Romanian community art fights for survival
Rahova children taught by some of Romania's top jazz musicians show off their new skills
Photo: Tom Wilson
An innovative arts project that reinvigorated community life in one of Bucharest's most deprived neighbourhoods is now under threat - ironically from the building projects and development plans that local politicians see as the key to the area's regeneration.
The La Bomba studios and the Rahova-Uranus community centre that houses them may look a little rough around the edges, but for many in the Rahova area this is the heart of their community.
The centre emerged from a project set up in 2006 by a group of Romanian artists who wanted to give something back to their city. It evolved from a one-off documentary about the run-down area, into the creation of the studios at which locals can get involved in theatre, music, films and the arts.
In the process La Bomba has become something more. It has ended up empowering the residents and creating a real community spirit. When the community wanted to debate and oppose the eviction of residents to make way for new development projects, this is the place they came to. "They need a place like this where they can represent themselves, to speak freely about their issues and their problems," explains artist Maria Draghici.
Rahova is known in Bucharest for being a neglected, rundown area, but since 1997 has been the subject of an urban renewal programme. Unfortunately, locals say that the city council appear to be focused only on putting up new buildings and pays little attention to the needs of the residents.
The latest victim of this trend is set to be La Bomba studios itself. Despite the project being hailed as a great sucess and gaining the support of many NGOs and even the Dutch ambassador, the centre is scheduled to be knocked down to make way for a real estate development. The eviction papers have already been served and, although the locals and artists plan to fight hard for the centre, it seems La Bomba's time is running out.
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