All participants are requested to mention on the registration form all the activities they would like to take part in, whether or not these activities are included in the registration fees for the Congress.

For activities that are not included in the registration fee, registration will be invalid until full payment for the activity is received.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008 – OPENING CEREMONY

CUZA HALL, HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

FOLLOWED BY A WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

The idea of raising such a monumental piece of architecture was originated many years ago, but it materialized only in 1984, when the foundation stone was laid on the 25th of June, and construction began. Scores of teams of architects and engineers contributed to the realization of this ambitious project, originally called “The House of the Republic”, then “The House of the People” and finally “The

Palace of Parliament”.

Eclectic in style, it brings together elements of traditional Romanian architecture, where the Brancovenian style prevails, of Romanian popular ornamental art (such as the rosette, the symbol of the sun and typical woodcarvings), as well as Renaissance, Germanic and Baroque influences.

This architectural ensemble reunites not only impressive quantities of marble, steel, concrete and wood, but also a huge amount of work. The materials used are genuine Romanian and one can say that the entire country has contributed something to the construction and decoration of the halls.

As it is divided into 21 parts, the edifice is an overwhelming alternation of monumental spaces, magnificent auditoriums, generously sized halls and foyers with a profusion of ornamental details.

Since 1989, this building has become, by dint of the institutions it hosts, the symbol of Romanian democracy. Thus, the Chamber of Deputies, the Constitutional Court and the Legislative Council are located here.

The Chamber of Deputies is, according to the 1991 Constitution, one of the two Chambers of the Parliament to which the deputies are elected every four years by universal, equal, direct, secret and free vote.
Some of them are elected into the Standing Bureau, comprised of a Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretaries and Quaestors, while the President of the Chamber of Deputies also acts as the Chairman of the Standing Bureau. The work of the parliamentary committees is aimed at ensuring that parliamentary activities are carried out properly, and they have a major role in preparing the proceedings of the Chamber of Deputies and in exercising the parliamentary functions.

The 20th NATO Summit was organized in the House of Parliament, Bucharest on 2– 4 April 2008.

A transport service will be provided between the Congress hotels and the House of Parliament. You will be given the timings during registration and they will also be displayed in each Congress hotel.

For security reasons, it is mandatory for you to keep your badge or invitation card with you, along with proof of identity.

During the Opening Ceremony, the UIA President, Héctor DÍAZ-BASTIEN, and the Congress President, Mihai TANASESCU, will declare the 52nd Congress open.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2008 – INFORMAL RECEPTION

THE CORTINA CLUB 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

The informal reception will be held at the Cortina Club, a former private residence. The Cortina Club is located in a residential neighbourhood outside Bucharest.

The reception’s theme will be Romanian folklore, with activities, traditional dishes and a traditional Romanian barbecue.

You can stroll through this atypical residence, which has an unrestricted view of the lake. It is composed of various salons and terraces with different moods. The setting is supposed to be quite modern but you can admire the antique furniture and the paintings displayed pretty much all over the place.

The reception will be a high point of good cheer to share with Romanian colleagues.

Transport will be organised to and from the Congress hotels. The timings will be given to you during registration and will be displayed in each hotel.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2008 – EVENING FREE

Bucharest city is well known for its classical concerts and shows, including the famous Georges Enescu Festival of classical music which is held every two years in Bucharest. Auditoriums like the Atheneum Concert Hall are magnificent. The international festival of contemporary dance will be held at the same time as the Congress.

The Organising Committee has been able to negotiate special rates for delegates who wish to go to a concert, opera or clubs. A detailed programme will be sent to you.



SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008 – CLOSING CEREMONY

HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Congress Closing Ceremony, which will take place in the House of Parliament, will enable us to summarise the legal work undertaken at the Congress and to witness the transfer of the presidency from President Héctor Díaz Bastien to the President Elect, Bernd Reinmüller.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008 – GALA DINNER

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ART (ROYAL PALACE) 8:30 pm

Located right in the heart of Bucharest, the National Museum of Art (the former Royal Palace), was founded in 1948 to receive the erstwhile royal collection of Romanian and European art dating from the Middle Ages to our times (paintings, sketches and sculptures).

The gala dinner will be held in the majestic throne hall and the reception hall. This venue has symbolic significance for Romanians.

The gala dinner will be prepared by one of the most renowned caterers in Bucharest and you will be served in the authentic traditional style. The quality and elegance of this evening will make it an unforgettable experience.
For those who like partying, the evening can continue late into the night.

Transportation will be organised between the Congress hotels and the Royal Palace (to and from). The timings will be given to you when you register and will be displayed in each hotel.

Dress code: long dress and dinner jacket or dark coloured suit.

The cost of the gala dinner, which includes the transfers, welcome cocktail, dinner and dance, is 150 Euros per person.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2008 – GENERAL EXCURSION

IN BUCHAREST, TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Departure from the Congress hotels is scheduled for 9:00 am.

Visit to the Palace of the Romanian Patriarchate, the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church, located on the hills of Bucharest. We will begin with a visit of the palace and you can, if you wish, attend the Sunday mass with its gentle ambience of Byzantine splendour which lends tremendous beauty to the services presided over by the patriarch.

We will continue with our discovery of the old Bucharest, better known as Lipscani. You can stroll through the old streets, some of which have retained their “Art Nouveau” inspired facades. In the Hanul cu Tei passage, you will see the ancient boutiques housing antique dealers and art galleries.

This huge poetic zone, currently being rehabilitated, is on its way to becoming the most trendy area in Bucharest, with its set of cafés, clubs and restaurants.

On the way you will come across a little masterpiece: the Stavropoleos church. The beauty and harmony of this church, founded in 1724, lies in the sculpted external stone decorations, the frescos and the original iconostasis, but mainly in its proportions. A perfect example of post Brancovan architecture.

The brasserie Carul cu Bere (the beer cart), one of the rare Neogothic buildings in Bucharest, is worth a detour. The embellishments are rich: mural dyes, panelling, stained glass. On the way, you can admire the private mansions built between the wars.
We suggest that you end the tour with a visit to the Romanian Farmers’ Museum, an exciting, complex museum, which is not just a place but a philosophy and a generous profession of faith. Enhanced by a refined display, it brings alive and recreates the nobility of the peasant world. This remarkably designed museum was designated the European Museum of the Year in 1996. The museum shop has on offer a vast selection of Romanian handicrafts: pottery, embroidery, icons, etc. At the end of the visit you will be served a country lunch – a farewell meal as you bid goodbye to Romania.

End of the excursion and return to the hotels between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

The price of the excursion, including transportation by bus, the visits and lunch, is 100 Euros per person.