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No Place Like HomeRTÉ One, Friday, 7.30pm

Romania

 

Hamilton Viorel Niculescu

Programme 7: 29 February 2008
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Hamilton Viorel Niculescu, a professional wedding photographer from Romania, has lived in Ireland for nearly five years. Bob first meets Hamilton at work, filming a traditional Romanian wedding taking place in Dublin. He explains how he first came to live here while also describing the main differences between Romanian and Irish weddings, including the popular Romanian tradition of 'stealing the bride'.

Bob then travels back to Bucharest, Romania's capital city and gateway to the rest of the country. After visiting Ceausescu's Palace, Bob travels North to visit Romania's number one tourist attraction Bran Castle, reputed to be the home of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Bob then continues on to the beautiful and quaint medieval surrounds of Brasov, Romania's wedding capital.

'Wedding Crasher' Bob is on a mission to 'steal a bride' and is helped by all too eager wedding guests. Mission accomplished Bob then travels to Focsani, to meet Hamilton's grandmother. She grew up in a very rural part of the country where horse and trap is still a common form of transport. After trying some homemade 'vino' Bob plays Hamilton's video message. Later he meets Hamilton's mum and brother and he is treated to an 'all you can eat' buffet of traditional Romanian cuisine. Finally Bob returns to Dublin with a touching message for Hamilton.

 

Factfile on Romania

Population: 22.3 Million

Major Languages: Romanian

Geography: Romania is located on the Balkan Peninsula in South East Europe. It is bound by the Black Sea and Moldova to the east, Bulgaria to the south, Serbia & Montenegro and Hungary to the west as well as the Ukraine to the north and northeast. With an area of 238,391 square kilometers, Romania is the twelfth largest country in Europe

Facts:

  • The first electrically lit street in Europe was in Romania
  • Romania boasts the highest consumption of Coca-Cola in all of Europe.
  • Bram Stokers Dracula was only translated into Romanian in 1990.
  • The jet engine was invented by a Romanian
  • 66-year-old Romania Adriana Iliescu became the world's oldest to give birth in 2005.

Spot the horses arse?
Spot the horses arse?
Al fresco dining at Hamilton's Homestead. Bob is treated to the finest Romania hospitality in the peaceful country home care of Hamiltons Mother and Grandmother.
Al fresco dining at Hamilton's Homestead. Bob is treated to the finest Romania hospitality in the peaceful country home care of Hamiltons Mother and Grandmother.
The only way to travel in the wine growing region.
The only way to travel in the wine growing region.
Cultural desintation or tourist trap, this beautiful castle boasts a visit from the Famous count Dracula, but does it warrant an entire tourist industry? Watch Blarney...
Cultural desintation or tourist trap, this beautiful castle boasts a visit from the Famous count Dracula, but does it warrant an entire tourist industry? Watch Blarney...