Entertainment

Saving Romania’s Village Architecture, One Mud House At A Time

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2023

Staff Reporter

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The small town of Corbeanca has a reputation for expensive luxury villas and a well-off population of around 11,000 who live within easy commuting distance of Bucharest. But a century ago, Corbeanca was a typical country village of whitewashed mud houses inhabited by farmers who spent their days toiling in the fields.

In January 2023, the life of one old house in Corbeanca, looked set to come to an end. The owner of ‘Casa Frusina,’ named after the family who lived there, had put the house up for sale along with the now valuable land it sat on.

Casa Frusina photographed before its removal

The ‘for sale’ sign displayed outside the 100-year-old house caught the eye of Radu Ștefanescu. A local man who is neither an architect nor a construction specialist but loves old buildings that define the identity of Romania’s regions and has restored several historic houses across Romania.

‘I was lucky, because the owner also wanted to preserve the house but he’s an elderly gentleman and didn’t have the financial or physical ability to do so,’ Ștefanescu explained.

At the end of the 19th century, Corbeanca was home to 1,000 people who lived in 254 houses much like the one Stefanescu spotted for sale. Almost all of them are now gone.

Radu Stefanescu (right) with the former owners of the house

Ștefanescu grew up in Bucharest but holidayed as a child with his grandparents in the countryside. Memories of distinctive Romanian villages stuck with him and as an adult he made it his mission to save old houses that were fast disappearing across Romania.

On condition it would be restored and made available to the public, the house owner agreed to donate his former home. All Stefanescu needed was a place to move the house — since the land it stood on was being sold for development — and a team of people to help restore the building.

Volunteers coat up the exterior of Casa Frusina.

When the call was put out for volunteers to help restore the building, the response was overwhelming. One hundred and seventy people, including lawyers, university professors, businessmen, and pilots came forward.

Many of the volunteers had no experience in construction, let alone the specialized skills needed for adobe mud building or decorative woodworking, but they learned on the go.

Philip, a young volunteer, coats wooden panels recovered from the house in a preservative solution.

Larisa, who runs a travel agency in Romania, volunteered with her husband, Stefan, and two children, Philip (pictured above) and Marc. The family saw news about the restoration project on Facebook and began helping once the house — which was effectively a wooden skeleton — had arrived in the park.

The family learned to fill in the walls the same way as villagers of old, with mud and straw. One son, Marc, carved wooden decorations.

‘We started making corners and ornamental panels for the window. Marc learned to use a circular saw and, together with an English neighbor, he started making simple heart shapes, then cutting out window sills,’ Larisa recalled.

A heart-shaped decoration destined for the awning of Casa Frusina

The ornamental carvings around the awnings of the original house could not all be recovered, so under the guidance of a ‘village elder’ who had grown up in Corbeanca, they learned to remake the decorations.

Radu Ștefanescu received many questions from volunteers during the project. Some children asked about the crossbars that split windowpanes into quarters. ‘Did they only have a structural role to strengthen the windows, or did they serve another purpose?’ the children wondered.

The answer, Stefanescu says, came from Charlie Chaplin’s 1921 movie The Kid, in which a glazier during the Great Depression conspires to break, then repair windows for a fee. Four small pieces of glass were cheaper to buy than one large pane.

A volunteer works on whitewashing the house on November 11.

Work on the house is now largely complete, aside from some of the woodwork, which is on track to be finished in December. After that the house will be officially donated to the Corbeanca community. Various activities for children are being planned inside the building.

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Staff Reporter

Announcements

Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

7 days ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

Announcements

Dubai Musical Debuts with Amanda Maalouf’s Anthem

Published

2 months ago

April 23, 2025

Staff Reporter

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In a performance that blended emotion, elegance, and East-West harmony, Lebanese-French singer Amanda Maalouf on Wednesday gave a select UAE audience a stirring preview of the upcoming musical Once Upon A Time in Dubai, set to premiere in December 2025.

The exclusive showcase featured Maalouf performing “Habibi,” one of the show’s signature numbers, at an invite-only preview attended by media, partners, and cultural stakeholders. The song—a poignant blend of Arabic influences and Western theatrical arrangement—earned enthusiastic applause, offering a glimpse of what producers are calling “a new kind of musical for a new Dubai.”

“Dubai is more than a setting—it’s a character in this story,” said Stéphane Boukris, co-producer of the musical. “This project is about cultural unity, artistic innovation, and shining a spotlight on a new generation redefining identity in the Middle East. We’re proud to bring this bridge between France and the UAE to life.”

For Maalouf, whose performance marked the first public taste of the show, the moment was deeply personal. “Habibi is a song that speaks from the heart—it’s a journey through love, self-expression, and identity,” she told reporters after the performance. “Performing it here in Dubai, where East and West meet so beautifully, is a dream. This is just the beginning [of great things together].”

The team behind Once Upon A Time in Dubai says the musical is more than entertainment—it’s a cultural project designed to showcase Dubai as a city of stories, voices, and future-forward artistry.

The production is backed by Universal Music and features a cast and crew with international credentials, with more previews and announcements expected soon.

A collaboration between a visionary French team and Universal Music, the musical tells the story of a young generation rising in the heart of Dubai, navigating identity, ambition, and tradition in a rapidly changing world. With original compositions by renowned composer Nazim Khaled and set against the backdrop of the UAE’s global crossroads, the show promises to be a landmark moment for original musical theatre in the region. The story, told through original music and dance, will premiere later this year, with full production details expected to be announced over the coming months.

Entertainment

Philippine film legend Nora Aunor passes away at 71

Published

2 months ago

April 17, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Veteran actress, politician and beloved superstar Nora Aunor has passed away at the age of 71.

Her son, Ian De Leon, confirmed the sad news in a Facebook post on Tuesday, 16 April 2025. Sharing a photo of his late mother, he wrote:

“With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Nora C. Villamayor ‘Nora Aunor’ who left us today at the age of 71. She was the heart of our family, a source of unconditional love, strength, and warmth. Her kindness, wisdom, and beautiful spirit touched everyone who knew her. She will be missed beyond words and remembered forever.”

The late star’s wake will be held at The Chapels, Heritage Park in Taguig, according to her daughter and fellow actress Lotlot de Leon.

A National Treasure

In 2022, Nora Aunor was officially recognised as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts by the Philippine government, the highest honour given to individuals who have made a lasting impact on the country’s arts and culture. She was honoured alongside screenwriter Ricky Lee and the late director Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

Cause of Death

Neither the 71-year-old’s family nor authorities have confirmed a cause of death yet. However, according to the media outlet Inquirer.com, she was at a Pasig hospital for an undisclosed procedure.

Career Highlights

Nora Aunor rose to fame as a singer and actress, later becoming one of the most respected names in Philippine cinema. She is best known for her award-winning performance in the critically acclaimed film Himala.

Her most recent film appearance was in Mananambal, alongside actress Bianca Umali. On television, her final role was in the GMA Afternoon Prime series Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law.

A true icon, Nora Aunor leaves behind a rich legacy and a nation in mourning.

Tributes Pour In

“Every tear she shed onscreen felt like a collective heartbreak. Every line she delivered became etched in the memory of Philippine cinema… Nora, salamat sa sining. Salamat sa puso,” wrote Charo Santos-Concio said in her post.

“Despite her legendary status, she carried herself with such modesty — confident in her craft, yet never boastful,” Actress Lovi Poe said in her post.

“The FDCP mourns the passing of National Artist Nora Aunor — an icon, a legend, and a voice that captured the soul of a nation. Her performances were never just roles; they were reflections of truth, hope, and resilience,’ wrote The national film council of the Philippines.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, fans, and every Filipino soul mourning the loss of our beloved Superstar and National Artist,” said noted social activist Persida Rueda-Acosta.