The REVIVE project is officially underway in Iași, Romania, and the first week of activity has set an exciting tone for what promises to be a meaningful, community-driven transformation of one of the city's hidden historic spaces. Set within the former underground power plant of the Palace of Culture, the REVIVE experiment aims to turn this site into a vibrant intercultural space—one where history, heritage, and creative expression meet.

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​Why Iași?

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Iași, the second-largest city in Romania and a longstanding cultural capital, is the ideal host for such an endeavor. With a population of over 317,000 and a centuries-old tradition of multiculturalism, the city has welcomed diverse communities over time—Italian, Jewish, Armenian, Roma, Polish, Greek, and more recently, Muslim and Ukrainian groups. The city also boasts the oldest university and first engineering school in Romania. Against this rich and layered backdrop, the REVIVE project aims to elevate underrepresented stories and reanimate a historic site through collective creativity.
The focus of the project is the Palace of Culture’s underground “Hall of the Machines,” a former power plant still marked by elements of its industrial past. This raw, dramatic space is poised to become a hub for exhibitions, workshops, performances, and collaborative intercultural storytelling

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Week 1: A Journey into Shared Histories and Creative Foundations
Monday, 12 May

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The project team and young talents convened at the Palace of Culture for an immersive tour through its most iconic spaces: the Hall of Honor, the Coandă Room, the Voivodes Room, the Clock Tower, and the Greenhouse. The participants were then introduced to the Hall of the Machines at the underground level—a pivotal moment as they physically encountered the space they had previously only seen through online meetings. The mood was one of discovery and anticipation, as the creative potential of the location began to take shape in their minds.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Tuesday, 13 May
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The second day was dedicated to exploring Iași's multicultural legacy through a tour of the city’s historic center. Key stops included the Armenian Church, where participants engaged in meaningful conversation with a representative of the Armenian community; the Main Synagogue, where young talents were warmly welcomed by Jewish community leaders; and Golia Monastery, one of the most significant medieval edifices in Iași. These encounters enriched participants’ understanding of the city's diverse roots and laid the groundwork for culturally sensitive artistic explorations.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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​​Wednesday, 14 May
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Engagement with the Roma community took center stage. The team visited the Pro Roma Association of Iași, where they were hosted with warmth and openness. Participants witnessed a demonstration of traditional blanket-making techniques and engaged in discussions about traditional Roma professions such as bone comb making, flower selling, fur and skin collection, and scrap metal recycling. This day offered not only technical inspiration but also deep cultural context for the creative work to come.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Thursday, 15 May
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A day of focused creation. The team worked on sketching ideas, planning installations, listing required materials, and defining next steps. The atmosphere buzzed with artistic intent and logistical coordination. Midday, the group gave interviews to the Iași branch of Romanian Television, sharing insights about the REVIVE project and their vision for transforming the underground power plant into a beacon of cultural dialogue.

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Friday, 16 May​

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The week concluded with another enriching cultural exchange—this time with members of the local historical Ukrainian community. With many Ukrainian refugees having arrived in Iași since the war’s outbreak in 2022, this encounter offered both historical and contemporary perspectives. Stories were shared, experiences were exchanged, and a deeper appreciation of the Ukrainian cultural presence in Iași began to emerge.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Reflections and What’s Next

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Week 1 of the REVIVE project was an inspiring blend of exploration, dialogue, and early creative steps. Participants are beginning to imagine how the Hall of the Machines can become a physical and symbolic space for coexistence, memory, and forward-looking artistic expression. The groundwork laid this week—through tours, community visits, and creative planning—will inform the development of installations and events in the coming phases.
As Week 2 approaches, the focus will shift to co-creation: working groups will begin shaping artistic prototypes, and new narratives will start to unfold through visual art, multimedia, and community collaboration.
Iași has long been a city where cultures meet. Through REVIVE, we hope to add a new chapter—one written not just in history books, but in light, sound, texture, and voice.