Romanian Woodstock! This expression might seem humorous, but the village of Vama Veche is truly a symbol of the Romanian post-communist youth.
Vama Veche is located in the far southeast of Romania, on the Bulgarian border. The name of the village even means “old border checkpoint”. Initally, this was a small fishing village with little history, in which several ethnic groups, such as the Bulgarians, Gagauz, Tatars from Bessarabia, and of course Romanians have lived at one point or another.
The fate of Vama Veche began to change after the fall of communism in late 1989. During the 1990s, Romanian society underwent great economic, social and cultural change. It was during this time when groups of young people started gathering at the beach in Vama Veche, a secluded place ideal for camping in the wild. The village gradually gained popularity and a good reputation among Romanian youth, who preferred to pitch tents on the beach rather than sit in a hotel. Local legends say that it is not unusual to see students and customs officers from the neighboring border sharing festive appetizers!
The emergence of music festivals in Vama Veche during the early 2000s livened up the whole village, against its will! 15 years later, Vama Veche has changed. Former student groups have left the beach for new places, and now frequent various bars and nightclubs that attract both Romanian and foreign visitors.
Despite the transformation of the village, the spirit of Vama Veche has not disappeared completely. You can still find nudists and young campers hear. Every year on the 1st of July, streams of cars pass through the Wallachian fields to reach the beach of Vama Veche and celebrate the beginning of summer!
Summer resort
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Romania
Vama Veche