Three generations of Moldovan women transform recycled textiles into global heritage art
In the village of Sărata Galbenă, Hâncești, a quiet revolution of sustainability is weaving together three generations of women. Using traditional techniques and repurposed materials, these artisans create intricate crochet carpets that take weeks of meticulous manual labor to complete.
What began as a local craft is now a burgeoning international export. These handmade pieces serve as emotional anchors for the Moldovan diaspora, bridging the distance between their new homes and their ancestral roots.
A legacy of intuitive design
Maria Erhan, the matriarch of the family, is self-taught. Today, she passes her "mental blueprints" down to the younger generation, emphasizing that true craftsmanship comes from within rather than digital templates.
"The girls learned from me and took up the craft. I sketch the designs first, then crochet based on the drawing," Maria Erhan told Moldova 1. "We were born untaught; today there is the internet, but we create from the mind."
Environmental stewardship through upcycling
Driven by ecological mindfulness, the carpets are fashioned from old garments, meticulously cut and transformed into yarn spools. A single piece can represent over two weeks of continuous dedication.
Natalia Celac, another artisan in the village, finds inspiration in the heirlooms left by her grandmother. While her ancestor wove the textiles, Natalia has adapted the tradition into crochet, infusing each piece with specific traditional motifs to ensure the craft survives.
From maternity leave to creative enterprise
The family’s creative spark has also evolved into modern business. Natalia’s daughter, Veronica, an economist by profession, utilized her maternity leave to launch a wearable art venture.
Blending her grandmother's lessons with formal art school training, Veronica produces hand-painted bags that serve as functional masterpieces. Her goal is simple: to offer an artistic alternative to plastic, reducing the environmental footprint of daily fashion.
A global footprint for Moldovan soul
The reach of Sărata Galbenă’s craftsmanship now extends far beyond Moldova’s borders. These carpets have found homes in Dubai, England, and Japan, sought after by both the diaspora and international collectors.
"Moldovans abroad are longing for something traditional from home," Natalia Celac notes. "I am happy to find clients who want to own a small piece of the Moldovan soul."
Prices for these sustainable, hand-crocheted carpets start at approximately €51 (approx. 1,000 MDL), representing a blend of affordable luxury and cultural preservation.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
