Major Mountain Area Events in Romania – May 2025
Between May 19–23, 2025, four significant events related to mountain research and rural development were organized in Romania with the participation of CE-MONT (Mountain Economy Center – Vatra Dornei), the Romanian Academy (AR), and the National Institute for Economic Research (INCE).
Collaboration with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova
On May 19, a high-level delegation from the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova (ASM), led by Vice President Acad. Boris Găină, visited Romania. The group included Prof. Dr. Boris Boincean (ASM), Prof. Dr. Galina Cobirman (Commercial University), Prof. Dr. Anatol Bălănuță (Technical University), and Prof. Dr. Leonid Voloșciuc (Institute of Genetics and Plant Protection).
The visit began at the University of Life Sciences in Iași and continued at CE-MONT – Vatra Dornei, where a comprehensive presentation on mountain economy and sustainable development was delivered.
The Moldovan delegation expressed strong appreciation for CE-MONT’s work in mountain research and rural innovation.
Scientific Symposium in Cristian, Sibiu – Mountain Agriculture and Exports
On May 21, CE-MONT participated in a scientific symposium organized by the Research and Development Institute for Montanology (Cristian, Sibiu). The event featured national academic institutions, including the Mountain Area Agency (MADR), “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, and the Făgăraș Mountain Massif Committee.
Prof. Dr. Radu Rey and Dr. Ing. Teodor Marușca (President of the Agricultural Association “Țara Loviștei”) presented high-impact research. Notably, Ștefan Constanța announced that their mountain cooperative had begun exporting certified mountain products.
Mountain Forum General Assembly – Durău, Neamț County
On May 23, the Romanian Mountain Forum – Neamț Branch held its General Assembly and a scientific symposium at Durău Mountain Resort. CE-MONT presented “Romania’s Mountain Policy – Horizon 2050” through Prof. Dr. Radu Rey.
Other speakers included Dr. Ing. Dănuț Ungureanu (MADR), Prof. Dr. Ioan Surdu, and representatives from GAL-Ceahlău, the Prefect of Neamț County, and ASAS. The CE-MONT journal Viața Munților was distributed during the event.
Bogdan Țifui, Mayor of Farcașa, was elected as the new president of the Neamț Branch of the Romanian Mountain Forum.
International Conference on Rural Tourism – TARS 2025
From May 29–31, the 27th International Conference “Tourism & Rural Space in National and International Context (TARS 2025)” was held in Vatra Dornei, co-organized by the National Agency for the Mountain Area (MADR) and CE-MONT.
The event took place in a hybrid format, allowing in-person and online participation. Researchers from CE-MONT contributed to all activities, including 8 academic sessions, a webinar, 2 round tables, a documentary film, and the closing ceremony.
11 researchers from CE-MONT authored 10 scientific papers and an opening speech. 6 presentations were delivered on-site, and 4 via Zoom. An additional 12 researchers participated online throughout the event.
CE-MONT’s active participation in TARS 2025 underlines the importance of interdisciplinary research in mountain tourism, covering areas such as recreational tourism, wellness, cultural heritage, balneology, gastronomy, and rural agrotourism.
Such conferences offer actionable insights to national, regional, and local policymakers for preserving mountain destinations and fostering sustainable tourism and local development.