Calancea’s Wolves and the Osoianu Sisters, the band Coma, open-air movies, hiking to the waterfalls in Valea Moașei, nature-themed guided tours, creative recycling workshops, crafts workshops, children’s activities, and debates – these are the attractions of Făgăraș Fest 2024. The festival will take place from 26th – 28th July in Valea Moașei, Sebeșu de Sus village, Racovița commune, and entry is free.
Opening Acts: The band Coma and the documentary Wild Transylvania
The alternative rock band Coma will kick off the festival on Friday, 26th July at 8:30 pm with their performance of ‘The Most Beautiful Place on Earth’. The evening will continue with a screening of the documentary ‘Wild Transylvania’, directed by renowned Irish filmmaker John Murray. Released in 2024, the film explores the unique beauty and biodiversity of Transylvania, narrated by Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons.
20 guided tours on nature and local culture throughout the festival
- Birdwatching tours: Join us at sunrise or sunset for guided birdwatching tours through Valea Moașei. Participants will have the chance to listen to, see, and identify different bird species alongside a specialist. This activity is especially suited for curious beginners of all ages. While some binoculars will be available, participants are encouraged to bring their own if possible. Guide: Codruț Helerea, student at the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Protection – Biology, Lucian Blaga University, Sibiu.
- Botanical tours: Discover plant species of wild flora during a walk at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains. With the help of a portable digital microscope, you’ll observe plant details and learn to identify species using a plant key. You’ll also explore the uses, limitations, legends, and etymology of various plants. Your guide will be Mihaela Sava, a botanist with over 10 years of experience and a resident of the Transylvania School of Botanic Art and Illustration in Copșa Mare.
- Wildlife tours: Learn how to spot animal tracks, explore wildlife habitats, and discover non-invasive wildlife monitoring techniques. Guides Liviu Ungureanu and Călin Șerban, rangers from Foundation Cnservation Carpathia, will provide insights into local fauna, focusing on species like fallow deer and beavers.
- Insect identification tours: Take a closer look at the behaviour and role of insects in the ecosystem. Your guide, Maria Stănciugugelu, a biologist and museographer at the Museum of Natural History in Sibiu, will lead this exploration.
- Bat night tours: Discover the bats living at the foot of the Făgăraș Mountains and learn from experts about these fascinating creatures. Using detectors, you’ll hear their ultrasound signals and see how close they are. Guides: Szilárd Bücs, President of the Centre for Bat Research and Conservation, and Ana Stamatescu, President of the Krontechies Association.
- Hike to the Waterfalls in Moașei Valley: Embark on a guided hike to Chiișoara Waterfall on a marked forest trail, crossing rivers several times along the way. Your guide will be Georgiana Crețu, a biologist passionate about nature and wildlife.
- Cultural Walk through Sebeșu de Sus: Explore the history, culture, and identity of Sebeșu de Sus on a route that includes visits to the old brick factory ruins, St. Apostles Peter and Paul Church, the old mill, and local mine galleries. Guides: Priest Marian Canciu, Anca Vintilă, and Gabriela Sârghie.
What you need to know for the guided tours at Făgăraș Fest
To join the guided tours, participants must register at the festival’s information point. Groups will consist of 25-40 people. It is recommended to bring hiking gear, light clothing, a hat, a raincoat, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent
Activities for families with children
Children aged 7-14, with or without parents, can join the ‘Făgăraș Mountains Explorers’ challenge, a series of 10 nature-based tasks. For one hour, participants will solve nature-related challenges in the festival area.
Kids can also sign up for the ‘Save the Planet Adventure’, another engaging activity. Teachers from the host community, who have completed the nature educator course, will lead these activities.
NEW: Creative recycling workshops with Roxana Puriș
Give new life to old clothes and turn them into bags during creative recycling workshops led by Roxana Puriș, creator of the local brand Pur.clothing. The workshops will take place on Saturday, 27th July at 2:00 pm and Sunday, 28th July at 10:30 am.
Carpathia Talks: Dialogues on people and nature
Join us for a series of dialogues on topics such as ‘The Right to Nature’, ‘Forests’, ‘Sustainable Development of Communities around the Făgăraș Mountains’, and ‘Invasive Alien Plants’.
Relax with good music
Music returns to Moașei Valley on Saturday, 27th July starting at 5:00 pm. Local youths and children will take the stage, sharing traditional music from the area. Dan Amariei, a well-known radio host and lead singer of the band OCS, will DJ sets that will liven up the atmosphere, followed by performances from Calancea’s Wolves and the Osoianu Sisters with their high-energy rhythms.
Where to eat?
Enjoy delicious food from local producers who will be cooking up traditional dishes.
Where to camp?
You can choose accommodation in hostels around Sebeșu de Sus, Racovița, Valea Avrigului, or Porumbacu, or you can camp at the festival’s designated campsite. The free tent area has eco-friendly toilets but no showers or other facilities. Reservations: here.
What else to do at Făgăraș Fest?
Cycling enthusiasts can book e-bike tours on two routes: one to Suru Waterfall and the second along the Boștinarilor Road. The first route is more technical and covers 7 km with elevation changes, while the second is 12 km and includes a visit to a natural wax candle workshop.
Those seeking a special view of the Făgăraș Mountains can experience it from the height of the art installation created by Atelier Vrac, winners of the ‘Manifest for the Făgăraș Mountains’ competition organised by Foundation Conservation Carpathia. The installation, titled ‘It’s Oh So Quiet’, is both a tribute to nature and a call for responsibility.
Făgăraș Fest: Five years around the Făgăraș Mountains
Făgăraș Fest is the only travelling festival in the Făgăraș Mountains, highlighting the natural and cultural values of different communities each year. Since its launch in 2019, the festival has taken place in Lerești, Nucșoara, Valea Avrigului, and Porumbacu de Sus.
The festival contributes to the well-being of local communities and the protection of nature, with the public’s participation helping to support these goals.
The event is supported by Alpha Bank.
Partners: Racovița Town Hall, Romanian Post, County Public Service, Salvamont – Salvaspeo Brașov, Mountain Rescuers Association Romania, Volunteering Brașov. Media Partners: Radio Guerrilla, Radio România Cultural, Rock FM Brașov, Radio Itsy Bitsy FM, stiridesibiu.ro, oradesibiu.ro, Mesagerul de Sibiu, Turnul Sfatului, Tribuna.
This event is part of the project ‘Creation of a Wilderness Area in the Southern Carpathian Mountains, Romania’ LIFE18 NAT/RO/00108. The main goal is to restore degraded habitats, implement conservation measures, and create benefits for local communities in the Făgăraș Mountains. The project, led by Foundation Conservation Carpathia and partners, runs from 2019 to 2024 with financial support from the Arcadia Foundation through the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme and the European Commission’s LIFE programme.
