The secretes of Clay Works
|
|
In Codlea city, Brasov County, we have Leta Humanitarian Foundation where there is a ceramic school workshop in which children learn the secrets of clay works. The President of the Foundation, ceramist Nicolae Diaconu, told us that the workshop is operating in partnership with High School no. 1 of Codlea and that such activities shall also go on with other schools as well, so that pupils learn the secrets of ceramics and pottery. Every Tuesday, 15 children improve their skills in this workshop free of charge.
For Dragobete and Martisor
In February we went to the workshop of the foundation where we found the children making Martisor amulets, decorations and objects specific to Dragobete and Martisor holidays. They carefully picked up their works, coloured and prepared them to be displayed in an exhibition or to be offered to the dear ones for Martisor Day and on the 8th of March, Mother?s Day. The young talents had original ideas, showing imagination and creativity. At the end of the day the executed works were put on tables and lots of them proudly said that "we are the future artisans."
Durability through Fire
"For me it is extremely important that the workshop is successful. Children learn what durability through fire means. Once the clay is moulded, the pieces are burnt in furnace at temperatures of 950 de degrees and they become immortal in time. Children truly enjoy coming here; they put all their love and passion in what they do. Time goes by and I am glad to see the little children gaining confidence and the way they discover themselves. Later, some of them choose to attend the Arts High School, while others want to become ceramists. I appreciate that they give up extracurricular activities, computer even and they prefer to work in the workshop." said ceramist Nicolae Diaconu.
Prize Winners at Horezu
The children of the Secondary School no. 3 of Codlea took part in the National Festival of Ceramics of Horezu with the works made in this workshop and three of them won the first prize. Nicolae Diaconu manages to transform the craft into refined art and to better outline Codlea city on the map by the participation in international fairs and exhibitions. The clay, as a primary symbol of all myths, creation and fertility, modelled and burnt, remained in all times a testimony of the customs, rites, and cult practices.
Contact: http://sofronesti1955.blogspot.ro
