The Romanian blouse, an embroidered garment traditionally worn by villagers, particularly women, has recently gained popularity among nationalist politicians in Romania. Figures such as Diana Sosoaca and George Simion have adopted the blouse, known as “ie,” as a symbol of their political identity, while some liberals have distanced themselves from it due to its association with far-right ideologies.
Alina Dumitriu, a social activist, expressed her discontent, stating that the blouse has been transformed into an ideological weapon by extremists. She emphasized that it was once a part of Romanian tradition meant for everyone, but has now been co-opted as a symbol of exclusion.
Despite the nationalist movement's attempts to appeal to traditional values, Simion's recent presidential election loss highlighted the limitations of this strategy. Many progressives have chosen to abandon the blouse, fearing that a boycott would allow nationalists to monopolize an important aspect of Romanian culture.
Daniel Stanciu, a small business owner, noted that the blouse belongs to all Romanians, regardless of political affiliation. He shared an experience where a potential customer withdrew her order upon learning he did not support Simion, illustrating the political tensions surrounding the garment.
Some individuals, like Raluca Mihailescu, have mixed feelings about the blouse's appropriation by nationalists, acknowledging its cultural significance while feeling alienated by its political use. Others are more concerned with cultural appropriation by foreign fashion brands, advocating for recognition of Romania's traditional designs.
Andreea Diana Tanasescu, who manages a Facebook page dedicated to the Romanian blouse, criticized brands like Louis Vuitton for copying Romanian patterns without proper acknowledgment. She emphasized that each blouse serves as a cultural identifier, linking the wearer to specific regions of Romania.
Experts, including ethnologist Doina Isfanoni, argue that the blouse is often misrepresented by politicians who wear machine-made replicas rather than authentic, hand-embroidered pieces. Isfanoni highlighted that the blouse's cultural significance transcends political exploitation, noting its recognition by UNESCO as part of Romania's cultural identity.
The blouse, while embraced by some politicians as a symbol of authenticity, is also seen as elitist due to its high cost, which can reach hundreds or thousands of dollars for genuine pieces. This has led to a surge in cheaper, machine-made alternatives, threatening the livelihoods of traditional artisans.
Nicoleta Uta, an ambulance nurse, has taken steps to preserve the craft by teaching local youth how to embroider, recognizing the risk of losing this traditional skill. She believes that engaging young people in such activities fosters concentration and creativity, contrasting with the distractions of modern technology.
Uta criticized politicians for wearing inauthentic blouses and emphasized the need to return to genuine traditions, free from political manipulation.