In the period 08-09 May 2022 was organized the reenectmant related to the Independence War 1877-1878

Local Employers Association for Small and Middle Enterprises Calafat in partnership with The Local Action Group (LAG) “Calafat” and County Council from Craiova /Dolj organized, as a stage of the sustainability of the project: “Remember the war, appreciate your freedom”: “Reconstitution of the National War of Independence of Romania 1877-1878” on: May 08 and May 09, 2022, in the Civic Center and in the Monument of Independence area.

We started from the necessity to elevate this national holiday on the podium in the place from which it started – Calafat, to determine the understanding of the significance of this turning point in the history of the country, which was the basis of today’s Romania. The National Independence of a State is perhaps the most significant date in the entire history of the respective nation!

At the “Reconstitution of the War of Independence 1877-1878” organized in Calafat, the following were directly involved: the students of National Military College “Tudor Vladimirescu” Craiova, young people from Calafat and neighbouring towns, children from Vidin/Bg , the Soldiery Tradition Association “Bucharest” , the National Weapons Collectors Association and Association “Bdintsi” Vidin.

All 140 direct participants, benefited during two days from the support of the trainers team consisted by Mr. Claudiu Vulpan and Mihai Cotei representative of Soldiery Tradition Association, together with the President of Bdintsi Association Sofia- Gheorghi Marinov, experts in Historical Reconstructions and collectors of old weapons, they having a remarkable experience in organizing historical reenactments. The event was developed after a scenario designed by the representatives of Soldiery Tradition Association “Bucharest” and by the project team. The major challenge was the implication of young pupils in the reconstruction of this battle through the military trainings, putting them in direct contact with a military outfit and military everyday life for the corresponding historical epoch.

The project team in partnership with Local Authorities prepared, in the previous days, the place of re-enactment according to the battles scenes, it was created a military camp (tents, fires, place for horses) and there were also put up 3 Turkish redoubts and a symbolic bridge over the Danube.

In the first day of the event, after they received the equipment (military outfits, boots, replicas weapons) the students/participants were informed about the developed scenario for the future battle, information regarding some aspects of the military strategy used n that period and then through training they improved their military skills by repeating the moves under the strict guidance of military trainers Claudiu Vulpan, Mihai Cotei, Gheorghi Marinov and Baity Pera.

In the evening of the first day was organized a thematic night in the Central Square of the town, the participants bringing to life the atmosphere of 1877-1878 period through officer uniforms, society and traditional dance, the night culminating with torch parade.

The second day started with a technical meeting, the trainer, Mr. Claudiu Vulpan, representative of Soldiery Tradition Association has a short description of the next items of the day program, which included the reconstruction of the battle “Re-enactment”. The students repeated the scenario which included movement of the troops, handling weapons and attack tactics. Each participant received task and a different role in the battle reconstruction. Every year the “Mariţa” episode was put in scene during the tranquil moment before to the final attack, when the young Romanian girl, on the musical chords of a song with historical theme, came to the battlefield and offered clean water to Romanians and Turkish soldiers.

The actors involved in all those actions assigned a major and relevant contribution to the event and they ensured children’s safety in action. The final element consisted of the scene dedicated to the Vidin liberation by the Romanian Army through several attacks.

We added the value by building a cross-border tourist product, which generates value for the community, opening the horizon of economic growth in the cross-border area. We managed for 5 editions to bring this event to a place of honor, to make it popular among students, professional associations (epochal re-enactments), but also among the residents of Dolj County, thus becoming an independent event that attracted the attention of the important television trusts (Antena 1, Pro TV and TVR).