Project Picture the Nature About the Project „Picture The Nature “ is a project created by AIESEC Cluj-Napoca in collaboration with local NGOs and founded by European Voluntary Service. The purpose of this project is to show the negative impact that human activity has upon the environment and to make people cooperate in order to reduce the damage and to contribute to the rehabilitation of different areas of Romania. The main method to capture people’s attention is to use photo-voice method, meaning pictures and videos will be prepared during this process and introduced to the wider audience. In order to draw attention to the damage done, volunteers will organize exhibitions and keep people updated with the process through various communication channels such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+ and Blogspot.
Who are we ? “Picture the Nature” is a pilot project in which seven international volunteers from Estonia, Moldova, the Czech Republic and Portugal, with the help of Romanian volunteers will spend two months in Cluj-Napoca while visiting various sites from different regions of Romania.
MARTINA From the Czech republic Age: 23 Studying Law in Prague I wanted to visit some Eastern- European county as I have not been in to this region before. I really liked the TN information about the project and felt that I could gain interesting new knowledge. I love hiking and I hoped to learn more about photographical techniques. Environmental awareness is not very widespread in this region I hoped that our project could help to raise the awareness. I hope that we can show new places for tourists to visit. Being part of an international team is very appealing to me. Hobbies: Hiking, Photography, Movies, Pilates, Travelling
MAARJA From Estonia Age: 21 Studying Tourism Management in Birmingham I was really glad when I found the project form the TN database because it combines two my favourite topics- environment and photography. I really hope that our project can make a difference and contribute to raising environmental awareness. Hobbies: Cycling, Reading, Travelling
KERTI From Estonia Age: 19 Studying Midwifery, working as an Assistant Judge in Tallinna Hipodroom I love photography and nature. Before studying midwifery I even considered environmental studies and also I wanted to do something useful during my summer holidays, to step out of my comfort zone and practice my English. Hobbies: Guitar, Running, Cooking, Photography, Music
KERTU From Estonia Age: 23 Studied Tourism Management, working as a Sales Agent for Norwegian cruise company Hurtigruten ASA.
I came to Romania because I needed a change. Moving to a new cultural environment seemed like a great idea. Especially to a Eastern-European country because so far I have visited more Scandinavia and Western Europe. Challenging myself in a new home, new town, new country, surrounded with new people, not only Romanians but other volunteers from all over the world is something I wanted to experience. Plus with this particular project I could combine my love for photography with volunteering. Hobbies: Photography, Swimming, Yoga. Jamming, Volunteering
DORIN From: Republic of Moldova Age: 20 Studying: Accounting I knew a lot about Romania but I never have had visited the country. I like travelling and working with people from different countries. I came here to see how is Romania different from the Republic of Moldova. Hobbies: Dancing, Streetball, Travelling, Night walks, Driving.
TANEA From Moldova Age: 19 Studying: Informatics and English I wanted to see Romania because the country is a part of EU and we speak the same language with Romanians. I love nature and I like photography. I wanted to make something useful during the summer. Meeting new different people and also the Picture the Nature is an AIESEC project and it was more easier to find myself volunteering program because I am a member of this organization. Hobbies: Painting, Reading, Cycling
LOCATIONS WE HAVE VISITED
Turda industrial area A far worse side of Turda, with regards to the environment, is found just a half an hour drive from the Salt Mine in the old mercury factory area near the suburbs. The old factory area consists of abandoned buildings, toxic rubbish and local people has used this place as a dump. The local gipsy community is mostly unemployed and houses nearby are falling apart. As a sharp contrast one of the most popular tourist attractions Turda Gorge (Cheile Turzii) in the Apuseni Mountains serve as a backdrop for these ruins.
Turda Salt Mine One of the most important salt mines in Transylvania, Turda Salt Mine has been known since ancient times, and was put into operation for underground mining work during the Roman period. After its closing in 1932 the salt mine was forgotten till the Second World War, when it was reopened and used as an antiaircraft shelter. In 1992 the salt mine was opened to the public, getting the status of touristic site. The excellent condition of the mining compartments and the equipment used for salt transportation as well as the care with which the mine was prepared for touristic use has resulted in educational and interesting tourist attraction.
Sibiu To continue to learn about Romania and its history Martina and I visited Sibiu and its nearby villages Avrig and Turnu Rosu. As our visit was more culture oriented we learned
lot about the history of the area by conversing with the locals. Sibiu is the capital of Sibiu County and one of the most important cultural centres of Romania. The city was designated a European Capital of Culture for the year 2007. It is clear why the old city of Sibiu was ranked as "Europe's 8th most idyllic place to live" by Forbes as the newly renovated city centre looks spectacular. You can actually feel how time flows differently in there. After soaking in the peaceful atmosphere we continued to travel further.
Avrig and Turnu Rosu are surrounded by idyllic landscapes and the journey to the villages was amazing- the road was surrounded by mountains and valleys and the winding road revealing small farms and houses now and then. The most important object in Avrig is the Brukenthal Summer Palace built in 1771, a baroque summer residence of baron Samuel von Brukenthal, the governor of Transylvania. We saw two churches: the evangelical church, built in the 13th century and fortified in the 16th century and the orthodox church, built in the 18th century. In Turnu Rosu, we had to hike up to the monastery in the mountains as the road was inaccessible by car.
Simeria Our last visit was to Simeria, to the Dendrological Park. Spread over 67 ha the park has a valuable collection of trees, exotic and native plants and flowers. The maintenance of the park is in an unfortunate state and both the buildings and footpaths in the area are in a bad state needing fast repair works. It would be a shame to see this research and preservation site to fall into decay.
Hunedoara The factory was abandoned during the Our group just arrived back from another trip in Transylvaniathe city of Hunedoara. We also visited and took pictures of Cincis Lake, which is located 15 kilometres from the city. The city contains the most important Gothic-style building in Transylvania: Hunyad Castle. Hunyad castle has been turned into a museum, following recent reconstruction. The city contains many green gardens, and old trees flank the streets. Besides the castle, the town developed as a production center for iron and a market for the mountain regions nearby. Hunedoara contained the second largest steel works in Romania- Furnace of Govăjdia. It was the most modern melting furnace of iron ore in Europe of that time. Metal works from the iron melted here are standing today at the base of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The steels works production gradually diminished after the fall of the Iron Curtain due to the loss of the market. This was a blow to the overall prosperity of the town, who now recovers with new investments. Nevertheless, the ruins of abandoned factories and construction plants offer a sad sight compared to the magnificent castle nearby.
LOCATIONS COVERED IN THE NEXT NEWSLETTER: Ramnicu Valcea Cospa Mica
COME AND VISIT OUR EXHIBITION AT ZORKI PHOTOCAFE Ion Ratiu nr.10, 0000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania http://www.myspace.com/zorkiphotocafe