Traditional Architecture in Romanian Philately (II): the Case Study Regarding Households from Chiojdu Mic, Curteni and Curtișoara

Abstract

As the traditional Romanian architecture is little known abroad and sporadically threatened with major changes due to the incursions of various neo-modernist architectural currents, it is appropriate to bring back to the attention of the general public, the image of what was and still is there. In this context, this study aims to emphasize the beauty and uniqueness of traditional architecture in terms of the tools offered by Romanian philately. Knowing that philately is an ambassador of promoting Romanian cultural values locally, but also abroad, the present study tried to outline this aspect in relation to the ethnographic and architectural specifics. Thus, the architectural specificity of three areas is desired, this time from the localities of Chiojdu Mic (Buzău), Curteni (Vaslui), and Curtișoara (Gorj), using stamps, illustrated postcards, and other philatelic effects. The results of the investigation, carried out through the consultation of sites with predominantly philatelic content (on platforms such as Colnect®, Delcampe®, PicClick®, StampWorld®, etc), confirm the preoccupation of the Romanian thematic philately for the local architecture; at the same time, indicate the availability of the community towards the promotion of the cultural heritage.