Thread by thread, pattern by pattern, cultural heritage of Moldova has been woven into each knot of the traditional carpets. Every year since 2014, original pieces of folk art are presented to show various personal and collective narratives. 

The 5th National Carpet Fair - “Covorul Dorului” marked the end of another successful heritage season in Moldova.  More than twenty local communities took part in the initiative to promote craftsmanship in the region on 16 December, 2018. The celebration was organised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Research of the Republic of Moldova with an aim to promote two elements: Traditional wall-carpet craftsmanship in Romania and the Republic of Moldova and Men’s group Colindat, Christmas-time ritual. Both of these traditions are inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. By exploring the main styles and themes of the traditional carpets, the event celebrates history and customs of all ethnicities living in Moldova.

In her speech at the event, the country’s Minister of Education, Culture and Research, Monica Babuc reflected on the symbolical meaning of the traditional carpets:

“It is said that by crafts we can save the spirit of tradition, and by tradition we can save the soul of a nation. There have been times in the history of our people when a carpet that was passed down from generation to generation was the most precious wealth of a family, its nobility heraldry. Born from art and folk tradition, the fruit of imagination and the skill of craftswomen for whom the process was like an incantation, the carpet was not just an object, but a letter or a book of their lives and of our common destiny. Undoubtedly, the fate of our people was woven just like an ancient carpet, it was composed as a folk costume – wired thread, motif by motif, piece by piece, from wool to yarn, to fabric. Our grandmothers, our mothers, our sisters sent us through the carpet and through the ancestor popular costume messages of love and wisdom, patience and faith in good.”

The fair brought together three national museums that hosted the simultaneous cultural experience. The Winter Folk Costume Gala gathered Moldovan and Romanian amateur artistic groups and carollers. They provided a joining element among locations and programme sections.

The Image of the World Woven into Wool

Two exhibitions at the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History featured traditional carpets of Moldova and the region. The event marked the beginning of the 5th National Carpet Fair. "The Image of the World Woven into Wool" showcased the collection of the carpets of the museum. The second exhibition presented the collection of the Țării Crișurilor Museum from Oradea, Romania. The guests were able to experience the captivating traditional carpet weaving techniques first-hand through interactive workshops. At the same time the traditional Moldovan dishes were served in the replica of the old, Moldovan village household, outside the museum.

Cultural Meeting Spot

Intercultural dialogue and interaction was the focal point of the National Museum of History of Moldova programme of the day. The museum provided a common space for the cultural exchange between different ethnic groups living in Moldova. Beautifully colourful representations of winter traditions of Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Poles and Gagauz gave the space a new, multicultural tone. The exhibition titled "The Magic of the Old Carpet" highlighted some of the most spectacular, never before unveiled pieces. The visitors were provided with professional weaving lessons at the "Rustic Art" Craftsmen Complex from Clişova workshops. The setting was complete with music of the folklore of minorities living in Moldova.

Tradition Meets Contemporary Art

The "Tradition and Modernity" exhibition display at the National Art Museum of Moldova presented paintings and contemporary tapestry pieces by many national and international artists. The idea behind the event was to preserve the link between traditional carpet weaving methods in the present-day art. The museum had the honour of accepting the donation from the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova. Mr. Pavel Filip contributed with two pieces that belong to his family heritage.

The 5th National Carpet Fair in Moldova brought together numerous organisations, public authorities, heritage communities and individual volunteers with an aim to celebrate and protect traditional carpet weaving art as a national legacy symbol. The visitors and guests were able to be a part of the heritage exploration journey that is gaining momentum with each season attracting more and more people to become involved in the collective effort to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Moldova.