When we think of the “summer gardens” of Bucharest, our imagination immediately turns to Boema Garden, a place that was, in fact, a true summer theater. In reality, the term summer garden referred to numerous small or larger establishments arranged around restaurants, neighborhood bars, or taverns, spaces that often did not exceed a few square meters. 

Summer gardens and the artistic atmosphere of the capital

The owners of these venues aimed to provide their clients with a pleasant experience: a cool shade during scorching summer days, a cold beer, some traditional sausages, and, not least, music.

This model was inspired, directly or indirectly, by experiences from France. Pianist Ion Vasilescu, for example, spent his days attending academic courses in Paris and his evenings performing at various neighborhood venues, ensuring an income while delighting his listeners. 

This idea was adopted in Bucharest, and gradually the summer gardens became popular spots for the public, transforming into meeting places and spaces for discovering new music, especially light music.

The birth of the romance and light music

In these gardens, music gradually came to life. At first modestly and cautiously, then with confidence, musicians and lăutari (traditional Romanian folk instrumentalists) practiced their talent, performing drinking songs, popular tunes, and eventually pieces that became known as romances and light music compositions. Audiences sought tenderness and sensitivity, emotions hidden in the lyrics and melodies, often inspired by the works of great Romanian poets.

Thus, from Anton Pann, Eduard Caudella, and George Cavadia, the tradition evolved to include Ionel Băjescu Oardă, Ion Vasilescu, Ionel Fernic, Gherase Dendrino, Elly Roman, Nicolae Kirculescu, Henry Mălineanu, Delmar, Giroveanu, and Nelu Danielescu, among many others. 

The romance, typically with a free form, a capricious melody, and often set in a minor key, evoked intimate feelings, celebrating the spirit of love. Over time, small instrumental ensembles began including vocalists, not just lăutari, and some of these performers became well-known through national radio or record releases, gaining popularity as stars of variety shows.

Ion Vasilescu set an example followed by many, and Romanian light music gained appreciation both from the public and academic composers. Ion Dumitrescu himself declared, after listening to Vasilescu’s great hit foxtrot, “Bucharest”: “When it comes to my Bucharest, often I felt compelled to sing it just like Ion Vasilescu.”

The origins and development of Boema summer theater

The current Boema building of the “Carol I” Central University Library, inaugurated after 1990, was constructed on the site of a former summer theater. 

This building connects the Royal Foundation building with the “Dacia” wing and is now an essential space for students and the wider public while preserving the cultural heritage of the location.

The idea of the Boema summer theater originated indirectly from the “Carol I” University Foundation. At the beginning of the interwar period, the site of 1,650 square meters, where the Boema building now stands, housed Alexandru Costescu’s house and its adjacent land. 

In March 1929, Nicolae Iorga emphasized the need to expand the Foundation due to the increasing number of students in Greater Romania. By July 1931, the Foundation had acquired the property.

The initial expansion project was abandoned for financial reasons, and in 1934 the land was rented, paving the way for the construction of the Forum cinema-garden, which later became the famous Boema Summer Theater with a capacity of 1,200 seats. 

During winter, this space was transformed into an ice rink, joining the other two ice rinks in Bucharest, on Lake Cișmigiu and at the Oteteleşanu summer garden.

Memorable performances and notable personalities

From the interwar period onwards, Boema hosted some of the most important names in Romanian theater. Constantin Tănase, considered the founder of modern Romanian theater, was one of the emblematic artists, helping launch the career of Maria Tănase and even gaining the admiration of Charlie Chaplin, whom he met in Paris in 1937.

Alongside Tănase, the Boema stage saw performances by Mia Apostolescu, Colea Răutu, and Gică Petrescu, the latter being a symbol of party music, with a repertoire of over 1,500 songs. The summer theater became a space where the Bucharest public enjoyed diverse performances, ranging from musical comedies to romances and variety pieces.

Boema in the postwar and communist period

Although Tănase passed away shortly after World War II, Boema continued to function even after Romania entered the Soviet sphere of influence. Figures such as Puiu Maximilian contributed to the theater’s survival, producing successful musical comedies even during Romania’s communist takeover.

For instance, in the 1947-1948 season, Maximilian and Jack Fulga staged the musical comedy “Sunt o cârpă în amor” (“I’m a Rag in Love”), with Gică Petrescu playing Sergeant Gică. 

Maximilian was appreciated for his skill in navigating the censorship imposed by an authoritarian regime, ensuring that Boema remained an oasis of creativity and artistic freedom in a restrictive cultural environment.

The impact and legacy of Boema Garden

Boema Garden was much more than just a summer theater. It was the place where the Romanian romance and light music found their first established forms, where local talent was discovered and celebrated, and where the audience learned to love and appreciate these musical genres.

Today, the memory of Boema remains alive, and the library building constructed on its old site symbolically preserves the connection to the city’s cultural past. Boema stands as a testament to the creativity and resilience of Bucharest’s citizens, a place that transformed the capital’s cultural and musical life and continues to inspire generations of students and artists.

Boema Garden represents an important chapter in the history of Bucharest and Romanian music. From the small interwar summer gardens, inspired by Paris, to the summer theater hosting unforgettable performances, Boema witnessed and catalyzed the evolution of light music and romance. 

Through the contributions of artists, audiences, and cultural initiatives, Boema left a lasting artistic legacy, demonstrating how music and theater can enrich and transform urban life.

We also recommend: The history of the Cireșica Restaurant, the favorite place of interwar Bucharest, where you went “to eat batoc fish and listen to Zavaidoc”