A fundraising campaign has been launched to support the creation of the Muzeul Fluierelor Lumii\/Museum of World Whistles, a unique cultural project in Romania dedicated to preserving and celebrating one of humanity\u2019s oldest musical instruments – the whistle.<\/p>\n
Titled \u201cGive a leu for the Museum – don\u2019t let the sound of the whistle fade,\u201d the campaign aims to raise funds for the final stage of setting up the museum and for its educational and cultural programs.<\/p>\n
The Museum of World Whistles is being developed by the ISVOR Cultural Association in S\u0103li\u0219tea, a village in Malaia commune, V\u00e2lcea County, in a former school built between 1956 and 1960 through community donations. The museum is expected to open by the end of 2025 and will be the first institution of its kind, connecting Romanian and international traditions of whistle-making, the initiators said.<\/p>\n
The initiative is led by musician Oana Iva\u0219cu, co-founder of the ensemble Imago Mundi, known for reinterpreting traditional Romanian music. Supported by the Malaia local council, Romania\u2019s National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN), and a network of national and international partners, the project aims to \u201cturn the whistle into a symbol of connection between communities, generations, and cultures,\u201d according to the press release.<\/p>\n
The museum will feature an international collection of wind instruments, from the shepherd\u2019s whistle of \u021aara Lovi\u0219tei to the Turkish mey and the French bombarde. It will include interactive displays with multimedia materials, 360\u00b0 photos, video interviews, and QR codes allowing visitors to hear authentic sounds from the collection.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The project also includes a digital platform, a podcast, and a children\u2019s guide for learning the Romanian whistle.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the project also has a strong community focus. Until the museum\u2019s opening, ISVOR will organize musical workshops in rural schools across Malaia, Boi\u0219oara, C\u00e2ineni, Tite\u0219ti, and Voineasa, as well as a multimedia exhibition and an Imago Mundi concert in S\u0103li\u0219tea.<\/p>\n
To complete the museum\u2019s setup, acquire equipment, and expand the collection, organizers aim to raise RON 50,000 (around EUR 10,000) through public donations. Contributors will receive a digital \u201cFriend of the Museum of World Whistles\u201d certificate, acknowledgment on the official website for donations over RON 100, and invitations to the opening or a private Imago Mundi concert, depending on their contribution level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are close to the finish line,\u201d Oana Iva\u0219cu said. \u201cWe have the building, the collection, the partners, and the team. Now we just need people\u2019s help – those who believe a museum isn\u2019t just a place with showcases, but one that breathes through the people who support it.\u201d<\/p>\n