Death is usually mourned and cemeteries are always very eerie to me. But somehow I find that Romanians celebrate life as well as death. I saw many well decorated cemeteries during my recent trip. These cemeteries are also located on higher ground, on hill slopes overlooking beautiful sceneries below. This is what Chinese would call 風 凉 水 冷.
Merry Cemetery in Sapanta is one good example of a well decorated cemetery. Bright and colouful is how I would describe Merry Cemetery.
 |
| Merry Cemetery, Sapanta Romania |
The ancestors of Sapanta considered death as the beginning and not the end. Hence the oak wood "tombstone" is always in blue, the colour of hope and freedom. Sclptor Ion Patras began carving these in 1935 and his apparentice, Vasile Stan continues his works.
The carvings reflect the deceased's life and occupation. There are short stories written about the deceased's life in the local language.
 |
| Merry Cemetery Sapanta Romania |
The local church under restoration.
 |
| Merry Cemetery, Sapanta |
Paintings on the ceiling of the local church.
 |
| Merry Cemetery church |
No comments:
Post a Comment