Romania's traditional glass-making industry under threat
Romania's glass is known all over the world for its hand-crafted detail and sparkling beauty. But artisans in the trade fear it is dying out, because there are not enough newcomers to the industry.
Sparkling glass, hand-made in Romania, heading for the windows of the world's most renowned stores including Neiman Marcus in the U.S., Harrods in the UK and Swiss Department store, Globus. Last year, glass stars decorated the Christmas window display at Hermes in London.
The glass is made at the Adrian Sistem SRL factory on the outskirts of Bucharest. Inside, a team of ten glassblowers say they are proud to be carrying on the Romanian tradition of glass making, which is regarded as becoming a dying craft.
"We try to attract young people by telling them our stories, by showing them what we do. But very few of them are really interested in actually doing this job. Young people today are no longer interested in handicrafts," said Petru Stefanescu, owner of Adrian Sistem SRL. "Romania also doesn’t have a policy to direct young people towards work, towards craft."
Senior glassblower Stefan Hancu has been blowing glass for 60 years. He says a good glassblower needs to have the touch of a pianist - light and precise.
"It is a very fine handicraft. Not anyone can do this job unless it’s someone who really loves it. You must think how you will melt the glass and how you will cut it. You must feel this inside you," Hancu said.
Although Romanian glass is a luxury product, the economic downturn in Europe has not hit trade. Last year Adrian Sistem SRL had a turnover of 551,000 U.S. dollars of which 15 percent was profit. With this strong demand, Stefanescu hopes that it can attract more young people to the craft.
