Golești Museum of Viticulture and Pomology is hosting European Researchers’ Night on Friday, 25 September 2026, from 18:00 to 22:00. The event is dedicated to exploring cultural heritage through research, practical demonstrations and interactive workshops. Admission is free, and doors open at 17:30.

The event highlights the contribution of science to understanding, preserving and promoting tangible and intangible cultural heritage. History, archaeology, ethnology, conservation, physics, chemistry and astronomy come together in a programme that encourages dialogue between specialists and the public, curiosity and learning through discovery.

This year’s participants include specialists from Golești Museum of Viticulture and Pomology, the “Dinicu Golescu” Argeș County Library and the Argeș County Branch of the Romanian National Archives; academic staff from the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest – Pitești University Centre; historical reenactors from the “Historia Renascita” Association in Pitești; and, as special guests, researchers from the National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics – INOE 2000.

The programme includes talks, presentations of recent research and interactive workshops exploring modern and traditional approaches to investigating and sharing cultural heritage. Participants are invited to discover:

  • Perspectives on historical and ethnological research;
  • Conservation techniques and non-invasive analytical methods;
  • Practical demonstrations of gold-leaf application and manuscript illustration;
  • Astronomical observations;
  • Themed competitions for visitors.

European Researchers’ Night welcomes school pupils, university students, teachers, specialists and anyone interested in science and culture. The event aims to inspire an interest in research and highlight the role of education in society.

Date: Friday, 25 September 2026
Time: 18:00–22:00; doors open at 17:30
Venue: Golești Museum of Viticulture and Pomology, Ștefănești, Argeș County
Admission: Free
Information: www.muzeulgolesti.ro

EUROPEAN RESEARCHERS’ NIGHT
at the Manor of Boyar Dinicu Golescu
2ND EDITION

Date: 25 September 2026
Time: 18:00–22:00
Venue: Golești Museum of Viticulture and Pomology, History Department
Getting here: Directions to the museum
More information: www.muzeulgolesti.ro

WHAT’S ON?

From 17:30 – Free admission to the museum for event participants.

18:00–18:15 – Opening remarks by the Director of Golești Museum of Viticulture and Pomology, followed by addresses from invited officials.

 

I. MEET THE RESEARCHERS: RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS

18:15–18:30 – Camelia Călin (Golești Museum) – Researching Historical and Ethnographic Heritage.

18:30–18:45 – Magda Ioniță Roșoiu (“Dinicu Golescu” Argeș County Library) – Women Philanthropists Who Shaped Culture and Education in Argeș County in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries.

18:45–19:00 – Aurel Radu (Argeș County Branch of the Romanian National Archives) – A Lesser-Known Document: The “Album Register of Servants in Pitești”.

19:00–19:15 – Vasile Bouaru (astronomer) – Spiral Galaxies: The Most Beautiful Galaxies in the Universe, as Seen from the Rădăuți Astronomical Observatory.

19:15–19:30 – Gerard Călin (Golești Museum) and Remus Cîrstea (Pitești University Centre / “Lt. Col. Constantin Căpităneanu” School Astronomical Observatory at “Matei Basarab” Secondary School, Pitești) – Astronomy Education Projects in Argeș County.

 

II. DISCOVER, EXPERIMENT, CREATE! HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS FOR CURIOUS MINDS — 19:30–22:00

Write Like a Boyar! Cyrillic Writing, Calligraphy and Wax Seals Workshop
“Historia Renascita” Association

Become a scribe for a day! Learn the secrets of historical calligraphy, experiment with Cyrillic lettering and use hot wax to create your own seal, just as scribes once did in princely chanceries.

Gilding Techniques for Manuscript Initials
Dr Teodora Necula, Lecturer, Pitești University Centre

Discover the splendour of medieval manuscripts. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to apply delicate gold leaf to decorate initials—the large letters at the beginning of texts—transforming writing into art.

CERTO OPEN LAB: Non-Invasive and Micro-Invasive Analytical Techniques and Methods
Dr Monica Dinu, INOE 2000

Modern science in the service of cultural heritage. In this open laboratory, visitors will see how advanced, non-invasive physical and chemical analysis can investigate and reveal the hidden secrets of artworks without damaging them.

Under the Conservator’s Magnifying Glass! A Workshop on the Microscopic Examination of Textile Fibres
Claudia Jinga, Specialist Conservator, Golești Museum

Step inside the hidden world of textile conservation. Using a microscope, visitors will examine the internal structure of threads from historic fabrics, discovering how details invisible to the naked eye help experts preserve historically significant clothing and traditional costumes.

The Universe Through a Microscope!
Dan Călin, “Zinca Golescu” National College

Change your perspective and dive into a world invisible to the naked eye! This workshop turns you into a detective of the microscopic world: explore fascinating textures, hidden cellular structures and astonishing details of matter, discovering that even the tiniest elements can contain an entire universe.

Explore the Sky, the Romanian Way! Learning Through Observations of the Autumn Sky at Golești
Gerard Călin (Golești Museum) and Remus Cîrstea (“Lt. Col. Constantin Căpităneanu” School Astronomical Observatory at “Matei Basarab” Secondary School, Pitești)

Enjoy a magical evening beneath the stars at Golești. Participants will explore the constellations and mysteries of the autumn sky through professional telescopes, guided by specialists who combine observational astronomy with Romanian folk tales and traditional names for the stars. This activity is subject to weather conditions on the evening of 25 September.

 

COMPETITION WITH PRIZES: PUT YOUR WITS TO THE TEST!

“The Wackiest Question” – Awarded to the participant who asks the most unexpected and original question.

“Little Einstein” – Awarded to a particularly young or curious visitor who impresses us with their ingenuity.

“Ready for the Lab” – Awarded to a visitor who chooses to come dressed as a scientist in an especially original and eccentric outfit.