The exhibition “Canvases, Rustles, and Whispers” has been extended through August 9, 2026

Based on feedback from visitors, it has been decided to extend the exhibition “Fabrics, Rustling, and Whispers: A Journey into the World of the Traditional Transylvanian Shirt,” hosted by the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania (M.E.T.), through August 9, 2026.

Thus, lovers of art, tradition, and textile heritage have more opportunities to admire the exhibits created by members of the “Arta acului la Cluj” Association—over 40 Transylvanian shirts that impress with their compositional refinement, diversity of decorative techniques, and richness of symbols.

The exhibition is part of the “Transylvanian Shirt” project, which aims to recover, research, and highlight the cultural heritage of embroidery through the close study of authentic textile pieces.

The pieces on display cover a vast ethnographic area, including regions such as:

Central and Southern Transylvania: the Sibiu Region, Țara Bârsei, the Târnava Region, the Hârtibaci Valley, Țara Moților, the Mocănimea Region of the Arieș Valley, the Cluj Hills, the Huedin-Mărgău Region.

Western and Northern Transylvania: Hațeg Region, Pădurenilor Region, Zarand Region, Năsăud Region, Sălaj Region (Sub-Meseș, Barcău Valley), Lăpuș Region, Banat Plain.

Other border areas and zones of cultural interaction: the Gheorgheni Depression, the Reghin Region, the Orăștie area, and the Csango region of Ghimeș-Palanca.

This collection was made possible thanks to collaboration with several prestigious museums: the Năsăud Border Guard Museum, the Zalău County Museum of History and Art, the Mureș County Museum, and the Cluj-Napoca Art Museum.

About the “Arta Acului la Cluj” Association

The “Arta Acului la Cluj” Association brings together enthusiasts of Romanian textile heritage dedicated to the authentic reconstruction of traditional folk costumes. Founded through meetings in unconventional spaces and museum partnerships, the association officially launched in 2022 with the “Eșantioane” project in collaboration with M.E.T.

Over the years, the association has distinguished itself through numerous successful initiatives:

Community and educational projects: Participation in the “Transition Through Tradition” project and the launch of the “The Joy of Being Together!” calendar.

European projects: Involvement in the “Textiles Month” project (alongside the National Museum of Romanian History, the ASTRA Museum, the Textile Museum in Băița, and the Romanian Academy—Cluj-Napoca Branch), where they exhibited 44 shirts sewn by group members and offered free guided tours to students.

Field and archival research: Regular study visits to partner museums (M.E.T., the Brașov Ethnographic Museum, the Brașov Museum of Urban Civilization, etc.) to analyze the structure of the fabrics, the stitching patterns, and the color schemes specific to each ethnographic region.

Connection with embroidery circles: Close and ongoing collaboration with embroidery communities both in Romania and abroad.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover up close the secrets of traditional embroidery and the stories woven into the fabric by past generations!

The Transylvanian Ethnographic Museum is located at 21 Memorandumului Street, Cluj-Napoca.