The Sic-Art Association of Sfântu Gheorghe launched a dulcimer education project in 2024, aiming to preserve and pass on Hungarian cultural heritage, with a special focus on younger generations. The dulcimer, an iconic instrument of Central and Eastern European folk music, has unfortunately become less prominent in Transylvania, making its traditional teaching and performance especially important today. The project’s goal is to introduce local students and interested community members to the history and techniques of the dulcimer, as well as the rich world of Hungarian folk music, thereby strengthening their identity and cultural ties.
The professional content of the program is provided by a guest instructor from the Rajkó-Talentum Dance and Music Art School in Budapest, as part of a two-year collaboration with the Sic-Art Association. The training is delivered in intensive weekend sessions once a month, totaling 144 hours—24 hours of theory and 120 hours of practical instruction. At the end of the course, participants will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a joint audition.
The project ensures that at least 10 participants acquire basic knowledge of the instrument, with attendance tracked over 36 sessions. The results of the project will be promoted through two press releases, a poster, and an author’s rights agreement.With this initiative, the Sic-Art Association not only undertakes the traditional teaching and promotion of the dulcimer, but also contributes to the preservation of Hungarian folk music and dance values, the strengthening of local community identity, and the enrichment of cultural diversity. In the long term, the project provides an opportunity for young people to become active participants in cultural preservation, passing on the values of the past to future generations while adapting them to the challenges of the present.