If you enter the gates of the Village Museum in Cluj-Napoca, you might think you were at Woodstock.
A Iarmaroc which roughly translates as a village fair has for the past few days transformed the rural and idyllic landscape of the Museum into a lively, animated place with a focus on sustainability. Hundreds of young people crowd the paths of the village museum, listen to concerts seated on the grass, participate in drawing workshops or simply admire the landscape. Between the straw and shingle-roofed houses, people ride bikes, listen to music, go to art exhibitions and discover the creations of artists and craftsmen or simply meet friends.
Among the attractions are clothes made from hemp imported from Ukraine, a global award-winning honey drink and jewelry made from old, recycled computer components and phone parts.
Some 50 artists are taking part in the fair which has become a meeting place for creatives. They sell jewelry made from recycled materials to one-off clothes and accessories_ each item on display bears the imprint of original craftsmanship. The activities at the fair varied: acoustic and vinyl music concerts, art exhibitions, horse riding, outdoor film screenings (silent cinema), culture shows as well as various workshops for children and adults. There’s also a fun park for dogs, as well as food and drink areas.
Inside the Fair, the focus is on sustainable products, promoting creators and special items that are not easily found elsewhere. Iarmaroc, which comes from an Ukrainian word for fair, doesn’t just offer participants an enjoyable experience, it aims to change mentalities. The diversity of products and materials used highlights not only talent, but also the importance of protecting the environment. It’s the first in the “Fair” series to be held in physical format.
“It is a unique event because everything is authentic and the focus is on returning to the roots. The public has the opportunity to pick from a variety of activities, including creative activities, silent cinema screenings, a creator fair area, hammocks and concerts,” one of the organizers, Raluca Bogdan explains. “Participants are encouraged to discover and experience authenticity, to meet the creators and to support them, with a main focus on sustainability.”
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