Three days dedicated to Constantin Brâncuși, 150 years after the birth of the sculptor from Hobița
There are places you don’t simply visit — you live them. And this summer, the forest at Tărâmul Cerbilor is getting ready to open a story it has long been waiting for: the first edition of the “Legendele Gorjului” (Legends of Gorj) Festival.
From 10 to 12 July 2026, in Călăparu – Turceni, more than 400 hectares of forest turn into a stage, a workshop and a place of stories. Three days in which music, sculpture, equestrian theatre, traditions and the cuisine of Gorj intertwine under a single sign: that of Constantin Brâncuși, 150 years after the birth of the sculptor from Hobița.
The festival is organised by Gorj County Council and Turceni Town Hall, with Tărâmul Cerbilor as host, and brings together established artists, sculptors, folk craftsmen, traditional producers and communities from Gorj — alongside creators from across Romania and from abroad. Conceived as an annual event, it aims to place Gorj at the centre of Romania’s cultural summer.
Under the sign of Brâncuși: the return to the essence
The first edition bears the name “Brâncuși 150 — Return to the Essence”. At the heart of the programme is the International Wood Sculpture Competition: over three days, fifteen sculptors from Romania and abroad turn the forest into a living workshop, in full view of the public. The works then remain on display in an open-air gallery — a forest that keeps its stories carved in wood.
From the sculptor’s chisel to equestrian theatre and performances inspired by his work, every moment becomes a contemporary tribute to the man who turned simplicity into eternity.
Three days, many worlds
Friday, 10 July — opening day. The International Wood Sculpture Competition gets under way, together with “Ritualul din sat” (The Village Ritual): the village hora dance, creative workshops and a fair with more than 20 folk artisans from Gorj and Botoșani. At sunset, Grigore Leșe & Lăutarii din Gorj take to the stage, followed by Ovidiu Lipan Țăndărică & Fanfara 10 Prăjini.
Saturday, 11 July — the day of stories. The equestrian theatre show “Copil în lume” (A Child in the World), the tribute “Cântecul munților” (The Song of the Mountains) performed by the “Nedeia” Ensemble (Novaci) and the “Brâulețul” Ensemble (Turceni), as well as a recreation of the “Atelierul din Paris” (The Paris Studio) — a dialogue between the artist Mircea Cantor and the writer Andrei Novac. The evening belongs to Taraf de Haïdouks — Caliu de la Clejani and the band Zdob și Zdub.
Sunday, 12 July — the grand finale. The sculpture competition awards gala, the one-man show “Sunt un orb” (I Am a Blind Man) starring Horațiu Mălăele and the equestrian show “Măiastra” (The Magic Bird), inspired by the Romanian mythological universe. The evening is brought to a close by the Damian Drăghici & Brothers orchestra and the band SubCarpați.
At Tărâmul Cerbilor, the forest becomes the host
Here, the stages are scattered among the trees: the folk craftsmen’s village, the stage by the lake, the amphitheatre in the heart of the forest. The deer are kings, every path tells a story, and visitors don’t come to watch — they come to live it. Nature weaves fairy tales, and guests are welcomed like long-awaited friends.
How to step into the story
The festival takes place from 10 to 12 July 2026 at Tărâmul Cerbilor (DJ673, Călăparu, Turceni, Gorj County), with daily access between 16:00 and 24:00. Entry is free, but registration is done online, at www.taramulcerbilor.com, and admission to the festival is by QR code.
For those who want to stay in the story a little longer, there are accommodation packages in the forest — cabins or a camping area set up for tents and caravans, with everything you need for a restful stay and access to the festival on all three days. Places in the cabins are limited. The full programme and the accommodation packages can be found at cazare.taramulcerbilor.com.
So come with me and let’s discover what story the forest is hiding. This July, at Tărâmul Cerbilor, we return to the essence — together.
At a glance
- When: 10–12 July 2026, daily from 16:00 to 24:00
- Where: Tărâmul Cerbilor, Călăparu – Turceni, Gorj County
- Entry: free, with online registration and QR code
- Registration: www.taramulcerbilor.com
- Accommodation: cazare.taramulcerbilor.com
