Moldova promotes UNESCO-recognized carpet heritage

The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History hosted the 12th edition of the National Carpet Fair “Covorul Dorului,” a landmark event dedicated to promoting the traditional art of the Romanian woven carpet (scoarță), which was inscribed in 2016 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

More than 2,000 visitors attended the fair, enjoying exhibitions, creative workshops, and artistic programs dedicated to textile traditions, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

The event brought together folk artisans, artists, and ethnography specialists, while the opening of the exhibition “Carpets Guarded by Anthropomorphic Figures” from the museum’s collection offered the public the opportunity to admire outstanding heritage pieces, highlighting the refinement of weaving techniques and the symbolism of anthropomorphic motifs.

“It is both an obligation and a mission to carry forward the tradition of weaving the Romanian scoarță, in order to show the whole world the meaning and history of these carpets. I am pleased that the Museum of Ethnography fulfills this mission together with state institutions. The Romanian scoarță still hides many pages unknown to the public, and it is our duty to reveal them, step by step, page by page from its history,” said Petru Vicol, Director of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History.

State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Corneliu Cirimpei, emphasized that Romanian carpets not only provide warmth but also convey the values and identity of the people across generations.

“Romanian carpets were not meant only to keep warmth during winter, but also to transmit, through the symbols woven into them, profound messages about our identity as a people. The carpet was the most important handicraft object, passed down from generation to generation. Through it, the memory of our ancestors was preserved—of those who created these meaningful pieces filled with history and continuity,” Corneliu Cirimpei noted.

Denis Gînga, Director General of the National Center for the Conservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage (CNCPPCI), added that this craft represents national identity and must be continuously promoted.

“This craft and these practices have been included in UNESCO’s Representative List of Cultural Heritage. We are not only proud of this, but we must also continue to promote this craft because it represents our national identity,” Denis Gînga stated.

The fair also included artistic programs by folk artisans and creative workshops, facilitating dialogue between generations and promoting authentic handcrafted objects.

“Romanian scoarțe are special because of the symbols that define and give them life. Each woven motif tells a story about faith, nature, family, and continuity. These signs are not mere ornaments, but an ancient language passed down through generations, through which our ancestors expressed their values, hopes, and identity. By looking at a scoarță, we can read the history of a community and the soul of those who wove it with patience and devotion,” Rodica Calistru, associate professor at the Institute of Educational Sciences.

As reported by CE Report, the National Carpet Fair, known as “Covorul Dorului,” is a cultural event dedicated to promoting and showcasing the traditional Romanian scoarță, an element of intangible heritage included in UNESCO’s Representative List in 2016. The first edition took place in December 2014 and was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, with the aim of highlighting authentic weaving techniques and the symbolism of traditional motifs.