Elements of Identity in the Land of Vrancea: Perceptions and Capitalization Possibilities
Elements of Identity in the Land of Vrancea: Perceptions and Capitalization Possibilities

Summary/Abstract: The territorial personality of a region is composed of a plethora of elements and various interrelations, generated over time. The more profound and more prolonged the interaction between the human community and the territory it occupies, the better known will be those defining elements that give it its notoriety and identity. The analytical approach to identifying, understanding, prioritizing, promoting and capitalizing on the defining elements of a region is a topical issue in research, in various fields of science targeting the territory, among which regional geography is particularly noteworthy. The regional entities in the Romanian space, which deserve special attention from the perspective of regional identity and of how identity elements can help increase the notoriety of a region and its development, are those known as “lands.” Of the 18 regions thus defined, a special place, given its personality and the multitude of interrelationships established over time between the human community (Vrancea) and the territory assumed for habitation, is held by the Land of Vrancea, positioned in the curvature area of the Carpathian arch. This paper aims to identify the main elements which underlie the construction of the identity of the region in question and their ranking from the perspective of their regional importance. Thus, the analytical approach aims at identifying and prioritizing the territorial brands of Vrancea, drawing both on the existing literature (related to several fields of knowledge) and on the perceptions of regional community representatives (following the application of a questionnaire and the analysis of answers). A correct radiography and an understanding of the importance of the defining elements of identity for the Land of Vrancea facilitates their promotion, as they can become real “drivers” of the development of the region in question and those nearby. The identity elements of Vrancea are diverse, including elements specific to the natural setting (e.g., Putna waterfall), significant local personalities (e.g., Simion Mehedinti), and literary elements (e.g., the Miorita ballad) or with a legendary character (e.g., the legend of Vrâncioaia). Our material is intended to be a helpful tool both for readers knowledgeable in the field of regional geography and for the local and county public authorities, the latter having the duty to invest in the elements that can contribute to the development of the region and increase living standards for the local and regional community.

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