The Cotroceni National Museum marks, in 2011, the 20th anniversary of its existence in the cultural milieu of Bucharest. On this occasion, our institution would like to present a series of cultural events of both national and international concern, in order to illustrate the history of the Cotroceni domain and the life and work of personalities whose names are strongly attached to this space.
     The exhibition „From a royal palace to a palace of pioneers (1949-1977) - a tab in the history of Cotroceni Palace“, opened on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 6 pm, at the Cotroceni National Museum, illustrates a less known period in the history of the Cotroceni domain, namely the transformations undergone by the royal residence after the banishing of the monarchy in December 30, 1947. It is the first exhibition on this subject organized by the Cotroceni National Museum, as part of a series of events dedicated to various ages in the history of Cotroceni.
     Prestigious institutions in Bucharest joined the Cotroceni National Museum in this approach: the Romanian Academy Library, The National Museum of Romanian History, the National Military Museum „King Ferdinand I“, The National Archives of Romania, Bucharest National Youth Palace, Bucharest National Philatelic Museum, Romanian National News Agency „Agerpres“, Romanian Broadcasting Society, „Alexandru Sahia“ Film      The exhibition presents postcards and photographs of the Cotroceni Palace as royal residence of Ferdinand and Maria, as well as other photographs of the palace, which reveal various activities involving people related to it.
     In what concerns the documents in which Cotroceni Palace is mentioned as a palace of pioneers, among these were included: official reports of the meetings held by the Romanian Workers Party with regards to cession of the Cotroceni Palace to the organization of pioneers; excerpts of speeches held during the Council of Pioneers, on June 4, 1949 in Bucharest; the project for the arrangement of the Cotroceni Palace of Pioneers; the resolution regarding the opening event of the Palace of Pioneers, adopted on June 1st, 1950 by the Romanian Workers Party Central Committee; the resolution regarding the administration of Bucharest Palace of Pioneers by the Ministry of Public Education, adopted on December 18, 1951 by the Romanian Workers Party Central Committee and the council of ministers of the Popular Republic of Romania, etc.
     The exhibition also gathers together magazines published by the Central Committee of Young Workers Union, brochures presenting the work of the Palace of Pioneers, photograph albums, wage sheets of the early Palace employees or the 1950 and 1951 visitors’ books containing signatures and various impressions.
     Moreover, the public is invited to discover pioneer costumes and school uniforms, as well as traditional Romanian clothing, badges, red scarves, flags, braids and other military and pioneer-related symbols. The exhibition also includes projections of video recordings related to pioneers and their activities at the Palace, which belong to the Romanian Broadcasting Society and Alexandru Sahia Film Studio.

     Teachers, instructors and pioneers who worked at the Palace of Pioneers attended the opening of the event: Mr. Nicolae Batrîneanu (electronics instructor), Mr. Stelian Olaru (conductor of the Palace of Pioneers Chorus), Mr. Nicolae Bucur (assistant chorus master), Mr. Cezar Mereuta and Mr. Silviu Mandache (the first Romanian pioneers).
     The atmosphere of the past events organized within the palace was recreated by a group of children wearing pioneer uniforms, members of the Romanian Radio Children Choir.
     The exhibition is opened from September 28 to November 6, 2011, entrance fee: 5 lei.
     Partner: Konica Minolta.