Paraschiva Kovacs, inventory and preservation of the artifacts of the past
In the past 3-4 decades the image of the localities in Transylvania has changed, the traditional Szekler village image is not only transformed, but almost disappeared. Thus the 100-150 years old carved wooden gates, the frontal entrance of the yard are in danger. MRs Kovacs made ...
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Project details
| Title: | Paraschiva Kovacs, inventory and preservation of the artifacts of the past |
|---|---|
| Entr. year: | 2012 |
| Result: | Grand Prix |
| Country: | Romania |
| Category type: | individual |
| Architect / Proj.leader: | Dedicated service by individuals or organisations |
| The Jury's citation: | "As a schoolteacher in a small community Paraschiva Kovacs has dedicated over 40 years of her life to the inventory and preservation of the artifacts of the past, as symbols of living heritage for a community. Thanks to her personal investment, pedagogic talent, professional skills, convincing power and contagious enthusiasm, she created for several generations a different attitude and behaviour towards local history and heritage preservation. She is an extraordinary example of those modest, dedicated people all over Europe who without many resources succeed in raising awareness of the importance of the preservation of the past for the benefit of the future." |
Description:
In the past 3-4 decades the image of the localities in Transylvania has changed, the traditional Szekler village image is not only transformed, but almost disappeared. Thus the 100-150 years old carved wooden gates, the frontal entrance of the yard are in danger. MRs Kovacs made researches and documented the Szekler gates, their patterns and ornaments and the wood-carver dynasties in more than 100 localities, elaborated the cadaster of the wooden carved gates in Odorhei region and since she encountered many sides of the real danger that was threatening the destiny of the old gates, she decided to initiate a programme for the safeguarding of these masterpieces of folk art. She managed to persuade the local authorities, and since 2009 even the county authorities, to allocate money from the local budget in order to rehabilitate old gates whose owners are in most of the cases elderly people, who are not capable of maintaining their gates, homes but they are longing to keep their household intact, the way they inherited.
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