
The famous husker Dumitru Sofonea from Drăguş, "Living human treasure" Unesco, passed away
The National Museum of the "Dimitrie Gusti" Village regretfully announces the passing of the master cobbler Dumitru Sofonea.
In 2011, the Ministry of Culture awarded him the honorary title of "Living Human Treasure", for the safeguarding, preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, as a recognition of traditional craftsmen, and in 2015, he was decorated by the President of Romewith the Order of Cultural Merit.
Originally from Ţara Făgăraşului, from the village of Drăguş, Dumitru Sofonea, known as Traşu, learned the craft from his father Dumitru Sofonea, an unsurpassed leather worker from Șara Oltului, valued by professor Dimitrie Gusti, who discovered him during the research campaign in Drăguş. For Dumitru Sofronea, skinning has become the basic activity which, although it is not easy - as he confesses - is beautiful, because it beautifies not only the port but also the soul.
He participated in numerous fairs and exhibitions in the country and abroad and was rewarded with awards and distinctions. The shells of Traşu` Sofronea can be found in the clothing of the inhabitants of the area, in numerous museum and private collections, in popular art galleries and in exhibitions organized in the country and abroad (Sweden, Germany, France).
His name remains inscribed both in the gallery of the most talented Romanian folk art creators and in the hearts of those who knew him.
God rest him in peace!
The collective of the National Museum of the "Dimitrie Gusti" Village