The Vino Music and Street Food Festival, held in Sibiu from May 9th to May 12th, 2024, shows how much the city values culture and bringing people together. Set in the scenic Tineretului Park, this festival brought together vibrant music, delicious food, and family-friendly activities, creating a delightful experience that catered for all age groups. Even though this is how I would describe my experience, you don't have to take my word for it. You can come here and experience it yourself because this event is held every year and it features different musicians. This year, the guest performers were Grasu XXl, UFE, Iorga, Argatu, MCx Woodie, FC DNB, Bully, Dex, Faust, K-Lu, Sauce, Connect-R, Bitză, Brugner and Enășescu, all of whom are extraordinary Romanian musicians.

The variety of musical performances ensured that there was something for everyone, with genres such as hip-hop, pop and electronic music. Each day of the festival brought a new experience, keeping the atmosphere fresh and thrilling. It's safe to say that the performances were not just about the music. They also included engaging stage presence and interaction with the audience like nowhere else, making the experience even more memorable for attendees. I would like to tell you about Argatu, being the most suitable example and a Romanian musician that was present at the concert this year. He works as a dentist and DJs as well . He didn't go to college for music, he just started playing with sounds and beats in FL studio and saw that he had a music flair. He exudes great passion in his work. That is something I realized while he was performing with an injured leg. He danced and sang like no other. He managed to gather everyone, even the ones that had never heard of him before put their hands in the air. His energy permeated the atmosphere.

Complementing the music scene were 17 food trucks that presented a large variety of foods and beverages. These trucks provided us with a great street food experience, because you could find there anything from sandwiches to sushi, traditional Romanian food and even sweets. There were some vendors that stood out to me because of how great their food was while I was there: Sushi Master, King Potato, and Mr. Cannoli. These are just a few of the participants that were there. Just imagine, 17 food trucks that are all fitted in a small park, gathered around the stage. That is a big number for us. It's great because this large number of food trucks ensured that attendees could taste high-quality food while enjoying the festival’s other attractions, although the food was kind of expensive in my opinion.

The organizers also made a significant effort to appeal to families. There was a dedicated children's area that provided a variety of activities especially designed to entertain and engage younger attendees. Workshops, games and attractions like slides, on which I was sadly not allowed on, were available throughout the festival. These activities kept the young ones preoccupied while allowing parents to relax and enjoy the festival, knowing their kids were safe and having a great time.

Accessibility played an important part in the festival's success. Tickets were reasonably priced, I would say, with daily entry available for 30 lei and a four-day pass for 80 lei. If you were lucky enough to know about the concert in advance, you could get an Early Bird pass for 40 lei, which would let you in for the entire duration of the concert.

Photographer: George Todirașcu

I asked one of my friends how he felt about the concert and this is what he said: "Man, I can't thank you enough for telling me about this concert. I had a great time drinking cold beverages and listening to music. As for Argatu, well, I had never heard of him before, but his music really touched my soul." - George Todirașcu

In conclusion, the Vino Music & Street Food Festival 2024 was a big success managing to combine high-quality music, a wide variety of food and family-friendly activities, all while still keeping it accessible to the public. This festival showcased Sibiu’s cultural scene and its commitment to hosting memorable events. It was a great experience, and I can't wait to see next year's concert.