Arts Lab 7.0: Loay ElMofty | Month I

I arrived in Romania on the 23rd of September. The flight from Egypt was very smooth, with a one-night layover in Vienna. I always tell my friends that I felt like the wind brought me here. Before coming, I was anxious, unsure of what to expect. But once I arrived, I adapted surprisingly fast, as if the place welcomed me in its own gentle way.

Most of the volunteers were already in Târgu Frumos when I got here: Eva, Aya, Marah, Monica, Anes, Kerem, Oliwia, and Andres. The first few days were all about settling in and getting to know everyone. Later in the month, Salma and Mohamed joined us, and our group began to feel even more like a small community.

During our first residency, Andres and I worked with visually disabled children. We led acting and music workshops, and by the end, we recorded monologues with them about Romanian folklore. Working with the kids was both inspiring and educational. At first, the language barrier made it challenging, but once we adapted, we found new ways to communicate and connect.

One of the most memorable experiences of my first month was our trip to Heleșteni for “Folclorista,” a local folk festival. Although the weather was cold and rainy, the atmosphere was warm and full of kindness. We were welcomed at the mayor’s office with breakfast, coffee, and Pălincă, a drink many here call the “drink of life.” It lifted everyone’s spirits and set the tone for a beautiful day.

We visited an embroiderer’s house in the highlands, surrounded by greenery. She and her mother showed us the traditional costumes they make by hand. The embroidery was so detailed it was hard to believe it wasn’t machine-made. Some of the girls tried them on, and we took pictures, capturing the beauty of a tradition that’s very much alive.

We then explored a small folklore museum set up inside a family home, filled with old traditional costumes and photographs. Many of these pieces were saved after a time when Romanians threw their folklore costumes away following the fall of communism. The woman who ran the museum shared stories about the dances and celebrations they used to have in their yard, and it felt like stepping into another time.

Later, we visited two historical Orthodox churches built on holy ground. I was in awe of the paintings and the stories they told. One image in particular stayed with me: saints climbing a ladder to heaven, protected by angels, while one of them knelt down, reaching to save people from hell. It was incredibly moving.

Our last stop was a shepherd’s farm, where we played with the sheep and met Silviu, the shepherd’s son. He told me the view was even more beautiful in summer, but to me, it was already stunning. We were invited into their home and shared a traditional Romanian dinner made from sheep meat, a meal that takes a whole day to prepare. Their hospitality reminded me of my own family, and I felt deeply grateful for the warmth they showed us.

Another highlight of the month was the folklore competition, where teams from different villages performed to win the title of best folk team of the year. Each volunteer represented their country, and along with my Egyptian friends, I performed a famous Egyptian song from the nineties. We invited people to dance with us, and the joy of that moment will stay with me for a long time.

We also attended the Pumpkin Festival in Pașcani, where we joined different activities, took photos, and tasted delicious Romanian food. Each experience added another layer to my understanding of Romanian culture.

Throughout this first month, I’ve learned so much, about Romania, about the people, and about myself. One of the first Romanian words I learned was “frumos”, which means “beautiful.” I love how often people here use this word. It truly reflects the spirit of the place and the people.

As I look forward to the months ahead, I’m excited to keep exploring, learning more about the language and the culture, and creating new projects. I’m especially inspired by the young people who are passionate about folklore, and I hope to build my art project around their stories.

This first month in Târgu Frumos has been full of warmth, discovery, and connection. It’s been a journey that started with anxiety but quickly turned into a story of belonging, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.   

This monthly report was written by Loay ElMofty, our Egyptian volunteer taking part in a seven-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.