For us, culture is one of the most powerful ways to share ideas, build trust, and create strong connections between people and communities. Wherever we have traveled or lived over the years, we have always looked for opportunities to discover new cultures and explore how cultural initiatives can help prevent conflict, provoke dialogue, build friendships and promote peace.

One of the initiatives we have been proud to contribute to is Blecher Fest, an international cultural festival inspired by the life and work of Max Blecher, a Romanian writer whose works have built up admiration both in Romania and abroad. Often compared to Franz Kafka, Blecher's writings have inspired a lot of creative minds (including translators, writers, painters, sculptors, dancers, musicians, and filmmakers) to make a variety of artistic works.

Books by Max Blecher

In 2016, our co-founder Irina together with a group of childhood friends joined forces to create an initiative that would bring some new creative energy to their hometown of Roman. Afer a few discussions Blecher Fest was born. The festival was founded by Irina Mihalcut (Stikado), Andreea Farcas (Anima Intelligentia), and Alina Donosa & Ciprian Fecheta (Munay Life). Together, they made the impossible possible, organizing the first edition of the festival in just a few months.

Blecher Fest Core Team

Held on 27 - 28 May 2017, the first edition transformed several conventional and unconventional locations across the town of Roman into vibrant cultural venues. For two days, the festival brought together artists, writers, journalists from Romania and abroad, attracting both passionate readers of Blecher and people discovering his work for the first time. The team also brought art into the streets making the festival accessible to a wider audience, including those who have never had the opportunity to experience these types of cultural events.

Blecher Fest brought together local NGOs, public institutions, and businesses around a common vision. The belief in the project and openness to contribute helped transform an idea into an exciting cultural event. The success and positive energy of the first edition inspired two more consecutive editions, making this one the main annual cultural event in Roman.

Blecher Fest was more than a cultural event, it showed what a group of motivated people can achieve through imagination, strong collaboration, and determination to pass over difficulties. It brought culture, creativity, and fun to the town of Roman and it showed how art can connect people from different backgrounds and strengthen a community. For us at Stikado, the festival represents one of the many seeds planted in the hope of creating a more connected, creative, and better communities, especially in the places that matter most to us in this world.

Volunteers at the festival