In 1967, the scent of the flower-power movement spread around the world, from the west coast of America to the heart of Romania. In Timișoara, a city always up to date with the trends, “Expo Flora Timișoara” was born, a grandiose event that needed a setting to match, and the solution came in the form of the Exhibition Pavilion – later known by the code name FLORA.

Designed by the talented architect Ștefan Iojică and part of an ambitious spatial project conceived by Silvia Grumeza, FLORA was located in Alpinet Park, an idyllic space on the Bega river bank, near Traian Bridge. With its concrete terrace mystically “floating” on metal poles, FLORA was not only a symbol of modernity and innovation, but also a landmark for the culture and spirit of the Timișoara youth of the 60s and 70s.

Timișoara, often dubbed as the freest city in Romania, even during the communist era, could not remain indifferent to the spread of the flower-power movement. That’s why the FLORA terrace became a sanctuary for young rebels, a place where their ideas and dreams could come to life. Pop-rock artists, visual artists and young literati each contributed to the creation of a unique state of mind, called by some the ” Timișoara state of mind “.

Later, FLORA became the place where half the town fell in love, got married, got divorced, or baptized their child. It’s literally part of the collective memory, and Lights On is activating it for the first time, once again providing a space for expression, innovation and creativity.

We invite you to walk together through the pages of history, to relive the spirit of artistic rebellion and be inspired by the new generation of creators and artists. In the light of the new era, FLORA shines brighter than ever.

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This project is part of the national cultural program “Timișoara – European Capital of Culture” in 2023 and is funded through the LightFest + program, carried out by the Timis County Center for Culture and Art, with funds allocated from the state budget, through the budget of the Ministry of Culture.

Sponsors: MRB Electric, Pepsi, ATP Motors, Caralux

Project partners: In-Edu Association Timișoara, German Cultural Center Timișoara, Cluj Cultural Center, West University Timișoara, University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca, Polytechnic University of Timișoara, BEGA, Signify, Eglo, Benq, Alikof, Green Paradise.

Communication partners: Getica OOH, Aushopping galleries, Kiss Fm, Euromedia, Pressone.ro, G4Media.ro, World Wide Print, Daisler Print House, Știri din România, Tion, Express de Banat, IQOOL, Zile și Nopți, Știri de Timișoara, NewsVest, Adevărul, TVR, Radio Timișoara, România Pozitivă, Best of Timișoara.