Traditional Architecture in Romanian Philately (III): Households from Drăguș, Dumbrăveni, Dumitra, Fundu Moldovei and Goicea Mică

Abstract

Traditional architecture occupies a central place in the soul and pride of all people and has been accepted as a characteristic and attractive product of society. As a utilitarian architecture, which possesses interest and beauty, it retains the history of society. At the same time, it is unworthy of human heritage if this traditional harmony is not preserved, which is, in fact, the core of the human experience. Acting somehow on the same principle of conservation, philately can be considered as a useful means of preserving the traditional architectural memory in Romanian cities and villages. To show that thematic philately implies in essence this aspect of the preservation of the memory of places, in the present study we appeal to various forms of representation specific to philately. In this context, the study aims to emphasize the beauty of Romanian traditional architecture in terms of thematic philately. We want to expose the architectural specifics from five areas - Drăguș (Brașov), Dumbrăveni (Suceava), Dumitra (Alba), Fundu Moldovei (Suceava) and Goicea Mică (Dolj) using stamps, entire covers, illustrated postcards, and other philatelic effects. We also aim to see if the pieces in question fully illustrate the zonal architectural specificity or only a part of it; equally, we want to show that philately can be a landmark in documenting today's young people about what was and is traditional architecture. Thus, they can be reoriented towards what is durable, specific to the area, without altering the local tradition of folk craftsmen where it sanctifies the place and ensures vigor at the agrotourism level.