The theater and the showrooms, once animated centers of cultural life in cities, lose land in front of the digital era. More and more Romanians tell on social networks how experiences have become memories, and their time and attention are captured by more practical activities.
The Hunedoara Theater. One of the restored buildings. Photo: Daniel Guță. TRUTH
Oravița, a city in Banatul Montan with less than 10,000 inhabitants is the place of the oldest theater, established on the territory of Romania at the beginning of the 19th century. Over time, over 200 theatrical institutions have been built in the cities of the country, the most famous being the theaters of the big cities, some with an almost uninterrupted activity in the last two centuries.
The interest that Romanians grant to cultural activities, theater and cinema has diminished in recent years, shows the latest statistics published by the European Commission. According to Eurostat data in 2022, Romania records one of the lowest rates of participation in cultural activities in the European Union.
Only 22.2 percent of Romanians aged at least 16 stated that they participated in at least one cultural activity in the last 12 months, compared to the higher European average. In the EU, only Bulgarians seem to give a lower interest to theater, opera and cinemas, the report published in 2024 shows.
In recent years, several theaters, culture houses and performances in Romania have gone through extensive transformations, being restored with European funds and rendered to cultural activities, after long periods in which they could not be used. The investments took place both in large cities with a solid tradition of the theater, such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara, but also in smaller localities such as Hunedoara, Deva and Oravița.
Oravița theater. Source: Wikipedia
In other cities, the old buildings of theaters and theaters, some historical monuments, have remained deserted for many years. In the decades of communism, the locals remember, they were a little more animated: in addition to the events organized by the big theaters in the province, their scenes were often occupied by the theater troops, the choirs and the local artistic assemblies or of the businesses in the working cities.
How attractive is the theater for Romanians
In the digital age, for many Romanians participating in theater shows has become lacking interest.
A Romanian opposite that his partner refused to accompany him to the theater, motivating that he would get bored, he invited the users of the Reddit Online Platform tells his experiences at the theater. Some enthusiastically remembered the latest pieces seen, while other Romanians cataloged the theater as an art form for snobs, which would kidnap them precious and boredom.
“I like to go to the theater, how fascinating it seems to me the way the director, along with the actors and the set designer, can create whole worlds on a stage, fixed in front of us. See how from a simple decor it comes to life a whole world that does not give me no movie. It is alive,” it is now, “ Tell a Romanian, on Reddit.
At the theater, you only have the scene space and the imagination, and the fact that a director can create a complete world within these limits seems incredible to a Romanian.
“Each representation is unique. If the actors are good, you feel what they feel,” He believes.
“I am in a very sober field and it seems to me food for the mind and soul to escape sometimes in another world, through a good play. The arts are for the soul, for balance. Not everyone has to appreciate them, but it is sad when they are rejected without even a sincere attempt,” He wrote another passionate theater.
“Many years I thought the theater is not for me. When I was a child I went to an inappropriate play and I was terribly bored. But many years later I was again, at a comedy with George Ivașcu.”, Confessed another Romanian.
Dissatisfied with the atmosphere of the theater
Others say they look at the theater with indifference, but they have watched plays, to please their close ones.
“To be honest, the theater is boring me. My wife has been trying for years to convince me to go, but I don’t find myself. I was about 4-5 years ago, I was trying to culture myself. I wanted to go to the bathroom and everyone looked at me as if I was swearing. It was the last time.another internet reported.
“I can’t stay still for two hours in a big room. I prefer movies. I don’t go to the theater since I was little. It seems to me something boring and pretentious. Art, in that form, is for snobs,” Believe another Romanian.
Another Internet, says that the friends who accompanied him at the theater just wanted to be cultivated, instead they spoke contemptuously about those who did not go.
“There are many who go to the theater only to pose in intellectuals. The same type of audience from openings and concerts from the Romanian Athenaeum. Much spoiled, little depth”he believes.
For other Romanians, the cost of tickets was a problem. It is greater than that of a ticket to the cinema, and the behavioral rules of the spectators are stricter, some Romanians consider.
“I have never been to the theater, because I find the ticket too expensive. At the cinema it is more accessible and more comfortable,” said a Romanian, dissatisfied with the ticket price.
Others complained about the length of some plays they have recently seen.
“There are many songs now, especially at the big theaters, which are of incredible mediocrity. I have wondered why I lost three hours of life. For any hair-drawn show, people are raising it in the net. But when you go, you realize that everything they promised is smoke,” says one of them.
Not all pieces deserve the enthusiasm with which they are promoted, says another Romanian
“The last time I went to the theater, the play lasted four hours. Four! I thought I was dying. It was a hair story, unnecessarily extended.” add it.
Departure from the room, the controversial response of dissatisfied spectators
And the vulgarity of some pieces has often been criticized. Some pieces considered vulgar have aroused heated reactions on social networks.
“I loved the theater, until it started to be defiled with vulgarity. At one of the plays, the people in the room left with the tens. I felt embarrassed. I went to the pieces where the actors were completely naked, they simulated sexual scenes on stage. I did not look for an artistic act. he wrote another Romanian.
A passion for theater complained of the disappointment he had as a spectator at a play played in the Bucharest National Theater.
“I went out after 40 minutes. So I resisted that show. The screams and aggressiveness thrown, not played, but lived by the actors made me give up. Do the actor should be flown to understand the idea?”, this was asked.
Her message, published on the Facebook group “We go to the theater”, has aroused a wave of reactions. Many Romanians criticized its gesture, considering it defiantly.
“First of all, you do not leave the showroom because you do not like the show. Where is the respect for the actors, towards the whole team of the institution, towards the other spectators? Get out only if you are sorry, if something has happened. We do not get so bored.”, Says one of them.
It is the right of the spectator to leave the room if he does not support, does not like or resonate with what he sees. The artist – either director, actor or musician – bears responsibility for the message and energy he transmits, says an actress, on the Facebook group. .
“There is a visible tendency to shock, but I honestly wonder how many really assume the effects of that shock. I saw grotesque shows, both in the country and abroad. But art means to throw violence and vulgarity on the walls? He has this right – to choose.it concludes.
