Tansa – A Land of Stories is a deeply meaningful project for the Paradis community, serving as an important way to honor traditional Romanian values. The main goal of this initiative has been to revitalize the cultural and craftsmanship heritage of the Tansa region, a place that embodies the authentic values of Moldavia. This has been achieved through several key actions: creating a village museum in the old post office building, restoring a 100-year-old house using traditional materials to preserve its original architecture and interior design, and reviving the village’s most renowned craft—pottery.

During the four editions of the Tansa Volunteering School, part of the Tansa – A Land of Stories project, our students, alongside the schoolchildren of Tansa, their teachers, and in recent years, volunteers from the Mușatinii Association of Roman, have gathered local history for the museum. Together, they refurbished the artifacts, renovated the space, and furnished and managed the museum. In addition to the traditional objects donated by villagers, the students also collected stories about these items—how they came to be donated and the personal histories behind them. Our children had the unique opportunity to learn about the people of the village and the significance of the objects they helped gather for the museum. These became real lessons in Romanian village history, helping the children understand that the language, land, and traditions of our ancestors are a part of each of us.

Thus, the spirit of the village is alive again through the hands, imagination, and curiosity of our children, who have brought a much-needed infusion of youth and energy to the community. During the volunteer camp, the children stayed in local homes and tents, experiencing authentic traditions such as local food, music, dance, and folk costumes. They also explored the village and its surroundings—visiting the two Orthodox churches, the old cemetery, Marshal Prezan’s mansion in Schinetea, and the mansion of politician P. P. Carp in Țibănești.

The success of the project lies in the fact that the potter’s wheel, which has now started turning once more in Tansa, has brought together a passionate and dedicated individual, Mrs. Rodica Mocanu, and 25 pupils from Tansa School. Every Friday, they gather at the pottery workshop to observe, learn, and develop a love for this craft while discovering more about their ancestors. The project has created a constant exchange of knowledge and excitement, as well as a contagious enthusiasm for reconnecting with our roots.