As one delves into specific topics, they become enriched with each new step of the research. Quickly, what once appeared to be a simple object transforms into an intricate subject with its unique narrative—a story worth sharing.
My book encompasses several such narratives. It emerged from a need to convey these stories beyond my own thoughts, to inspire and foster connections, to facilitate creative thinking and to guide readers’ perception towards the unseen. Often, the unseen is present but either too vast or too narrow for immediate comprehension. By translating everything into the uniform medium of words, I aim to enable you, the reader, to engage with what captures your interest, irrespective of the actual size, color, or scent.
One of the most surprising botanical discoveries featured in this book is a small plant known as Tausendgüldenkraut. Conversely, one of the largest subjects of study is a written Cosmography by Johannes Honterus, dating back to the 16th century, which documents plants in Transylvania.
With this introduction, and with anticipation of the forthcoming English edition, I fondly recall the book launch on July 1, 2025. I extend my gratitude to Litera Publishing House and Modul Carturesti Bookshop for their support. I would also like to acknowledge the esteemed speakers who contributed to the success of the event: Simona Popescu, essayist, poet, and novelist; Adrian Majuru, historian and anthropologist, manager of the Bucharest Museum; and Marius Constantinescu, cultural journalist.
Flori transilvane is more than a book — it’s a journey through history, tradition, and the quiet strength of a land shaped by both wild beauty and cultural layering. Launched in a moment of shared emotion and curiosity, this book gathers years of artistic and botanical research into a visual and poetic tribute to Transylvania’s floral heritage, in both nature and decorative language. If you’ve ever felt the pull of a landscape, the need to name a flower, or the longing for a sense of place, this book will speak to you. I invite you to read it slowly, leaf by leaf — like a herbarium of memory and wonder.
