PASTORAL PAINTING

Part of The Calendar Art collection of 14 paintings depicting 14 of the most important celebrations of the pastoral Romanian year, all created in chronological order (but not necessarily previewed in this manner here). The inspiration came from the rich culture, traditions and mythology of one of the most authentic Romanian area, Mărginimea Sibiului. After thoroughly studying the landmarks of the celebratory year of the locals, rich in traditions, songs and dances, it’s clear that we’re looking at 3 main cultural layers- the base one, an ancestral religion that’s left only residual information for us, a middle layer of the solar cult (inherited by the cult of Mithra) and the last and most present in today’s collective conscience, the Christian layer (their initiators made a clear effort, at Christianity’s beginnings to change the subject of the “pagan”’s celebrations- instead of celebrating the winter Solstice we celebrate the birth of Jesus, instead of celebrating an old Thracian god of thunder and rain, on the exact day, we celebrate Saint Elijah).

THE STORY

The Olt Valley, up to Jina, is located on the peaks with extensive and rich pastures. All of them are old villages, rich in resources and culture. Historical figures like Goga, Noica, Onisifor Ghibu, and many others originated from or lived here.
The Marginimea Sibiului area has an exclusively Romanian history. External influences and pressures have left no traces in the free spirit of the inhabitants here. The traditions of the villages remained unchanged, with very few exceptions. In addition, the shepherds’ calendar stands like the last-standing moral fortress of the Romanian spirit. All this is thanks to both the geographical position but also to the lack of interest in the rural area of those who have trespassed Transylvania throughout time.