The seventh edition of the Drumul Lung spre Cimitirul Vesel (The long road to the Merry Cemetery) festival, which aims to promote and support Romanian villages in Maramures, will take place between August 14 and August 21.

A total of 63 villages from the Maramures region in northern Romania joined this year’s edition of the event created by Irishman Peter Hurley. All these villages will participate in the festival with events that give visitors the chance to meet the authentic values of the traditional village.

“We prepared an impressive series of interactions, which we call micro-trips, designed for people with different and specific interests, but with a common purpose: the discovery and appreciation of the traditional culture of the living village, a healthy and pleasant journey to their origins,” said Peter Hurley.

This year’s edition of the event, which is organized under the United States of Maramures concept, is divided into four components.

The Villages Festival – micro-events will take place between August 14 and August 20 and will include all the events organized by the 63 villages from Maramures. For example, visitors can enjoy a relaxing evening with music and songs, a visit by cart to a sheepfold, a recital at the church, or a visit to an artisan. The events’ program is available here.

In the same period, the tourists can take part in seminars, conferences and workshops organized as part of the Mos Pupaza Summer School.

Several concerts will be organized between August 17 and August 20 in a natural amphitheater in Barsana commune. The concerts will start every evening at 19:00.

On Sunday, August 21, all 63 villages that take part in the event will be present at Sapanta, for an authentic Maramures-like celebration. A huge hora (Romanian traditional dance) will be organized on the streets around the Merry Cemetery starting 18:00.

A dedicated train will leave from Bucharest’s Gara de Nord taking tourists to the festival on August 13, 18:00.

Travel planner: Romania’s Sapanta and the festival at the Merry Cemetery

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com