IARMAROC in the Village 2026, at the Transylvanian Museum of Ethnography
From 15 to 17 May 2026, the ‘Romulus Vuia’ Ethnographic Park in Cluj-Napoca will be transformed, for the 3rd time, into the largest living Village in the heart of the city. IARMAROC in the Village — the Festival of Creation and the Arts — returns with an even better edition, building upon the success of the first two years.
“IARMAROC in the Village is an ideal — the kind of place where we would have loved to enjoy ourselves. It’s a place where you can go home feeling relaxed and recharged. It’s a place where you can bring everyone you love, from grandparents to puppies, and where no one feels left out. We created something that we felt was missing. We learned so much from the first two editions — enough to fill two schools of life. The most valuable thing was meeting so many talented people that the world doesn’t know about yet — and we realised that this is exactly what IARMAROC is all about. It’s a place to discover creators, musicians and artists — each with their own story and passion. You certainly don’t come to us for big names” — says Emilian Vasi, founder of IARMAROC.com and coordinator of IARMAROC in the Village.
Following two editions that attracted over 14,000 visitors, the organisers — IARMAROC.com and the Association for Artistic Innovation, supported by AFCN — are preparing a Village that is busier than ever. There will be more creators, three large-scale textile installations that will physically transform the space, and, for the first time, a Ceramics Competition based on the theme of ‘Cucuteni’ — an initiative that will bring young ceramicists into contact with one of Europe’s oldest cultures.
This is a festival of the people — offering a relaxed daytime experience for all the family.
IARMAROC in the Village is a daytime festival—from morning until sunset, designed for people, not crowds. On Friday, May 15, the gates open at 2:00 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; each of the three days, the public is free to explore all the courtyards and areas of the festival.
Over 100 independent brands from across the country are featured in three curated sections of the fair. Alongside them, acoustic concerts featuring renowned artists and emerging talents, DJs spinning vinyl with music from the ’70s and ’80s, site-specific art installations, exhibitions of ceramics, sculpture, photography, and interactive media, creative workshops, and plenty of activities for children.
The Food Gathering — the table that brings us together
In the heart of the Village, a long communal table awaits you with the finest offerings from local producers—artisanal wine, mead, syrups, pastries, cheese, and spreads. It’s not a food court, and it’s not a terrace. It’s a Gathering — a place perfect for sharing, where you grab something to eat and drink, and you sit down next to people you may have never met before.
The idea is old and simple: after a day of communal work, when the whole community would come together to share a meal, this was not just about food. It was about the connection between people. The Food Gathering festival continues this tradition in the middle of a contemporary festival – providing a place where people can stop, sit and talk, and leave feeling enriched.
New this year — The “Cucuteni” Ceramics Competition
The third edition marks a national premiere: the first ceramics competition organized as part of an independent cultural festival, focusing on the Cucuteni Culture — one of the oldest European cultures, currently included in the joint Romania–Moldova–Ukraine nomination for inclusion on the UNESCO list.
Ten finalists, selected from a national call open to all ceramic artists of all ages, will present works inspired by Cucuteni’s visual vocabulary—spirals, figures, fragmentation, and natural colors—reinterpreted in a contemporary style. This marks a direct engagement with cultural heritage, a premiere for a cultural festival in Romania.
Three large-scale textile installations — a Village clad in art
One of the most spectacular features of the third edition is a programme of unique textile installations designed specifically for the Ethnographic Park’s space and atmosphere. Three large-scale works will physically transform the site, creating a village clad in art from one end to the other.
The first installation will be suspended 7 meters above the Acoustic Stage on the hill—dozens of rows of fabric spread across an area measuring 25 x 20 meters, which will provide a unique visual backdrop for the concerts and transform the way the audience perceives the surrounding space.
The second installation will span Ulița Mare—the festival’s main thoroughfare—with a 50 x 20-meter structure suspended 5 meters above the ground, under which thousands of visitors will pass over the course of the three days. A textile tunnel that transforms the path between areas into an experience in itself.
The third, and largest, will take place in the valley at the Scene to Find — an 80 x 20-meter space made of textiles that forms a small maze. A space designed for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the fair, and take a moment to relax surrounded by art while lounging on a bale of hay. Hidden somewhere among the threads is a small stage for intimate concerts, which you have to find.
All three are site-specific works, conceived and created exclusively for this edition and impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Tickets have been designed so that no one is turned away at the gate.
The organizers of IARMAROC in the Village designed the pricing structure based on a simple belief: good people shouldn’t have to pay a lot to get together. With hundreds of creators coming from all over the country—including artists, craftspeople, facilitators of workshops and art installations that require months of preparation, the festival represents one of the most extensive cultural offerings in the entire country—at one of the most affordable prices possible.
The Fruntaș — Early Bird pass offers full three-day access at a 50% discount off the final price, available until April 12. This is a deliberate decision to keep the price as affordable as possible—to bring the Village back to life.
Children under 14, seniors over 65, and people with disabilities have free access.
Supported by: Administrația Fondului Cultural Național (AFCN)*, Primăria și Consiliul Local Cluj-Napoca, Consiliul Județean Cluj, Muzeul Etnografic al Transilvaniei, Universitatea de Artă și Design Cluj-Napoca, EuropaFM, Revista Atelierul.
