Women and Traditions
European women from remote regions keep traditions alive
These are Laura, Elena and Victoria, at a traditional festival in Chisinau, Moldova. The grandmother is proud that she can pass on the cultural heritage to her granddaughters.
These photos and stories were captured by visual artist Mihaela Noroc, a travel photographer who gathers portraits of women across Europe and the world, passing by the most remote regions.
"One of my missions is to prove that traditions and progress can coexist.Yes, traditions and progress can go hand in hand – she says – and I think, it is the key for a better and healthier world.”
(N.B. This photo was taken in 2016)
‘Every Sunday afternoon, from spring till early autumn, thousands of people gather in Mauerpark, Berlin, to attend a famous karaoke show where anybody can sing. Anais, who is in love with music, was in the park last Sunday, wearing a beautiful African outfit. Born in France from a Malian mother and a French father, Anais says that when in Mali, people say she’s white. When she’s in France, people say she’s black.
Anais just really likes how diverse her background is.’
‘Eleni is from Delphi, Greece. On a normal day, while she works in the restaurant of her family or walks on the small alleys of her mountain village, she wears modern clothes. But once a year, during Easter, she and her beautiful community celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as their ancestor used to. Today Greece still preserves many of its ancient traditions and it’s amazing to see that in a modern country.
‘There is something magical about the island of Sardinia, Italy. Sardinians often gather for festivals and parades to present their beautiful outfits, dances and music. Almost each town and village has its own costumes and the diversity is incredible for one single region. Giulia is from a small Sardinian town called Villaurbana.’
Stefania lives in a village famous for its traditions, in Gorj County, Romania. Almost 150 years ago, a few minutes away from Stefania’s house, one of the greatest sculptors of the 20th century was born. Constantin Brâncuși was influenced by the local woodcarving tradition and later became a pioneer of modernism, being also known as the patriarch of modern sculpture. Today Stefania is part of a traditional dance group in the village. She inherited this old gorgeous outfit from her grandmother. Besides being passionate about the folk culture, she also loves technology, and is preparing to study robotics. As Brâncuși, she admires the past, while also focusing on the future.
