Grange Lane Event Arena, Barnsley, 81 Grange Ln, Barnsley S71 5QF
March 2, Martisor Day
It’s enough to think about spring, and a skinny little girl with short hair, in three-quarter socks and a studded uniform, carrying a bouquet of yellow snowdrops tied with a red-and-white string like a trophy, appears before my eyes. Martisor for the teacher. Years later, the certainty of that March 1st remains and the wonder that I could wear those three-quarter socks. How did spring come in my childhood? Maybe it came like in the legend of old woman Dochia, [*] told and retold by my grandmother, with the throwing away of the 12 fur coats, until Dochia was caught by the blizzard on the mountaintop without a fur coat, and I was always there with her, in the frozen snow that whipped her cheeks, regretting that she believed in spring too early. This is how spring came in my childhood, with flowers, with legends, with going back to the box of martisors, because where do we get new ones? Now, from memory, a ‘golden’ pig with ‘diamond’ eyes and a chimney sweep with a bent ladder and a brush that’s been fluffed up from walking around the box so much comes to mind. How does spring come for our children? Maybe with none of this, just martisor stalls. This year we set out to make a memorable Martisor, not just because we’ll celebrate it on March 2, but especially for games, good cheer, time to make friends, to dance, to enjoy. We’ll put you, big man, in the foreground! But come with the children too or just with your inner child to show them that spring is beautiful wherever we are!
Images from the last event :
And it was "Friends Party"
It’s been at least 2 months since we’ve been talking compulsively about Friends Party at our house, I think even Sasha our dog has some ideas about Academy of Friends and what it’s like to eat it with. Otherwise we seem fine, a little agitated, we hold ad-hoc meetings; you saw how; maybe it was supposed to be there; I forgot to; next time; maybe it was better; no; I don’t think so; we’re ok. And then music comes to my mind, images with smiles in their eyes, enthusiastic children, parents, grandparents, such a beautiful world through this togetherness that unites us all, because you and I vibrate in unison when the chorus starts, because neither you nor I are indifferent when we receive a Romanian flag as a gift. We can move to the end of the world and it’s clear that we will take Romania with us, wherever we are. Last night at the Friends Party there were competitions, not math, not recitation, but faces to make, feet to play, parents and children to dance on a square of newspaper, being careful not to tear it. There were prizes, diplomas, medals, some went home with gold, others with silver or bronze, and I dare to hope that everyone went home with a full heart that they spent an evening with their children in a welcoming place, like another home. The music was there to embrace us all, sometimes in a Romanian dance, sometimes in an American one, it was of all kinds, on the chosen ones, I think I also heard about 3 maneles, of atmosphere, like that. For me, the Friends Party was the place where my friends became more friends, and with the others I had barely met, some who came from Nottingham, or Leeds, or from the surroundings of Wombwell, I had that feeling, of familiarity, of my home. We have started, we are on our way, all of us who were at Friends Party have given our children a piece of Romania, maybe you can’t see any difference now, but in time we will surely make a difference, and that’s how we will give them belonging to who they really are. Romanians.
Happy birthday!
ana_horincar (verified owner) –
Thank you for the opportunity of spending quality time in the Romanian community! My 3 children made new friends there ,danced ,have face painted and even gained awards ! When we went home,they already asked me to book places for the next day party again as we,all had so much fun!🙂 From the music, entertaining challenges and happy smiles to friendly atmosphere and even tasty appetizers…me and my children had a memorable evening and we would like to have another experience like this! Thank you again and I encourage you to come back with your wonderful initiative!
Florian –
An exceptional Romanian event! The likes of which we have never seen abroad, a project in which we will put as much soul and help from our side as possible, NFC FILMS! See you at the next event in even greater numbers! 🙏❤️
Maria (verified owner) –
For the first time I participate in such an event and honestly I was very pleasantly surprised. It was really a Friends Party event. Both adults and children had a lot of fun! Thank you!!!
Diana Visinar (verified owner) –
I participated for the first time in such an event and I really enjoyed it! Both children and parents had a lot of fun and good mood, everything was very well organized! Thank you very much for the invitation and we hope to see you again soon! You are wonderful!
Melinda (verified owner) –
Wonderful parties with good cheer, smiles, happy children.
Thank you for all the work you have done and especially for the dedication and energy you transmit to us, wonderful people, as the Transylvanian language says, I can’t wait to see you again.
Good luck, and ask for our help, we all definitely want to lend a helping hand! Kisses!
Snejana Șoltoianu (verified owner) –
You have put on a great event, which this part of the north of England has never seen before. You have gathered so many Romanians, so many people eager to spend Romanian time, eager to relax and spend quality time with the whole family. The rain did not manage to chase us away. We do not know what you did not manage or what you still had to organize, but for us everything was superlative, everything for all ages. The queues were too long..😋. Sandi and the others should support you to the fullest. The bathrooms were unexpectedly clean, even water and soap.
Bravo, power! Nothing is done easily!
Hats off to our dear Carmen Vornicu, both to you and your husband!
We are looking forward to other events!
Marian Biernacki (verified owner) –
Everything that Mr. Vornicu and his wife do is evidently done with great love 💙💛❤️I am proud to be Romanian and our children in turn have the opportunity to see what our childhood looked like at least half ✨🤍🫧in short, magical 🩷parents had fun and children too.
I like to be honest and the whole event was superb, probably in the future they still have to work on the food and service so that people don’t have to wait in line too long with the little ones who don’t have the patience to stay in one place.
In conclusion, the animations, the show and the arrival of Mr. Jean, superb, thank you 💫💫
Liviu (verified owner) –
Great organization, great merchants, great party♥️♥️♥️.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this project and we can’t wait for the next one. Let’s see each other again.
Alicia Gucci –
Absolutely awesome it was!! You need to come again before summer ends please. We will all be waiting for another incredible event like the yesterday one .
Xxxx❤️❤️❤️
Pina Fratita (verified owner) –
When I heard about the Romanian festival I didn’t have a wow expectation but I participated with the hope of helping the Romanian community and I want to say from what I saw and felt there it was very beautiful and welcoming with everything, congratulations and to as many events as possible! 👍👏👏
Liliana Grigoras (verified owner) –
Thank you very much for the organization and the opportunity to celebrate Children’s Day in a Romanian way and at the same time for us, the adults, to feel at home!! I wish you the strength and will to organize as many events as possible, we will be present ❤️
Daniela Guran (verified owner) –
There was a need for such a festival in our area. You succeeded, congratulations!
Alexa Kevin (verified owner) –
Everything was superlative, thank you for everything, this is how we got over our homesickness, I can’t even remember the last time I was at such a fair ☺️ as they say in my area! 🫶🙏
May God bless you with health and strength to organize more such festivals for us!🤗🤗
Paula Biernacki (verified owner) –
Absolutely magical, we feel like we are Romanians and we party exactly like our people did when we were young 💛 exceptional, very friendly people, thank you for being able to organize such an event, being far away we feel like we can party Romanian anywhere in the world ♥️💙💛
Criss&R Limited –
It was a superlative event in every way. As a trader, I was extremely satisfied with the way everything was prepared and coordinated, with care, professionalism and a lot of passion.
The atmosphere was special, the customers enjoyed every moment, and the fact that they danced with a smile on their faces, even in the rain, says everything about the positive energy created. The organization was impeccable, from the promotion and logistics of the stands, to the activities for the children, the attractive raffles and the attention to detail.
I greatly appreciate the work behind such an event, especially when it comes from a distance, and you can feel the total involvement of a dedicated team. Congratulations Academy of Friends for a successful, authentic and warm event. Thank you for the opportunity and I can’t wait to participate again!🙏
Eyes Angel –
Everything was exceptional, excellent location!!!
We want more beautiful events like this!!!
Congratulations on this success ♥️♥️♥️
See you again at the next event ❤️❤️❤️
Lenuta Balan –
Very nice!
Congratulations to the organizers and more such events.
Professor Dan –
Thanks to all who came down to see the Punch and Judy / Magic show. What a great crowd. 😊
Clara Uruc –
The most beautiful show, thank you Academy Of Friends
Voleta Tiu –
It was a festival that we will all remember, from the little ones to the big ones. ❤ The smiles on the faces of the little ones, the joy emanating from the big ones, a success. 🫶