Romanians celebrate the authentic beauty of the traditional blouse today, June 24, on Universal Day of the Ia. UNESCO added the art of the blouse with “altita” to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2022, recognizing it as an expression of Romanian creativity and continuity in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The National Library of the Republic of Moldova, cited by IPN, highlighted that the blouse reflects the refinement of craftsmanship passed down through generations.
First known as the ”ia,” this celebratory women’s blouse became a cornerstone of traditional Romanian attire. Born out of practicality, it gained artistic and emotional value the moment women created it and adorned it with their beliefs, aesthetic sense, and personal stories. According to the National Library, the ia is increasingly gaining recognition in European and global consciousness as a uniquely beautiful and original piece of traditional Romanian clothing.
The celebration of the “blouse with altita,” another name for the ia, began in 2013 thanks to the La Blouse Roumaine community, which aimed to elevate the traditional blouse—along with its ancient legacy—into a nationally recognized symbol worldwide.
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Today, over 50 countries and 300 localities across six continents mark Universal Day of the Ia. Museums and cultural institutions in Moldova and abroad have added the celebration to their annual calendars.