Abstract
The present study focuses on the book of Prof. Ion H. Ciubotaru, which must be seen as a detailed x-ray of an era and of a path in life. The era was a turbulent one, and the road full of asperities, but the ethnologist crossed it with obstinacy, guided by a lucky star in which he did not stop believing. The motif of the hearth maps the entire work as a reminder of moral philosophy, because it is the heart of the parental home and of the traditional village, with simple and dignified people, whom the memoirist knew closely and presented to us in all their complexity. In these pages we find memorable figures of ploughmen, with whom he worked hard since his early childhood and with whom he entertained himself throughout his entire life, understanding them like no other, then reputable teachers who decisively marked his formation and professional evolution, true models that he calls from the world of memories in order to show his gratitude. We discover at every step bright figures of folk creators and performers, Romanian and Jewish fiddlers (klejmeri) whose vocal-instrumental repertoire, brought from beyond time, moves you and, last but not least, the warm portraits of freeholders of different faith (Catholics), those who helped the author discover a whole universe of beliefs, traditions and heritage values (folk clothing, carpets, traditional towels, kerchiefs) with the most authentic Romanian origin. The Polish trip – from the foothills of Tatra Mountains to the Baltic Sea – where ethnographic information continues to remain at the forefront, along with the stops at the Ethnographic Museum and the Branch of the Romanian Academy in Iaşi complete the initiatory route of one of the most prominent Romanian ethnologists.