Traditional Romanian Crafts

We had the privilege of working with Ioana and her mother on traditional rag masks. They came in traditional dress to help set the stage. We learned that the masks were made for New Year's Eve celebrations and were used to ward away evil spirits, thus setting the tone for the new year. The full-size masks are actually worn to parties.

Ioana shared the tradition of the "martisoare" with the group. A "martisoare" is a small, decorative adornment, worn by women on their jacket or sweater, given by men to women, children to mothers/teachers or children to children. They are symbols of good luck and health (a four-leaf clover or a horse show, for example). Symbollically red and white thread are used to show the purity of the winter and the emergence of spring. The martisoare is given on March 1. Each person in the group received their own.

Ioana showing a martisoare.

The following are examples of full-sized masks made by Ioana and her mother:

The group getting an inttroduction to basic stitching 101

Getting closer to a finished product.

The events of the day concluded with dinner at Hanul din Tulghes,  the second of two restaurants within ASTRA Museum.  After dinner, the students headed back for journaling and reflection, asking themselves, "What was a moment today in which you felt spiritual?" and "What can you take away from today and apply to your life?"

ASTRA Museum

Tuesday morning arrived with a bite in the air and flakes falling out of the sky. The group bundled up for a morning walk through the 10 km living museum known as ASTRA. To say the ASTRA is an "open-air" museum doesn't really do it justice. And by comparing it to Greenfield Village, one trivializes the importance of the project which established the open-air museum with folk technology as its main theme. ASTRA, which had its early beginnings in 1861, contains houses and workshops of the traditional Romanian folk culture from the pre-industrial era. Over 300 houses and other buildings are situated in the forest around two lakes with over 10 km of walkways.

That's a mouthful to take in before breakfast. At 9:30 this morning, Adi picked us up to take to ASTRA (this is a bit deceptive since our hostel is in ASTRA and the pathway to the main building is outside our front door). We would spend the better part of the day discovering cultural diversity through a variety of structures.

10 km!

The church where we will have evening mass on Saturday. The Church was relocated in ASTRA from Biserica din Bezded.

An example of a two-story home, signifying family wealth. 

The temperature was just cold enough for snowflakes to fall.

                                       

                                                  The first oil refinery was not in Texas or Dubai. It was in Romania.

The view across one of the two lakes in the Museum.

The home of the gold mine owner. His home illustrates his wealth.

A gold mine!

This church is the oldest monument in the museum. It was constructed in 1672. 

Women had their own "room" in the church. It was the first room one entered.

The doorways were incredibly short. The intention was to keep the Ottomans on horseback out of the churches. The horses shied away from the short, narrow doors. 

The people of the time painted themselves into the paintings on the wall. A most noteworthy example is the painting of Ottomans on either side of  Jesus when he was crucified on Calvary. 

The story of Adam and even. Painting the stories from the Bible on walls and ceilings was an efficient and practical way to deliver the message.

ASTRA has the largest collection of windmills. They also have a good number of water mills, as well. 

An example of a home of a wealthy family. Their draft/trade is in pottery. The kiln, shown below, was in the courtyard. 

The kiln of the potter. 

Lunch came at just the right time. It was cold and damp outdoors. Everyone enjoyed good Romanian food at Carciuma din Batrani.

A visit from Madame Jeler's parents!