Since 1993, SARM has been organizing the yearly astronomical event Perseids in Targoviste, Romania. Beside the astronomy, in the last three years Perseids has been the medium of creation and performance of the national astro-poetry and astro-art movement. In this sense, the Cosmopoetry Festival and Showroom of Astronomical Arts and Publications were founded by SARM and the Romanian poet Andrei Dorian Gheorghe.

We appreciate the Romanian astro-art movement born some original initiatives. These were presented and applauded with important astronomical events worldwide, organized by the International Meteor Organization (Brandenbourg, 1995, Apeldoorn, 1996, Petrica, 1997, Stasa Lesna, 1998), NATO (workshop on the Solar eclipse in 1999, Sinaia, Romania 1996), Vatican Observatory (1997, 1998), International Astronomical Union (Stasa Lesna, 1998), etc.

The First Edition

The first edition of the festival was held on 4 August 1996 at the Mayoralty Hall in Targoviste. It included recitals of Romanian contemporary astropoetry, astrohumor, restitution of the Romanian old cosmic poetry, essays, cosmic lyrics, electronic space music and astrofolk, cosmopoetic messages from abroad (Ireland, Canada, SUA, UK), astropoetic drama, an astropoetry contest for youths, an international stand of astrophotography and publications. The official language was Romanian.

The Second Edition

The second edition was held on 2-3 August 1997 at the Youth House in Targoviste. Beside the previous topics, this edition benefited the presence of two amateur astronomers from Sweden and Great Britain, who read out their own cosmic lyrics in English. The astroart showroom was ampler, presenting remarkable astronomical photos from Astronomical Society of Malta (Meteor Group), British Society for Popular Astronomy, Goteborg Astroclub (Sweden), Netherlands Association for Meteorology and Astronomy, French Astronomical Society, Furman University (US), and the European Project Haro (Germany). The Romanian contribution was extended with more photos, astromythological graphics, astrosculpture, a computer space image presentation, and the astro-photo-poetry stand.

The Third Edition

The third edition was held between 30 July - 2 August 1998 at Youth House in Targoviste. The international guests from Warren Wilson College (USA), Astronomical Youth Association (The Netherlands), and Goteborg Astroclub (London, UK) gave also some own artistic contributions. The official languages were Romanian and English. The new elements of this edition were: more astropoetical drama, astrofolk music, cosmic lyrics, a sculptural ensemble from wood, a fashion presentation - planets, a film performance about Perseids, and a presentation of some small houses as astro-photo-origani.

The Fourth Edition

Benefiting by the great event of the total eclipse on 11 August 1999, the fourth edition will become a larger international one, having English as the official language. Although, some French cosmic lyrics will be read out in original, and some Romanian astrofolk performances will be presented in the languages of their young authors. The festival will be held on the afternoons of 7-8 August 1999 in Targoviste and will be freely open to our guests of EuRo Eclipse - Perseids 99. The structure of the festival will have five central themes: 1. Sun; 2. Meteoroids, Meteors, Meteorites; 3. Moon; 4. Planets, Comets; 5. Night, Milky Way, Constellations, Stars, Galaxies, Phenomena, Fantasy. Each of the themes will present a special program, including a brief antique world tour, classic and modern lyrics, space and astrofolk music, astropoetic recitals, astrohumor, musical moments, astropoetic drama, etc.

Some amateur astronomers, professionals and people of culture already sent their own cosmic lyrics or other contribution to the fourth edition of our festival. Here are some authors: Alastair McBeath (vice-president of the International Meteor Organization), Godfrey Baldacchino (director of the Astronomical Society of Malta, Meteor Group), Steve Sneyd (director of Hilltop Press, UK), Damien Simon (Goteborg Astroclub, British branch), Prof. Dr. Donald Collins (Warren Wilson College, US). Also, at the International Showroom of Astronomical Arts, Photos and Publications, SARM will exibits materials from 25 countries, representing America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

If you have your own contributions or only are interested to attend the festival, don't hesitate to contact us to reserve your place at this unique Cosmopoetry Festival and Showroom of Astronomical Arts, Photos and Publications, to be held on 7-8 August 1999, Targoviste, Romania!

The addresses of contact are:

Valentin Grigore, President of SARM - CP 14, OP 1, 0200 Tārgoviste, Dāmbovita, Romania;

Andrei Dorian Gheorghe, Director of the Festival - Bd. Tineretului 53, Bl 65, Sc B, Et 1, Ap 40, Sect 4, Bucharest, Romania.