At the end of 1999, on the first of November, The Folk Ensemble "Trandafir de la Moldova" was set up in Husi. The initiative was of the conductor and the choreograph, Mr. Valerica Petraru and Mr. Virginel Solomon, along with the director of The House of Culture "Alexandru Giugaru" from Husi, Mr. Sergiu Gaina and the choreograph of the Creation Center of Vaslui, Mr. George Ilascu. To them, many others folk lovers gathered, some of them ex-members of the amateur folk Ensemble "Stejarelul", which, during their travels through Europe visited France, Belgium, Poland, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldavia.
The Folk Ensemble "Trandafir de la Moldova" from Husi, presents on stage, folk manifestation of the historical province where Husi is situated, Moldavia. The suits of the dancers impress through their simplicity that hides a specific refinement. The ornaments suggest harmony and a good mood specific to Moldavians, desire of purity, because white is the main color in their suits.
The vocal and instrumental parts are grouped into two categories: sad songs and sadden songs, expressing melancholies, sadness, sometimes one way love, but, most times, they show sentiments and complex feelings; the songs can be love songs, game songs showing happiness, when it works both ways. Four verses are also used, sustaining the dance songs because of their satiric content - the so called "yells", which express, in popular terms, specific characteristics for the community.
Folk dances ca be also divided in two categories: round dances, which are slow, danced in a circle and suggesting the rotation of the sun, the moon and the stars; the second category is variable, pair dancing and folk dances. The dancing is accompanied by an orchestra specific to our zone, with not so many people in it. The predominant are the traditional blowing instruments: the whistle and the pipe; and for sound diversity: the clarinet and the trumpet. The traditional string instruments: the kobsa and the violin, recently sustained by: the viola and the double bass. The percussion is realized on the drum or the dulcimer.
Transylvania is represented in the repertoire of the ensemble through dances and orchestral plays from: Maramures, Bihor, Somes. This time, the costumes are heavier, rich in colors and ornaments. The heavy hats are ornate with peacock feathers and gagii (trousers specific for the northern Transylvania) make a distinctive note. The dances alternate between harmonically movements, easy and manly dances, very fast and full of force. The musical instruments are mainly the same, but the most important are the violin and the drum.
The south of the country, Oltenia and Muntenia, are represented by a extraordinary manly dance "Calusul" or "Calusarii". At the origin of the dance was a magical practice through which the suffering were cured by mental affections, diseases considered to be provoked by fantasy creatures, called "Iele" or "Rusalii". Actually, the holiday names "Cincizecimea", "Pogorarea Sfantului Duh" of "Rusaliile" is in contact with this dance. The dancers also represent previous aspects of Christians, the dance is connected tot he old cult of the sun. The elements of the costumes have magical meanings, and to the flag they tie wormwood, basil and garlic, plants considered to have magical properties which protect the dancers from evil spirits. We mention that, for the first time, the dance was interpreted in London in 1938.
Also, the Folk Ensemble "Trandafir de la Moldova" has in it's repertoire customs and habits, through which Moldavians meet holidays tied to Christmas and The New Year. This moments are considered as time with specific meaning, ancestors come back to earth; the dancers wear masks, protecting animals being invoked through costumes and specific masks, dancers imitate their behavior, and the music, very noisy, like whips have the role to throw away evil spirits.

The Folk Ensemble "Trandafir de la Moldova" participated at live TV shows - documentaries dedicated to our ensemble.
In 2000, we participated at the International Festival of Folk "The Golden Fish" at Tulcea, where we attracted the attention of the folk specialists, the CIOFF-Romania president, Mr. Marin Barbu and master choreographer Theodor Vasilescu, artist, obtaining "The prize for exceptional scenic presence and interpretation". and the Trophy of the Festival.
In 2001, at the suggestion of the CIOFF president, we participated at the International Festival of Folk "Ana Lugojana", where we made a nice impression through originality and the accuracy of interpretation.
In 2002 we represented Romania at the International Festival of Folk from Karsyaka-Turkey, obtaining the prize of the Festival.
In 2002 we participated at the International Festival of Folk "Flori alese de pe Crisuri"-Oradea, where we obtained the Diploma "For exceptional quality of dances and the interpretation of the traditional dance"
To these trophies we can add many other folk shows where we were accompanied by great solo artists of folk music, excellent messengers of traditional songs: Mioara Velicu, Laura Lavric, Daniela Condurache, Mihai CIobanu, ZInaida Julea, Sava Negrean Brudascu, Irina Loghin, Elisabeta Turcu and Sofia Vicoveanca.
For this folk and choreographic jewels no to disappear, we take care that young generations take the lead as the memebers of the ensemble; for that, we have in training another two generations of students knocking on the door of artistic affirmation.

Titi Sfetcu


Contact : trandafir@husi.ro