Sapanta "Merry cemetery", a photo from Maramures, West

Photographer's Note

In the very north of Romania right on the border with Ukraine there is a small village with a famous cemetary. A description of a dead person is described (along with the picture of him at his place of work, the way he died or his other characteristics) on a wooden plank attached to a grave. Each plank is hand carved and colorfully painted. The custom dates back to 1935 when the local artist did it for the first time. The village is also famous for traditional folk clothes worn on Sundays.

isabela_sor, Nina, iGirl, nicol_g, lara has marked this note useful

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Andrzej_HHH (2480) 2006-05-07 12:22

Very nice shot from this unique place. Thanks for sharing!! Andrzej

photo_radoo (265) 2006-05-07 13:13

culorile sunt minunate si fac aceasta poza interesanta de privit. momentul surprins este unul deosebit; la fel si locul! (asa ca ar fi mers si pt topicul "special events")

iGirl (1223) 2006-05-07 13:30

Hi Rafal, this is really a beautiful picture! I love the bright colors, and the composition with the line of girls up against the line of graves. But I think it should be cropped a bit on the right to get rid of that half person on the edge. Thanks for sharing!
Erin

isabela_sor (47265) 2006-05-08 3:30

Witaj
Do you like my country,Rafal?I hope you do,my friend
Beautiful picture of this famous cemetery!Thank you
A nice evening
Pozdrawiam

lara (915) 2006-05-09 6:47

Hi Rafal,
First, the photo made me smile because of the combination of traditional skirts and fancy shoes ;P...
Actually, what the girls are wearing is not the complete traditional costume. But you are right that the village (actually the whole area of Maramures) is famous for the way they care about the traditional costume and how they keep the old traditions alive.
Your picture is a wonderful ilustration of the spirit of the place. Human presence is a must in this cemetery. And when it has such a wonderful smile, it it even better :)
Congrats and best wishes,
Andra