„Future Folk”, a new project of the Association Alumnus Club UNESCO in Bucharest
article appeared in Harper’s Bazaar
"Our Heritage: where the past meets the future "- the slogan of the European Year for Cultural Heritage 2018 - it can be found in the title of a new project of the UNESCO Alumnus Club Association from Bucharest, the Future Folk project. It is an initiative that aims to contribute to the revitalization and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of the southern part of Romania, going to highlight through contemporary design an essential part of it - the traditional costume. Not only the Romanian costume, so rich in forms and meanings, but also the traditional costumes specific to national minorities, maybe less known, but equally beautiful and loaded with ancient symbols.
How can the young people of today receive these values, which may seem out of everyday use, how can we preserve this heritage for future generations? Here are two questions that the associations and institutions involved in the Future Folk project are trying to answer, project that was approved and will be supported through a non-refundable funding granted by the Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN).
Partners gathered in day 22 February. c. the new space Spring Palace Museum - permanent exhibition "Ceausescu house" - where they had the opportunity to hold a dialogue first. Among the participants there were: deputy Dragos - Gabriel Zisopol, superintendent Chamber of Deputies, President of the Hellenic Union of Romania; Bela Dan Krizbai, vice president of the Romanian Cultural Institute; Silviu Feodor, President Lippovan Russian Community in Romania; Alina Gabriela Andrei, Deputy Director of the Center for Youth of Bucharest; Georgiana Onoiu, hoarding cultural heritage department chief at the National Village Museum Dimitrie Gusti; Roxana Gheorghe Amzar, Television producer Romanian, Section Other Minorities; Tamara drought, Head of Marketing and Promotion shows at the Odeon Theater; Susana Pletea, editorial director at Burda Media Group Romania.
The meeting opened with a welcome greeting by Adina Rentea, parmanente exhibition director of "House of Ceausescu", by Daniel Smith, President of the Association Alumnus Club UNESCO, He presented the project activities and calendar Future Folk, Expected mode, based on competence, talent and collegiality. It pointed out that almost 90% the project budget is covered by the grant won by the AFCN, an institution that actively supports cultural initiatives of value. Mrs. Smith also pointed out that the project is dedicated to the Centenary of the Union, showing that national minorities were and are part of Romanian society. Future Folk is also a Romanian contribution to the European Year for Cultural Heritage - 2018, and the UNESCO initiatives, known and appreciated worldwide, the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage in all Member.
Very pleasant was the meeting with Carmen Emanuela Popa partners, PhD in design at the University of Arts in Bucharest, author of the original proposed cultural product of Future Folk - a collection of avant-garde fashion design inspired by the traditional costumes, collection will be launched at Parliament House in June, and then will take the form of a traveling exhibition at the Village Museum in Bucharest, in Ploiesti, Tulcea. Attention to symbolism and philosophy behind each object, each motif inspired, Carmen Emanuela Popa wants to launch by her creations an invitation to communication and understanding between people.
Through their comments and proposals, those present new elements of this initiative, which starts out with every chance of being a success. Exhibition - Future Folk performance, itself the result of an intercultural exercise, It is intended to be a living proof that diversity is an inexhaustible resource of innovation and creativity in a society where there is understanding and respect for our values.
