Labyrinth through time

There will be lots of action in 2017 at Camp Virtus, as Virtus Antiqua has been granted funding for a special project. "Labyrinth through time" [Romanian: Labirint prin timp] consists of two parts - weekends of experimental archaeology workshops with families of volunteers at the camp near Cluj-Napoca and a reenactment event when an actual labyrinth shall spring out over a good hectares of land on the same location. The cultural project benefits from funding from the National Cultural Fund Administration of the Romanian government in the Cultural Patrimony section. The initiative also has the support of several NGOs from Cluj-Napoca and several media partners.
 Keep in touch, at www.campvirtus.ro, for more news on the topic!

New pendants for men

Atelierul de istorie continues  the shopping season offers with a new lot of jewelry items for men. The pendants are made of charms (bronze elements in general) and other other silver, bone, wood, semi-precious stone and glass beads, all on natural leather strings. The aspect is vintage, inspired by the jewelry items worn by ancient warriors.

Pendant for men with central element inspired by the sica, the curve dagger of the Dacian and Thracian warriors

Pendant made of recycled glass and animal antler

pendant made of bronze leaf and wooden beads

 

Beautiful young Dacians and Romans

During the special education week "Scoala altfel" hoards of young Dacians and Romans took part in the reenactment workshops organized by VIRTVS ANTIQVA near Cluj-Napoca, at Camp Virtus. The youngsters were able to try on costumes and pieces of arm and armor typical to ancient Roman soldiers, gladiators, and Dacian warriors, learned how to shoot with bows and arrows, trained the ancient way, and had fun discovering the secrets of perfume making, toilet using, and status display during Antiquity.

Reenactment park near Cluj

VIRTVS ANTIQVA NGO has launched the website of their reenactment park in the making - Camp Virtus. The site is located 8 km from Cluj-Napoca, by the village of Salicea. It will have special areas for arrow shooting, Roman games, presentations of ancient equipment and costume replicas, an arena for shows (amphitheater-like gladiatorial shows, religious ceremonies, Roman dances and various types of entertainment), a Roman garden, ovens and kilns of different types (for cooking, for pottery, a forge), and replicas of ancient dwellings. Stay tuned for the grand opening! And you may also support the initiative, there are various way to do that - see HERE.

Atelierul de istorie

Our online shop is almost two-years old and its doing good for such a young age :))

In 2008 apARTe and VIRTVS ANTIQVA NGOs have started collaborating for an online shop that presents original artworks and handmade products inspired by the civilizations of Antiquity, mainly Dacian and Roman, employing as much as possible natural materials such as leather, textile, ceramics, metal, and glass. The "History Studio" / aka Atelierul de istorie, has been present at several reenactment festivals and events in Romania and is very active online.

Un nou proiect: lupul dacic

https://www.facebook.com/LupulDacicCluj?ref=hl

One of my latest projects envisages the myth/icon of the Dacian draco - the legendary war standard of the ancient and fierce Dacians that was part wolf part snake. It was in fact described as something like a windsock, so that when the air passed through it it would make a terrible noise that was said to frighten the enemies. Nowadays it has become the symbol of patriotism and even nationalism, being turned into a modern icon. My project both admires the longevity of the motif and the ingenuity of its depictions throughout the ages.

Dacian remakes

Today I decided to adhere to an association of historical re-enactment. In my mind I will be a Roman priestess, blessing the troops before battle. But I like the Dacians as well, so here is what I did under this inspiration and thinking of my future holy mission:

"The so-called goddess Bendis", a sort of Dacian Diana (after an ancient statuette)


Fragments of Dacian painted pottery decorated with geometrical motifs and various exotic or imagined animals.