Crafts and traditions

Old crafts and traditions are still practiced in Covasna County. Tourists can try making gingerbread, painting traditional furniture, carving wood, and can also get acquainted with the traditions related to different celebrations. Don`t miss out on experiencing these traditions - come visit Covasna County!

Article published in 2020 

The Gedő family prepares traditional gingerbread and other sweet treats such as cartoon characters or gifts for various occasions (weddings, baptisms, anniversaries) in their workshop.

The first two representatives of the Sütő family had arrived as carpenters and joiners to Vârghiș/ Vargyas from Filiaș/Fiatfalva village in 1568 to rebuild and furnish the Daniel Castle (both places once belonged to the historical Szekler seat of Odorheiu Secuiesc). The craft of furniture painting and wood carving has been transmitted from father to son for over 14 generations.

The father of Dávid Alpár had learned tailoring at the end of the eighties and after finishing school he founded his own tailoring firm at home. It functioned for a while, but as the regime changed and the country started importing and exporting more, stores were being filled with various cheap and low-quality clothing. So, change was inevitable. He had to start making products that could not be found on the shelves of higher-traffic companies. That is how he started making folk costumes. He first collected old, worn-out garments from the villages of the Baraolt/ Erdővidék historical region, and by reusing them made his first Szekler costume. To this day, materials are made with a traditional weaving loom and the garment is given to the customer according to the described specifications. In addition to folk costumes, the Dávid Alpár family also makes Hungarian full dresses, similar to the costumes that were worn in the 19th century. Currently, Dávid Alpár continues to practice the profession hoping that there will always be a group of people who will proudly wear these clothes, as they are an important part of our culture and is worth preserving.     

The foundation’s activities are connected to the yearly folklore holidays, like the carnival, Easter, Pentecost, the period of harvest or Christmas. Before each of these, and also at the weekly organized folk dance nights, participants can learn the songs, games and other folklore traditions that are related to the upcoming holiday. Workshops are also organized, where participants can make tools, decorations and other gadgets, which are part of the feast.     

The Haszmann Pál Museum in Cernat is located in the Damokos Gyula mansion and built in a neoclassical style. Exhibits from the building heritage of Szeklerland are displayed on the two hectares around the mansion: houses and gates of the Szeklers, a water mill, as well as Szekler funerary monuments carved from wood and stone. Being unique in Transylvania, the exhibition of tools and agricultural machines in the open air piques the curiosity of the visitors. The museum has several collections, but the most precious are the cast iron stove and the audiocast tools collection. Visitors have the opportunity to listen to a radio, phonograph or even a gramophone from the period between the two world wars.

The young master and his father, Szőke Tibor, traditional cooper master, live in Harale village, from the commune of Ghelința, county of Covasna. Today, the members of the Szőke family are known as the last coopers in Harale and who still make their products traditionally and by hand. The only functioning workshop is theirs, in Harale.       

Kemecse Ceramic Workshop started its craft activity in 2013. In their product collection they have twice-fired glazed ceramic dishes of different shapes, sizes and functionality. These can be used for hot and cold liquids, but also preparing and serving food, and they are also washable. The shape of the dishes follows clear lines, as does the unique decoration which is made with a so-called scratch technique. They have participated at several fairs with their collection. They also organize open workshops for their visitors upon request. Beside aesthetics, they are also working on perfecting the products’ functionality. The decorations are designed using old Szekler and Hungarian motifs that are inspired by folk tales, natural forms and archetypes 

Szántó József comes from a family that has been making traditional sweet gingerbread for several generations. The delicacies are made based on a recipe from 1880, with natural ingredients and a lot of passion. You can participate at any time to a gingerbread decoration workshop held in the master`s house. All you need is to call in and make a reservation beforehand.

The traditional weaving craftswoman, Csog Jolán, has been weaving carpets and making folk costumes and other textiles for decades. Her weaving workshop near Baraolt, in Filia village, can be visited by prior arrangement.

In Nagy György`s workshop you can see how horseshoes, forged ports and lamps are made. He is a true master of decorative forging. He made the forged lamp designed by Kós Károly from the entrance of the Székely National Museum in Sfântu Gheorghe and the forged port of Daniel Castle in Tălișoara. Specialties such as bread with onion and bacon are also made in the blacksmith`s workshop. How? You can find out if you visit him!

The traditional weaving craftswoman, Bartók Erzsébet, has been weaving carpets for decades. Her weaving workshop can be visited by prior arrangement.