Romania initiates cultural heritage preservation and program evaluation

The Constanța Museum of Popular Art has concluded its cultural project, ‘Living Heritage: Crafts in Images and Testimonies’. Funded by the National Institute of Heritage, the initiative focused on documenting, conserving, and promoting Romanian national cultural heritage and intangible elements. Activities included research, photography, video recordings, and interviews with traditional craftsmen to capture both technical methods and human stories. A key outcome is the creation of an illustrated catalog for the museum’s permanent exhibition, which is currently being printed.

In a separate effort to support intangible heritage, the Romanian Ministry of Culture has launched a public consultation to evaluate the ‘Living Human Treasures’ program. This program recognizes individuals who preserve and transmit folk customs and traditions. The Ministry is seeking feedback from local communities, tradition bearers, and researchers via questionnaires to improve the title granting process and the support provided to recipients. The goal is to transform the program from a symbolic recognition into an effective instrument for supporting those who maintain national identity.