From One Generation to the Next: The Role of Women in Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage in Small Communities in Romania

In this article I reflect upon the role women play in the creation, preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage in small communities, in the context of the changes brought by the communist regime, which promoted both men and women as equally active participants in the building of socialism. I consider traditional weaving techniques—passed down from mothers and grandmothers as a form of intangible cultural heritage. Using the methodology of oral history, I intend to bring to the fore testimonies recorded in the village of Cincu, Brasov County, Romania, and analyse how gender and intangible cultural heritage intertwine, while highlighting the importance of gathering, preserving and safeguarding the life stories of small communities for future generations.

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