The Value of Folklore and Its Legacy

 

  

  National folklore is rarely part of our everyday lives, especially if we're talking about younger generations and city life, and as far as I noticed, some countries give it more importance than others. Romania, for example, tends to be one of these countries, although perhaps not many people are in touch with this part of our national culture. These days Bucharest is hosting an International Folklore Festival in Park Cismigiu, in the city center. The highest amount of participation, however, came still from Romania, featuring Turkish and Hungarian national minorities, plus foreign participation from Bulgaria, Serbia and Latvia. In spite of bad weather, I decided to take a look around and see what is going on. And that gave me some food for thought.

       

     What can we describe as folklore? Traditional music, dances, poems and legends sometimes belonging to anonymous authors, handmade objects and artefacts which are products of long and minutious work, and homemade food. They are not landmarks of modernity, but of ancient tradition, passed on from generation to generation. And the fact that during the event people still took an active interest in it, both Romanians and foreign tourists, made me believe that people do not lose touch with the past, no matter how modern their lives actually are. 

       

      And also, the part related to song and dance gave me a pleasant surprise. Numerous artistic assemblies of children and adults from all parts of the country have performed in front of the audience, and their performances were great - joy, simplicity, and a love for folklore. Now, I must admit I generally don't listen to folkloric music, and my knowledge of traditional Romanian dances is pretty basic. I've been a city girl all my life, and not even my grandparents were based in the country-side. However, leaving my own knowledge and abilities aside, I still appreciate folklore not as a consumer, although I love to buy traditional artefacts, all full of colour and different between themselves, according to the region they come from.  But my appreciation is especially for what folklore represents for people: a tradition which is still alive, even for the youngest generations, and which still keeps us in touch with our ancient culture.

    I believe folklore is something we should at least be aware of, no matter where we're from, and also if we don't perform it or consume it often. It does shape a country's national identity, and it will always be a part of who we are as a nation.

     

Synchronized Cultural Events: a Big Challenge to Promote Your Country's Culture

  

One of the latest trends in the social and cultural life of big cities is the organization of what I call synchronized events, such as the Night of the Museums, the Night of Cultural Institutes and so forth. Basically, several cultural institutions organize simultaneous events for an entire day or night. Personally, I am a big fan of such manifestations, because not only does it keep you rapidly up to date with what happens in your city's cultural life, but it also offers a wide range of shows, workshops, exhibitions, and so much more, to choose from, so that in theory it would be impossible not to find something that you like. 

     

   This evening I attended the Night of Cultural Institutes, which took place in Bucharest. And, as much as I was eager to attend this event, there was definitely some room for improvement. Nevertheless, I realized what a big challenge it is to organize an attractive cultural event, in a situation where fragmentation is a big problem. Tonight, the Cultural Institutes of Great Britain, Czech Republic, Austria, Turkey, Hungary, Spain, Romania, Greece, France, Belgium, Italy, Poland and Germany took part, to a bigger or smaller extent, in the event. Yes, all these Institutes exist in Bucharest, which is a landmark of a multicultural environment. Therefore, so many venues in just one night makes fragmentation unavoidable. Everyone wants to go to each place, and to spend a short amount of time everywhere. This means that it is crucial for each Institute to organize an interesting and lively event, which is able to grab the attention and involvement of the audience in a short amount of time. Nobody can afford to alternate lively sections with "chilling" ones, and this is what, in my opinion, was the big mistake of various institutions. Such events should be permanently upbeat, not just in certain moments. Of course, as a spectator, you will choose some events or sections of events instead of others, and you won't be able to attend everything. But at least you would be sure that no matter where you go and when, you would never be bored. And that would be the ideal Cultural Institute "crawl"! ;)

    So, what does it take? I would say that it is essential to take out the major weapons of your national culture, the most original traditions, lively traditional music and dance, interactive workshops of languages or arts and crafts, theatre and improvisation, and also traditional food and drinks. Whatever is alternative, not typical of your country, or too long to be followed actively should be avoided. In these situations, we look for something that resembles a proper celebration, is interactive, is colourful, and, most of all, gives a proper insight on the cultural identity of your country. Some Institutes succeeded, some others did not - or at least in parts. But let's hope that the following years would take this interesting typology of event to its maximum potential. 

     

    

Happily United... in the World Cup Craze

Many of us would agree that sports also count as culture. They emphasize every country's particular tradition, and also what people value as supporters. However, very few manifestations bring people together like the FIFA World Cup. Traditionally speaking, once every four years, it looks like everyone is getting high on football, both as a patriotic manifestation to support their own country, and as a means to socialize with their friends over a beer and some high-adrenaline moments. 

Normally, I'm not that into football, and I must admit I haven't even watched the opening ceremony. Not to mention that Romania's national team has gone from bad to worse in the past years, and those who are old enough to remember Hagi's generation of the late '80s through the '90s will definitely know what I'm talking about. Therefore, my beloved Romania is out of the equation, but because I have two countries, I am supporting Italy. And I'm excited! And probably many other people who are not regular football fans are equally excited. It's about being in the middle of events, being on the edge, even if from a distance, loud like a vuvuzela, and hoping to become "Campioni del mondo". But those who have friends in various countries of the world would also be happy for their friends' national teams, if they won. Oh, well... Let's all concentrate, cross our fingers, clench our fists, and.... may the best team win! ;)

The Italian Job: the Perspective of a Happy Immigrant

   

 Today is the National Day of Italy, which is my second country - the country in which I spent a fair part of my childhood and where I returned as a young adult. Historically speaking, it is the anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Republic, which occurred by population referendum on the 2nd of June 1946. 

   Beyond historical dates, Italy is a lot of things: food, art, music, love, fashion, cinema, architecture, natural landscapes and so much more. Of course, it has its fair share of economic, social and political problems, and the dissatisfied citizens included in the package. But the more I travel, the more I realize that no country in this world is perfect. When I first ended up in Italy with my family, I was far too young to decide, so the choice was not mine. But now, I believe that it was destiny that brought us there.

   

  Unfortunately, Italy has also been the venue for a large ammount of immigrants of not-so-great quality, including from Romania, who made it in the news, taking the attention off the honest ones. Or at least, so we think... You would ask me what has been my life as an immigrant in Italy really like? And if I say "fabulous" you probably would not believe me. I will start with an anecdote from my chidhood. When I started kindergarten in Milan, the teacher playfully asked the children if they had a place for little "Alessandra". And what did the little ones do? They all came ahead with their chairs. Sweet and chivalrous! :) Fast forward: year 2007. I was preparing to leave Romania to return to Italy. The Romanian media was full of news according to which criminals of Romanian origin and their deeds were on the rise in Italy, causing Italians to treat Romanians badly only because of their nationality. I was seeing difficulties ahead, but I was determined to return to a place where I was happy and be happy once again. And I'm telling you that what I feared the most.... was the least of my problems. The people I came into contact with were by far the best part of my stay in Italy, from strangers in the street, to the staff of various institutions, to colleagues and friends, with whom I formed a really close bond. From Milan to Sicily, Italy gifted me with an extended family, and some of the most wonderful people I have ever met. With them I had the craziest fun I had not had since I was at school, but I could also count on their moral support in times of need. What else could I ask for? 

       

   What's the catch? I have no idea. It may be the fact that intelligent people can always recognize a person of good quality (and I have always been confident in my quality as a person). It may be that Romanian and Italian cultures are too similiar to have discrepancies or communincation issues. Or, it may be the fact that fluency in Italian language and a sound knowledge of Italian culture and society helps everyone. But one thing is for sure: I never suffered and I was never given bad treatment because of my Romanian nationality. 

   This proves only one thing: when it comes to happiness, it's the people who do the job. Not just the economy, although it wouldn't be that bad if it could grow again. Human value, mixed with a rich cultural heritage, in some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, having a laugh together over a large pizza. That is my Italy, where I know I will always feel welcome. Buon compleanno, bella Italia!