Concerts

We are an electronic, pop and alternative music festival, set amongst picturesque woodlands on the banks of Mureș river. Our eclectic lineup unites names from a diverse mix of genres. Drum & bass and electro sit alongside indie, rock and punk – as established global acts join exciting local artists in a melting pot of whimsical sounds. Come along and get immersed in the music blasting on our 3 stages: The Cube, The River Stage and Castle Lounge.

ARTDOOR

For the 3rd year in a row, the well-known contemporary artist Mircea Cantor will join the ARTDOOR – Big Art Meets Nature exhibition as a special guest and jury member. Walk around spectacular outdoor arts installations and take memorable photos while opening your mind to the ideas of the artists. They are carefully placed on the festival grounds and ready to transform you in an art lover or interactive festival goer. 

Cinema and Theater Under the Bridge

At dusk, curious eyes wander for pre-concerts experiences. Some want to learn new intricacies, others want to remain in the obscure. Cinema Under the Bridge curated by TIFF awaits you movie lover with heart stopping dramas, laugh out loud comedies, award-winning festival films and entertaining shorts, before the main acts hit the stage.

Students of UAT (University of Arts Targu Mureş) will bring on their A-game for the festival, performing classical plays in this lively fest set-up. We’ll make cinema immersive and theater interactive, so join AWAKE and its vibrant experiences.

TELEKI Estate

Nestled in the heart of Transylvania, Teleki Estate encompasses 16 acres of spectacular land, hosting the 18th century baroque castle and its lush English park with old trees, serene meadows and a charming little pond, all peacefully guarded by river Mureș.

The domain has been with the Teleki family since the 17th century, when Mihály Apafi, regent of Transylvania, donated Gernyeszeg and other villages to count Mihály Teleki. But it was Mihály’s nephew, László Teleki who started the construction of nowadays castle in 1772, on the grounds of the old castle. The building was designed by architect Andreas Mayerhoffer of Salzburg in a baroque style. Its main features are the „U” form and the Great Hall in the middle. Construction ended around 1796, during the time of László’s son, József Teleki. József also transformed the surrounding area into a lovely French garden. At the begining of the 1800s, Teleki József II turned the garden into an English park, by introducing exotic species like gingko biloba and lime, alongside other majestic trees like willow, oak and cypresses, to name but a few of the species that reign the park to date.

The love of books was handed down from generation to generation in the Teleki family. Samuel Teleki is actually the founder of the Telekiana Library in Târgu Mureș, the first public library in contemprary Romania. He was a great lover of books and started collecting them during his studies in Europe. An impressive book collection was also hosted in the castle’s library, comprising thousands of books collected by the Teleki counts over the years.

During and after World War II, the castle was devastated, while all the original furniture was stolen and the library destroyed. Part of the volumes were saved and donated to the Teleki Library in Târgu Mureș, the oldest book dating from 1668.

In 1949, the castle was nationalized by The Communist Party and later transformed into a nursing home for children with tuberculosis. After a long legal battle, the heirs of Teleki family regained the property in 2011. Ever since, they have dedicated their efforts to the restoration of the estate.

The castle is one of the best preserved in Transylvania, having in place original pieces like Murano chandeliers, fireplaces, wood doors, murals and stucco works. A part of the castle has been refurbished with antique furniture recreating the old sumptuous atmosphere, which visitors can enjoy throughout the year.

AWAKE Festival has strongly invested in the restoration of the Teleki Estate by raising awareness and providing financial support. Together with ARCHÉ Association, we are committed to safeguarding this unique site, part of our national heritage.

For a more detailed history of the estate, visit www.monumenteuitate.org.