By the term „museum” we understand an institution, in the service of the society, open to the public, which aims at preserving, identifying and cataloguing various objects, artefacts that represent scientific, historical, artistic interest, etc. Instead, the Ethnographic Museum of Piatra Neamt is not an ordinary museum, strictly occupied by the visitors’ education, but it’s a place of relaxation where you get to you know yourself along with the whole story of each room that speaks to you silently.
At the entrance of the museum, we get to see beautifully coloured and tasteful traditional clothes. The peasant interior marks the 19th century when the families were numerous and a dowry box meant even a history about the girl that will become a mother and wife.
The Agricultural New Year represented for the peasants the success of their agricultural work for with the help of the Martyrs (March 9), ploughing and the plough. Red Eggs, Easter cheesecake, lamb were served for Easter, after a rough fasting period. The holidays were not treated superficially. There was peace, feeling of happiness that we are Christians.
In summer and autumn, they celebrated the feast of Sânziene (June 24th), which means the coming of the summer and the first mowing in the mountain regions and the beginning of the harvesting of the cereals. The Day of the Cross (September 14th) marks the coming of the autumn season, the gathering of the grapes, the walnuts, the filling of the barns, etc. The supply for the winter was very well set up so as not to have shortcomings in the cold winter that will come.
In the winter, the women weaved for the dowry of the girl, using the weaving machine refined and perfect traditional products. All the winter traditions such as carolling, Vicleim and Irod – traditional drama plays etc. were respected. Neculai Popa (1919-2010) from Târpeşti Petricani commune was one of the most popular traditional masks creators in that region and turned this occupation into a real art.
With so much agricultural work, the peasants’ house was simple. The oven and the hearth were used both for food and for sleeping. The bed was made of a plank with its feet in the ground, and the most beautiful carpet was placed in front of it while the most beautiful towel was placed at the indispensable Christian icon of every house.
Taking into account these traditions, followed by each generation, it is understandable that the Ethnographic Museum of our city is filled with symbols that present customs and the origins of our area.
Andreea Corugă