May 30 – June 1, 2025
Youth Park (Parcul Tineretului), Piatra-Neamț

Over 65 folk artisans from Moldova, Muntenia, Oltenia, Transylvania, and the Republic of Moldova — creators of authentic works crafted with care and passion, using techniques passed down through generations — will gather in the city center this weekend for this year’s edition.

Visitors will reunite with renowned artisans who return gladly to Piatra-Neamț, and also meet new participants such as:

• Dan Ciuncanu from Boroșteni, Peștișani, Gorj – showcasing impressive traditional folk costumes
• Maria Crâșmar from Baia Mare – crafting traditional jewelry and lace
• Luiza Grigorovici from Iași – known for her painted crosses, a harmonious blend of faith and sensitivity
• Daniel Prodescu from Horezu – presenting the unmistakable UNESCO-recognized Horezu pottery…and many more for visitors to discover.

Three interactive workshops will be available throughout the festival:

• Traditional woodworking
• Egg decorating
• Weaving and traditional embroidery

These workshops will be held on Friday and Saturday, offering visitors the chance to explore the secrets of traditional crafts and engage directly with the artisans.

On Friday, May 30, at 5:00 PM, at the pavilion in Youth Park, the public and artisans are invited to meet the festival’s special guests from the Republic of Moldova and attend a dual book launch:

Mr. Petru Vicol, General Director of the Museum of Ethnography and Natural Sciences in Chișinău, and Mrs. Elena Cojocari, Deputy Director of the same institution, will launch “The Museum and Folk Artisans: Safeguarding Craft Traditions” (Lexon–Prim Publishing House, directed by Eduard Potîngă).

Mr. Andrei Prohin, Scientific Secretary of the museum, will present “The Traditional Calendar for Children.”

The hosts of the event are Florentina Buzenschi, museographer at the Piatra-Neamț Museum of Ethnography, and Marcel Lutic, President of the Folk Artisans Association of Moldova.

On Saturday, May 31, at 12:00 PM, the event sponsor AUTONOM will award special prizes to participating artisans, in recognition of their contribution to preserving cultural identity. Special honors will go to those awarded the prestigious title of Living Human Treasures.

We warmly invite you to celebrate Romanian folk art with us and to purchase handcrafted items made with passion and precision by creative artisans!

Festival organizers: Neamț County Council and the Neamț National Museum Complex
Festival sponsor: AUTONOM Piatra-Neamț
Event venue: Youth Park in the city center, provided by the Piatra-Neamț City Hall
With the support of the Folk Artisans Association of Moldova

Together, we can keep our folk traditions alive!

Photos from the previous edition: