Events of EFUCA
From April 1st to 8th, 2026, the "Euro-Arab Cultural Bridge – Education, Heritage and UNESCO Cooperation" project took place in Bucovina. This bi-regional initiative brought together partners from Tunisia and Romania. The project was coordinated by the World Federation of UNESCO Associations and Clubs (WFAC), the European Federation (ENAFCAU), and the Romanian Federation (FRACU), with the primary objective of promoting intercultural dialogue and the active involvement of young people in the appreciation of cultural and natural heritage.
The partners involved were: the UNESCO Club of Gafsa (Tunisia), the Alumnus Club for UNESCO, the CYGNUS Scientific Society for UNESCO, and the "Bucovina" Forestry College in Câmpulung Moldovenesc.
The program of activities began with an opening ceremony held at the "Bucovina" Forestry College, during which participants enjoyed a folk performance showcasing local traditions.
Throughout the program, the Tunisian delegation and the Romanian participants had the opportunity to discover the cultural and spiritual heritage of Bucovina through visits to the UNESCO World Heritage monasteries of Arbore, Sucevița, Voroneț, and Moldovița.
Activities also included presentations and hands-on experiences with traditional crafts and trades, such as Marginea black pottery, egg decorating, horse shoeing, and hand weaving, highlighting the continuity and authenticity of local traditions.
Participants visited important cultural and ethnographic sites, including the Felicia and Dionizie Olenici Ethnographic Collection, the Wood Art Museum in Câmpulung Moldovenesc—a unique institution in Romania dedicated exclusively to wood art—as well as the Citadel of Suceava and the Expomoto Bucovina collection, which features 170 working motorcycles.
The program also included authentic local experiences: a visit to the Kimpolung craft brewery, a stop at the Hanul Păstrăvarului in Pojorâta, and a ride on the Mocănița tourist train.
The natural dimension of the heritage was showcased through visits to landmark sites such as Lake Bicaz, the Bicaz Gorge, and Red Lake. The educational and scientific component was strengthened by visits to the Marin Drăcea National Forestry Research and Development Institute – Câmpulung Moldovenesc Experimental Station – and the Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava.
A symbolic moment of the partnership was the planting of a tree in Gafsa and the raising of a flag in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, gestures reflecting the enduring cooperation and friendship between the two communities. The program concluded with a closing ceremony, during which the importance of the "Youth and Museums" conference and the contribution of this partnership to promoting Romania's cultural and natural heritage were highlighted. Special thanks were extended to the Bucovina Forestry College and its director, Ms. Alina Cuciurean, for their commitment and hospitality, as well as to the CYGNUS Scientific Society for UNESCO, represented by Mr. Victor Șutac and Mr. Dan Milici, for their support. This experience demonstrated that intercultural dialogue, education, and heritage are essential pillars for strengthening international relations and fostering the sustainable development of communities.