“Suflet de România” Festival Brings Tradition to Life at the Royal Domain of Săvârșin

The third edition of the "Suflet de România" festival, an initiative created by leading Romanian retailer Profi, brought together generations in a heartfelt celebration of Romanian heritage at the Royal Domain of Săvârșin. The event reimagined the charm of traditional village life, highlighting authentic flavors, crafts, and Romanian artistry.

A Royal and Spiritual Opening

The festival opened with a blessing by Father Ștefan Lăcătușu, a Franciscan monk, who invoked unity and spiritual reflection, followed by the collective recitation of the "Our Father" prayer.

The official launch featured a tour of local producers and artisans by Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, alongside HRH Prince Radu, HRH Princess Sofia, and HRH Princess Maria, joined by Gaetan Pacton, CEO of Profi, and other notable leaders, including Mihai Spulber, incoming Profi CEO (from July), and key company executives.

Celebrating Local Culture and Talent

Attendees enjoyed performances by:

• Piano Violin Duet
• Tulnicăresele “Apuseni”
• Folklore ensembles: Valea Mureșului, Sfântu Gheorghe (Stanciova), Băgrinul, Voitegeana, BegArt Timișoara, and Flores
• Tribute concert to Maria Tănase (Mariano Castro & Alexandra Fits)
• Interactive theater by Celălalt.Teatru
• Recitals by Ion Popa and Emeric Imre Trio
• Headline acts: Zdob și Zdub, Irina Rimes, and Surorile Osoianu

A soul-stirring dialogue featuring Father Constantin Necula, hosted by journalist Cătălin Striblea, brought spiritual reflection into the heart of the festival on Sunday.

A Village Reimagined

The festival grounds were transformed into a traditional village setting with zones like:

• “Ulița Copiilor” (Children’s Lane)
• “Târgul Satului” (Village Fair)
• “Hanul Târgoveților” (Merchants’ Inn)
• “Drumul Artizanilor” (Artisans’ Path)

Profi-supported NGOs were present to promote involvement in Culture, Education, Health, Environment, Sport, Innovation, and Community, reflecting the retailer’s CSR priorities.

Long-Term Commitment to Local Producers

“We’re proud to help more people rediscover the authentic flavors of Romanian traditions,” said Călin Costinaș, Deputy General Manager and initiator of the project. Gabriela Sîrbu, Profi’s Sustainability Director, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the joy and connection felt by both visitors and producers.

The festival is part of “Creștem Comunități”, a tripartite partnership between the Royal House of Romania, the University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” of Timișoara, and Profi, aimed at supporting local producers and preserving authentic Romanian craftsmanship.

Profi’s support extends year-round through initiatives like Raftul cu Bunătăți Locale (The Shelf of Local Goodies) and Via-Profi.ro, Romania’s largest online platform for promoting local artisanal producers.