We are an international family, with a passion for regenerative, intentional living. We chose the circular life we lead here in this tiny peasant village in Transylvania, because it directly connects us with the soil, air and water – the most basic elements of life. We are determined to learn and pass on this circular lifestyle first and foremost to our children – but to anyone who would be interested in experiencing it.
Ralph is Dutch, and he has moved from The Netherlands to Transylvania more than twenty years ago. He is a rural development engineer trained at Wageningen University & Research, visual anthropologist, documentary / ethnographic filmmaker and the overall manager of our projects around the homestead, film production company and regenerative textile atelier. He is assistant general secretary of NAFA – Nordic Anthropological Film Association and coordinator of CAFFE – Collective for Anthropological Film Festivals in Europe.
Orsolya is Hungarian, born and raised in rural Transylvania as the eldest daughter in a small-scale peasant family. She is a professional weaver, plant-dyer, visual anthropologist, documentary / ethnographic filmmaker, Transylvanian ethnographer and fiber artist certified in circular fashion, art, design and science in a sustainable clothing industry. She is running the regenerative textile atelier.
We have two children: an eight and a two year old son (2025). Our family is multilingual, we speak Dutch and Hungarian within the family.
On our Transylvanian Farm we speak fluent Hungarian, Dutch, English, Norwegian and Romanian.
The Village
Csehétfalva / Cehețel, where we live, is a special place. It is a tiny peasant village established in the 15th century in the heart of Transylvania, at the foothills of the Eastern Carpathian mountain range. It is located in the Szeklerland region, which is a fairly large Hungarian enclave in the middle of Romania. The village is therefore entirely Hungarian, both culturally and linguistically.
The number of inhabitants in the village is less than hundred, mostly consisting of elderly people – though recently more and more young people have moved into the village. The main occupation is extensive small-scale farming and animal husbandry. People of the village mainly live off the land, keep barnyard animals like a few cows, horses, pigs, sheep and poultry, and live according to the ever-changing laws of the seasons.
The village is surrounded by fields and forests, and the wildlife characteristic to those: deer, boars, hares, foxes and bears. The Eastern Carpathian region of Transylvania gives home to the highest number of Europe’s brown bear population, a factor all humans living and visiting this part of the world must keep in mind and be careful. Nature demands its respect here.
How you get here
- the nearest town is Odorheiu Secuiesc which you can reach by train through Sighisoara. From there you can take a taxi, hitch hike, or we may be able to pick you up!
- nearest airports: Targu Mures, Sibiu, Cluj Napoca
- possibility for airport transfer (except from Sibiu). Please contact us for more detailed information on travel.
Follow us on Instagram: @transylvanian.wildflowers