Roșia Montană: A family. A century. A story – from the Bocaniciu Family photographic archive
The collection of photographs taken by Silviu Bocaniciu Sr. and preserved by his son in the family archive is an important source of information for the modern and contemporary history of Roșia Montană. They witness a time when its inhabitants’ life still followed its historical rhythm, in line with the traditional millennial mining activity. It was a time when mining was carried out with simple tools, horses, as well as wooden machinery powered by water. They document a site protected by mountains, carrying the remnants of historical mining works from Roman, medieval or modern eras. A traditional small mining town dotted by urban features – casinos, banks, insurance companies or stores with Western merchandise – with a central square animated by fairs, marching bands or famous artists.
Although it was built as a family archive, comprising a rich inventory of images of family members, the photographs are framed by amateur photographer Silviu Bocaniciu Sr. in the lively setting of the historical town. The artificial lake installations, the stamp mills, the facades of historical buildings, the ancient mining works, they are all a constant appearance in Silviu Bocaniciu’s photographs.
When the subjects of the photographs are the very buildings, mining works or the town’s built landscape, Silviu Bocaniciu Sr. focuses on the significant details, as only a knowledgeable local can. We can thus better understand the local specificities, from the dominant white of the facades, the scale-shaped shingles of the imposing baroque roofs, the church towers, the urban ornaments of the facades in the town centre, the traditional industrial areas at the periphery, the artificial lakes’ control towers or the gold extraction areas.
The photographer’s systematic recording of the essential details of the mining and built landscapes allows us today to grasp some of the elements destroyed during the communist period: the Ajtay Palace, demolished and replaced by a building of flats; the mining sites of Cetate Massif, dating from antiquity, medieval or modern times, which were blown up with dynamite; or the series of stamp mills which were closed starting with the nationalization in 1948, to name some of the most striking.
The documentary value of the photographs is enhanced by the author’s son, Silviu Bocaniciu Jr. who complements them with stories about the community’s life – its beliefs, legends, daily life or important community events. Last but not least, a foreword to the album belongs to Silviu Bocaniciu Jr., entrusting to its readers to preserve Roșia Montană as it was inherited.
96 pages
black and white, color
22×22 cm, hard cover
bilingual edition / Romanian – English
ISBN 978-973-88465-8-6
Orders: contact@nou.simpara.ro
Price 50 lei + shipping price
All profit from selling this album will be redirected to support the ARA Association conservation activities in Rosia Montana, through the Adopt a House programme.