Childhood memories from a forgotten village. They are not my memories, they are my wife's memories. I have only seen the present which is not at all good for the small village where she was born.
This is happening now in Romania. Villages, especially the most isolated ones, are depopulating. Young people have gone to the city to work, and lately, they have even left the country to find a better life.
The old people who remain in the villages are leaving one by one, but not for a better life. They simply leave this life. They leave and leave empty houses behind them. Only a few still live and work in these isolated places, once full of life, children, and joy...
People like my wife, who left the village many decades ago, come back here mostly when there is a funeral or commemoration of a relative.
The one in the photos is Gheorghe, my wife's cousin. He lives in the nearby town of Dej, but he likes to stay in his parent's old house in the village in summer. The house is almost buried in greenery. Here nature has a colossal power.
He also has some animals that he takes care of, of which he loves the horse the most!
As I said, here nature is unleashed and cannot be stopped. There's no one left. The gardens have been overgrown with grass, plants, and trees...
Wildlife pulsates, from wild boar to the tiniest insects. Luckily I've only encountered insects.
This village is in the north of Romania, in the north of Transylvania, 600 km away from the city where we live. We made this trip also for a commemoration. For Gheorghe's brother, Silvi, obviously a cousin of my wife.
The village cemetery is several hundred years old. The old graves are no longer visible, but neither are the more recent ones. All because of the vegetation that has no master and grows as it wants.
This visit to the cemetery brought my wife close to the old wooden church, as old as the cemetery, which is now a historical monument.
A monument as abandoned and forgotten as the village.
The church is built exclusively of wood, without the use of iron nails. Some of the joints can be seen below...
This is the church where my wife was baptized after she was born. It has a special meaning for her.
There were once three brothers: Gheorghe, Florica, and Silviu. My wife's three favorite cousins. Florica died first, three years ago. Silvi died second, two years ago and Gheorghe, the one in the photos above, died two weeks ago. RIP Gheorghe! I wrote this blog in memory of him (and the other two)...
Whenever I think of the past, when I photograph old and forgotten places, I want to recreate them in black and white. These photos were taken two years ago at Silvi's memorial
This is my entry for the #monomad challenge.
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It must be bittersweet to see the village in its current state, knowing how it once was.
I can see how the beauty of nature is both a blessing and a curse for the village. On the one hand, it's amazing to see how the land has reclaimed the abandoned houses and fields. On the other hand, it's sad to think that the village is slowly being swallowed up by the forest.
The photos you shared are stunning. They capture the beauty of the village, even in its current state. I especially love the photo of the old wooden church. It's amazing to think that this church has been standing for centuries, and it's a testament to the resilience of the people who built it.
I'm glad that you were able to visit the village with your wife and pay your respects to her cousins. It sounds like they were all very special people, and I'm sure they would be proud of the way you've preserved their memories.
Thank you! A very nice and accurate review of what I wrote. It's always a joy when I see that there are still readers like you.
Thanks for your kinds words
With pleasure!
Indeed, there have been left less people in the villages in my country as well. I think the new generation wouldn't like to do agriculture and husbandary, which are essential for a country.
They certainly don't want to farm anymore... hard work and little money.
There are some memories that one cannot forget even in old age, the way you have shared all these things with us is very touching and this place is very beautiful. Man can never forget this place where man spent his childhood and youth.
You have right, thank you!
Most welcome.
I am definitely sure so many memories this pictures will bring back for your wife and that's why at times we just need to enjoy every moment that comes because we might not be able to see it again
Yes, that's right.
Beautiful captures 🥰