Veturia Suciu is a symbolic figure in the city of Cluj and the first folk artisan in the county. At 87, she demonstrates an incredible energy and vivacity. Open-hearted, smiling, and quick – this is Mrs. Veturia. Although her face is lined with wrinkles, her soul remains young, and her mind is unwearied.
Veturia’s hands reflect her moral character: diligence. Despite her age, Veturia remains tirelessly productive. From her hands emerge meticulously crafted works that are showcased at exhibitions and fairs: national costumes, corn husk angels, fabrics, and fine embroidery.
“I am a simple person, but with a noble soul and respect for God. Everywhere I’ve gone, I have represented Romania with pride. I have fought to carry forward tradition through costumes and crafts. It wasn’t easy,” says Veturia.
Childhood
Her childhood took place in Cojocna, a commune in Cluj county. She grew up in a family of “good housekeepers” who guided her as best they could. “My mother had ten children, but only four of us survived,” Veturia recalls with tears in her eyes. Her father supported her education: “Every time I came home, he would help me prepare for the next day.” Veturia loved learning so much that “there wasn’t a year when I wasn’t awarded.” She was accepted into high school with a grade above 9, a moment of pride for the entire family. However, shortly afterward, her father passed away, and her life took an unexpected turn.
“From that moment, a dark cloud descended over my life. I could no longer continue school. I had a younger brother, and the headmaster and priest of the commune decided that he should continue, as he was a boy and a girl could get by in life in other ways.”
Although it was difficult to let go, Veturia resigned herself and continued to fight for her dreams. “I cried over school for years until I wrote my first book at 70. I wanted to show that I was meant to be that person.” She wrote two volumes of ethnographic testimonies about the traditions of the Someș area and Cojocna commune, describing with an impressive memory the customs of the Romanian village.
Folk Art – A Refuge in Difficult Times
Veturia married at 18 to a man she describes as “the bread of God sent among men on earth.” Life threw many challenges her way, as she lost both her husband and two of her children. “After the death of my son, I didn’t go out into the world for nine years. But one day, the party secretary asked me if we could bring the local dance suite back to life. I asked for a moment to consult my husband. He said that, for Romanian tradition and for the dance ensemble of the commune, we would start a troupe. We gathered elderly people and started meeting twice a week.”
Simona Munteanu, a former curator at the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, discovered Veturia and encouraged her to become a folk artisan. Although she didn’t know exactly what that title entailed, Veturia accepted, saying, “For the Romanian people, for tradition, and for folklore, I am happy when someone asks me to create something.”
The Trustworthy Friend: The Weaving Loom
Even though Veturia held other jobs, the weaving loom has always remained a part of her household, being the friend beside which she finds comfort, balance, and strength. Her mother, a seamstress, instilled in her a love for folk art from childhood. Over time, Veturia began creating her own weavings, tablecloths, towels, and later, folk costumes, combining new designs with older ones. Her work was recognized with the Traditional Arts Academy diploma of Romania.
“A creator has each model in their mind as they work. I don’t use paper patterns. Once I start, I let myself be guided by the image that appears in my mind.” Over time, she found refuge in this art, which became the only way she could detach from everyday worries. She says that sewing is what keeps her soul young.
The Value of Work and International Recognition
Veturia has exhibited her creations in Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, France, Turkey, and Greece, captivating foreigners with the beauty of Romanian traditions. For her, craftsmanship is not just a hobby but a way of life. She dedicates herself completely to each piece, even if making a costume can take anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on the complexity of the design. “I feel boundless joy when I see them finished.”
Life Lessons
Veturia Suciu is a unique character, not only through her qualities as a folk artisan but also through her depth as a person. She is well-informed, clearly expresses her views, and reflects on social realities with the wisdom of a “learned person.” Interaction with people has been an endless source of knowledge for her: “What I have learned from contact with people, I might not have learned even in school.”
Although she didn’t have much schooling, Veturia is wise and generously offers valuable advice from her life experience: “I have met bad people too, because envy is strong. But this only made me stronger. One of my pieces of advice would be: Help people. Whenever you give something to someone, it comes back to you double.”
