www.gandul.ro/actualitate/cat-au-costat-artistii-c

Alfred Simonis organized a lavish baptism party in Timișoara, attended by numerous PSD leaders and artists, with artistic costs estimated between €150,000 and €200,000. Notable performers included Al Bano, who reportedly received €120,000, while other artists like Theo Rose and Loredana Groza charged between €12,000 and €20,000. The event sparked public controversy over the extravagant spending amid economic difficulties in Romania, prompting reactions from PSD leaders, including Sorin Grindeanu, who acknowledged the inappropriate message conveyed by the event's images. Simonis responded ironically to media criticism, highlighting the attention the event received.