IASI CITY ROMANIA

1. IASI CITY ROMANIA

2. GENERAL INFORMATION • Located in the Northeast of Romania, Iasi is the second largest city in the country; • Important city on Romania’s Eastern border with CIS - location that will grow in importance with Romanian membership in the EU; • Iasi population is about 350,000 inhabitants; • The administrative land area of Iasi is 76 km 2 and the municipal area is 38 km 2. • Industry: IT, pharmacy, furniture, textile, constructiions

3. Bra[ov Constantinopol THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF IASI • Beginning with the 17th century, Iasi was recognized as an important cultural center • Former capital of Moldavia (on N-E Part of Romania) - the royal court was established in Iasi during the second part of the 16th century • Situated at the crossroads of some important commercial roads of Europe between the Baltic Sea and Black Sea, Russia and Western Europe • During World War I, Iasi was the center for resistance; • The city’s rich cultural heritage reflects the role as a leading intellectual, cultural and religious center in Romania.

4. THE HISTORY OF IASI Situated near Iasi, the village of Cucuteni was a strong center of the paleolithic culture, fact proved by the archeological discoveries, more than 5,000 years old. The beautifully painted pottery of Cucuteni and the statues are dedicated to Gods of fertility and nature. In 1821 from Iasi started the Greek Revolution(Elefteria)– the Independence War against the Ottoman Empire (when Ypsilanti issued a proclamation calling all Greeks and Christians to rise up against the Ottomans) In 2008 Iasi celebrated its 600 years of historical attestation

5. TOURISM • The cultural patrimony of Iasi is represented by an impressive number of churches, monasteries, palaces, statues; • 15 hotels and accomodation facilities, many restaurants; • Situated at approximately 120 km from Bukovina, renowned for its painted monasteries belonging to UNESCO patrimony Three Hierarchs Church The Palace of Culture The City Hall “ Vasile Alecsandri” National Theatre

6. EDUCATION Iasi is one of the oldest and largest cultural and educational centers in Romania  the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University was founded in 1860 and was Romania’s first modern university. “Gh. Asachi” Technical University, become independent in 1937 “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, founded in 1879 “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” Agronomic University, founded in 1912 “G. Enescu” University of Arts The existence of private universities adds value to Iasi University environment . There are more than 60,000 students in Iasi universities, per year.

7. The Jewish Community in Iasi • First Jewish presence in the region is attested from XV century • in XIX-XX century the Jewish community in Iasi become a very important one – around 30% - 50% of Iasi population was Jewish (in XIX we had in Iasi 111 synagogues) • In 1876 was founded in Iasi the I-st Yiddish Theatre in the world “Pomulverde” • After June 1941 when took place the Jewish Pogrom in Iasi the Community diminish continuously many Jewish people left Romania for Israel, France, USA • nowadays the Iasi Community counts around 200 families (450-500 people) • there is a Jewish Community Center, a Center for the Jewish History, a Synagogue (restored with Governmental and Municipal funds), a monthly newspaper, a weekly radio broadcast • each year in January we organize “Memory week” and in June commemorations of Pogrom; commemorative signs have been installed on the most representatives buildings • a direct flight Iasi-Tel-Aviv will be operated from April 2014 • the 7 survivors of the Pogrom received the “Honorary Citizen “ title in 2011 from the Mayor of Iasi

8. Today’s danger = nationalist/populist propaganda against Roma (gipsy) populations & the attitude toward migrants in Europe We need to remember our past errors in order to improve our future. Thank you! Interational.iasi@gmail.com