Sparks from the Past

Not long ago, in many Romanian villages, families commonly owned a pair of oxen. These animals were essential for plowing, transporting manure, hauling wood from forests, carrying hay, and other tasks. Easier to manage than horses, oxen were better suited for work on steep slopes.

Beyond farm duties, they also provided additional income. Many villagers raised and trained oxen to work in pairs before selling them. Once aged, they were often sold to slaughterhouses. Managing oxen, however, required teamwork—one person alone couldn’t control them efficiently. Families usually kept pairs, as they were more productive that way.

Today, oxen are rare in villages. In some places, they've disappeared completely; in others, you might still find an old yoke hanging in a barn. Nevertheless, there are communities where these animals endure—sometimes just a single pair, other times more. For some, keeping oxen is nostalgic; they’ve always had them and couldn’t imagine life otherwise. For others, oxen remain a practical and valuable part of rural life.

Vlad Dumitrescu

Photography, for Vlad Dumitrescu, is more than just capturing reality — it’s a journey through time and space, a way to preserve the authenticity of unique moments. Inspired by Romania's rural landscapes and the deep connection between people and the land, Vlad aims to capture fragments of a world in transition. Through his lens, Vlad explores the untold stories of Romanian villages, traditional labor, and the bond between humans and nature. He believes in the beauty of simple details and the power of an image to connect the past with the present. Vlad has showcased his work at solo exhibitions across Eastern Europe and has been awarded numerous awards for his work including the ‘National Competition of Ethnographic Photography’ and ‘The National Geographics Photography Contest’.