CULTURE DEVELOPS. The ASTRA Museum Sibiu team has taken new concrete steps towards the implementation of a strategic project that invests in the human resource represented by Romanian craftspeople and artisans. This week, the Romanian team held a series of meetings in Florence with Italian specialists from the crafts sector, in order to learn about the best practices implemented by artisans from the Tuscany region. The pilot project, funded by the European Commission, focuses on the Sibiu community that embroiders the famous “Ie de Mărginimea Sibiului” — the traditional blouse of the Mărginimea Sibiului area.
“Unlike other European countries, Romania still possesses an extraordinarily important resource: its human resource — true craftspeople! We need to convince skilled individuals to continue their craft, and also to encourage them that they can make a living from their trades. Furthermore, active craftspeople must be urged and supported to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. The first step towards preserving and protecting traditional craftsmanship has already been taken (the inauguration of the House of Arts, ed.), and now we must move on to the next one: how do you make traditional craftsmanship profitable?” summarised Ciprian Ștefan — Manager of the ASTRA Museum Sibiu — the objective of the new project.
The Regional Arts Activities and Resources Centre, inaugurated last year in Sibiu, is the place where the formal accreditation of craftspeople across various arts and trades is finally taking place — from traditional construction techniques to the production of handcrafted objects. Students can learn both the craft techniques themselves and how to promote their art. The ASTRA Museum team has now moved on to the next step: a training plan for Romanian craftspeople and artisans to enable them to become sustainable in the market and to make a living from the trades they practise.
Together with specialists from the University of Florence — “Fondazione per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione” — and the cultural NGO “ARS MONUMENTUM NATURA”, the Sibiu team discussed the concrete solutions that Italian craftspeople have put into practice over recent decades to strengthen artisan communities, with their respective leaders:
- Dr. Elisa Guidi, coordinator of ARTEX — the largest organisation of artisans and craftspeople in the Tuscany region;
- Dr. Gianmaria Vannini, president of Stile Orafo Fiorentino — the organisation of Florentine jewellers;
- Aglaia Viviani, councillor of the city of Montelupo Fiorentino — the Tuscan city home to Italy’s oldest ceramics community (14th century);
- Prof. Alessandro Monti, General Manager, and Letizia Donati, Senior Manager of “Fondazione per la Ricerca e l’Innovazione”, University of Florence.
Development through culture! The new project aims to significantly support the local community. The project partners have already begun consultations with the local artisan community in Sibiu, alongside the preparation of practical workshops for the development of new entrepreneurial skills. The project will showcase best practice examples identified at European level, including business models that support traditional communities in the field of cultural heritage.
The project “Supporting Craftspeople in Developing New Skills and Competencies in the Context of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2411 on Geographical Indications (GI)” is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.
Project funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
