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A Craft Centre was inaugurated in Pelinia village, Drochia district during the first Festival “Zestrea Nordului”. 40 local popular craftspersons will have a workplace at the Centre, manufacturing folk costumes, carpets and traditional embroidered towels based on preliminary orders.
The Centre was established with the financial support of the Swiss Government, in amount of 25,000 USD, so as additional contribution of local authorities (3,000 USD) and local population (2,500 USD).
“The Craft Centre ‘Zestrea’ is a local business model that address the challenges faced by local population. It harnesses local cultural potential, generates income and reduces unemployment and migration, and fosters experience exchange between generations,” mentioned Oxana Maciuca, Manager of UNDP Project “Migration and Local Development”.
Located in the local cultural facility, the Centre covers an area of 200 square meters. It was created to meet the needs of locals engaged in manufacturing carpets, clothes, footwear and other traditional accessories. Hence, launching the local brand “Zestrea” will create employment opportunities and will promote the image of the locality and traditions from the North of Moldova, both in the country and abroad.
To promote the center, the Festival “Zestrea Nordului” was organized as an absolute first.
“With the organization of the festival, we wanted to showcase to all locals and tourists, our unique traditions. We are confident that by harnessing this treasure we will develop our locality. It is important that locals invested resources in establishing this Centre and thus, will be actively involved in promoting its creations overseas, and becoming loyal clients,” said Titus Sarateanu, mayor of Pelinia.
A bidding of old carpets was organized during the Festival to promote one of the center’s services – weaving carpets based on pre-order. Eight traditional carpets weaved 25 and 60 years ago were auctioned. Visitors could also admire a marvelous item weaved at the end of the 1700s.
“The colors on the carpet are natural. The green color is obtained from knotweed, brown from onion peels, red from beet root, and yellow from chamomile,”, said Liuba Parea, craftsperson from Pelinia.
The visitors of the Festival were welcomed with dances and songs of 13 local folk bands. The food lovers could taste food prepared using old recipes, such as fruitcake “baba neagra”, cheese pie or sweet wheat porridge - alivanca.
Children enjoyed master classes on making dolls and learn about traditional “fighting with hats”.
The Craft Centre is one of 8 local economic development projects implemented in 38 localities that are partners of the Migration and Local Development Project, implemented with UNDP Moldova support and financial assistance of the Swiss Government.
