Now part of west Romania, Timisoara was the first city in Europe to have electric street lights in 1884, when over 700 incandescent lamps using coal were set out over 59 kilometres of its road network. Yet this proud heritage of illumination has not been sustained, as today in Romania around 100,000 households still lack electricity. This means roughly half a million people are without light in their home. Another problem is that the country sees more than 30,000 light bulbs thrown away each year without being recycled. Such bulbs contain mercury, which means 55 kilograms of this toxic element are deposited in the ground annually.
Following an invitation from the NGO, Recolamp, I realized a portrait of Romania after dark, which is now available as a book of photographs, ‘When the Night has Come and the Land is Dark’. I have been traveling all over Romania, watching what happens after the sun goes down, seeing how the presence or absence of electric light shapes the activity and livelihoods of the people, and how access to electricity is an indication of social status. After dark, the rural areas of Romania, often the poorest in the country, recede into a silent black hole. But this is also the time when those at the seaside or in the capital prepare to go out. Entertainment illuminates their lives, but like a predator, its glow attracts consumers to spend more and more.
Opening photo: Car lights in Breb Village, Maramures county. All pictures copyright Petrut Calinescu
Project made with the support of NGO Recolamp.
Non-electrified households near Poienile de sub Munte, Maramures county
Old lady in a non-electrified house near Sighetul Marmatiei, Maramures county
Poienile de sub Munte, Maramures county
Funeral in Poienile de sub Munte. The body of a man is lit by a small bulb powered by solar panels, Maramures county
Villagers from Copaciu light fires in the village cemetery three days before the celebration of Orthodox Easter. According to popular belief, fires lit on this Thursday help the souls of the dead return to visit their homes and relatives, Giurgiu county
Rimetea, the annual celebration of the village, Alba county
Watching a rock concert in Rimetea, Alba county
Rimetea, the annual celebration of the village, Alba county
Playing the accordion is Chiril, a member of the Lipovan community of Russians who emigrated in the 18th century and settled in east Romania, Sfistofca, Tulcea county
Entertainment park at the seaside resort of Costinesti, Constanta county
Entertainment park at the seaside resort of Costinesti, Constanta county
Maria Campina, self-proclaimed Queen of the Witches, in her house in Bucharest
Birthday decorations
Rehearsals in Clejani, a village famed for its high numbers of musicians, Giurgiu county
The village of Ocland in the night, Harghita county
Bosca Teodor from the non-electrified village of Valea Marea (Sighet) speaks on the phone, Maramures county
Decorations and public lights, Vadul Izei, Maramures county
Apartment block in Drumul Taberei, Bucharest
Parents of emigrants in the house they built in their home of Negresti, Vaslui county
Gusti, a shepherd who takes care of animals belonging to the local community
Guerilla lighting, an event drawing attention to urban elements that make up a city’s identity using light and volunteers
Flower kiosk, Cluj
Spotlight festival, Bucharest
A girl with a mobile is lighting her path in the night at the seaside in Tuzla, Constanta county
Natural and artificial light in Rimetea, Alba county
A new bridge near Campina, Prahova county
Restaurant near Campina, Prahova county
Air show in Tuzla, Constanta county
Dance festival in Tuzla, Constanta county
A factory for recycling light bulbs in Buzau