Bucharest is marking its anniversary with more than 200 events spread across the city. Residents and tourists alike can enjoy concerts, performances, guided tours, and exhibitions throughout the weekend.

One of the main attractions was the City Hall building, where hundreds of people waited in line for hours to step inside and even see the mayor’s office. “I’ve always found this building fascinating. We came all the way from Pitești just for this celebration, and we’re also planning to visit the catacombs and head to Constitution Square tonight,” said one visitor.

Calea Victoriei once again turned into a pedestrian promenade, buzzing with music and dance. Salsa, traditional Romanian dances, and street improvisations caught everyone’s eye. “It’s the sixth year we’ve brought dance out of the studios and into the street. This time it’s all about the Latino community,” said Dana and Dragoș Samoil, organizers of “The Night of Dance.”

Among the curious onlookers was Adam, a tourist from Belgium: “I travel the world asking people to teach me their favorite dances. In Bucharest I’ve already tried the hora, the sârba, and the brașoveanca.”

In front of the Teatrul de Revistă, the show “Hello, Bucharest!” featuring actors Vasile Muraru and Valentina Fătu drew a large crowd, while the famous flower battle revived the Belle Époque atmosphere of over a century ago, when gentlemen wore straw hats and ladies showcased gowns brought from Paris.

Meanwhile, the Palace of Parliament is hosting a video mapping competition featuring seven international artists, including one from Romania.

“We wanted to activate the whole city. There are 200 events happening at the same time,” said interim mayor Stelian Bujduveanu.

On Sunday, the program continues with guided tours, free rides on tourist buses, and even a parade of rare cars in Constitution Square. For those nostalgic about the city’s history, the Transport Company will put the earliest tram models back on the tracks.

Photo: Primăria Municipiului Bucureşti