Our proposal

The project “Look at the sky, like a Romanian!” aims to revitalize, at the level of the school public in Argeș County, an important component of the intangible heritage, namely the popular astronomical mythology and to initiate the children of the target group in orientation in nature, using the stars as a reference.

Through workshops on mythology and direct astronomical observation, children will learn how traditional knowledge of the universe was correlated with everyday life and activities

The aim of this project

The project strengthens the ethnic identity of the young generation, making the connection between it and the old traditions, and, on the other hand, provides information on how we can effectively manage natural resources, how we can correlate the traditional astronomical calendar with the rediscovery of traditional activities and the reuse of old techniques, ecological and minimally invasive for the natural environment.

 

Schools participating in the project

Băiculești Secondary School

“General Constantin Cristescu” Secondary School, Lunca Corbului village

“Marin Preda” Secondary School, Pitești

“Matei Basarab” Secondary School, Pitești

“Mihai Eminescu” Secondary School, Pitești

Vrănești Secondary School

Mărăcineni Technological High School

“Ion Mihalache” Theoretical High School, Topoloveni

 

What we will do in the project

In the museum premises or by traveling to the partner schools, workshops of about 60 minutes will be organized in which the students will discover the Romanian peasant’s conception of the universe, the myths and stories through which the great-grandfathers explained the existence and influence of the stars in everyday life. These will be followed by direct astronomical observations using specific equipment: sundial, sextant, compass, sky maps, and telescopes. A booklet will be documented and produced, which will be distributed free of charge, in which the legends associated with the visible stars in our country, information on the folk calendar and traditional activities will be presented.

The general objective of the project

Students, but also the general public of the museum, will be familiar with the Romanian vision of the celestial vault, both from a mythological and astronomical point of view.

The specific objectives of the project

The kids will know…

… at least 5 traditional Romanian constellations and the myths associated with them.

… at least 3 traditional occupations and how they were influenced by the astral calendar.

They will develop some orientation skills using the knowledge of stars.

They will achieve the ability to identify in the sky at least 2 stars/planets used for orientation.

Target groups and beneficiaries

The project is addressed to middle school and high school students, aged between 11-19 years old (grades V-XII), and, indirectly, the children’s parents or tutors, the online audience of the museum and any person passionate about astronomy/mythology.

Project activities

Many interesting activities will be carried out within the project.

8 interactive workshops about the universe and Romanian astral mythology will be organized. The sessions will be organized at the headquarters of the Golești Museum and/or at the headquarters of the schools involved in the project.

The workshops will start with the presentation of astral myths and the Romanian constellations, followed by examples that show the role of the astronomical calendar for traditional Romanian occupations, through explanations and the use of video materials, Power-Point and the project brochure.

Next comes the mounting of Galileo’s telescope, under the supervision of the project team. It will continue with the presentation of orientation equipment and practical exercises with them (planispheres, sky maps, sextant, and compass).

After the stars have risen, you will go to the astronomical observation area, where you will use the telescopes and binoculars to identify the visible celestial bodies (planets, stars, constellations). Once identified and observed, the information about the myths associated with them that was presented at the opening of the workshop is updated.

Promoting and disseminating the project through the media and social media channels of the organizer and the partners (creating a dedicated page on the Golești Museum website, a YouTube channel and dedicated social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok), posts on the Facebook pages of the museum and partners, articles in the print/online press, press conference at the launch/end of the project), advertising materials

We document, edit and print a brochure about the role of the stars in the life of the Romanian peasant, entitled Look at the sky, Romanian!

We are making a documentary film project, which will include information about Romanian astral mythology and about the development of the project and its impact on the target group.