Centrul Cultural Ion Popa

The Ion Popa Cultural Center in Crețești activates children and young people in Vidra commune through three core domains: agriculture and ecology, heritage and architecture, and art and design. Our mission is increasing cultural engagement among residents of the three villages (Crețești, Sintești, Vidra) while contributing to youth professional orientation—both technical craftsmanship skills and university preparation.

Named after architect and designer Ion Popa (1944-1990), a prominent figure in contemporary Romanian design born in Crețești, the center honors his legacy. Popa co-founded Romania's first design studio (Studio DA), directed Club A in Bucharest, and organized the 1974 National Design Seminar. We promote his contribution through exhibitions and an annual scholarship bearing his name.

We offer weekly clubs in visual arts, crafts, and design, alongside workshops in pottery, painting, and drawing. We organize visits to the Research Institute for Vegetable and Flower Growing in Vidra and the National Museum of Art of Romania, connecting local heritage with broader cultural experiences. Our signature "Vidra Commune Day" celebrates local identity through traditional product stands, vegetable preparations, and interactive craft workshops. We research and exhibit vernacular architecture at the Union of Architects of Romania. Given Vidra's exceptional Neolithic heritage—including the famous Venus of Vidra artifact—we promote the commune as a cultural tourism destination.

Our values center on empowering youth through arts education, providing safe creative spaces, strengthening community cohesion, preserving local traditions, increasing access to media education in rural areas, and enhancing the commune's prestige. We believe in culture and education's transformative power to inspire young people while keeping them connected to their roots.