Some traditions survive because they are preserved.
Others survive because they are reimagined.
In the Danube Delta, one of the region’s most iconic symbols is the lotca, the traditional wooden boat that has connected communities, fishermen and families to the waters of the Delta for generations. For many locals, the lotca is more than a means of transportation. It is part of everyday life, local identity and collective memory.
For Alex-Iulian Onofrei, the story of the lotca began long before he became a craftsman.
Growing up in a Lipovan community near Lake Razim, he spent countless mornings in his grandfather’s boat, heading out before sunrise to fish. Those experiences shaped his connection to the Delta and inspired a lifelong fascination with the craftsmanship behind traditional wooden boats.
Today, at only 26 years old, Alex is one of the very few active builders of traditional wooden lotcas in Romania. As founder of Marangoz – Meșterii de Azi, a contemporary boatbuilding workshop based in the Danube Delta, he is part of a new generation of craftsmen committed to preserving and reinterpreting local heritage.
His approach is simple: tradition should not remain locked in museums.
It should be experienced, understood and passed on.
This philosophy inspired the creation of Born in the Delta – Lotca Kit 1:20, a DIY wooden model inspired by the traditional lotca. Crafted from natural materials such as pine, birch and mahogany, the kit invites users to assemble their own miniature boat while learning about the history, craftsmanship and fishing culture of the Danube Delta.
Complete with illustrated instructions and postcards, the experience goes beyond building a model. It offers a hands-on introduction to one of Dobrogea’s most distinctive traditions and creates a tangible connection with the people and stories behind it.
In 2026, the project received international recognition at the World Food Gift Challenge, organised by IGCAT in Crete, European Region of Gastronomy 2026.
Representing Dobrogea – Candidate European Region of Gastronomy 2029, the Born in the Delta – Lotca Kit was awarded the Best Educational Gift Award, selected by the international jury for its ability to transform regional heritage into a meaningful learning experience.
The award recognised more than the quality of the product itself. It celebrated an idea: that heritage can be transmitted through curiosity, creativity and participation.
In a world where many traditional crafts are disappearing, Alex’s work demonstrates that preserving heritage does not mean freezing it in time. It means finding new ways for younger generations to engage with it and make it part of their own story.
Through Marangoz, the lotca continues its journey.
Not only on the waters of the Danube Delta, but also in homes, classrooms and communities far beyond the region.
Because some traditions are not meant to be simply preserved.
They are meant to be passed on.
