Romania – A Christmas Fair in a Small Transylvanian Village: A Gateway to the Future Through the Valorization of Local Heritage



In December 2024, as in previous recent years, a Christmas fair was organized in one of the areas of interest for the RePlace research project in Romania. At first glance, nothing seems unusual. However, for this area, the initiative represents an interesting action in the register of social innovation activities that can have a positive impact on the development of the region. Firstly, such fairs are not common in rural areas of Romania, and even less so in rural areas that are not in the immediate vicinity of large cities. The initiative for organization belongs to NGOs active in the area with connections in the country and abroad, contributing to building a local brand and thus impacting the identity of the place.
This Christmas fair can be seen as a meeting and dialogue space between the different ethnic groups living in the area, and the activities included somewhat celebrate both cultural differences and elements of unity in the area. The unique charm offered by the location near an old and beautiful fortified Saxon church, which needs significant consolidation work to be preserved, is complemented by the diversity of stands featuring local products and artistic objects for visitors. Some local entrepreneurial children offer small wooden spoons that they have designed and colored as very small decorations for sale to visitors at the price of 5 lei (1 euro).
The seasonal program includes both traditional Romanian carols and brass band music that immerses you in the atmosphere of old Saxon holidays in the area. Last but not least, Roma craftsmen sell their specific products at the fair, attracting many visitors’ attention. The event seems to attract several hundred visitors for a few hours, with some locals participating as sellers or attendees.
The development prospects offered by the event extend beyond its current scale and manage to place the locality on the mental map of the region as a place worth visiting, where beautiful things happen.