moment the actors from Botošan are working on the show “Intrigue and Love” after Friederich Schiller, directed by Dumitru Acriș.
