The bucureșteni are engulfed in flowers.

Flower shop kiosks on road corners. Flower motifs on clothing; women’s and men’s alike. Bags covered in flower designs. Building facades with flower imagery. Hats with flowers on. Actual flowers growing around the city and peering out of apartment windows.

Flowers are a huge part of Romanian society. Every day, but particularly on Fridays, national holidays or popular name days, you will see tons of people carrying flowers. But almost never held upwards. Romanians hold their flowers downwards.

There is a sobriety to Bucharest, despite it being dressed up in botanicals. Along with their flowers, people carry the weight of their feelings. In order for lightness to exist, there must also be darkness. Flowers, yes, but downwards.