The NGO “Petro Aqua” Petroșani, through the environmental project “A Cleaner Mureș for Future Generations – A Commitment to UNESCO Heritage Values”, financially supported by the Municipality of Alba Iulia, the Ciugud Commune Town Hall, and the Alba County Council, successfully achieved its proposed objectives following its participation in the “Rafting Festival” held in Ciocănești, Suceava, between August 12–15.
1️⃣ Steps Toward Recognizing Rafting as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Together with Mrs. Ioana Otilia Baskerville, UNESCO expert, and Professor Dorel Marc, senior researcher at the Târgu Mureș County Museum, the necessary documentation was submitted to the Commission for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage within the Ministry of Culture for evaluation and potential inclusion of the element “The Craft of Rafting in Romania” in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Commission reviewed four distinct documents, professionally prepared between February and September 2024:
- The technical sheet for registering the element in the National Inventory of Living Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage;
- Letters of intent and support from over 15 public institutions and prominent figures from Romania and abroad;
- Annex no. 1 to the updated registration procedure;
- A photo dossier showcasing rafts built in Romania over the years and a professional documentary produced with the involvement of NGO “Timbru de Bucovina,” featuring interviews with Szuhanek Imre (a veteran raft builder with over 65 years of experience), representatives of the three municipalities currently practicing rafting as a living tradition (Alba Iulia, Ciugud, and Ciocănești), and one of the founding members of NGO “Petro Aqua.”
2️⃣ Establishment of a Museum Section Dedicated to Rafting
In partnership with the Șugag Commune Town Hall and with support from the Alba County Council, work has begun on setting up a museum section within the Șugag Town Hall. This section will include objects, materials, traditional clothing, tools used in rafting over time, as well as exhibits, paintings, and photographs from regions with a strong rafting tradition in Alba County.
3️⃣ The “Raft-School” – An Innovative Educational Project
Three 5-meter-long paddles, easy to handle, were designed and built for the “Raft-School”, intended for children involved in the project from:
- The Social Settlement “Saint Basil the Great”,
- The Day Center “Saint Parascheva the Venerable”,
- The “Ion Agârbiceanu” Secondary School in Alba Iulia.
By mid-September, when the Mureș River’s water level becomes favorable, practical lessons in raft handling and mini-expeditions will begin. The Raft-School stands out for its unique value, being the first of its kind built in Europe.
On September 2 and 3, over 30 children participating in the project returned to the Pârtoș Port, at the specially arranged dock near “Hanul cu Berze”, to encourage the pioneering construction of this raft. We thank them for the joy they brought and for their effort to be with us, alongside priests, educators, and coordinating teachers during the preparation and construction stages of the children’s raft in Alba Iulia.
4️⃣ Official Recognition of Rafting as Intangible Cultural Heritage
On September 4, alongside the two heritage professionals, all previously mentioned institutions, sponsors, and contributors, and Dr. Frank Thiel, president of IATR, the NGO “Petro Aqua” team received the long-awaited news of a dream pursued since 2008: the inclusion of “The Craft of Rafting in Romania” in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The submitted dossier received unanimous approval from all 21 members of the commission – a rare outcome for national heritage applications.
Following this major achievement, NGO “Petro Aqua,” together with Mrs. Ioana Otilia Baskerville, Professor Dorel Marc, and Dr. Frank Thiel, plans to reconnect with fellow rafting practitioners from Finland, Italy, Slovenia, France, and Switzerland, along with accredited experts from these countries, who wish to join Romania in embracing UNESCO heritage values and continuing the necessary steps toward this shared goal.
We wish our partners and friends “Fair winds and following seas!” and offer our full support and resources for their success.
NGO “Petro Aqua”
Photos: Ionel Serb
