Carnival Splendor on the French Riviera – Nice and Menton Text: Adina Baranovschi | Photo: Bogdan Baranovschi The February edition of ALTCULTURE celebrates the vibrant traditions of the French Riviera through two of its most iconic events: the Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival. In Nice, the 153rd edition of the carnival unfolds under the jubilant motto "Vive la Reine!" (Long Live the Queen!). This grand manifestation features a spectacular parade of giant floats, colossal puppets, and masked participants, complemented by the traditional "Battle of Flowers," street performances, and charitable galas. Meanwhile, in Menton, near the Italian border, the 92nd Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) takes center stage with the theme "Merveilles du Vivant" (Wonders of the Living). This unique event showcases the extraordinary creativity of its participants through massive static and mobile structures crafted entirely from citrus fruits—lemons and oranges. Together, these two historic carnivals transform the Riviera into a hub of joy and artistic expression, attracting visitors from across the globe and invigorating the local cultural and economic landscape. Carnavaluri vestite de pe Riviera franceză▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE nr.102, 02/2026 ▲ Noi încă mai credem în cultură!
Romanian Blues – Fragment din ”Omul de cenușă” (I) ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.102, 02/2026▲
Abstract: Chapter 14 – "Romanian Blues" From The Book of Ash (Cartea de Cenușă) by Nicholas Jordan Editor’s Note: Highly acclaimed by some of the most prominent figures in contemporary Romanian literature, Nicholas Jordan’s "The Book of Ash" is a masterclass in existential travelogue and gritty realism. Critics have praised the work for its "surgical precision of observation" and its ability to blend the mundane with the metaphysical. In Chapter 14, titled "Romanian Blues," the narrator finds himself abruptly exiled from the canals of Venice back to the stark, grey reality of late-Soviet Russia. Set against the backdrop of a nascent Perestroika, the story captures a world in transition—where Western nylon stockings and blue jeans begin to appear on Moscow’s streets, yet the taps of Hotel Bucharest still run with rust-colored water and the shadows of miniaturized microphones linger in the luminators. The narrative takes a sharp, darkly comedic turn when an occupational hazard of the "professional guide" life—a contracted venereal infection—leads the protagonist to the decaying corridors of Leningrad’s Polyclinic No. 3. Treated by a pragmatic Soviet doctor with a cocktail of penicillin and methylene blue, the narrator embarks on a literal and metaphorical "Blue Period." As the medication turns his world (and his anatomy) a vivid, Technicolor blue, the chapter evolves into a profound reflection on alienation. Jordan masterfully weaves together the raw discomfort of the body with high-culture references—from the haunting lyrics of Janis Joplin’s "Me and Bobby McGee" to the melancholic depths of Picasso’s Blue Period. Through the lens of "the blues," the author explores the mechanics of migration, the physics of light, and the inevitable bitterness of a "good man feeling bad." "Romanian Blues" is a poignant, witty, and unapologetic dissection of the human condition, trapped between the crumbling walls of the East and the hollow promises of the West. Romanian Blues - Fragment din ”Omul de cenușă” (I) ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.102, 02/2026 ▲ Noi încă mai credem în cultură!
1916 – anul în care România a plătit prețul propriilor slăbiciuni ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.102, 2/2026 ▲
Mirrors of 1916: Beyond the Digital Screen and into the Soul of a NationIn an era of "cold screens" and social media acceleration—where face-to-face dialogue has become a modern miracle—the intellectual circle of ANABASIS (XO Vintage Sign) in Arad, Romania, stages a quiet rebellion of the mind. Led by Ciprian Cristea, a distinguished group of thinkers, including writer Gheorghe Schwartz and academic Anton Ilica, gathers to dissect a pivotal, yet painful, chapter of the Romanian identity: the year 1916.The Core Narrative:The article explores the duality of 1916—a year defined by the sublime ideal of national unification and the harsh reality of strategic failure. Cristea strips away the romanticized veil of history to reveal a nation caught between profound patriotism and structural rot. The 1916 campaign serves as a case study in how enthusiasm without strategy and institutions weakened by corruption and nepotism can lead to catastrophe, regardless of the legitimacy of the cause.Key Themes:The Digital Disconnect: A critique of a world that has traded the depth of books and human presence for the brevity of the internet. The Anatomy of Defeat: An analysis of the 1916 collapse—not just as a military defeat by the Central Powers, but as a result of internal systemic fractures (fragmented political classes, lack of meritocracy, and strategic naivety).The Paradox of Regeneration: How the "ashes of 1916" paved the way for the heroic resilience of 1917, proving that national recovery requires radical institutional reform.The Contemporary Mirror: A provocative reflection on modern Romania. Cristea asks whether today’s institutions have truly evolved or if the country remains reliant on the "illusion of alliances" to mask internal weaknesses. Conclusion:This is not merely a historical recount; it is a call for lucidity. Matzota reminds the reader that the distance between a nation's dream and its fulfillment is measured by the quality of its leadership and the strength of its character. 1916 remains a mirror—disturbing, honest, and essential for any generation daring enough to look. 1916 – anul în care România a plătit prețul propriilor slăbiciuni ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.102, 2/2026 ▲ Noi încă mai credem în cultură!
CONVOIUL (VIII) ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲
This is the eighth part of the "The Convoy" series, presented in a bilingual Romanian-English format. "The Body of the Snake" continues the metaphorical exploration of a human column on a perpetual march, guarded by "Keepers". The narrative delves into themes of individual apathy versus the collective drive for survival, illustrating a moment where external incitements to rebellion are met with both longing and resignation. As the convoy moves from restrictive paths to expansive, multi-lane roads, Schwartz masterfully examines the shifting nature of social control and the internal psychological landscape of those caught in the march. CONVOIUL (VIII) de Gheorghe Schwartz Tradus de / Translated by Eugene MATZOTA ▲▲▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲▲▲ Noi încă mai credem în cultură!
Jerbera nu era în scenariu (IV) ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲
Abstract The Gerbera Was Not in the Script (IV): A Vertical Drama Awarded First Prize at the "Goana după fluturi" National Dramaturgy Contest, this play by Ion Bogdan Martin explores the claustrophobic and unpredictable nature of human connection. Set within the confines of a large freight elevator in a 24-story building, the action unfolds in real-time as two neighbors, Miruna and Sergiu, find themselves trapped together. As the boundaries between their private lives and the mechanical reality of the elevator blur, the play uses a unique stage setup to allow the audience to witness their 60-minute journey. Following Balzac’s motto—"You can listen to words, but trust only in deeds"—this fourth installment of the series is a gripping study of character, suspense, and the unexpected roles we play when the world stops between floors. Jerbera nu era în scenariu (IV) ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲ Noi încă mai credem în cultură!
Despre oglindiri, identitate și nedublare, de Ciprian Cristea ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲
Set in the year 2511, this philosophical essay explores the ultimate temptation of a hyper-technological future: the "absolute mirror"—an AI-driven replication so perfect it mimics not just human gestures, but the very appearance of thought. The author argues that in a world where everything can be duplicated, the duplicate itself becomes proof of its own lack of essence. The narrative draws a sharp ontological line between the Algorithm and the Being: - The Algorithm views uniqueness as a mere statistical improbability and humanity as a complex configuration of unstable data. - The Being is defined by what cannot be repeated: the "shudder," the prayer, the capacity for sacrifice, and the "wound" of imperfection. Through a Platonic lens, the text posits that identity is not a property of the self, but a relationship—a reflection of being "seen" by the Divine. While the machine achieves a suspect perfection, it lacks a past, a destiny, and the ability to love or die for another. Ultimately, the author concludes that our vulnerability and "the wound" are the seals of our authenticity. In an age of infinite replication, the human gaze remains the only thing in the universe without a copy—a testament to love as a "crime" against the system and a proof of resurrection. Despre oglindiri, identitate și nedublare, de Ciprian Cristea ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲ Noi încă mai credem în cultură!
MARTORUL DIN LINIA ÎNTÂI ȘI REPERELE VERTICALITĂȚII, de Eugen Matzota ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲
This article presents a profound dialogue with Adrian Mac Liman, a renowned war correspondent, geopolitical analyst, and prominent Masonic figure. Through the lens of his extensive experience in international conflict zones, Mac Liman explores the concept of "Verticality"—a steadfast moral and intellectual integrity. He shares insights on his philosophical relationship with mortality, his critical assessment of Western civilization's current decline, and the urgent need for a modernized Freemasonry that preserves its ritualistic essence while engaging deeply with contemporary culture. The feature includes a comprehensive biographical overview of Mac Liman’s career and his contributions to Masonic studies. MARTORUL DIN LINIA ÎNTÂI ȘI REPERELE VERTICALITĂȚII, de Eugen Matzota ▲ ALTCULTURE MAGAZINE Nr.101, 01/2026 ▲ Noi încă mai credem în cultură!