Concerts, book launches, exhibitions and debates dedicated to the relationship between culture and artificial intelligence will take place September 25–28 at the “Carol I” Central University Library in Bucharest, during the Strada de C’Arte festival. Admission is free to all events, organizers announced.

The opening theme, “What do you do after you lift your eyes from your smartphone?”, will bring high school students into dialogue with Prof. Călin-Andrei Mihăilescu, writer Flaviu Predescu, and psychologist Radu Leca, moderated by Associate Professor Mireille Rădoi, director of BCUB “Carol I”.

Open-air concert by The Motans
The first day of the festival will close with a special pop-rock performance by The Motans, held outdoors at the equestrian statue of “Carol I” in front of the library.

The program also includes major academic events, such as “The Library – a Barricade of Spiritu et Anima”, a discussion on the role of libraries as spaces of cultural resilience and critical thinking, followed by a commemorative conference dedicated to Dimitrie Gusti, the father of Romanian sociology. Another debate, “Born in the Diaspora”, will highlight life stories and reflections on identity, culture, and belonging.

Book launches
Across four days of the festival, readers will meet authors and discover new titles. Highlights include: Divorce – Beginning or End? by Iulia Roşu, a reflection on separation and self-discovery; The Horse in Romanian Mentality through the Lens of the Fine Arts by Alexandru Iavorovski; The Masks of Hippocrates by Dr. Costin Duţu, guiding readers through the history of medicine and ethics; two new works dedicated to Mihai Eminescu, marking 175 years since his birth; and Ioan Laurenţiu Vedinaş’s dual project Il mio romanzo & My Own Novel, blending autobiography with fiction and personal reflections.

Romania’s first library-led AI Reading Validation Project
A central theme of this year’s edition is the VAIL Project – AI Validation of Reading, the first initiative of its kind by a Romanian library, exploring how technology transforms reading practices. The festival will also host “Sociology of AI: By Radu & Sentinel”, a session inviting the public to reflect on the social impact of artificial intelligence.

The atmosphere will be enriched by an a cappella concert by MomentuM, directed by Victor Stoica, known for combining modern harmonies with pop, jazz, and traditional influences.

The festival will close with an awards gala and a special concert by Nicu Alifantis, a cultural icon of Romanian music.

Exhibitions, installations, and workshops
Visitors can explore exhibitions such as “The Sebastian Dimension: 80 Years Since the Death of Mihail Sebastian”, created by the National Museum of Romanian Literature, and “Ars Militaris”, presenting rare engravings of ancient military techniques. Artist Adi Cojan will present a contemporary installation, Symbols on the Board of Time, focused on memory and visual meaning.

Interactive workshops include equestrian art sessions led by Marilena Hristache and Antonia Dursch, as well as the “Breath Human – Oxygen Advantage” workshop by Vlad Codescu, exploring how breathing techniques influence health and balance.

The festival will also host the Boovie 2025 educational competition, where high school students transform books into short films, stimulating reading and creativity.

As every year, visitors will be able to discover the architecture of the “Carol I” Central University Library, designed by French architect Paul Gottereau, who shaped much of Bucharest’s late 19th-century elegance. A book fair organized by the Association of Literary Publications and Publishers of Romania will run throughout the event.

Strada de C’Arte remains a cultural celebration in the heart of Bucharest. The 2025 edition, themed “AI C’arte – AI parte”, invites reflection on how technology can enrich our lives in the age of algorithms and data, without losing what matters most: meaning, creativity, and authentic dialogue.

Written by News.ro | 23 septembrie 2025, 11:05