On Sunday 20 September, I attended the attempt to set a new Guinness World Records™ feat for the largest paintbrush in Campina City, Romania. When I arrived in Campina City, I was immediately ushered towards the paintbrush, which was an impressive sight even before it was measured. As this was a new category, a minimum size had been set by Guinness World Records at 3 m (or around 10 times the normal size for a standard paintbrush, as laid out in the general guidelines for new categories of over-sized objects).

A well known local painter had been selected to paint with the brush at the event, as another of the guidelines stipulates that the object muct be functional.

Next, I was taken to meet the mayor, who welcomed me warmly and expressed his appreciation that I was there on behalf on Guinness World Records to adjudicate their attempt. After he had given his speech welcoming the five thousand strong crowd, he invited me up on stage to witness the measuring of the paintbrush. As I watched closely, a tape measure was unrolled along the huge brush. The length was 4 m and 35 cm, a new Guinness World Record.


I presented the mayor with an official Guinness World Records certificate for the largest paintbrush and then after addressing the press, stood back and watched as traditional Romanian dancers performed routines in celebration of the achievement. The mayor also presented me with a shield of the city, a rare honour. Later, I interviewed the mayor who explained that Campina City had a rich artistic heritage, which is why they had chosen to attempt this record. The pride and community spirit in his words were overwhelming.

After the event, I was taken by the organisers to see the house (now a museum) where the famous local painter Nicolae Grigorescu had lived, then a castle that had been built by a local scientist, B P Hasdeu, in memory of his departed daughter, and a dam which stood over 100 metres high. It had been amazing to experience such great hospitality, national pride and dedication to human achievement.

By Jack Brockbank

Tuesday 22 September 2009