The First “Scoala in cetate / School in the fortified church” Workshop of the Year in Cisnădie: Exploring the World of Wool and Creativity

The fortified church of Cisnădie hosted the first “School in the Fortress” workshop of this year, dedicated to the traditional craft of wool processing. Participants included the pupils of Class 3B from the “Ioan Luca Caragiale” School in Sibiu, accompanied by their teacher, Mrs. Mihaela Dobre.

The day began with the well-known heritage quiz, through which the children explored the fortified church and learned more about its history and its role in the life of the local Saxon community. Their curiosity and enthusiasm brought the entire monument complex to life, turning the visit into an exciting journey of discovery.

The program continued with a hands-on workshop led by knot designer Iulia Lavu, who introduced the children to the world of wool fibres and creative textile-making techniques. In the beautiful garden of the parish house in Cisnădie, the participants learned how to identify natural wool and how to transform leftover textile materials into charming decorative creations, guided by both expert instruction and their own imagination.

The workshop offered a comprehensive educational experience, combining knowledge about medieval architecture, local cultural heritage, the life of the Saxon community, and the tradition of wool craftsmanship with practical and creative activities. In this way, the children discovered how a centuries-old craft can be reinterpreted and carried forward in a contemporary context.

How much they enjoyed the workshop became clear from the words they chose to describe it at the end of the day: “woolly,” “wonderful,” “great,” “beautiful,” “fun,” “cool,” “interesting,” “creative,” “new,” “soft,” “fluffy,” “relaxing,” “educational,” “funny,” “extra cool,” and “extra interesting.” Some children immediately associated the experience with sheep’s wool, while others even thought of an angel – a lovely reminder of the rich imagination and unique impressions the day inspired.

We would like to thank Mrs. Mihaela Dobre for her interest and willingness to participate with her class, Iulia Lavu for her patience, creativity, and inspiring energy, the parents for their trust and openness, and the representatives of the Evangelical Church in Cisnădie for their warm hospitality.

We are delighted that the “Scoala in cetate / School in the Fortress” project continues and look forward to the upcoming workshops, which will bring new groups of children closer to the fascinating world of cultural heritage and traditional crafts.

We hope that, while tying knots and working with wool, the young participants also wove together beautiful memories of this special place—memories that they will cherish and that will inspire them to return with joy in the future.

Foto: Gabriela Cuzepan