The year 2025 is coming to an end. It has been a full year, with many activities, achievements, and successes. We are grateful to all those who stood by us in what we have built together. Their support gives us the confidence to move forward.
This year brought us challenges, accomplishments, emotional moments, ideas, and projects carried through to completion. In a brief succession, we could say that every moment was important in its own way.
Because we have already described in detail, at the appropriate time and through our communications, the activities and events that brought us so much joy, all that remains is to highlight our greatest achievement: the inclusion of the heritage element “The Craft of Log Driving in Romania” in the National Heritage Register — a dossier that has been in the making since 2008.
The conception, preparation, compilation, and submission of this dossier to the Ministry of Culture required extensive work: official documentation, the technical file, letters of intent from institutions and notable personalities from Romania and abroad, materials dedicated to the “School Raft,” a press dossier reflecting these efforts, as well as a professional documentary film created with the involvement of the NGO “Timbru de Bucovina,” all connected to the tradition of log driving.
The final moment of the project “Educational Activities for Students,” carried out within the initiative “A Clean Mureș for Future Generations – a Commitment to UNESCO Heritage Values,” concluded with a beautiful event that brought together children from Alba Iulia and Petroșani in specific activities. Under the sign of tradition and respect for nature, the “School Raft” took place — an experience that blended education, culture, and local craftsmanship in a creative way, coordinated by representatives of the “Petro Aqua” Association, the initiators of the project, with the support of the Alba Iulia City Hall.
We were delighted to see how students discovered, through their direct involvement, the significance of log driving on the Mureș — a tradition that once shaped the life of our communities. Preserving and passing on these customs remains a bridge between generations and a way of strengthening our identity. We are grateful to all those involved: teachers, students, parents, and partners, who contributed to the smooth running of the project. This is the kind of initiative that shows us that our cultural values are not lost, but transformed into living experiences meant to inspire young people to cherish the place they come from.
The School Raft has been pulled ashore, and the echo of the last events slowly fades.
To end the year beautifully, with remembrance, in memory of our dear log-driving colleagues who left for eternity too soon, a lovely roadside cross was raised in the village of Stretea, near the banks of our beloved Mureș. In a procession filled with sensitivity, it was blessed by the village priest.
We commemorated Ioan, Alexandru, Gheorghe, and Nicolae during the Holy Service, praying that they may rest in peace.
The Christmas carol concert in Bolii Cave beautifully completed the approach of the winter holidays, with all their charm.
Dear collaborators, distinguished sponsors, colleagues, and friends, May the New Year bring you health, serenity, fulfillment, and peace!
Let us always remember: “By Respecting Creation, You Respect the Creator.”
May God be with us all!
