NGO “Petro Aqua” from Petroșani, as part of the environmental project “A Clean Mureș for Future Generations – A Commitment to UNESCO Heritage Values”, financially supported by the Alba Iulia City Hall, Ciugud Commune Hall, and the Alba County Council, participated between August 12–16 in the “Rafting Festival” held in Ciocănești, Suceava County.
Together with Ms. Ioana-Otilia Baskerville, UNESCO expert, Prof. Dorel Marc, representative of the Commission for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage within the Ministry of Culture, Lucian Morgovan – City Manager of Alba Iulia City Hall, and Sorin Popăradu – representative of Ciugud Commune Hall, efforts continued in Ciocănești to complete the intangible cultural heritage file regarding “The Craft of Rafting in Romania.”
On this occasion, Mayor Radu Ciocan of Ciocănești Commune got involved by organizing a descent with three rafts on the Bistrița Aurie River (between Botiș village and Ciocănești), covering a distance of approximately 3.5 km. A memorial service was held at the “Dormition of the Mother of God” Church to honor all deceased rafters from the Bucovina region.
Ms. Baskerville’s team of collaborators from the NGO “Timbru de Bucovina” produced a documentary film to support the mentioned heritage file.
The stunning footage of the raft descent on the Bistrița River was harmoniously complemented by documentary-style interviews about the construction, navigation, and preservation of ancient rafting traditions.
Mr. Imre Szuhanek, president of NGO “Petro Aqua” and a veteran rafter in Romania, who has been building rafts for over 65 years, presented a rich history of ancient navigation on the Mureș River, the importance of such environmental projects, and the techniques of raft construction. He emphasized the “School Raft”, the first of its kind in Europe, built especially for children eager to learn the secrets of rafting on the Mureș River.
This raft is located in the ancient port of Partoș in Alba Iulia, which is why NGO “Petro Aqua” from Petroșani now has a branch in Alba Iulia.
The School Raft was built this year through an environmental project funded by non-reimbursable grants for non-profit activities of local interest, supported by Alba Iulia City Hall. Its purpose is to pass on to younger generations the love for this noble craft practiced by the Dacians for over 2,000 years.
Mr. Cantea Peter, aged 80, who came especially from Germany to help build and steer the rafts on the Bistrița River, shared how he “inherited” the technique of building log rafts from his father and grandfather, the challenges and risks of rafting, and his concerns about whether the younger generation will continue the tradition in Ciocănești.
Mr. Dorin Iancu, founding member of NGO “Petro Aqua”, recalled the moment when the association was accepted in 2002 into IATR (International Association of Rafting), marking the international recognition of rafting and lobbying for Alba Iulia to become the second Romanian organization with full rights in IATR. This status brings advantages in accessing environmental projects for the city’s residents.
Another topic discussed was the “Summer Camp”, part of the world’s first Erasmus program focused on rafting in Europe.
The news was posted on the Association’s website, with the first edition of the camp held in July 2024. The second edition took place in Laspuna, Spain, in June 2025.
Thanks were extended to the three mayors for their efforts in continuing this noble tradition: Mr. Gabriel-Codru Pleșa – Alba Iulia, Mr. Radu Ciocan – Ciocănești, and Mr. Gheorghe Damian – Ciugud.
The interview also highlighted the efforts made by NGO “Petro Aqua” since 2008 at the Romanian Academy, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs, the UNESCO Heritage Commission of the Romanian Senate, and the International Association of Rafters to gather the necessary information and documentation for the heritage file.
In conclusion, the mini-expeditions with rafts on the Mureș and Bistrița Aurie Rivers, the involvement and interest of children in rafting, the documentation, and the steps initiated by NGO “Petro Aqua” since 2008 (with the support of the three public administrations involved) are expected to lead to the finalization and submission of the heritage file to the Ministry of Culture for evaluation by September 2025.
NGO “Petro Aqua”
Photos: Ionel Serb
