Oradea marks City Day amid criticism of urban forest project

The municipality of Oradea marked its City Day on October 12, 2026, with a ceremony focused on the community's history and identity. The event, attended by Mayor Florin Birta and Greek-Catholic Bishop Virgil Bercea, included various local and national officials, such as Romania's Ambassador to the Holy See, George Bologan, and Vice-Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu.

During the ceremony, the city honored Miorița Săteanu, a 90-year-old honorary citizen, for her contributions to the community. Other commemorative acts included students from the ‘Iuliu Maniu’ Greek-Catholic High School laying flowers at the statue of King Ferdinand I.

Separately, the city's recent ‘mobile urban forest’ project has faced criticism. Approximately six months after its launch, the 270 large planters purchased with European funds—costing over 2,600 euros each—have reportedly been misused by residents as trash receptacles and ashtrays, leading to concerns regarding the effectiveness of the public investment.