Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: Legends are written with chisel at Ciuciulea, Glodeni

Wood has been processed and transformed into real art works during centuries. This noble material, which is sometimes harder than metal and more longeval than stone, has been modelled by artists and turned into objects with household utilizations or decorations.      

For three years, the sculpture in wood has been present in the Ciuciulea village, Glodeni district, which became host for the international workshop of sculpture in wood titled, Ciuciulea, precincts of legends and mystery.  

Stanislav Duduciuc: Everything began from the international camp of sculpture in stone from the Saint Nicholas Monastery from the Condrita settlement. This was my initiative and the proposal was appreciated and backed by clergymen from the settlement, as well as the Metropolitan See of Moldova. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Moldova appreciated the event and proposed me to organize such a sculpture camp in the Ciuciulea settlement, Glodeni district. I accepted this with pleasure, insisting to work only in oak tree wood.      

The workshop was a first step of the project DAR 1+3, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme , Migration and Local Development, within which a Park of Natives from Ciuciulea was arranged. The workshop was organized by the Ciuciulea mayoralty and the Association of Natives and supported by several economic agents of the region and from the Moldovan capital.    

Stanislav Duduciuc: At that time, at the first edition in 2021, the Ciuciulea settlement received as present an alley of sculptures, a place for leisure and meditation not only for the local residents, but also for tourists due to come to this region.  

This year too, in last July, well-known sculptors of Moldova and from abroad carried out works which will last in Ciuciulea for years.  

Stanislav Duduciuc: Legends are written with chisel at Ciuciulea from Glodeni. This summer too, the international workshop of sculpture in wood titled, Ciuciulea, precincts of legends and mystery, opened its doors. Sculptors Dumitru Verdianu, Iurie Platon, Mihai Damian, Ion Zderciuc, Alexei Vidrașco and the undersigned participated in the camp. Presently, 18 works are set in the park. The sculptors invited are professionals of international level. Sculptors from Romania, Austria, Germany, Ireland, etc. participated in those three editions.   

The event’s title did not change at all the three editions and remained the same, Ciuciulea, precincts of legends and mystery.  

Stanislav Duduciuc:  The subject is not accidental. This village is full of legends, some of them written even by Mihail Sadoveanu in his work, La hanu Ancuței (At Ancuta’s Khan). The edition from this year was not distinguished by any differences or innovations. We strictly observed the aforementioned subject. The sculptures, according to the camp’s regulation, are in the end set in the leisure park of the village as decoration, tourist attraction, promotion of sculptural art and in villages.   

The main goals of this workshop is to locally, regionally and nationally preserve and promote the symbols preserved in the native art of wood during time, as well as to enhance the cultural and tourist visibility of the region.  

Stanislav Duduciuc: Everything which is produced at this camp is not for sale. Sculptors receive a certain fee and cede the copy right and the right of possessor of the works of the host settlement. The event enjoys special interest of young people, local residents, tourists. For the moment, the Ciuciulea village, Glodeni district, is the settlement with most sculptures in Moldova.  

The sculptors in wood put much passion, inspiration, as well as much love in what they do in Ciuciulea. The continuity and preservation of traditions are concerns  which prove the love people have for the past.  

Stanislav Duduciuc: The sculpture in wood implies patience, instruments, investments and time. We are happy with the fact that UNDP, Ciuciulea mayoralty, the Association of Natives, Ciuciulea, Vatră de Dor (Ciuciulea, Love Precincts) will continue organizing such camps annually.  

Correspondent: Lilia Grubîi. Photo: Andrei Mardari