Poetics and Visual Memory
Opening of the exhibition “The Magic of the Moment” in Oradea
The walls of the EFA Exhibition Centre’s “Mezey Lajos” Gallery, housed in the historic Oradea City Museum, have become a space for visual reverie. Entitled “The Magic of the Moment,” the latest exhibition by renowned Moldovan photographer Mihai Potârniche offers a remarkable exploration of contemporary photography from the Republic of Moldova.
The exhibition is organised by the International Association “Euro Foto Art” (AIEFA), in partnership with Summit Agro România and the Criș Country Museum Oradea – Museum Complex, through its Oradea City Museum department. Held under the auspices of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), an organisation recognised by UNESCO, it also celebrates the artist’s 75th birthday.
After delighting audiences in Chișinău and Iași, the exhibition in Oradea brings together more than 60 large-format photographs, both black and white and colour, distinguished by their artistic sensitivity and conceptual depth. Art lovers everywhere can also view the collection in the virtual gallery on AIEFA’s official website.
The opening took place on 17 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m., on the second floor of the museum building in Oradea Fortress, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Museum curator Dr Diana Iancu welcomed those present and thanked the artist for bringing this visual gift from the Republic of Moldova. She also highlighted AIEFA’s sustained efforts to bring major cross-border projects to life.
Renowned photographer Ștefan Tóth István AFIAP, ESFIAP, Hon. EFIAP, president of AIEFA, then spoke about the organisation of the exhibition and the exceptional aesthetic quality of the works. As a mark of appreciation, he presented Mihai Potârniche with the Excellence Plaque of AIEFA and the “Nufărul” Photographic Club (CFNO), as well as the “Carol Pop de Szathmári – Szathmári Pap Károly” anniversary medal, issued to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the great artist and war photographer.
Artist Elena Crețu, leader of the “Model moștenitorii” folk dance ensemble from Rîșcani, Republic of Moldova, also took part. After expressing her admiration for the exhibiting photographer and his distinguished guide in Oradea, she presented the albums Moștenitorii and … de ACASĂ. Mihai Potârniche, in turn, expressed his appreciation for the persistent work Ștefan Tóth István has done over the decades to strengthen ties between photographers in the Republic of Moldova and Romania.
The festive atmosphere was enriched by moving performances from students of the Oradea Art High School, guided by coordinating teacher Aurica Bonțu. Alexandra Gabor (10th grade) performed “Cântă cucu-n Bucovina”; Yasmina Sculschi (11th grade) sang “Din Moldova lui Ștefan”; and Patricia Boiț (12th grade) closed the musical programme with “Mândră-i hora-n Bucovina.”
The exhibition is open until 17 November 2026, Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. From 1 November, opening hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free with a zero-price ticket.
Thanks to a cultural partnership between AIEFA and OTL SA Oradea, the exhibition also reaches people across the city: its images are shown on screens aboard public transport, giving passengers a chance to discover the artist’s creative vision as they travel.
Images from the exhibition
Exhibited photographs
