Haferland Week has long been more than just a cultural festival; it is a promise honoured year after year and a living symbol of dialogue between communities, cultures and generations, Senate President Mircea Abrudean said on Sunday in Crit.

'This year's edition bears an extremely evocative and emotionally charged name - 'Dor pentru Transilvania'/'Longing for Transylvania'. 'Dor' is a word that is almost impossible to translate, but everyone here understands it. It is the longing of the Transylvanian Saxons who have moved far away and organise their year around these summer days in order to return home. It is the longing for grandparents, traditional crafts, the tranquillity of the villages and the sound of the brass band in the old streets, but above all it is the longing for a community that has always known how to build itself on respect, hard work, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. This year's theme reminds us of an essential truth: heritage is not made up only of walls, towers or fortified churches; heritage is kept alive by people. It is this bond between people and their cultural heritage that turns Transylvania into a European model of multiculturalism and harmony,' Abrudean said.

He added that he had 'gladly and responsibly' granted the event the High Patronage of the President of the Romanian Senate, describing it as 'unique in its own way' because it 'reconnects people and facilitates this meeting between generations, as well as between communities.'

'Intercultural dialogue and our diversity must be regarded as valuable resources for Romania's cultural heritage,' the Senate president stressed.

Abrudean congratulated the organisers 'for their consistent efforts to make this cultural miracle possible year after year, creating a space for reconnection, spiritual fulfilment and the joy of being together.'

He also congratulated them for making it possible for Nadia Comaneci to attend the festival, describing her as 'an absolute symbol of excellence and an ambassador for Romania throughout the world.'

'Distinguished Ms Comaneci, in this year in which we celebrate achievement, the Year of Nadia, your presence here reminds us that great accomplishments, whether we are talking about elite sport or preserving a centuries-old civilisation such as that of the Transylvanian Saxons, are built on the same foundations: tireless work, discipline, sacrifice and a deep attachment to one's roots,' Mircea Abrudean said.

Nadia Comaneci said she had heard a great deal about the festival, 'but hearing about it is one thing and becoming part of this historic world, with such rich traditions, is another.'

'I visited the houses yesterday, and this restored church is something indescribable. I experienced some very strong emotions. Of course, this year sport is also being brought together with culture, traditions and celebrations. I can't believe that 50 years have passed since my first perfect 10, but I am delighted that here, in this room, I have the opportunity to see again three teammates from Onesti who were on my team before Montreal and who are here today - they surprised me by coming from Onesti. What could be more beautiful than having your roots close to you? Because that is what we are talking about now: roots and traditions,' Nadia Comaneci said.

Festival organiser Michael Schmidt said that 'Haferland Week' is 'the place where thousands of people from Romania and abroad come together because they share the same love for Transylvania.'

'In a world that is changing ever faster, places that preserve their authenticity become all the more valuable. Here, we invest in culture, education and heritage for younger generations. This heritage does not hold us back; rather, it guides us towards the future. Communities are built around places, but above all around the people who inspire us,' Michael Schmidt said.

Following the speeches by the officials, a teaser for the documentary 'Nadia. The Perfect Ten' was screened in the presence of Nadia Comaneci.

Among those also attending the event were Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office; Luca Niculescu, Secretary of State and national coordinator for Romania's accession process to the OECD; Bernd Fabritius, Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Related to Ethnic German Resettlers and National Minorities; Angela Ganninger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Romania; Lior Ben Dor, Ambassador of the State of Israel to Romania; Ulla Krauss-Nussbaumer, Ambassador of Austria to Romania; and Adriana Stanescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Federal Republic of Germany.

The 14th edition of the Haferland Week Festival took place from August 6 to 9 in ten localities in Haferland (Tara Ovazului/Oat Country) - Archita, Saschiz, Homorod, Rupea, Crit, Roades, Mesendorf, Cloasterf, Bunesti and Viscri.

Haferland Week gives visitors the opportunity to experience the rural civilisation of Transylvania's Saxons, which has survived in the villages located between Sibiu, Brasov and Sighisoara. The Haferland region has preserved its rural character, attracting thousands of tourists each year who come to visit and stay in traditional Saxon homes.

The 2026 edition of the festival was held under the joint patronage of Senate President Mircea Abrudean and legendary gymnast Nadia Comaneci. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)

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