27 artists from Romania, Italia, the Republic of Moldova, Finland, Ukraine, Peru and Germany beautified the city of Ploiești. The location of the event was not chosen by chance. Ploiești is a city whose history was shaped by the oil industry. Oil is the one that, at the beggining of the 20th century, contributed to the city’s prosperity, but it’s also the one that led to its degradation. The city, however, represents more than its industrial background. Among the personalities who shaped its history are names such as: Ion Luca Caragiale, Toma Caragiu or Nichita Stănescu, reference names of the Romanian dramaturgy, theather and poetry.

77 artists from 23 countries responded to organizers’ call, 27 being selected to be part of the first edition of Artown Festival. Besides ​“Urban Synaesthesia”, the festival also focused on the sustainability theme, the concepts chosen to be implemented being in accordance with the approach of a better and more sustainable future for all – by focusing on the 17 interlinked Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were set up in 2015 by the UN as global goals to be achieved by 2030. 

In addition to the murals, the event included various other activities – poetry evenings, outdoor theatrr, alternative rock and classical music concerts, live modular performances, ballet and contemporary dance shows, action painting, as well as art workshops for children and young people.