During September 3-8, Piata Sfatului of Brasov hosted the 16th edition of the International Festival â??Golden Stagâ??, which gathered the old generations of competitors, television employees, national and international artistes and, last but not least, the international jury. In addition to the contest for the â??Golden Stagâ?? trophy, the festival included two folkloric evenings.
The Jubilee
Forty years have past since a handful of television professionals have proposed the establishment of a musical contest, as the Festival of San Remo, and have managed to impose it in Europe as the Golden Stag. Today, the Golden Stag is not only a national event, but a country brand which makes us pride.
During its 40 years of existence, the Golden Stag has never abandoned its original mission of ambassador of Romania. There have been 16 inflammatory editions, with valuable competitors and legendary international stars.
The Golden... Fawn
In March 1968, strong political tensions were shaking the communist world; a few months later, Czechoslovakia was invaded by the USSR. In the same March 1968, Romania has enriched the world of free dialogue on the most innovative diplomatic path - the International Festival â??Golden Stagâ??. The organizers have decided to locate it in Brasov, one of the oldest and beautiful touring cities in Romania.
Extraordinary moments marked the sinuous history of the Golden Stag Festival, which every edition contributed to spread the Romanian music throughout the world.
The Winners
Aro Palace Hotel of Brasov hosted the opening ceremony of the Festival; local authorities and the national television board awarded the personalities who dedicated moments of their carrier to promote The Golden Stag such as Iurie Darie, Sanda Taranu, Corina Chiriac, Margareta Paslaru, Anca Pandrea, Marina Voica, Marius Teicu.
The jury had the difficult mission to decide the winners. Their options went finally to Razvan Krivach, Romania - winner of the Golden Stag trophy with the hit â??Too Much Love Will Kill Youâ??; Biondo, Sweden, who won the Silver Stag, while the Brazen Stag went Tony Poptamas & Desperado, Romania. The Special Jury Award was won by 3Nity, France with the play â??Say Somethingâ??. For her song â??Burninâ??, Annamari Dancs of Romania won the Popularity Prize.
The Folkloric Stag
The evenings of the three days contest closed with extraordinary recitals and concerts performed by famous Romanian and foreign artists, among whom Iris and Directia 5 bands, Aura Urziceanu, Paula Seling, Monica Anghel, Mircea Baniciu, Los Vivancos, Natalia Rodriguez, Stefan Banica jr., Horia Brenciu, Ruslana and Simply Red.
â??The Folkloric Thesaurusâ?? also turned 25 within the national televisionâ??s programs; the event was celebrated by impressive folkloric recitals. The Golden Stag Festival closed with an extraordinary show performed by Damian & Brothers, accompanied by a few of the greatest instrumentalists of the world.
