Experts Gather in Cristian, Sibiu for Symposium on Traditional Mountain Values and Contemporary Challenges

Dozens of experts in montanology and agricultural sciences gathered on Wednesday in Cristian, Sibiu County, for a symposium organized by the Institute for Research and Development in Montanology (ICDM).

This year’s theme, “Miorița – Food, Longing, and Ballad of the Romanian People,” highlighted the traditional values of the mountain area and the contemporary challenges facing rural and high-altitude communities.

The event brought together prominent figures in the field, including:

• Teodor Marușca, agronomist and specialist in mountain pasture systems;
• Mariana Rusu, Director of ICDM Cristian;
• Prof. Dr. Eng. Jelev Ioan, President of the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences “Gheorghe Ionescu Șișești”;
• Radu Rey, President of the Romanian Mountain Forum;
• Representatives of the National Agency for the Mountain Area (ANZM).

📌 One of the notable presentations was delivered by Laurențiu Roșu, counselor with ANZM, titled: “The Importance of Apis mellifera carpatica, Mountain Ecotype, in Preserving Floral and Grassland Biodiversity in Mountain Areas.”

This presentation emphasized the crucial ecological role of local Carpathian honeybees in maintaining biodiversity and sustaining traditional pastoral ecosystems in Romania’s mountainous regions.

The symposium served as a platform to:

• Promote the cultural and agricultural heritage of mountain communities;
• Discuss policy and research directions for sustainable mountain development;
• Foster collaboration between scientific, institutional, and community stakeholders.