Stage II of the “Culture for Culture” Festival-Contest 2025 — a living lesson of identity, in the noble setting of Sâncrai Castle

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, starting at 12:00 PM, Sâncrai Castle will become, for one day, the epicenter of traditional culture in Alba County, hosting the second stage of the prestigious Festival-Contest of Traditions and Customs “Culture for Culture” — a project now in its 18th edition, nationally and internationally recognized as a model of best practices in the research and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

The project, organized by Alba County Council and Augustin Bena Cultural Center, continues to prove that tradition is not merely a relic of the past, but an active mechanism of social cohesion and identity education. “Culture for Culture” proposes a true open-air laboratory, in which rural communities are invited to showcase their cultural heritage in authentic forms, carefully preserved from generation to generation.

Sâncrai Castle — a historic symbol, home of living tradition

What gives each stage its uniqueness is the choice of location, and Sâncrai Castle — a 19th-century historical monument with strong symbolic significance for Transylvania — provides the perfect setting for a meeting of past and present. In the castle courtyard, artisans will display their crafts, traditional households will come to life again, and the specific local dishes will revive the taste of bygone holidays.

The Contest — a competition of identity values

Under the careful supervision of an elite jury, composed of notable personalities such as Elise Stan, Gheorghiță Nicolae, Doina Isfanoni, and Ionuț Fulea, amateur groups from rural communities will compete in various sections: from traditional vocal and instrumental interpretation, to Romanian and national minority dances, presentation of local customs, and craft demonstrations. Each performance thus becomes a living testimony of the cultural diversity and continuity from the county's villages.

It is worth noting that the aim is not just the value of the prizes, but the transmission of values and the validation of traditions as viable forms of expression and identity in the contemporary world.

The Gala Performance — an artistic and emotional synthesis

The stage will conclude with a folkloric gala show, performed by the Folkloric Ensemble Orchestra of Alba County, conducted by Alexandru Pal. On stage will perform notable names of Romanian folklore from Alba County: Roxana Reche, Florica Moga, Dorina Narita, and Nicolae Plută, in a demonstration of professionalism and artistic authenticity.

More than tradition — an exercise in collective memory

“Culture for Culture” manages to transform celebration into a tool for cultural education, bringing together generations, communities, and institutions in an exemplary effort of recovery, preservation, and promotion of intangible heritage. In a society where traditional values risk being overshadowed by globalization and superficial commercialization, this project remains a beacon of authenticity and a model of community engagement in rural Europe.

The second stage of the Festival-Contest of Traditions and Customs “Culture for Culture”, at Sâncrai Castle, promises to be a new lesson in national identity — one the public is invited to live, understand, and pass on.

We warmly welcome you to join us in large numbers!

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