Cinema Mărăști in Cluj-Napoca is the first cinema in Romania offering free access to the public.
Together with neighboring Cinema Dacia, it has also evolved beyond a traditional movie theater, becoming a cultural hub for the communities of Mărăști and Mănăștur, which are the city’s largest neighborhoods.
Most cultural initiatives take place in the center of Cluj, while the neighbourhoods of communist blocks are typically merely pragmatic spaces — though art venues in particular have begun mushrooming in unlikely places in recent years.
Beyond screenings, Cinema Mărăști and Cinema Dacia host a wide range of cultural and educational activities, including theatre performances, puppet theatre, stand-up comedy shows, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, children’s workshops, and programs dedicated to schools.
The schedule is tailored to the academic year, school holidays, and weekends.
In a video posted on his Facebook page on Monday, 23 February 2026, Deputy Mayor Dan Tarcea emphasized that the program is designed to bring culture closer to people where they live, adapting to the rhythms of community life throughout the year.
Over 40,000 Cluj residents attended events organized at Cinema Mărăști and Cinema Dacia in 2025 alone.
Public funding makes most events free, though performances organized by cultural partners may require tickets, priced at affordable rates.
Event organizers can rent out spaces in the cinema for affordable costs.
Residents are invited to submit proposals for future cultural events via Facebook comments.
