Volunteering Stories: Autumn in Baia Mare – by VERO2

”Baia Mare is an interesting city in Romania to visit, it is on a human scale. It is a fairly large city, with an important heritage.

We had the opportunity to discover the Romanian culture and its history. Like for example with the visit to the “Regina Maria” park, where we learned that she is a very important queen for Romanians, and she is the first queen of Romania. We also visited the historic center including the “Saint Stephen Tower”, which is a medieval tower. At the end of the ascent of the tower, we had a magnificent view of the city. We also had the chance to be present for the Baia Mare festival. It was an opportunity to discover Romanian culinary specialties, Romanian artists… And at the beginning of September, we attended the Hungarian music festival in Baia Mare in the historic center. We learned that in this region the Hungarian culture has also kept some traces as with the kurtoskalacs, a very good desert, with an atypical shape. Indeed, it is cylindrical in shape.

Also, we visited churches like the Cathedral of Baia Mare, where we were able to attend a mass. It was a very strong moment to be present. It was an opportunity to learn more about the Orthodox religion. The decorative art is also very different, but very beautiful with many shades of blue like at the ”Cathedral of the Nativity” or all in wood at the “Biserica Sfântul losif Mârturisitorul”.

In addition, we were able to do activities with locals, we discovered the Romanian countryside and the hospitality of Romanians.

Our stay in Baia Mare is a very good experience. Volunteering has many advantages, discovering a new culture, a country, very welcoming people. Our intervention in a high school to make certain aspects of France and Turkey known was very interesting. The students were very open to learning about other cultures.

We also plan before our departure to continue this approach. We want to visit this weekend the Ethnographic Museum of Baia Mare and the village with the typical architecture of the region, with wooden houses.”

Proiectul ”VERO2” este coordonat de asociația Parcours le monde – Sud Est și co-finanțat prin programul #CorpulEuropeanDeSolidaritate.