Cultural heritage without borders: folk artisans from both sides of the Prut meet in Iași
Traditions have come to life in Iași! This weekend, the Esplanade of the Palace of Culture has been transformed into a vibrant showcase of authentic crafts. Folk artisans from Romania and the Republic of Moldova are showcasing the art, creativity, and spirit of Moldova from both sides of the Prut. Under the title “Intangible Cultural Heritage without Borders,” the event features over 40 craftsmen from Suceava, Iași, Neamț, and various districts of the Republic of Moldova.
Parascovia Pasat came to Iași from the village of Ustia in the Glodeni district of the Republic of Moldova. She has been weaving carpets since childhood and is dedicated to passing on this tradition.
"I am an old weaver; my age is evident. However, I have been weaving since I was a child. My mother was a village weaver who taught many women to weave, and I learned the craft from her. I teach weaving and embroidery at the gymnasium, so the children are beginning to learn. I strive to bring weaving back to our community," says the craftswoman.
Other folk craftsmen also work to keep local traditions alive.
"We brought homemade soap made from our grandmothers’ old recipe, improved with various plants. In the past, they used plants like wormwood and yarrow, and we have added other plants due to increased demand. We are moving away from all kinds of chemicals to include more natural ingredients," says Alina Samson, a folk craftsman from Neamț.
"The purpose of this fair is to promote our folk traditions within the community and beyond. Unfortunately, these traditions are fading, but we must hold on to them because they are the foundation of our nation and help define us in this era of globalization," emphasizes Silvia Cozmîncă, the organizer of the event.
"It is important to preserve our traditions and pass them on if we can."
"This is our first time in Iași, and we are excited to see this fair. Everything here is very beautiful."
"It showcases our traditions, allowing us to both imagine and see in reality what these items looked like. Although it may seem that we are returning to traditional methods, we often find ourselves missing items like wooden bowls and wooden spoons."
In addition to the exhibitions with sales, demonstration workshops for children are also organized. The fair "Traditional Craftsmen and Crafts of Moldova" is in its 15th edition and runs until Sunday, October 26.
Author: Daniela Nemerenco
