Barko Etelka, a Living Treasure
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Brasov county managed to achieve something unique: two folk craftsmen, a Romanian and a Hungarian, were awarded the "Living Human Treasure" title by the Ministry of Culture and National Patrimony. The first title was awarded to skinner Dumitru Sofonea of commune Dragus, county of Brasov and the second to teacher Barko Etelka, aged 75, of Sacele. The second title winner uses a traditional technique for dyeing eggs with hot wax, making 150 new patterns on dyed eggs. She is highly appreciated for her entire creation, as well as for being a preserver and transmitter of traditions to future generations.
Consideration and Respect
After the team of researchers from the County Centre for Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture of Brasov compiled Etelka's file, the Ministry of Culture, Cults and National Patrimony, as a reward for her entire work, awarded her the "Living Human Treasure" title for keeping cultural values alive and transmitting them to future generations. The title award ceremony took place at the Lutheran Evangelical Parish of Baciu, Sacele. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the local public administration, representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the local Hungarian folk group which performed "Fecioreasca Ceangaiasca" and a group of women wearing the genuine Hungarian costumes of Sacele.
From One Generation to Another
Despite being 75 years old, Barko Etelka is a master in the art of egg-dyeing and she still teaches this technique to the students from Sacele schools. "It was 1950 when I "stole" this egg-dyeing technique from my very own father and taught it secretly until the Revolution in 1989, when we escaped the former regime. This means that I have been dyeing eggs for 40 years now and I share this creative secret to other persons every time before Easter. Each egg has a different pattern and a different story. Love is the main ingredient I use to make a perfect pattern and then comes the knowledge acquired over the years," said Etelka when talking about this art.
The Csango Costumes
"What also amazed us at this teacher was that she did everything to keep and preserve the Csango folk costumes specific to the seven villages which form Sacele. The costumes still preserve old elements and have been improved with much more recent fabrics. Two accessories make them unique: an enormous broach and a belt which used to reveal the woman's wealth. The beams worn by these women are also representative accessories for Csango people. This costume may be admired live as Barko Etelka and her female friends will be wearing it at this event," said Mr. Adrian Valusescu, Head of the County Centre for Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture of Brasov.
