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A Growing Movement: Two Gatherings and Newly Themed Editions in 2026 and Beyond

By early 2026, one thing had become clear: EuRaw’s La Șezătoare was no longer just a once a month activity. It had become a cherished ritual, one that couldn’t be contained to a single Saturday.

In response to popular demand, EuRaw proudly expanded the working bee gatherings to twice a month. Now, every first Saturday at Brighton Library and every third Saturday at Cafe Transylvania in Hallam, our community has two warm and welcoming homes where Romanian women and their families can gather, create, and connect.

This expansion also opened the door to a new wave of creativity: themed working bee gatherings. On 21 February 2026 we launched our very first special edition Șezătoare la Cofetărie, a gathering focused not on crafts, but on indulgence, connection, and sweet conversation. There were fewer embroidery hoops that day, but plenty of cakes, laughter, and meaningful chats. It was a reminder that community comes in many flavours, and sometimes, it tastes like savarina, a popular Romanian dessert.

Our second themed gathering, La Șezătoare cu Răsfăț, on 7 March 2026, was centred around pampering women ahead March 8, the International Women’s Day and Romanian Mother’s Day. It introduced the idea of pampering – whether through food, music, beauty rituals, or simply taking a break from our busy lives. These special editions have added spice, sparkle, and spontaneity to our monthly rhythm.

As we move further into 2026, La Șezătoare – Românce în Melbourne continues to evolve. We are not just reviving old customs, we are reinventing them for our lives here and now.

With two monthly meetups, themed editions, and a growing circle of inspired women, the working bee gathering series has become a vital cultural and emotional anchor. Wherever we gather, be it around a craft table, a dessert platter, or a steaming cup of coffee, we are weaving a new tapestry of belonging, resilience, and joy.

Want to join us?

Brighton Library, Brighton: First Saturday of each month, 1:00–4:00 PM

Cafe Transylvania, Hallam: Third Saturday of each month, 2:00–5:00 PM

Everyone is welcome. Bring your crafts, your stories, or just your presence. Come and be part of something beautiful.

Seara Veștilor Bune – When Community Turns an Impossible Idea into Reality

Some events are planned carefully over many months.
Others are born from a single phone call, a shared belief, and a lot of courage.

Seara Veștilor Bune – Prima Ediție, Crăciun 2025 belongs firmly to the second category.

The first conversation that sparked this event took place on 25 September 2025, when Father Claudiu Moruțan from the Romanian Orthodox Church Sfânta Filoteea de la Argeș reached out with a simple but powerful idea: could we create something meaningful for the Romanian community this Christmas?
At that moment, there was no venue, no cast, no program, and only $1,000 in initial funds from the Church.

What followed over the next weeks was nothing short of extraordinary.

From Nothing to a Full Community Celebration

In less than two months, EuRaw Inc., in partnership with the Romanian Orthodox Church Saint Filoteea Inc., built an entire cultural event from the ground up: a community theatre production, live carols, a Christmas fair, children’s workshops, charitable activities, food, music, and moments that brought people together and kept them together until the very end.

This was not the work of one organisation or a handful of people.
It was the result of trust, collaboration, and a community saying “yes” when asked to step forward.

The Artistic Heart of the Evening

At the centre of the event was the theatre production “Colinde, Colinde”, directed by talented Sabi Paisa. She took on the role with courage, grace, and remarkable leadership, guiding a cast made up entirely of community members, many of whom had never been on stage before. What unfolded was a performance full of sincerity, humour, emotion, and deep cultural resonance.

The cast brought the story to life with dedication and heart, proving that talent grows wherever people are supported and trusted.

The musical soul of the evening was carried by:

Gheorghiță Rotaru, whose voice anchored the audience in tradition and memory

Helen Catanchin, whose interpretations added warmth, clarity, and emotion

A special and deeply moving surprise for the public came from the group of carollers from Biserica Ortodoxă Română “Sfântul Apostol Toma”, whose appearance reminded everyone why carols are not just songs, but vessels of belonging.

The evening concluded on a powerful high note with Aurora Romanian Folk Dance Group, who filled the stage with four vibrant traditional dances, energy, colour, and joy, bringing the audience to its feet and closing the night in celebration.

Traditions, Children, and Shared Joy

Beyond the stage, the event unfolded as a living village.

Children and families took part in creative workshops, making sorcova, angels, and hand painted Christmas decorations, while others gathered around storytelling corners, face painting, and simple moments of connection.

A silent auction, including a hand-painted Orthodox icon by Romanian-Australian artist Andreea Monica Sfârlea (MonaMureArt), and a Christmas raffle supported charitable initiatives, reminding everyone that generosity is at the heart of the season.

The Christmas fair offered handmade goods, Romanian treats, and food prepared with care, while Cafe Transylvania and the Church ensured no one went hungry (or thirsty) throughout the long afternoon.

The People Behind the Scenes

None of this would have been possible without the volunteers who worked quietly and tirelessly: setting up halls, managing access, coordinating artists, running workshops, guiding guests, packing up late into the night and doing it all with kindness and calm.

Equally vital were the sponsors and partners, who stepped in with trust and support when the event was still only an idea on paper. Their contribution allowed the vision to become reality.

The sponsors of this event were: PacifiCo, Cocolea Furniture, Virtus Art, Grand Seal, Ivan’s Excavations, Resa Constructions, Clark Hoist Hire, Laura Voinea – Area Specialist, SwitchOn Cleaning, Confix Group, MonaMureArt, Cafe Transylvania and Step by Step NDIS Support Services.

This event proved that resources matter, but people matter more.

A Beginning, Not a Conclusion

What made Seara Veștilor Bune truly special was not just the program, but the response: the hall remained full until the end, people stayed, talked, laughed, watched, listened and many left visibly moved.

In a diaspora context, where time is scarce and life is often fragmented, this gathering reminded us that culture lives through participation, and community grows through shared effort.

Seara Veștilor Bune was not just an event.
It was a statement: we can build meaningful things together, even when time is short and the odds are against us.

And this was only the first edition.

Papagalii / Kākāriki – A Night of Laughter, Heart, and Romanian Spirit in Melbourne

On Friday, 12 December 2025, Melbourne’s Romanian community came together for a truly unforgettable evening, the long-awaited performance of Papagalii / Kākāriki, a Romanian-language comedy presented by Trupa Măgura, a vibrant community theatre group from New Zealand.

The show, written by Raluca Rădulescu, produced by Adina Giurgiu and directed by Filip Ristovski, follows a mismatched group of individuals who join a theatre club and embark on a chaotic yet touching journey to stage a play. With humour, irony, and emotional depth, the performance explored themes of identity, community, and the courage to step into the unknown.

The stage came to life through the passion and dedication of a diverse cast of community actors who brought warmth, hilarity, and authenticity to each role.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of Mr. Consul Andrei Ștefan and the Consulate General of Romania, who kindly sponsored the catering for the evening. They provided delicious food and drinks that made everyone feel at home. This gesture was a beautiful reflection of community spirit and cultural solidarity.

The evening was proudly presented by EuRaw, our cultural organisation dedicated to promoting Romanian arts, language, and community life in Melbourne and beyond.

Special thanks to our tireless EuRaw team: Andreea-Monica Sfârlea, Marilena David, Sabi Paisa, Manuela Wright, Sylvia Luchian. Together, we turned a dream into a sold-out reality, with all the seats filled and a long waitlist.

The night ended on an emotional high, when the audience and actors spontaneously joined voices to sing a Romanian Christmas carol. It was a moment of deep connection, one of those rare, shimmering pauses in time when borders dissolve and hearts beat in sync.

With Melbourne’s curtain now closed, Brisbane was the next stop and the success of Papagalii / Kākāriki confirms something powerful: that Romanian stories matter, and that the love for our culture is alive and thriving across oceans.

Stay tuned for more theatre, workshops, films, and cultural celebrations in 2026. EuRaw is only getting started.

Romania’s National Day in Melbourne – Community, Tradition and Joy

This year, Romania’s National Day was celebrated in Melbourne through a warm and vibrant community gathering organised by EuRaw at Jells Park. Around 100 Romanians, families with children, young people, elders and friends of the community, came together to mark December 1st in a simple yet deeply meaningful way.

The atmosphere was relaxed, friendly and filled with genuine emotion. Surrounded by the Australian landscape, the Romanian tricolour stood proudly among picnic blankets, laughter and heartfelt reunions.

A special moment of the day was the presence of Mr. Consul Andrei Ștefan, representing the Romanian Consulate in Melbourne, who honoured us with his attendance and shared a message of support and solidarity with the Romanian community in Melbourne. His presence reinforced the living connection between the diaspora and Romania.

We were also delighted to welcome Romanian folk music performer Ghiorghiță Rotaru, who is currently visiting Melbourne. His presence added authenticity and warmth to the celebration, reminding us of the richness of our cultural heritage.

Of course, we could not celebrate without dancing. We joined hands and danced two traditional Romanian dances named horă, one interpreted by Ghiorghița Rotaru and the nation unity Hora Unirii, forming a living circle that symbolised unity, continuity and belonging, wherever we may live.

The event concluded with a group photograph, taken by Angela, from Angi Photography, who generously donated her time to take snapshots of the event, immortalising a diverse, connected and thriving Romanian community in Melbourne.

Through this celebration, EuRaw once again reaffirmed its mission to create spaces for cultural expression, dialogue and connection for Romanians in Australia and for the wider community interested in Romanian culture. Sometimes, it doesn’t take a stage or formalities to create something meaningful. It simply takes people coming together to share food, music and tradition.

Happy National Day, Romania! La mulți ani, România!
And Happy National Day to Romanians everywhere! 💙💛❤️‍

No Romanian celebration would be complete without traditional food. Cafe Transylvania prepared delicious mici (traditional Romanian skinless sausages) for the crowd, bringing the unmistakable aroma of home to the park and gathering people around the BBQs in a truly festive spirit.

Happy National Day, Romania! La mulți ani, România!
And Happy National Day to Romanians everywhere! 💙💛❤️‍

On a warm spring morning in Melbourne, the industrial kitchen of Philadelphia Church Melbourne was transformed into a space filled with aromas, memories, and connection, as EuRaw Inc. hosted its first Romanian Cozonac Workshop, a baking event that brought 30 people together through tradition, food, and shared experience.

The workshop is part of EuRaw’s broader mission to create meaningful community spaces where Romanian culture can be shared and passed on.

A hands-on workshop, from kneading to sharing a meal

Participants learned, step by step, how to prepare the traditional Romanian sweet bread named cozonac, with walnut and cocoa filling from activating the yeast and kneading the dough, to shaping, filling, and baking. Each participant went home with their own freshly baked cozonac, warm, soft, and fragrant. A true taste of home.

Beyond baking, the workshop also included a shared community lunch, cooked together on the day: a comforting chicken and mushroom stew with polenta, enjoyed around the table while the dough was proofing. For EuRaw, this moment of eating together is as important as the cultural activity itself because it’s a space where stories are shared, friendships are formed, and community truly happens.

What’s next for EuRaw

The Cozonac Workshop is part of a wider calendar of EuRaw activities, including:

Each initiative is guided by the same purpose: to strengthen community ties, preserve Romanian cultural heritage, and create welcoming, inclusive spaces for Romanians living in Australia.

Thank you

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their openness and enthusiasm, to Philadelphia Church for their generosity and support, and to everyone who continues to believe in and contribute to EuRaw’s vision.

The Cozonac Workshop was only the beginning. 💛
We look forward to welcoming you again at our upcoming EuRaw events.

All ingredients, utensils, and equipment were provided, and the workshop took place in a fully equipped professional kitchen, allowing participants to focus entirely on learning, creating, and enjoying the process.

The workshop was led by Florina Lăcătușu who taught us everything she knew about cozonac, and the meal was led by Veta Radu.

More than a workshop: a sense of belonging

The Cozonac Workshop was not only about cooking. It was about cultural memory, about recipes that carry family histories, and about the simple joy of doing something together. The feedback received afterward reflected this clearly, with participants describing the day as warm, joyful, and deeply nostalgic, “bringing the taste of home back to us.”

After all participants had left with their own cozonac, the three organisers stayed behind to bake one final batch a small but symbolic moment that captured the spirit of the day: generosity, dedication, and shared care.

What’s next for EuRaw

The Cozonac Workshop is part of a wider calendar of EuRaw activities, including:

Each initiative is guided by the same purpose: to strengthen community ties, preserve Romanian cultural heritage, and create welcoming, inclusive spaces for Romanians living in Australia.