The International Street Theatre Festival is an event that really happens on the street, on the streets, and it really is international, because the participants are only foreign artists, from several European countries.
This festival that took place for three days in Bucharest brought thousands and thousands of people, both locals and tourists, to the streets of the city.
Several squares in the city center and the most important boulevard were invaded by people eager to see these shows. For free! That is, the city paid the artists' fees. I wrote yesterday about this festival. You can see it here: Huge Puppets On The Streets.
The central location of the performances was the Revolution Square. Here is also the former Royal Palace of Romania, now home to the National Art Museum.
The most awaited performance of the festival was by TAWA from France. High Acrobatics...
The show started as evening arrived. Long before that, the spectators started to line up and gather in the square.
I really like street photography. Every time I go out in the street, every time I walk around the city where I live, Bucharest, I try to take as many pictures as possible but I manage to take very few pictures of the people I meet. I photograph them mostly from behind and try to be as discreet as possible. Because people don't like to be photographed by strangers, they don't like to be photographed without being asked permission.
I also told in the previous post what happened to me. I'll say it again... I've been waiting for this festival to take street photos regardless of restrictions and the feelings of those photographed. That's because in a situation like this everyone photographs everyone. No offense!
I prepared to get the best out of myself and my camera, only... I forgot, when I left home, to put the battery in the camera! The only solution I had to make sure I didn't really miss everything was to use my cell phone. I managed to capture the moment but I didn't get the quality of the images as I wanted.
I will put below some of these photos somewhat grouped in certain categories, i.e. in small groups that are made up according to the chronological order in which they were taken and which also represent the order in which the events in the market took place.
People, spectators, and walkers gather near the place where the show is going to take place.
Waiting for the show to start. Interesting to see what people do when they sit in a public place and wait.
Even if they have nothing to do... everyone does something!
I like to look at the photos of many people gathered, looking at each one individually and trying to imagine what they are thinking.
Every wait has an end. An end of waiting becomes a beginning. The beginning of the long-awaited show.
The first signs that the show is about to begin to cause people to gather around the stage.
The artists are heading towards the stage. Surprise appearance. The audience expected the artists to be somewhere behind the stage but they were not. The performers came through the audience!
After the arrival of the artists, acrobats, and musicians, the show was ready to begin. Silence fell over the square. It was a sort of countdown and ready, it began!
All the signs and all the preparations showed that something special and unseen was coming to this place. All eyes are on the high stage and the acrobats are seemingly embedded in very long spears.
People were excited and curious to see what was to come, but only the statue of King Charles I, the man who brought about the modernization of Romania in the mid-nineteenth century, remained impassive, looking towards the Royal Palace, his former home.
The show was well done, with brave acrobatics and good music. The end of the show was grandiose and surprising. About these will be a new post, of course.
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I like taking pictures of people on the street! I love looking back through them and seeing what they are doing, looking at, or where is drawing them near. Can you tell what they are thinking by their expression? With the mothers, I usually can!
What a wonderful event and so nice to open it up to all. The hi-wire acts are exciting to watch!
Even the cell phone shares the excitement. You cannot hide that!
We humans are so different. That probably makes us pay attention to others and want to see how they behave on the street, especially when they don't know it. If you just look at a photo where there are many people you are amazed at what they do, how they look, and how they move, and you understand what their interest is. Of course, you couldn't help but be interested in street photography, in images of groups of people.
It was a very colorful festival and people, especially children, enjoyed it very much. Maybe next market I'll show how the show was but especially the end of the show.
Thank you, Denise, for your always pleasant and long-awaited comment!
We are different, aren't we? The best is when you catch someone unaware, being themselves, and not worrying about what they look like! I just read the same from you. So yes! We do think the same sometimes.
Looking at a group of people scattered about on the street is an event all in itself. The way they dress, their actions, or their reactions to what is going on around them. I love the events they have around here, so many people, and usually nobody cares about the camera, mostly because everyone has one and nobody is asking for permission. The last time I watch an aerial show with people in the air, it was in Boston... but realized that is a lie. I went to Costa Maya in Mexico, which is a fishing village between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. I went for the Mayan ruins which is where I saw a most incredible aerial show (aren't they all???) and something else I discovered: amazing diving.
Long story short, I do so love the populated streets. Thank you for sharing this!
I would say... many times, it has happened many times.
You are lucky to have seen so many places on this earth, I am happy for you and your memories.
We do!! I am often amazed at this.
I am very lucky, Dan. I can honestly say that I am always and forever appreciative to have been able to do this. Just so you know, I have canceled two trips that I had for September and October. They were out of the country and you may think I am ridiculous, but, the state of the world encouraged me to put them on hold...I was finally going to get back to Asia, but right at the moment, it feels too far from home.
I hope you enjoy your evening. I hope Ilinca's mom is doing better every week. Prayers are sent up in your family's name.
Yes, the state of the world is not so good, you do well to be cautious.
Thank you for thinking of our family and their problems.
After I wrote this, I see that I often go off on different tangents...
Le sigh.
I loved everything you wrote!
Thank you!
No! Thank you!
People watching is fun. I like to imagine what their life is. Their hopes. Their dreams. Their tragedies. I am often tempted to stop someone and ask. Just to check reality from daydream. Imagine the stories all those people would tell
I like that you think like that. I, too, sometimes try to imagine what life is like for the people I meet... and I think I'm wrong most of the time.
It sounds like it was a great event, and I'm glad you were able to capture some of the magic on camera.
I especially enjoyed your photos of the people gathered in the square, waiting for the show to start. There's something so interesting about seeing people in public spaces, and your photos captured the anticipation and excitement of the crowd perfectly.
I'm also intrigued by your photos of the acrobats performing on the high stage. The spears they're embedded in look incredibly dangerous, but they also look like they're having a lot of fun. It must have been an amazing sight to see in person.
Thank you! I'm glad I had this chance to photograph people on the street, lots of people at once.
This is a great even, thats more reason i love things like this because it reunites everyone together. Great one you have shared.
They also take your photo, so no problem, this is usual in touristic places :)
Such events happen within cities so people do a lot and people get a chance to meet each other and learn something new in life, such events should happen. Glad to see everyone enjoying alot.