Timiș County Becomes the Stage for Unique Experiences: First Aid, Survival, and the Banat Heritage through a Cultural Project Funded by the Timiș County Council
From July 3 to 11, 2025, Timiș County will host an educational project dedicated to training young people through direct and memorable experiences. Titled “SOS – Educating Youth on First Aid, Survival Techniques, and Local Cultural Heritage,” the initiative aims to develop essential life skills while also reconnecting participants with the cultural roots of the Banat region.
The project will take place in six localities within the county—Coșteiu and Făget (July 3), Șag and Parța (July 7), Checea (July 9), and Dudeștii Vechi (July 11)—and will bring together young people to participate in interactive first aid and survival workshops, complemented by forays into local history and culture.
Learning by doing is the central element of the project. Participants will be guided by specialists in hands-on sessions where they will learn to respond quickly and correctly in emergency situations. The skills they will acquire include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the Heimlich maneuver, stopping hemorrhages (hemostasis), and immobilizing accident victims—techniques that can make the difference between life and death in critical moments.
At the same time, the youth will be introduced to nature survival techniques: navigating without a GPS, identifying safe water sources, building a temporary shelter, and safely starting a fire. These activities will not only develop practical skills but also foster an autonomous and responsible attitude towards life and community.
A distinctive element of the project is its cultural dimension, presented through a series of short films highlighting notable personalities from Banat, iconic figures such as:
- Ladislau Roth, a conductor and composer who lived 105 years dedicated to music,
- Prof. Dr. Gheorghe I. Tohăneanu, a renowned philologist and translator,
- Gelu Barbu, the dancer who carried on his parents’ artistic legacy,
- Bishop Ioan Ploscaru, a symbol of resistance against communist oppression,
- Prof. Dr. Mircea Lazarescu, one of the fundamental voices of modern Romanian psychiatry.
The short films, directed by Victor Popa, offer a deeply human perspective on these lives, redefining a strong cultural identity.
“Our goal is to encourage young people to appreciate and preserve the cultural values of their region, to understand the importance of tangible and intangible heritage, and to feel like an active part of a European community,” the organizers stated.
Between resuscitation exercises and survival lessons, between evoking the past and strengthening the present, the youth of Timiș will learn not only how to react to danger but also how to live a meaningful life—rooted in traditions, open to the community, and with a well-defined cultural identity.
The project is funded by the Timiș County Council through the TimCultura 2025 program and organized by the Cultural Association Trai.