Page 42 - Fall2013

Despite UNBROKEN TIES TO THE PAST simplicity (and poverty) that he can leave
Despite enormous political changes—in
modern the past century sovereignty has transferred behind at will? But coming and seeing
it for yourself, it is hard not to feel that
chaotic trends, from Habsburg emperors to Romanian kings perhaps he has a point.
traditional to communist dictators to elected politicians—
customs and Transylvania has somehow retained a link to a Despite supermarket shopping trends and
way of life not so prevalent in Britain or other the toxic, chaotic, hyperactive mode of modern
gastronomy Western countries since the advent of intensive, life prevalent in the big cities, traditional cus-
are still alive in industrial farming. toms and gastronomy are still alive in Romania,
The
Telegraph, a well known British especially in the countryside.
Romania, publication, writes in its Travel section about A growing number of ecological, traditional
especially Transylvania and how British royalty perceive farmers, traditional farmers markets, organiza-
in the its beauty: tions and associations, such as Ecoruralis, ASAT
countryside. For the Prince of Wales, the region (the Association for Supporting Small Agricul-
ture) and ReGeneration, which fight to bring
represented a dream come true: a living back old traditions and ecological farming, are
example of the possibility of a more har- getting stronger each year. Since the dishonest,
monious relationship between man and toxic practices of the industrial processed food
nature; a community that, rather than industry have been openly and repeatedly ex-
destroying its traditions in the race to posed on national television and in online media,
modernity, seemed to have preserved and educated people are increasingly looking for
adapted them. healthy alternatives and sources of traditional
He decided to add his voice to those food─something that still resonates well with
calling for the protection of what is so their origins and recent memories.
special here and to lend it material sub- There are many opportunities here for farm-
stance by getting involved in a project that ing; the soil is still very rich and clean compared
embraced the principles of sustainable to other countries. In contrast to most of the
tourism, and provided much-needed local rest of the developed world, younger and highly
employment. educated people are moving from the cities to
It is easy to criticise. Who is he, a man the countryside to start small organic farming
born into the lap of luxury, to idealise a ventures, and their numbers are growing.

RURAL ROMANIAN SCENES

Shepherd and sheep. Traditional cheese for sale in a cheese shop

40 Wise Traditions FALL 2013 FALL 2013 Wise Traditions

123816_text.indd 40 9/20/13 1:00 AM