KEYPOINTS
- Profiting at the Expense of Cluj Residents
- Relentless Noise That Disrespects Vulnerable Populations
- A Festival Out of Step with Cluj’s Values
- Unbearable Traffic and Strained Infrastructure
- Rampant Drug Use, Alcohol Abuse, and Rising Crime Rates
- Solutions: A Call for Change
- Conclusion
The Untold Festival, held annually in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, has become one of the most recognizable music events in Europe. With its dazzling lights and big-name performances, it attracts attendees from across the globe, promising entertainment and economic growth. But for those of us who live in Cluj, the festival is far from a celebration—it’s an intrusion. Behind the glitter lies a trail of noise, disruption, and cultural clashes that negatively affect our community. I believe it’s time to reconsider whether Untold is truly worth the price we, as residents, are forced to pay.
1. Profiting at the Expense of Cluj Residents
While Untold brings significant profits to its organizers and local businesses, it does so at the expense of the people who live here. Yes, the influx of tourists generates revenue, but it also drives up living costs during the festival. Basic necessities, from groceries to transportation, become overpriced, leaving residents struggling to keep up.
Even our public spaces, which should belong to everyone, are commandeered for the festival’s infrastructure. Parks and other communal areas are fenced off or transformed into stages, forcing locals to sacrifice their own enjoyment for the benefit of a commercial event. It feels as if Untold exists not for Cluj’s people, but for its profits. According to Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, while festivals like Untold boost tourism-related income, they also bring increased living costs and disruptions for locals, which often outweigh the financial benefits for most residents. (emerald.com)
This pattern of prioritizing profit over the well-being of residents extends to the city’s leadership. Mayor Emil Boc has come under scrutiny for his role in facilitating the festival. Critics argue that he has effectively “sold” the city to event organizers, allowing public spaces and resources to be monopolized for profit while residents bear the consequences. Many residents believe that Boc is personally profiting from the event, turning his leadership position into a means of self-enrichment.
The discontent surrounding Mayor Boc’s actions deepened last year when he commercialized the beloved Christmas Fair, transforming a cherished cultural event into a profit-driven spectacle. By aligning himself with these events, Boc has shown a willingness to prioritize external revenue streams over the interests and values of his own constituents. For many of us, it feels as if our city’s leadership has abandoned its duty to protect and serve its people, instead using Cluj as a stage for commercial gain.
This commodification of Cluj undermines the trust between residents and city officials. It sends a clear message: profits come first, and the people come second. As a resident, I find it increasingly difficult to see how this approach benefits our community in the long term. It’s time for the city’s leadership to reconsider where their loyalties lie—whether with the people who call Cluj home or the commercial interests that exploit it.
2. Relentless Noise That Disrespects Vulnerable Populations
The noise from the festival is relentless, and its effects ripple far beyond the main stage. The pounding music continues into the early hours, disturbing not just those living nearby but people across large parts of the city. Vulnerable groups suffer the most. Patients at the Cluj-Napoca Children’s Hospital, located near the festival site, struggle to rest and recover amid the constant noise. Families with young children, the elderly, and shift workers are left with no respite from the chaos.
I’ve seen organizers make some effort to address these issues, such as installing sound barriers, but these measures barely scratch the surface. Noise complaints keep pouring in, with some residents describing the event as a “citywide invasion of peace.” A report on the 2018 festival revealed that, despite soundproofing attempts, decibel levels regularly exceeded acceptable limits, causing significant distress for locals. (romania-insider.com)
3. A Festival Out of Step with Cluj’s Values
Cluj-Napoca is a city rich in history, culture, and values rooted in community and tradition. Yet Untold feels entirely out of sync with this identity. Instead of celebrating Cluj’s heritage, the festival prioritizes themes of excess and commercialization. From the explicit imagery in its advertising to the heavy promotion of alcohol, Untold seems to promote values that many of us in Cluj do not share.
It’s not just a matter of taste; it’s a matter of identity. According to an analysis in the Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, the festival’s emphasis on commercialization and international branding often alienates residents, making it feel more like a spectacle for outsiders than a celebration of the local community. (rtsa.ro)
For many of us, those values are closely tied to Christian principles, which have shaped not only our city but much of Romania’s national identity. Yet, the Untold Festival often feels completely at odds with these beliefs, promoting themes and imagery that many residents find troubling and inappropriate.
One glaring example is the recurring use of demonic symbols and occult imagery in the festival’s stage designs and marketing materials. These symbols, often highlighted during performances, have sparked outrage among Christian residents, who see them as a direct affront to their faith. For a city that values its spiritual and cultural heritage, such displays feel entirely out of place and deeply disrespectful. These choices alienate a significant portion of the local population, reinforcing the perception that Untold prioritizes shock value and spectacle over genuine celebration.
Additionally, the festival has increasingly aligned itself with the promotion of LGBTQ+ agendas, a move that further divides the community. While respecting individual rights is important, many residents feel that the overt promotion of these themes during Untold contradicts the more traditional Christian values held by a large portion of Cluj’s population. The city is not opposed to inclusivity, but forcing such narratives into a high-profile event often feels like an imposition on the cultural and religious fabric of our community.
By choosing to emphasize these themes, the festival demonstrates a disconnect from Cluj’s identity. As a resident, I cannot help but feel that Untold caters more to global trends and controversies than to the values of the city and country that host it. Romania’s strong Christian heritage and the family-oriented culture of Cluj deserve to be celebrated and respected, not overshadowed by commercialized agendas and sensational displays.
It is time to question whether an event so out of sync with Cluj’s principles can truly claim to represent our city. Instead of amplifying themes that divide us, Untold should consider aligning its message with the values and traditions that make Cluj a place we are proud to call home. If it cannot do so, perhaps it no longer belongs here at all.
4. Unbearable Traffic and Strained Infrastructure
Every year during Untold, traffic in Cluj grinds to a halt. Road closures and detours make even the simplest trips an ordeal. I’ve been stuck in traffic for hours during festival days, along with countless others just trying to get to work, school, or run errands. Public transportation becomes overcrowded, and basic city infrastructure is pushed to its limits.
The city’s systems aren’t designed to handle the sheer number of visitors the festival brings. Trash piles up, emergency services are overwhelmed, and residents are left to cope with the chaos. These logistical issues aren’t just an inconvenience—they represent a clear failure to prioritize the needs of Cluj residents. (emerald.com)
5. Rampant Drug Use, Alcohol Abuse, and Rising Crime Rates
One of the most troubling aspects of Untold is the darker side it brings to our city. Every year, reports emerge of increased drug use, alcohol abuse, and crime during the festival. While organizers claim to enforce a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, law enforcement statistics tell a different story. Arrests for drug possession and trafficking spike during Untold, and cases of public intoxication and theft rise sharply as well.
A detailed report by local law enforcement revealed that drug-related offenses during the 2022 festival doubled compared to non-festival periods. This not only strains police resources but also creates a sense of unease for residents who must deal with the aftermath of these incidents. (romania-insider.com)
6. Solutions: A Call for Change
Given the overwhelming impact of Untold on our city, I believe it’s time for real change. Moving the festival to a location outside the city center could drastically reduce its impact on residents. Open spaces or venues further from residential areas could still accommodate the festival’s scale while preserving the peace of our neighborhoods.
Finally, if these changes are not possible, cancellation must be considered. Cluj deserves events that uplift and unite its community, not ones that disrupt and divide it.
7. Conclusion
Untold may bring global fame and economic benefits, but as someone who calls Cluj home, I see the other side of the coin. The noise, the traffic, the safety concerns, and the cultural dissonance all take a heavy toll on our city. It’s time to prioritize the well-being of Cluj residents over the profits of an international festival. Whether through relocation, downsizing, or cancellation, change is needed. Let’s reclaim our city and ensure that its future reflects the values and quality of life we deserve.
