Between 22 and 28 August 2025, the Faculty of Sociology and Communication at Transilvania University of Brașov organised the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) Transilvania Creative Camp 2025 – Creative Destinations and Heritage Interpretation Summer School. The event brought together 25 students from 11 countries and nine European universities in the picturesque region of Țara Lăpușului.
Throughout the week, participants discovered the area’s rich cultural heritage, from local traditions and folklore to wooden churches, crafts, gastronomy and natural landscapes. Fieldwork in Târgu Lăpuș and neighbouring villages offered students a unique opportunity to engage with the daily lives of local communities and explore creative ways of promoting their heritage.
The international group included students from five UNITA alliance members – University of Zaragoza (Spain), University of Turin (Italy), Savoie Mont Blanc University (France), Polytechnic Institute of Guarda (Portugal) and Transilvania University of Brașov (Romania) – as well as from Marche Polytechnic University (Italy), Dunaújváros University (Hungary), Stuttgart Media University (Germany) and the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow (Poland). The project was further enriched by the expertise of professors from Meisei University Tokyo (Japan) and The Pennsylvania State University (USA).
Working in mixed teams alongside five pupils from “Petru Rareș” Theoretical High School in Târgu Lăpuș, participants used interviews, direct observation and photo-video documentation to develop innovative promotional tools. Their results included leaflets, short films and digital content tailored for social media, designed to highlight the cultural and natural assets of the region.
The outcomes of the camp extend well beyond the summer school itself. Two promotional films in English will be made available to local municipalities, while the research data collected will support future academic studies, enhanced by the contributions of six master’s and four doctoral students.
By fostering intercultural dialogue and creative collaboration, Transilvania Creative Camp 2025 has once again demonstrated the value of international cooperation in education and the power of creativity in safeguarding and promoting cultural heritage.
Assoc. Prof. Dr Florin Nechita
Project Coordinator
