Folk Arts and Crafts

Region's different historic evolution deeply influences the commons art and crafts of Romania. Romania's art, crafts and music get an original vision by absorbing elements of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Oriental and Occidental cultures .

Nearly all the manifestations practiced elsewhere in Europe also flourished among the Transylvania peasantry at one time or another, their ceramics and textile being the most highly developed of all.

The origins of Romanian pottery are lost in the mist of time. Ancient Roman or Dacian traditions can be traced in the black, red or white pottery made in over 200 potters' centers around the country. Pottery designs are unique to their regions. Among them are: Sacele & Corund in Transylvania, Horezu & Oboga in Oltenia, Tansa & Radauti in Moldavia.

In the houses of Romanian rooms are decorated with hand-woven fabrics, embroidered scarves, table clothes, rugs, and satchels made from home-spun wool, cotton or raw silk. Each region has its own unique character or is known for its original designs: Northern Transylvania, Maramures and Moldavia for rugs; southern Oltenia and Wallachia for raw silk fabrics; the Olt River area and around Sibiu for gaily colored patterns.

The commons costume is a part of the larger sphere of the traditional Romanian costume. In some regions of the country it is strictly kept the colors combinations imposed by the tradition. In Transylvania are famous for the traditional costume full of charm and color. The variety of the national costume marked by specific features concerning the decoration and the cut, is also manifested from the point of view of the structure that differs from a region to another.

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