--- title: "Six dancers and a Moldovan *hora* in Radu Dumbravă’s painting, admired in Italy" url: https://moldova1.md/p/87547/six-dancers-and-a-moldovan-hora-in-radu-dumbrava-s-painting-admired-in-italy published: 2026-10-13T09:40:00Z language: en author: "Nicoleta Borodin" section: "Social" source: moldova1.md --- # Six dancers and a Moldovan *hora* in Radu Dumbravă’s painting, admired in Italy > The mural created by artist Radu Dumbravă in the Italian town of Aielli blends the traditional hora dance, folk attire, and symbols such as grapevines and barrels into a composition that links the culture of the Republic of Moldova with the local identity. The artist spent ten days creating the work, which was designed to convey ​​unity through folk dance and to harmonise with the town's character—a place renowned for its mural art and currently seeking inclusion on the UNESCO heritage list. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/b51e9490-0c30-4c3f-911c-ce0afaf41617.jpg) The mural created by artist Radu Dumbravă in the Italian town of Aielli blends the traditional *hora* dance, folk attire, and symbols such as grapevines and barrels into a composition that links the culture of the Republic of Moldova with the local identity. The artist spent ten days creating the work, which was designed to convey ​​unity through folk dance and to harmonise with the town's character—a place renowned for its mural art and currently seeking inclusion on the UNESCO heritage list. "I wanted to convey the idea of ​​unity, because the *hora* is not just a dance for us, but a communal activity that brings us all together—young and old, acquaintances and strangers alike. The concept of the universe is directly linked to the town itself, named Borgo Universo. In this way, I created a bridge between the Republic of Moldova and that locality using elements that represent us, while also respecting the festival's theme," said artist Radu Dumbravă on the Moldova 1 program *Bună Dimineața*. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/e89eedab-f8f5-423f-8d69-c5de631cda3d.jpg) **Ten days to paint the six dancers** The artwork depicts six dancers in folk costumes, captured mid-dance in a *hora* (traditional circle dance), set against a backdrop of cosmic-inspired elements. The composition also includes other symbols representing the Republic of Moldova, such as grapevines and wine barrels. The initial concept was to create a painting that reflected the people and their traditions; the final image took shape gradually through various sketches and stages of work. "The painting process took ten days, but the preparation and organization required much more time. It was a massive undertaking. People helped me with the necessary tools and the initial outlining on the wall, but I handled the painting of the figures and the final details myself," the artist explained on public television. The Republic of Moldova's ambassador to Italy, Oleg Nica, initiated the project with Alexandru Cornițel and the mayor of Aielli, Enzo Di Natale. Radu Dumbravă joined the initiative, drawn by the opportunity to promote our country's culture in a place where mural art plays a vital role. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/33223cc4-accd-4956-8a34-e8a0bced574d.jpg) **“People would stop specifically to look at our work”** Aielli has over 60 murals, and the artist believes the painting dedicated to the Republic of Moldova stands out for its dynamism, energy, and unique composition. He notes that locals and passersby showed interest even while the work was still in progress. *“The added value our work brings lies in its dynamism, energy, and uniqueness. This piece is unlike any other work there. Passersby would stop specifically to look at our mural—even while it was still being created—and it really sparked their interest,”* said Radu Dumbravă. The Italian town aims to be included in the UNESCO heritage circuit, and its murals represent a significant part of its cultural identity. To ensure the artwork’s longevity, they used special paints adapted to local weather conditions. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/5a459bc1-703d-46ad-b2a5-89aa15073ab4.jpg) **Artist wants to create murals in the Republic of Moldova too** Radu Dumbravă says he would welcome a collaboration with the Chișinău authorities to help beautify the capital and other cities across the country. However, the artist says he would prefer to create a new composition rather than reproduce the work he made in Italy. *"I am open to a wonderful collaboration with Chișinău, because our city deserves to be further beautified, just like other cities in the Republic of Moldova. But, to be honest, I would like something different and unique, because every piece I create is absolutely one-of-a-kind. It feels as though I am doing it for the very first time, so that it makes the greatest possible impact,"* the artist said. If given the opportunity to create a new mural dedicated to the Republic of Moldova in another European city, Dumbravă would choose Rome or a city in Poland—places where, he says, there is a keen interest in this type of art. The artist believes representing national culture abroad entails responsibility for both the message conveyed and the country's image. *"I feel a sense of responsibility because, first and foremost, I am accountable for the message I convey and for the execution of the work itself. You have to be a professional to do it. It is also a beautiful experience, one that is rewarded with a great deal of admiration and respect from people abroad"*, Radu Dumbravă said on Moldova 1. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/6eb42e9c-d0cb-4a2e-b981-2d3a9c9d832e.jpg) **"Hora" invites the whole world to "join the dance"** In an Instagram post, Radu Dumbravă described his work as a representation of the joy of togetherness and the energy of the people of the Republic of Moldova. The artist thanked those who contributed to the project's realization, as well as the locals who stopped to admire the painting while it was being created. *"When the world grows weary, we dance. (...) 'Hora'—vibrant, radiant, and welcoming, just as I see our Moldovan people. It is about the joy of being together, about our energy, and about how we can bring people together, regardless of where they come from,"* the artist wrote. Dumbravă noted that the ten days of work were met with positive reactions, admiration, and encounters with people who had travelled from all corners of the globe to discover the art in Aielli. *"Our 'Hora' was created in Italy, but the joy, spirit, and pride it embodies belong to us all. Its circle remains open, inviting the whole world to join the dance,"* concluded Radu Dumbravă. ![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/6dc3d472-4e03-4aef-896d-44eb1099357a.jpg) [Video: https://trm.blob.core.windows.net/photos/4fa76892-100b-47df-8ff9-4b8a8247dce9.jpg](https://original.trm.md/video/definst/MP4:2026/10/13/radu.mp4/playlist.m3u8)