Every time I start telling people what to visit and where to go, I start by talking them about Romania. Out of the political context, away from the pages of the tabloids and far from the conflicts of image, I begin to illustrate my country by its traditions, places and amazing people. Those of you who have had grandparents in the villages can still remember the old ways, the sound of the wooden loom and the smell of freshly painted linen. Others, like our children, will know this side of Romania only from books.
To avoid this reality being irreversible we started the campaign # MandrudeRomânia ( #ProudofROMANIA) a project meant to promote crafts, artisans and traditions. I wish I could tell you how wonderful it is to hear the potters telling stories while modeling clay in front of your eyes. I decided instead that it is more efficient to show you. So between 26.02 and 1.03.2015 a group of 20 journalists are invited to Maramures, the first destination on the list among the regions included in the project. We are going to visit the workshops of sculptors in wood and stone, go see the houses of the weavers, stop at the old ceramic factory or know the art behind the Dacia’s ancient sandals. We will talk to those who today, in their 70s or 80s, are the only ones who still have imprinted in mind the old traditions and customs. And it is a shame to leave it like this. So we mobilize ourselves to document them, to show to the public this wonderful legacy and draw attention to the immense cultural heritage that it is still in reach.
By my side, partners to this project stand Scorilo Travel agency and the foundation Liviu Marian Pop, the travel bloggers, radio and televisions, all united by the same motivation: #MandrudeROMANIA (Proud of Romania). So this is for me the most beautiful gift of all for 1st March, a good way to start the spring. Follow us online, on Facebook, or in the wirtten press and if you like what you see, then support the campaign and let’s be #MandrudeROMANIA. Furthermore, if you are sending us information about the local tradition in your region and its craftsmen we can publish their stories in the album Portrait of an Artisan.
This post is also available in: Romanian
English
Română
RSS