Just got this in the mail from the TSD, of which Yuka and I are members. I don't know if it is posted online anywhere... so read it here first. There is also a downloadble version of the newsletter below.
JULY 2003
Reincarnation
The old Ministry of Tourism died; long live the new Ministry of Transport, Building and Tourism, headed by Minister Miron Mitrea.
The new minister made waves in the media of Romania declaring that ìthe Dracula park is not one of his prioritiesî (as is not yet another dear project of the former minister ñ Matei Agathon Dan: a 5-star brand new resort by the Black Sea). Instead, H.E. Miron Mitrea took a more pragmatic approach to tourism in Romania, urging, for instance, a general lowering of prices in the sea-side resorts, before the Romanians desert them altogether in favour of the cheaper Greek, Turkish or Bulgarian resorts. (What has become of Matei Agathon Dan? He is now the secretary general of the political party in power, the Social-Democrat. With the elections in sight, we hope he might not have time for something else).
The Dracula park
The year ì2004î set for the opening of the Dracula park by lake Snagov, North of Bucuresti (cca 40 km) is a forlorn target.
The designer of the new park (the same as for the old one) Architect Dan Covali told us he has two more months of work for the completion of the new project, then, on this basis, investors will have to be found. (The architect blamed the media for the abandonment of the old location ñ Sighisoara, and said he would not talk to any journalist before two-month time, when he will post the details of the new park on his website: www.draculapark.ro).
Alternative parks
Of the various projects stirred by the menacing Dracula park one is about to take wings: up the valley of the river Arges.
The general manager of ìPosadaî hotels and tourism, based in Curtea de Arges (former capital of Valahia in the 14 century), played a clever card avoiding an open confrontation with the Ministry of Tourism; Mr. Dumitru Grecuís plan was to offer an alternative to the crowded resorts of the parallel Prahova Valley ñ building a string of mini-resorts (ski included) along the trans-Carpathian alpine road, one of the spectacular sites of Romania. Of course, Mr. Grecuís plan included his older-idea of a theme hotel at the foot of the dramatic-looking fortress of Poienari ñ the historical fortress Dracula.
The plan was accepted, announced Mr. Grecu (TSD member). He presented the details on the national TV channel and said some of the money comes from the government ñ the rest from private investors.
With fortress Poienari only 3 hours away from Bucuresti, we witness the challenge to the Dracula park starting to materialize.
Joint research
The society negotiates with the Ministry of Culture and Religions (Romania) the possibility of a joint colloquium over the reasons and ways Castle Bran, in Transylvania, has become a Castle Dracula. Some researchers believe we live the rare moments of the birth of a new myth. Myths do not react to objective evidences, and the obstinate desire of the western visitor that Bran be Castle Dracula ñ in spite of being told that Stoker had no idea of its existence, or that the historical Vlad Dracula never spent a night here ñ shows the fabrics of an emerging myth (as rare an event as the detection of an exploding supernova).
Should agreement be reached, this colloquium, may well replace, next May, our initial intention of a seminar on ìTherapy and Magic in ìDraculaî and beyond .
Return-tourism and other news
ï 2003 saw a record number of former tourists on the initiation programs of the society ñ returning for more (many times accompanied by relatives and friends)
ï Prof. Elizabeth Millerís ìA Dracula Handbookî sells well in Romania; a Romanian version will be available in October
ï There is still time to book the 8-th edition of our ìClassic Dracula + Halloween in Transylvaniaî; please contact ìThe Company of Mysterious Journeysî for details (tel/fax: +40/21.679.28.81; mobile: +40/722.599.099; e-mails: cdt@art.ro; std@xnet.ro
ï For those looking for a Christmas with a difference, please contact our Company of Mysterious Journeys (offering ìChristmas with the Voyevodesî in the village of Aref ñ across the hill from Poienari, the historical fortress Dracula).
TSD/July 2003