ASTRA Museum in Sibiu was the only institution from Romania represented at the International Cultural Heritage Fair in Paris, France, an event which attracted more than 20,000 visitors, Astra museum director general Ciprian Stefan, announced in a Facebook post.

He highlighted the efforts made by the ASTRA Museum team to participate in one of Europe’s most important events dedicated to cultural heritage, held from 29 October to 1 November at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.

“The ASTRA Museum is making history in Paris! We are the only institution from Romania represented at the International Heritage Fair in Paris – undoubtedly the most prestigious event of its kind in Europe and one of the leading events worldwide,” Ciprian Stefan said.

He explained that the Sibiu museum’s participation had been made possible with the support of a private sponsorship and emphasised the importance of culture in promoting Romania’s image abroad.

“We went there with the support of a private sponsor, but above all driven by the desire to reaffirm an indisputable truth: the cultural sector is Romania’s best ambassador abroad!,” Ciprian Stefan said.

He reported that two of the museum’s directors had travelled to Paris in a van over three days, unloading the materials and setting up the exhibition stand themselves.

“The fact that the team travelled across Europe in a van for three days, unloaded everything themselves and built a stand worthy of the reputation of both the Fair and ASTRA Museum, eating in the vehicle along the way… yes, we are talking about our two directors!,” Ciprian Stefan wrote.

According to him, the museum’s representatives then spent hours at the stand presenting the institution’s activities, its role in society and its development projects supported by the Sibiu County Council.

“For some, such a logistical and personal sacrifice might seem extraordinary. For us at ASTRA, it is simply business as usual. This is how real results are achieved!” the museum’s general director added.

At this year’s International Cultural Heritage Fair, the ASTRA Museum promoted traditional Horezu pottery, included on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, through its exhibition project entitled “The Sun on the Plate.”

According to information published on the ASTRA Museum’s official Facebook page, the Paris event ended on Sunday, having attracted more than 20,000 visitors, including specialists in the area of culture, education and tourism.