CULTURE
Living in the European capital of asymmetry Since moving to Bucharest, Swedish diplomat Alexander Peyre Dutrey has been fascinated with its roughness and authenticity. One of the city’s biggest advocates, he knows more about it than many of its residents and can convince anyone that it’s a place worth living. Words by ALEXA SFERLE / ALEXANDER PEYRE DUTREY Pictures by IOANA NEGULESCU
I come from the capital of Scandinavia: Stockholm,
One example is Bucharest’s somehow anarchistic city
a city that is often described by its beauty. I love my
planning where a downtown street in a block might
hometown, and have always been proud of it. But
unite everything from a 19th century palace, a charming
living in Bucharest for two years has to some extent
Art Deco building to a termoizolare Communist block
changed my perspectives. Bucharest—my Bucharest—
painted in bright colors.
has something unique that Stockholm lacks, something
Most central neighborhoods offer surprises and
that often makes me miss the city when I am back
interesting architectural combinations. A personal
in Sweden.
favorite is the forgotten street Maximilian Popper just
I have long tried to describe my attraction to Bucharest
behind Ceausescu’s megalomanic Bulevardul Unirii.
in one single word. I want to understand what it is that
I find my beloved Bucharest when I am strolling past
makes me so fond of the city. I believe the answer is the
the gorgeous, decadent 18th and 19th century buildings
city’s beautiful asymmetry.
with a backdrop of the totalitarian-style housing on Bulevardul Unirii and the Casa Popolurui.
Observing without judging
The asymmetrical composition has a beauty that grows
Looking for asymmetry is seeing a different city.
with time and that never stops surprising you. Even
Observing contrasts is discovering the magic of
while walking around with Romanian friends, we tend
diversity, without judging, while understanding that
to discover new architectural pearls with interesting
beauty often emerges in its relation to something else.
and unexpected asymmetrical combinations.
“The Bucharest I love has to be enjoyed right now, since many parts of it could disappear in just a few years.” BUCHAREST
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