International

Intro

Bucovina, named also ”Țara Fagilor”, is a region in north-eastern Romania and corresponds, nowadays, to the Suceava county. The name is originally Germanic, where “Buchenland” means “The Country of Beeches”. It is one of the most beautiful Carpathian provinces, it is a fascinating land through the harmony of the landscape. Bucovina is also emblematic for the hospitality of the locals who are especially welcoming and have great respect for their origins and traditions. The lands of Bucovina is also assembled of a rich history, ancient traditions, unique monuments and medieval UNESCO monasteries and churches. The region is considered the cradle of authentic traditions, of crafts made with dedication and care, of customs full of meanings. The traditions from the rural universe illustrate a part of the life and identity of the romanian people.

The traditional life

Bucovina has preserved among its traditions and customs a culinary identity. Prepared merely with organic ingredients, usually from their own courtyards, foods are made not only to satiate your hunger, but also to stimulate your senses. Some of the most appreciated dishes are: meat stuffed cabbage in sour cream, sausages with beetroot and horseradish, trout in fir-three branches, mushrooms with polenta, chicken steak with mushrooms, cozonac cake, „poale-n brâu” pie. The traditional drink is the double distilled plum brandy or palinca. Very much appreciated is also the home made beer prepared from hop and corn grains.

The popular port of Bucovina manages to highlight the simplicity and affinity for beauty of the inhabitants here. The women of the Beech Country make folk costumes by hand, using folkloric motifs of the spike, the leaf, the sun, the cross, each individual element having a specific meaning, from the wealth of the earth to faith in God.

Landmarks

The spiritual richness of Bucovina has endured over time. Many monasteries of the region are today included in the UNESCO World Heritage.

Their uniqueness and artistic value is given by the integration into the rural landscape of the famous colors of blue from Voroneț, red from Humor, green from Sucevița and yellow from Moldovița. Wall paintings from 16th century Moldova depict historical scenes and biblical stories of earth and heaven. True works of art, unique in the whole world for the exterior painting with pigments that remain unknown today.

We can not talk about Bucovina’s traditions, customs and crafts, without mentioning of the place where peasant life takes place, namely the village. Regardless of the season, the Bucovinean Village Museum awaits its tourists, with a multitude of songs, carols, dances and folk costumes, gatherings or different household activities, for all who are eager to cross the threshold and discover the great dowry box of Bucovina.

The Suceava Fortress was built at the end of the 1300s by the Moldavian ruler Petru Mușat, as a defensive fortification against the Turks.

It also served as a residence for some of the most powerful and influential voivodes (rulers) of Moldavia. Since 2016, the fortress presents a permanent exhibition illustrating the most comprehensive presentation of medieval weapons from Moldova, the coats of arms of Moldovan lords and boyars from the 14th – 17th centuries, or the Medieval Treasury of Moldova.

The 220 year old salt mine Cacica, dug during the Habsburg Empire, is still operational today. The deepest area accessible in the mine is at 75 meters below the surface and another interesting fact about this mine is that it was all carved out by human labor, with the use of very simple tools, like axes and shovels.

An attraction point for leisure tourism is the narrow gauge train in Moldovița – Mocănița (Huțulca). Tourists can travel in a steam locomotive dating 1910, on a distance of about 11 km crossing a picturesque, typical area of Bucovina.

Outdoor experience

Bucovina offers to all hiking lovers, both amateur and experienced, more than 600 kilometers of marked mountain trails. There are 45 mountain trails in Rarău, Giumalău, Suhard, Călimani, Bistriţei and Bucovina, with different degrees of difficulty, along which they can admire spectacular landscapes and experience unique adventures.

The region is also an excellent tourist destination for horse riding, with a good infrastructure for practicing this type of tourism. In many areas of the county there are operators who provide such services, both for beginners and for those already initiated in the secrets of riding.

The Ariniș leisure complex is part of a dendrological park located on the left part of the Moldova River, in the territory of Gura Humorului.

The leisure park consists of an indoor swimming pool, two swimming pools located outside, a multipurpose gym with all the necessary equipment, a natural ice rink that is used for roller skating in the summer, as well as six sports field. In addition to all this, the park includes several paths that can be used for a relaxing walk or sports activities such as trekking, nordic walking or mountain biking. Adventure enthusiasts can try more thrilling activities such as paragliding, zip-lining, paintball or archery in specially designed areas, off-roading and motocross.

“Ștefan cel Mare” International Airport – Suceava https://www.aeroportsuceava.ro/en/

International Airport Iași https://www.aeroport-iasi.ro/

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – THE 20TH EDITION, 2024