• On September 26, 2025, Transilvania University of Brașov hosted a new edition of the "European Researchers' Night" event, transforming the Research and Development Institute on Institutului Street no. 10 into a space of discoveries and interaction.
Held between 15:00 PM and 21:00 PM, the event, under the theme "Occupations of the future in the age of artificial intelligence", attracted a diverse audience, from children to adults, eager to explore the science of the future. Demonstrations with mobile robots, drones, 3D printers, as well as psychology experiments or mathematics and chess competitions enlivened the university's laboratory stands, while interactive stands of economic partners and intervention forces completed the experience.
A highlight of the event was the relaunch of the Transilvania University Technology and Business Incubator. Coordinated by Horia Moașa, the incubator shifted from supporting companies in the industrial sector to promoting businesses in the service sector, attracting a record number of 10 incubated companies. "We organized a relaunch of the incubator after many years in which we had incubators from the industrial field: here, for example, in this space, there were a lot of CNCs, lathes, milling machines, meaning parts and molds were produced for the local industry. Over time, the demands from the incubators were more towards the services sector. And today we have the largest number of incubators, the incubator is full, there are 10 incubated companies", explained Horia Moasa.
This incubator, in addition to media businesses and various services, also includes the project "The Taste of Brașov", initiated by entrepreneur Dorian Lungu and chocolatier Alina Lungu through Luado Chocolate. Launched within the "Researchers' Nights", the project aims to promote taste education and the gastronomic richness of Brașov through a combination of workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations. "We are trying to somehow combine the flavor of gastronomic tradition with the subtlety of innovation. And to try to take a journey into the soul of Brașov, which is ultimately full of history and magic. We are not talking about a concept in which we just explore culinary preparations of good taste. I want to create a story here where each holiday and season reveals a new chapter of local identity. A kind of pages full of flavors and textures. We want «The Taste of Brașov» to be a bastion of authentic taste and, at the same time, to be a bridge that connects generations", said Dorian Lungu.
"The Taste of Brașov"– cultivating authentic taste
Dedicated space "The Taste of Brașov" was divided into three areas: an exhibition presenting the history of chocolate, from its origins to its presence in Brașov, with texts, audio-video materials and exhibits; an interactive workshop area, where participants will learn to taste and work with chocolate; and a demonstration area where discussions about gastronomy and tradition can be held..
The "Taste of Brașov" project is not just about Chocolate, but also about education. "It's an educational project first and foremost, which wants to somehow integrate everything we've learned in the last 14 years, in terms of the relationship between taste and education and how we can create from a taste area... It's interesting to say that it's an original Peruvian chocolate or from Vietnam. And look, you can go on the map and see where those countries are. You can learn geography or you can look at the spices that go into a compound, go and separate the continents. Why is it like this in Asia, why does Europe have fewer spices, why does Turkey have more, why... And so on.", explained Dorian Lungu. In the future, the initiative aims to involve local producers, offering tourists and Brașov residents the chance to discover the authentic flavors of the region.
"Researchers' Night" and "The Taste of Brașov" demonstrated that science and gastronomy can go hand in hand, creating a memorable experience for all ages. The event highlighted not only technological innovation, but also the creative spirit of Brașov, reinforcing the role of the university as a center of knowledge and local development.
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor-in-Chief Arta Albă
Read on White Art and: Interview with chocolatier Alina Lungu – Luado: "when chocolate surprises you, you remember it!"
