„Discuție despre vreme” la Muzeul Hărților

On Friday, April 25, at 6:00 PM, the Museum of Maps will host a special event titled “Sound Cartographies: A Conversation About Time,” in collaboration with the Union for Interpretative Creative Musician of Romania (UCIMR). This marks the tenth season of this unique series, which combines chamber music with storytelling to explore the universal theme of time.

The event promises an evening dedicated to narrative and sound, allowing attendees to engage with a creative artistic endeavor that transcends the conventional understanding of time. Listeners will enjoy performances from renowned artists, including Cristina Tegzeșiu on oboe, Albert Moisi on bassoon, Paul Ionescu on piano, and Oana Manițiu as the narrator. The concert aims to create an atmosphere where time is not merely measured but felt, allowing past, present, and dreams to converge through music.

Highlighted in the program are three musical instruments: the oboe, bassoon, and piano, which will engage in a contrapuntal dialogue complemented by narrative interjections. This combination aims to connect musical moments with the atmosphere crafted throughout the performance, resulting in an intimate spectacle that invites reflection and emotional engagement.

The musical repertoire spans multiple epochs and styles, encompassing the melancholic baroque style of Albinoni, the elegance of Fauré, the modern energy of Poulenc, the passionate tangos reinterpreted by Piazzolla, the lyricism of Rolf Løvland, and the cinematic refinement of Alan Silvestri. This diverse lineup aims to offer the audience a rich auditory experience that bridges genres and time periods.

A significant highlight of the evening will be the “Map of the Sky,” a remarkable depiction of the celestial vault with a focus on the southern hemisphere. Published by Frederick de Wit in Amsterdam around 1670, this work illustrates constellations and their connections to zodiac signs, reflecting the era’s fascination with astronomy and astrology. It also features portrayals of major astronomical theories from the 17th century, including those of Copernicus, Ptolemy, and Tycho Brahe. The museum has further enhanced its setting by incorporating a large decorative painting inspired by this intricate map, applied to one of the ceilings to align the building with its purpose of housing a cartographic collection.

The partnership with UCIMR, established in 2017, has made it possible for the Museum of Maps to organize numerous classical music concerts, jazz performances, tango events, film screenings, and children’s activities within its walls. This collaboration has furthered the museum’s mission to present high-quality cultural experiences and engage a diverse public.

UCIMR stands out for its syncretic thematic events where classical and contemporary music intersect with new technologies, poetry, cartography, crafts, gastronomy, and even enology. By inviting audiences to engage with art using all their senses, UCIMR facilitates unique cultural explorations. They have partnered with over 50 collaborators from 18 countries across three continents, and emblematic events include established festivals like CellEast, The Jazz Cave, and ICon Arts, along with national celebrations such as the concerts for Romania’s National Day and New Year’s in Sibiu.

The Museum of Maps in Bucharest is one of the few cultural institutions globally dedicated exclusively to this thematic focus. It houses a collection of works from the 16th to 20th centuries, featuring old maps and engravings that primarily depict Romanian provinces, European countries, and regions, as well as astronomical maps and city plans. The museum seeks to become a relevant institution for public culture, emphasizing the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage. It engages in activities that encourage research, interactivity, lifelong learning, dialogue, and creative involvement through exhibitions, workshops, conferences, concerts, and various other events for a broad audience seeking high-quality cultural experiences.

In summary, “Sound Cartographies: A Conversation About Time” represents a unique cultural event that weaves together music, narrative, and historical cartography, encouraging attendees to reflect on the concept of time while enjoying a diverse selection of music and exploring the intriguing connection between music and maps. The museum and UCIMR continue to foster creative partnerships, enhancing the cultural landscape in Romania and encouraging public engagement with both music and cartography.