Like thousands of ethnic Germans before him, Michael Schmidt left his small village in Transylvania for Germany in 1981 seeking opportunity in the West far from Nicolae Ceausescu’s Communist Romania.
Transylvania
Every year, the now-entrepreneur and philanthropist, would return to Romania and drive through Transylvania along the main road from Brasov through to Sighisoara that cuts through the heart of Romania.
But he never dared take a turn off the main road to his home village Crit, a 12-century hamlet that lies just east of the Medieval fortress of Sighisoara.
“I got goose bumps every time we passed the turning,” he said on Monday. “I didn’t have the courage. I was afraid I’d be disappointed.”
Haferland
His affection for his home which lies in the Oat Land (Haferland), an area where the harsh climate meant the eminently practical ethnic Germans could only grow oats, never dimmed even after communism ended and he went on to build one of the most successful businesses in Romania.
Years later, he flew over the area in a helicopter. „I saw my family home and garden. The granary was gone, and the grass wasn’t cut. There was an abandoned horse standing in the middle of the courtyard. The idea came to me to do something,” he said on Monday.
That something became the Haferland–or Oat Country – annual festival which celebrates Saxon traditions and culture.
Peter Maffay
He joined forces with best-selling German artist and composer, Peter Maffay, also a native son from these parts to create the festival.
Now in its tenth year, it is being organized again under the patronage of President Klaus Iohannis who is also an ethnic German.
Previewing the event, Mr Schmidt and his wife Veronica Schmidt were joined by Cristian Gherghiceanu, chairman of the Adept Foundation, Sana Nicolau, the communications manager Mihai Eminesu Trust, tourism entrepreneur Calin Noru Stamatoiu, and television presenters Christel Ungar and Andreea Berecleanu.
Pink peonies
Seated on Saxon hand-painted furniture with a bowl of fresh cherries and vases of fresh pink peonies in front of them, you could be forgiven for thinking you were attending one of the festival’s weekend events.
Instead, we were in the headquarters of his BMW business on one of Romania’s busiest roads. But the talk focused on the festival, not the sleek BMWs, Rolls Royces and Mini Coopers.
We learned the July 29-31 festival will feature Saxon dances, a jazz concert, bike tours, a book launch, debate about role of Saxons in community which covers the villages of Homorord. Crit, Viscri, Bunesti, Mesendorf, Cloasterf, Sasciz, Archita, Roades and Rupea.
And not one ball, but three.
Saxon dances
“We decided to have a ball every evening. There is lots of fun, entertainment and good cheer… don’t worry if you can’t dance Saxons dances; there are a lot of local people who will show you the steps” said Cristian Gherghiceanu of the Adept Foundation.
Television presenter Christel Ungar described Michael Schmidt and Peter Maffay as “two Saxons with big hearts…. Their festival promotes culture, tradition and Saxon values.”
The engine
Mr Schmidt credits his wife for believing in him. “She was the engine,” he said, not surprisingly using an automobile metaphor. “She pushed me… to do something… that’s how it actually came about.”
Crit has flourished in the spotlight. In 2012, there were a maximum of 20 beds in the village of 650, now there are 150 places for tourists to sleep.
Veronica Schmidt who lives by the motto ‘omul sfanteste locul” (roughly translated as ‘man maketh the home’) said she found a deserted village with many disadvantaged families living in it.
After-School
”Many people didn’t know what to do. We didn’t want just to invest in houses, but to give the locals a purpose. The children had sad eyes so we set up the After-School Foundation and they now have activities … clean clothes, hot meals… they read, make biscuits.. decorate Christmas trees.”
“Education is the most important thing for all of us, for all children,” she said.
Fairy tales
She has written a children’s book with their 10-year-old daughter, a collection of fairy tales that “show children their dreams can come true.”
“I believe that we understand life through stories…. which is why I created stories.” The book will be launched during the festival.
The book is dedicated to the children in Crit in the After-School project and proceeds will be given for their well-being.
She wants them to “study a foreign language, to have a psychologist, to forget their traumas and aspire to live out their dreams.”
Television personality Andreea Berecleanu summed up the Saxon communities who live along the Oat belt.
Saxon spirit
“There is a spirit there that has nothing to do with Romania, although it is in Romania. “ (Romanians are more temperamental, she said.)
The Haferland festival has breathed new life into the region.
“The Saxon spirit has been reborn,” she said.
