Volker Reiter, director of the Interethnic Youth Cultural and Educational Center (ibz) in Sighi?oara, said at Wednesday's opening of the 21st ProEtnica Intercultural Festival that his inspiration for the event came from Russian literature, through Dostoevsky, the philosophy of Vladimir Solovyov, and the Romanian folk ballad Miorita, which he called "a kind of Romanian gospel."
"Allow me to share a few personal reflections that moved and inspired me to create this festival. I admit: I am influenced by Russian literature - by Dostoevsky and philosopher Vladimir Solovyov - but also by the Romanian folk ballad Miorita, which for me is a kind of Romanian gospel. We are all born into a certain culture, an ethnicity, a language. That is a valuable starting point in our development. But the goal is not to remain confined there. Our task is to transcend the boundaries of our own ethnic identity and enrich our soul with those of others. This is precisely what we celebrate at ProEtnica: diversity as a source of creativity, born when cultures meet. Each ethnicity holds a part, only a part, of the truth. But full truth can only be discovered together - and it lies in the future, not in the past," said Reiter, told Agerpres.
The ProEtnica organizer highlighted that Dostoevsky viewed the 'universal human being' as someone capable of embracing all of Europe's contradictions within themselves, that Solovyov reminded him a human being can love themselves, but never more than he or she loves others, "and Miorita" shows us, on the one hand, how the Moldavian shepherd's prosperity and skill arouse envy and even murderous intent, which he learns of through his bond with the spiritual dimension - the voice of the clever sheep ewe. The shepherd does not respond with hatred or fear, but with the vision of a heavenly wedding uniting this world with the next."
"All three sources - literature, philosophy, and folk culture - tell us the same thing: unity does not spring from power or wealth, but from love, spirit, and encounter, and of course, within a climate of stability. (...) The war launched by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in our immediate neighborhood, shows how dangerous it becomes when great ideas are perverted and when nationalism, materialism, and thirst for power replace dialogue, respect, and spirituality," Reiter affirmed.
For the third time in its history, ProEtnica enjoys the High Patronage of the President of Romania, while also marking the celebration of 145 years of Romanian-German diplomatic relations.
According to Reiter, the motto of ProEtnica is the consolidation of peace and the strengthening of democratic structures by promoting diversity while at the same time fostering dialogue and interaction.
"We know all too well: in times of crisis and conflict, democratic institutions are the first to crumble, and culture is the first sector to be cut - which is precisely why we must constantly renew them through encounter, dialogue, and mutual respect. The fact that we have managed to save this festival, despite major challenges and financial risks, is a cause for joy - but also a responsibility: to continue ProEtnica's mission of peace in society, year after year. May ProEtnica 2025 be a festival that reminds us that peace, democracy, and unity do not grow from power and matter, but from spirit, culture, and encounter," the organizer emphasized.
The 21st edition of the ProEtnica Festival is financed this year by the Department for Interethnic Relations of the Romanian Government and the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with Mures County Council, and with the support of Sighisoara Municipality, the National Agency for Roma, and the Romano-Kher National Cultural Center.
AGERPRES National News Agency is media partner of the 2025 ProEtnica Intercultural Festival in Sighisoara.
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