Saturday 03. January 2009 Stonemason course with apprentice from the trade school CAROL I.

In November last year i had the pleasure to share my knowledge as a stonemason with young romanian apprentice. It was realized in foundation of the trade school in sibiu and the german society. I am happy that these two weeks of practical training could fill the gap of missing technical instructors, as they were part of their apprentisship. I hope most of the trainees could multiply their working experience. Seven pupils were intended to take part in this class. But beside them many others came along and were interested in learning more about stone processing. May they all have benefits from those visits. Continuous appearance is normally a big problem with these young people because good equipment and professional instructors are rare. But i was positive surprised, because they were not only present, but also very serious to have best results in learning and handling this craft. And they were very curious and motivated. I enjoyed every minute of work with them. Conditions might not been ideal, because of missing tools or the constant appear- and disappearance of other pupils. But all of them had tried their best to pay attention, to learn and to work as good and fast as they could. To make sure that the shedule can be realized. The language problem was not a big deal, because of the continuous simultan translation from Anda. The pupils and me felt comfortable with that. We got used to it quick, even if it was funny to make a joke out of this situation, from time to time. If they had any complaints they dealed with the physical strain most of the time. They felt the work in their bodies and it is always neccessary to have patience with the small steps. You have to be persistent to reach the final and best result. But those small gray clouds always dissapeared fast. Some words of encouragement brought them back to be motivated to go on with a positive attitude. Generally the atmosphere was acceptable. Sometimes the livly ones had to make a show when one of their friends entered the room. They were  proud of carving those small stones. To get the attention and tranquility again always took some time. After the class had straightened the old blocks of stone, which were given from the evangelic church in exchange for the finished stones, they started fast to complete the work. The finished stones are going to be used in the restauration of the evangelic cathedral within the next years. This mutual benefit is great for both sides, because the stones have a use in the cathedral later and the pupils have the satisfaction while knowing that they had carved them. In the next stage they made ornaments. One for a nook and one for an arris. Afterwards they started to realize a round arch on a scale of 1:2. At the very last day of the project we put the carved stones together and you can see the result on the pictures. Along with the tools we bought for the project, the stones last in the school now and hopefully soon they can use all gear again.

We are moved by a very special spirit, because of the success from this project. The principal from the school was very thankful and he was wishing to go on with another project like this in a while. Also the pupils were satisfied with their two-week stonemason course. They spoke that out in lot's of conversations. Especially in the end course, as we went to see the cathedral and they saw the spots where the stones going to be used. In this year journeymen project the stones will be installed. Lot of the pupils are looking forward to that moment and of cours they want to be involved. For myself this project was a very positve experience. Not only because of that it feels good to share my knowledge with the class. It was also the look in the eyes of the pupils afterwards, as i could see how proud they are with their new skills. And i hope they will learn more about that! Also very interesting was to get to know Romania out of a different perspective. Because this country is full filled with many positives surprises. I deeply wish that Compagnons & Companions can go on with realizing such kind of projects, to share and give their knowledge and skills to young romanian chraftsmen. Exactly like Daniela & Ed have done it with the joiner class. I wish you all safe travels!

Vincent Beteau, C. T. D. P. D. D.