Over EUR 80,000 will be allotted from the state budget to the restoration of one of Romania's icons and part of its cultural heritage: The Kiss Gate by famous Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. The work of art, part of a larger ensemble located in Targu – Jiu, is one of Romania's few works by Constantin Brancusi under public ownership. The Endless Column, part of the same ensemble, also requires restoration, but is yet to be included in the National Restoration Plan.

The three – piece ensemble, which also includes the Silence Table, is being managed by the Constantin Brâncuşi center in Targu – Jiu, which needs to take care of their maintenance and restoration.

The name of Brancusi is making plenty of headlines in Romania this year, when the famous sculptor, who lived in France in the second half of his life and who is buried in Paris, will be celebrated in Bucharest.

Brancusi will be celebrated in an event organized at the Scala Cinema in Bucharest on February 19. Organized by the Canada – based International Constantin Brancusi Society, the event will celebrate 137 years since the birth of the sculptor.

Brancusi is buried in Paris, in the famous Cimetière du Montparnasse. Romanian writer Laurian Stănchescu initiated the procedures to have Brancusi's remains sent back to Romania, but as Romania's then Culture Minister said in December last year, it all rests on the goodwill of the French Government.

Constantin Brancusi, who died in 1957, is currently buried in the famous Cimetière du Montparnasse, where many other celebrated artists and writers are also buried. The cemetery has several Brancusi sculptures made for fellow artists on their deaths. Brancusi worked in France and was an important part of the art scene in the early part of the 20th Century. He worked briefly in Rodin's studio, before developing his own hugely influential abstract style. Brancusi is now considered one of the most important sculptors of the last century.

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(photo source: Wikipedia)