The 5th GPU Photo Festival has come to a very successful conclusion. We visited the European country of Romania and were based in the northern part of the Carpathian Mountains initially in the regional capital for Cluj Napoca from July 13th to 21st 2019.
As Mr Saeed Al Shamsi, GPU Vice President said: “The trip was a great success both socially and photographically”. The 121 attendees from 23 countries will all echo these thoughts; as there was both time to greet existing friends and make new friends. For many it was the first time to Romania and after the initial damp day the weather was fantastic and allowed the beautiful rolling and wooded Transylvanian countryside to be viewed at its best – with often blue, cloudless skies. There were so many unique photographic opportunities it is hard to select highlights.
We visited an excellently preserved medieval city; travelled deep underground into a salt mine, travelled on a steam powered narrow gauge railway deep into the forest and visits to many preserved wooden churches and an open-air museum. Many tell of their personal highlights being the unforgettable cultural photographic times with regional costumes, dance, song and served to us local food and drink.
An expedition of this size is a major logistical undertaking and many people contributed to its success. At the gala dinner Mr Metzakis, GPU President, thanked all those from Romania and the GPU HQ staff for their tireless efforts and the previous four GPU run Photo Festivals have all been successful and set high quality standards. It gets harder to improve upon perfection.
We leave Cluj and Romania with fond memories, thankful hearts, many new friends, a few extra kilos as the food and accommodation was excellent and some extraordinary images. See you in 2 years’ time!
John Law
GPU Vice President
