The Fourth Stop of the NetZeroCities Caravan: Urban Culture Center “Cinema Dacia”

The NetZeroCities Caravan, led by the Urbannect Association, made its fourth and final stop in Cluj-Napoca’s Mănăştur neighbourhood in December 2024. Hosted at the Urban Culture Center, Cinema Dacia, the event invited citizens to connect, learn, and reflect on how to shape greener, more climate-friendly communities.

Part of a Europe-wide initiative, this caravan stop is one of the many ways Cluj-Napoca is exploring practical steps toward climate neutrality – especially in apartment-block neighborhoods like Mănăștur, where collective efforts can make a big impact.

A Week of Inspiration, Learning, and Connection

The caravan program featured an open-air exhibition introducing the goals of the project and spotlighting the contributions of its partner organizations. Locals were invited to explore ideas for making their cities cleaner and more sustainable. One highlight was the screening of Contrasts, a visual storytelling experience by travel photographer Septimiu Bizo, which captured striking global perspectives on people and places.

Young visitors also had plenty to enjoy. Through playful storytelling, Gea Negustor helped kids understand the concept of carbon footprint in a way that was fun and accessible. Puppet shows performed by Magic Puppet added a creative spark to the conversation about our environmental impact.

Holiday Spirit with a Green Touch

Saturday’s main attraction was Târgul de Nebrazi, a festive exhibition of handmade holiday trees (or “Nebrazi”) crafted entirely from recycled materials. Local residents, students from the Romulus Ladea Visual Arts High School, and architecture students from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca (UTCN) brought their creativity to life with vibrant, resourceful designs.

From repurposed plastic to reused paper, the handmade holiday trees proved that holiday cheer doesn’t have to come at the environment’s expense. A panel of judges awarded prizes totaling 1,000 RON, with the first prize going to a team of first-year architecture students. Second and third place winners included student teams and individual creators. But more than winning, the joy was in showing that festive traditions can be both beautiful and sustainable.

In total, 93 participants aged 14 to 76 contributed to the exhibition, and over 800 people engaged with the event across four days.

Wrapping Up with Purpose

As the year comes to a close, the final stop of the NetZeroCities Caravan marks the end of a journey through Cluj-Napoca’s neighborhood of Mănăștur. Through each of its stops, the Caravan created spaces where residents could come together, share ideas, and reflect on what climate neutrality could look like in their daily lives.

This last gathering was a celebration of community action, creativity, and the belief that change starts locally. The activities, conversations, and shared experiences have planted seeds for a more aware and connected community.

We thank everyone who participated – residents, students, volunteers, creators, and partners. Your involvement made this initiative a success.