LapusXplorers

12/08/2024

A Shepherd’s Legacy
Ionel is 65 years old, he was born and raised in Grosii and all his life he worked with animals, more specially with sheep and lambs, he says to us that he couldn’t live without them.
In 2006, when he was 47, Ionel moved to Italy, while his wife returned to Grosii after six months to look after their land and animals.
He settled in a small village in the Ferrara province and worked as a shepherd at a local farm. From the very start, he liked it in Italy; he established good relations with his employer. To him, Italy became like his second home.

Ionel has always been a master cheesemaker. Back in Grosii, nobody produces cheese the way he does. He proudly tells us that he produces cheese according to the Italian way he learnt and used for the last twenty years.
Now that he returned to Grosii, he built a small farm above the village, where he is enjoying a peaceful life. He has a fine house on the farm with a terrace in front, as well as another house split into two parts, one of which is his residence and the other a cowshed for his two cows and a calf.

His days begin at dawn to milk the cows, then he feeds the animals, start making cheese, and attends to his animals’ needs. He also has some ten goats in another stable and is currently building a small dairy where he will produce cheese in an impeccable environment. He tells us that he is content to be where he is and finds solace talking to his animals and to God.

The village has changed over the years. Most of the families sold their animals, so nowadays, each family has only some chickens. There is, therefore, a very strong binding force that links Ionel to his animals and his craft, as we have already said he couldn’t live without them.

09/08/2024

A traditional house built by the municipality in 2017, Casa Tradițională is located in Grosii Ţibleşului. This remarkable collaboration aimed at maintaining and recognizing cultural heritage, presenting the glimpse of kind of homes which used to be common among this village people.

The Casa Tradițională goes beyond being a piece of a museum; it is a lively space where locals come together to commemorate and sustain their traditions. During every season in a year, different cultural activities take place at Casa Tradițională injecting new life into this village as its inhabitant keep meeting thus keep living their customs.

Feeling like we were in the company of those who lived there hundreds years ago, almost we could hear them living those days each time we entered there by way through well-preserved walls. It is a site where not only history exists but also actual life that binds the community still holds dear its diverse richness.

08/08/2024

Celebrating Schimbarea la Față.
The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ is celebrated on August 6th by both the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. To remember the miracle on Mount Tabor, where Jesus appeared to his apostles Peter, James, and John in his divine splendor for the first time, shining like light.
Up until that time, the apostles had already seen his miracles and thus considered him as a great prophet, the Messiah, but this event showed them he was not only a man of God but true God.

This important event happened in the last year of Jesus' life on earth, some months before the passion and his resurrection on Golgotha. The evangelist Matthew reports that Christ's face was "like the sun," and Luke said that his garments were "like snow," which means that his human nature was not absorbed into the divine nature so that they are unmixed, unchanged, and indivisible, a very important thing that was underlined during the liturgy.
In this divine light, two men, Moses and Elijah, appear and talk with Jesus about his approaching passion and death in Jerusalem, discussing his destiny to sacrifice his life for the salvation of mankind.

The people here in Groșii Țibleșului really care about this feast, and it is celebrated with a special liturgy presided over by a prominent archbishop. This year, the parish priest of almost thirty years is retiring from the priesthood, and there is a new incoming priest taking his place. During the archbishop's address, the old and the new priest stood by his sides, and they both spoke after him.

After the liturgy, convivial moment took place at the cabana. Although we are in the fast of the Assumption of the Mother of God, the Church allows fish, wine, and oil on August 6th as a celebration of this feast. Therefore, for fish and seafood merchants, this remains the most important business day of the year.

07/08/2024

Observing the Fast in Grosii Ţibleşului

As we percieved during our stay here, there is a strong tradition of fasting, mandatory on Wednesdays and Fridays, when most of the local people fast without consuming meat and dairy products; preferring instead a vegan diet. Even though this fast was observed throughout the year, starting with the 1st of August until the 15th, it must be kept every day. This period, known as the Fast of the Assumption, starts on August 1st and lasts for two weeks until the great feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15th.

Actually, the preparation for this big fast starts a bit earlier. If the 31st of July falls on a Wednesday or Friday then the community starts fasting from the evening of July 30th. This year, indeed, the Fast of the Assumption starts on July 31st.

This period is locally also called Fast of the Holy Mary or Santamaria amongst the locals. This is a period of spiritual preparation for two great August feasts: the Transfiguration on August 6th and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15th.
Let us remember that fasting during the Dormition Fast of the Mother of God is not just fasting with food but from all the things that draw us away from God. Avoidance of food also shows us how to stay away from sins.

We got surprised by thinking about the way people of Grosii Ţibleşului show their devotion and spiritual discipline. One testifies with faith to these traditions, dedication enriching life and ours.

05/08/2024

Welcome back everyone !
On Thursday, we had a trip to the city of Baia Mare nearby.
This town was first born in the XII century and is famous for having gold and silver mines, which gave it great wealth during the Middle Ages. We went to see the old city center, where we discovered a really quiet and beautiful pedestrian area in Piața Libertății and then arrived at Piaţa Cetăţii, where we found two churches one next to the other: the Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, in front of it there was the Tower of Saint Stephen, which really surprised us with its history.

It is 40-meter-high and it was the bell tower of the former "Saint King Stephen of Baia Mare" church, constructed in the 15th century in neo-Gothic style. Today, it has become a powerful symbol of the city.
Nearly destroyed by the lightning and fires, the tower was reconstructed in 1763. In 2007, the municipality rehabilitated the tower, and excavations brought to light the remains of old churches and a cemetery with more than 700 graves. Currently, one can enter the tower and climb up to the top: a passage first led by a spiral stone staircase to the first level, and then by wooden stairs to the top. From there you can see the mechanisms of the clocks, and enjoy one fine view over Baia Mare and the square.

While we were up there, we noticed a monastery from the top of the hill, so we decided to take a little walk to discover it. We found out that it was the Greek-Catholic Monastery of the Basilian Sisters "Saint Mary." Since 1993, Basilian sisters have been settling in what is called the Hill of the Cross, creating a gracious place for prayer and pilgrimage. It wasn’t that far from the old center but the climb was a bit of a struggle so we relaxed a little before exploring the surroundings of the monastery.
We then took a walk to the new center and said goodbye to Baia Mare.
The city's architecture really left us in awe, and the panoramic views from the Tower of Saint Stephen and the monastery were breathtaking!

03/08/2024

Halfway Through Our Journey in Grosii Ţibleşului
We pause a bit, halfway through our time here in Grosii Ţibleşului, reflecting on some of the experiences we have had so far. Immersing ourselves in the daily lives of the local community, we are constantly learning and broadening our perspectives based on the rich experiences of the people around us.
We have been lucky to meet many interesting people and to have some really meaningful conversations with each one having different stories to share. This interchange has been invaluable, letting us see our life through different eyes.
The hospitality encountered has been beyond our imagination. People have opened their arms to us and expressed an interest in really opening up their lives and customs to us. This openness has made our journey not just educational but personally deepening.
We are deeply in love with the warmth and generosity of the folk at Grosii Ţibleşului, and we look forward to the second half of our stay. There are many stories yet to be heard, experiences to be shared, and lessons to be learned.
Stay tuned as we move on to explore, learn, and share more about this lovely village and its wonderful villagers!

02/08/2024

The acquaintance of Pălaguța, a village woman full of energy and brilliant eyes that mirror years of stories to tell, has made the first days we were here special. We also visited her the other day, and she opened up her life a little bit for us. She has eyes that speak of a million stories waiting to be shared and welcomed us into her home with open arms.
Pălaguța grew up between Groșii Țibleșului and the surrounding mountains. Her family had many animals, and she remembers, since she was little, taking the sheeps and cows to pasture. She went down the mountain during her school years and lived with relatives in Groșii.
She also remembered that everything back then was manual. Resources were indeed scarce, living under the communist regime. She told us there were no clothes to buy; they only wore what we now call traditional clothing because they could make them from scratch. She has always worked hard all her life and has never stopped, saying to us how she loves the mountain and the area she lives in; that she could not picture herself anywhere else.
She learned a lot from books at school, Pălaguța noted, during the time she helped her children study, which she enjoyed very much. In her, we found a creative, spirited soul, full of surprise. She read her poems to us. The music and essence, though we did not understand much of the language, moved us deeply, it was truly a beautiful moment.
After a while, she fired up a small, very rustic outdoor oven with some wood and came out with what was needed to make some plăcintă: dough and the filling of goat cheese with green onions. We were quite mesmerized by this as she started to make the placinta with such ease. Needless to say, they were delicious.

01/08/2024

Watch out! Sniff it before you drink!

Recently, we had the pleasure of experiencing horinca - a traditional, crystal-clear spirit that's deceptively strong! This double-distilled drink is part of the rich heritage of the Maramures and Oas regions. Horinca is made with locally grown fruits like plums, apples and pears. It can reach up to 60 degrees alcohol content (we already paid the consequences of it, don’t worry).
Horinca is not just a drink; it embodies hospitality, attachment, and bo***ge with the land. Horinca is served with guests as an expression of warm hospitality to make every moment special. Whether it's a celebration or just another day, there's always a good reason to enjoy a glass. We're definitely helping our livers get used to this local tradition 😅

Here's to new cultures, flavors, one sip at a time

30/07/2024

Welcome back ! Discover with us the Historic Beauty of the Wooden Church “Holy Archangels” of Rogoz

Nestled in the serene village of Rogoz, the wooden church of "Holy Archangels" stands as a testament to enduring faith and architectural history. Built in 1663, this historical gem rose from the ashes after the old church of Rogoz was burned by the Tatars in 1661, as according to the inscription on the door.
Its construction was a labor of love and spirituality: made of elm wood of the surroundings, it was harvested in January and February because the absence of resin made it easier to work with. Before harvesting, they made a prayer and a promise to the trees that they would be brought to a new life, becoming a church, the center of the community.
This rectangular church is distinguished by its two multisided walls on the east and west and a stiple roof crowned by a unique corn-shaped tower divided into three parts. This tower, a rare feature in the region, symbolizes the passage to eternity and the engagement with Christ through its plateau and rings.
The church’s bell, used to both liturgy and community safety, sounded alarms for dangers like fires and floods or even heavy clouds.
Outside, a long table served as a gathering place on the second day of Easter: only wealthy people had the right to sit, depending on the status of the family they could have one or more places, and they gave gifts to the poorer.

Entering the narthex, traditionally reserved for women, one steps into a small space without windows, contrasting with the nave that features five windows and a little balcony added in 1834. The walls are adorned with naive paintings from 1785, the ones in the nave depict the Genesis story from Adam and Eve’s creation to their fall. Despite some damage and necessary replacements, these artworks remain a stunning testament to the local painters’ skill and devotion.

Dedicated to Saints Michael and Gabriel, the church's altar is exclusively accessible to priests and deacons, as Orthodox tradition says. Although regular liturgies ceased in the 1980s to preserve the paintings, the church still hosts baptisms and weddings.
The beautiful chandelier you can see in one of the photos is adorned with candle-holding pigeons symbolizing the Holy Spirit and the duality of the Old and New Testaments. For matters of safety it is not used anymore but it still preserves all its charm.

The church’s asymmetrical design, with a longer side protecting the Easter table from the elements, and the names of donors inscribed in Cyrillic on the outer walls, speak to a deep cultural history. The Romanian language, influenced by the Russian Orthodox Church, was written in Cyrillic from the 14th century until 1881. Today, the wooden church of “Holy Archangels” of Rogoz remains a cherished cultural and spiritual monument, inviting visitors to explore its history, art, and enduring legacy.

29/07/2024

Exploring Tradition at the Rogoz Ethnographic and Folk Art Museum

On Saturday, July 27th, we, along with other international students, had the pleasure of visiting the Ethnographic and Folk Art Museum in the commune of Rogoz. Established between 2006 and 2008, this museum is a unique cultural treasure, funded by the Târgu Lăpuș municipality, and located in what was once a confessional school. The museum is situated near the UNESCO World Heritage monument, the Church of Saints Michael and Gabriel.

The museum building itself is designed in the style of a traditional house, reflecting the living conditions of families from the old times. With small windows and a layout divided into two sections, it offers a fascinating glimpse into how up to 10 people could live together in such a space. Each object in the museum's collection has been generously donated by villagers, in order to preserve and show the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Our visit, shared with other international tudents, provided a unique opportunity to learn about and discuss the rich history and traditions of the area (trying to do also some practical activities ourselves). It was a truly enriching experience that highlighted the importance of community and the preservation of cultural identity.
Stay tuned for more insights and experiences as we continue our journey through the beautiful region of Târgu Lăpuș!

27/07/2024

Sunday, July 21st, in the central square of Targu Lapus: singing and folk dances with local artisans and producers!

Hello everyone ! Last Sunday, the wonderful land of Lapuș was celebrated in grand style thanks to the "Zestrea lăpușana" event!
In traditional dresses and with contagious joy, the central square of Târgu Lapuș was filled with music, laughter and admiration. Each group, coming from different villages, showcased their splendid costumes with unique colors and patterns.

We started our journey from Groșii Țibleșului with the village group led by Nicolaie and Aurica on a yellow bus, which is used as a school bus during the year. Upon arriving at 5 PM, we had the honour of meeting Livia, the event organiser, who shared with us how vital it is for them to keep local traditions alive and share their dances and costumes with all of us.
Before the event began, a priest offered a prayer, and a professor, representing the Department of Ethnology of Baia Mare, shared inspiring words.
And then, the magical event began: we also were delighted with the appearance of Pop Onisor, famous for his great singing abilities, who delighted us with a song dedicated to us two! Thank you! It really was an unforgettable moment!
The artists from the land of Lapus gifted us with an exceptional folk music recital, filling our hearts with emotion. At the end of the event, the young participants delighted us with traditional songs at the sunset, creating a truly perfect moment. We knew we were in the right place.

The event was organised by the House of Culture "Vasile Grigore Latiș" and the Municipality of Târgu Lapuș, with the precious support of the Destination Management Organization of Maramureș County and the Târgu Lapuș Tourist Information Center.
A big hug to everyone and see you at the next celebration!

26/07/2024

A typical Sunday at the Church of Grosii Ţibleşului

Last Sunday, we had the pleasure of attending a liturgy at the Grosii Ţibleşului Orthodox Church, which was a truly informative experience that gave us a greater understanding of the customs and culture of the area.
We dressed in traditional clothes accompanied by an American professor, it was a pleasant approach to become fully immersed in the community's culture.
The two-hour Orthodox liturgy itself was a profound event. The ceremony was full of formal liturgical rituals, such as the use of icons, incense, and perpetual chanting. The gestures - one stands, kneels, kisses icons, making the cross sign multiple times, according to the Byzantine rite - immerse one into a concentrated, almost parallel dimension that gave depth to the spiritual experience.

After the service, despite the rain, everyone went outside to congregate. Part of their custom is that relatives of those deceased named in the service prepare bread, wine, and horinca, a distilled alcoholic drink from this region for sharing in refreshment. It simply spotlights the very strong sense of community and the importance of remembrance and sharing inherent in the culture.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore and share more about our experiences in this beautiful region!

24/07/2024

Welcome back ! On the 19th and 20th of July, all the community gathered to the heartwarming celebrations dedicated to the Holy Prophet Elijah.

On Friday, the calm evening air in Plesca Tiblesului, a magical place just above the village, welcomed the villagers that walked up the hill towards the summer altar. It was with the start of the Vespers of the Holy Prophet Elijah that the spirit of unity and faith embraced all. This evening was special because we were joined by Arhimandrit Timotei Bel, a very important figure for the faithful, and also had a copy of the respected icon of the Madonna of Pantanassa, credited with miraculous healing in curing cancer. The icon was brought for veneration, bringing hope and solace to the assembled gathering.

The next morning was to be a day of reverence and joyful celebration of the Feast of the Holy and Glorious Prophet Elijah. After a two hour hike, we all gathered at the cross on the top of Tible Peak (1839 m) where the Lăpuș, Maramureș and Năsăud areas meet. It was in that scenery of outstanding beauty, surrounded by mountains, that the holy liturgy took place, followed by the memorial for the heroes of the fatherland, with the arrival of many helicopters!

The Feast of the Tibles Mountains felt like a divine blessing when hundreds of people at the top of the mountain gathered together to pray, surrounded by nature in its splendor and a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere.

The feast day ended with the community coming down from the mountain. A fraternal agape invitation came from the Cabana Poiana Tapului, where we could rest and eat all together. A perfect ending of the day !

23/07/2024

St. Elijah's Day Preparation in Grosii Ţibleşului

Hello all! Back in the village of Grosii Ţibleşului, we are still going strong and just had an amazing experience: taking part of the preparation of Saint Elijah's Day, celebrated on the 20th of July.

St. Elijah is considered to be the wonder-worker who sends rain on the earth and he is also a protector of aviators. The preparation of this celebration, therefore, was very close to the heart of the villagers.

Preparation for this event was more of a community effort. The men and women of this village got ready, spiritually as well as through practical and manual efforts. They prepared food for hundreds of people who, after the religious Vespers, gathered in the cultural center of this village - an institution that reflects the spirit of unity, sharing, and mutual support- . That is called Agapă frăţească, something which, having first been initiated as an act of charity, turned into a sign of brotherhood and sharing in time.

The ambiance was warm and welcoming, with that deeper sense of belonging and togetherness which symbolizes this village. We were impressed by such a beautiful display of community and fraternity during this celebration.

The journey continues, so stay tuned for more from Grosii Ţibleşului as we go through the depths of this rich cultural heritage and the pulse of vibrant life.

22/07/2024

At 5.40 p.m. here: https://www.romania-actualitati.ro/live/

22/07/2024

Bine ați venit la Groșii Ţibleşului!

Hello everyone! We are Lorenzo and Anna, two students passionate about local culture and traditions. We are from Turin, where we both study humanities and we are here in the village of Groșii Ţibleşului for a month, eager to immerse ourselves in the daily life of this fascinating corner of Romania.

Our main goal is to discover how people here lead their lives, to understand the dynamics of social interaction, and to valorise the intangible heritage of the place. Considering the cultural difference between Turin and this rural reality, we are excited to explore all that this village has to offer.

For Anna, it is very important to know and understand even what is hidden behind the ordinary and simple things: even the smallest object can reveal a story that takes on different nuances depending on the point of view from which it is observed. She finds it essential to interpret the surrounding reality through these small but significant discoveries.

Whereas, Lorenzo had the opportunity to spend six months in Romania in 2022, doing an Erasmus programme in Iași. In this regard, he has tried to immerge into Romanian culture, acquire part of the linguistic skills, and develop a deeper understanding of the social and cultural dynamics of the country.

However, that was an urban experience, and considering that almost half of the Romanian population lives in rural areas, it was not very representative. For this reason, we are curious to see how people live in these areas.

We both love open spaces and nature, so we are looking forward to spending some time in the quiet and peaceful surroundings of Ţara Lăpuşului.

Follow us on this adventure as we explore, learn and share our discoveries from Grosii Ţibleşului!

19/07/2024

🌟 Meet Lorenzo Bottino and Anna Sofia! 🌟

Lorenzo is a master's student in Sociology, and Anna Sofia is studying Intercultural Communication at the Università degli Studi di Torino.
They arrived in Groșii Țibleșului on July 16th and will be here until August 16th as part of the Rural Mobility program, an unique initiative by UNITA - Universitas Montium, the university alliance that includes Universitatea TRANSILVANIA din Brasov and Università degli Studi di Torino.
For the next month, Lorenzo and Anna will guide us through their exploration of the Lăpuș Land. Follow their journey for an authentic rural experience in Groșii Țibleșului!

27/03/2024

One of the rural mobilities proposed for the students from the universities from UNITA - Universitas Montium is in Lăpuș Land.

Până în 12 Aprilie 2024 puteți candida pentru unul din cele 120 de locuri UNITA Rural Mobilities.
Indiferent de domeniul de studiu, Mobilitățile Rurale UNITA (URM) sunt șansa de a descoperi în mod autentic o nouă cultură, printr-o experiență practică de vară într-o zonă rurală din Italia, Franța, Portugalia sau Spania!
Punându-vă în practică cunoștințele și abilitățile, puteți contribui împreună cu alți studenți internaționali la dezvoltarea și revitalizarea unei comunități rurale.
O experiență unică de îmbogățire pe plan cultural, profesional și personal vă așteaptă!
Mai multe detalii despre UNITA Rural Mobilities sunt disponibile aici: https://www.unitbv.ro/studenti/mobilitati-unita/unita-rural-mobilities.html

13/02/2024

About Rural Sociology and about Transilvania Creative Camp 😀

25/09/2023

Remembering the morning in Groșii Țibleșului by sharing the Radio România Actualități, Romanian National Radio.

24/09/2023

TCC2023 ended two weeks ago, but memories are as live as it happened yesterday.

19/09/2023

Transylvania Creative Camp 2023 went by quickly.

An amazing exploration of Lăpuș land, connecting with welcoming people, getting back to nature and agriculture in its most authentic form, and discovering the roots of traditional clothing and delicious food.

Come and visit Lăpuș Land and feel the Romanian lifestyle at its best. Have a bowl of gulaș and a glass of Pálinka with the true local.

Till next time 🤩

11/09/2023

Stunning 7 days in Târgu Lăpuș captured on film. 😍 Participants of Transilvania Creative Camp left but the memories are unforgettable. 🥲

Check it out 👇 and get the taste of Romania Maramureș.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxPelMbRdZY

by Pintér Tibor, ver.1

08/09/2023

07/09/2023

Just stunning! 😍

05/09/2023

Let's talk about a really cool festival that we attended today in Suciu de Sus, called "Joc la Șură" (Dance at the Barn).

A little history first:
On Sundays and holidays, in most villages in Transylvania, a village dance or "hora" was organized. In the old days, when there were no cultural centers like today, the dance took place during the summer in the yard or barn of a villager.

In some villages in the Țibleș Valley in Bistrița-Năsăud County, girls would walk in groups through the village or near the street where the dance was taking place, waiting to be invited by young men because they couldn't enter the dance on their own.

In addition to the young people participating in the dance, women from the village also gathered. Some brought their daughters or sons, while others brought their grandchildren.

There were also women who came just to watch and memorize the old days. At the same time, they visited the houses one by one and talking about the news in the village.

The dance lasted for several hours with short breaks and after dancing, the young men accompany the girls to home. Sometimes, they were accompanied right to their doorstep, other times, the young men entered the house and were served a glass of „horinca”.

This festival brings back the traditions into the current times.❤️

Have you ever been to the "Joc la Șură" festival?

Write in the comments about your experience!✍️👇