The exhibition “Alai”, curated by artist Ștefana Samfira, explores the richness and diversity of Romanian traditions through the lens of traditional clothing, with a focus on ceremonial and festive costumes worn during significant community events. The exhibition will be open to the public from June 24 to July 6 at ARCUB – Casa Eliad.

“Alai” invites visitors to engage with Romanian heritage not as nostalgia, but as a living, breathing narrative. It’s a visual and cultural journey into rural identity, collective memory, and the role of women as custodians of tradition.

Each item on display — folk costumes from regions such as Mehedinți, Oltenia, Mărginimea Sibiului, Pădureni, and Muscel — tells a story of belonging and cultural continuity. From embroidery patterns and color palettes to cuts and symbols, every detail carries deep-rooted meaning tied to village life, seasonal rituals, and social values. These garments are not merely decorative; they are coded with knowledge passed down over generations.

“The ‘Alai’ collection is more than a tribute to the beauty of folk costumes — it is a call to protect and revalue our cultural heritage,” says curator Ștefana Samfira.
“It’s an invitation to be part of a larger story that connects us to our ancestors and helps us understand our identity in a globalized world. In this light, traditional garments become bridges between generations and living vessels of heritage.”

The event coincides with Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse (Ziua Universală a Iei) and Sânziene (also known as Drăgaica) — a celebration of femininity and the rhythms of nature. ARCUB has consistently marked these holidays with exhibitions and public programs centered on traditional dress, especially the ie, the iconic embroidered blouse. The initiative reflects the institution’s mission to connect Romanian cultural heritage with contemporary creative expression.

The vernissage will take place on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at ARCUB – Casa Eliad. The exhibition is open to the public from June 25 to July 6, Tuesday through Sunday, 12:00–19:00. Admission is free. The gallery is closed on Mondays.

Ștefana Samfira, a prominent figure in Romanian cultural life, seamlessly weaves together two essential strands of her career: that of an accomplished actress and a university lecturer with a PhD at UNATC I.L. Caragiale. Beyond her talent and dedication to the arts, she nurtures a deep, enduring passion for Romania’s authentic traditions — a passion made visible through her unique folk costume collection titled “Alai.”

For over a decade, Samfira has documented traditional attire across various ethnographic regions of the country, gathering both garments and the stories behind them from local communities. Through her curatorial projects, she showcases not only the aesthetic beauty of Romanian dress, but also its profound symbolic value — turning each exhibition into an act of cultural education and preservation.

With clarity of vision and genuine devotion, Ștefana Samfira not only enriches Romania’s artistic landscape but also strengthens its connection to ancestral roots, making an invaluable contribution to the safeguarding of cultural identity in the present day.

Written by News.ro | 23 iunie 2025, 09:36