Incredible longevity revealed in Buzău Land: Communities with an impressive number of residents over 90 share the secrets of a long life

A series of video documentaries, initially developed through a partnership with DigiWorld and later continued by the Buzău Land Association, reveals an unusual proportion of individuals aged 90 and 100 years or older in several communities within the UNESCO Geopark of Buzău County

On the land of the “Living Fire” in Buzău Land, it seems like even people are fueled by an inner flame that helps them lead long lives, living in an ancient harmony with nature. Apparently, Buzău County – declared a UNESCO International Geopark in 2022 – is home to what scientists call a blue zone, where many folks in the community live remarkably longer than the average global lifespan.

Maria Zaican

Data from the village hall of Mânzălești, in Valea Slănicului, shows that out of the 2,000 residents in the area, 40 are over 90 years old, making up around 2% of the population. This rate is unusual, being four times higher than the national average in Romania. According to the latest census, out of the total population of 19.053 million people, 102,000 are over 90 years old, accounting for 0.5% of the population. The percentage in Mânzălești is similar to famous “blue zones” like Icaria in Sardinia or the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. While these distant places have been widely publicized, Mânzălești and Valea Slănicului are a hidden revelation, a yet-undisclosed secret worth discovering.

The Buzău Land Association aims to discover the secrets of the local elders, preserving their wealth of wisdom by filming the source of knowledge that has helped locals lead peaceful lives and achieve longevity records.

”Throughout our efforts to include Buzău Land in the UNESCO Geoparks, we’ve found real treasures in the region. These go beyond touristic or food attractions and touch on well-being and the quality of life we all aim for. The first episodes, produced in partnership with Digi Worlds, uncovered a surprising trend of longevity, so we’ve decided to explore this further through new documentary films as part of a Geopark project. We want to bring all these aspects to light for Romanians and the world to know about”, says Răzvan-Gabriel Popa, Manager of Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark.

The entire Buzău Land stands as an example of longevity, possibly because a healthy lifestyle has been maintained here, closely tied to agricultural rituals and age-old traditions. Locals consume clean, homegrown food, work consistently, stay physically active, practice moderation in eating and drinking, are forgiving, and adopt a mindset of entrusting their lives to destiny. This outlook gives them a sense of detachment and a resilient strength to navigate through challenges. The clean air, the salt, the relief, the forests, and the special vibration of this area blessed by nature contribute to these aspects.

Sadly, this uncomplicated and natural way of life is fading away: the region is experiencing depopulation, and the younger generation is choosing the city and its convenient, yet often detrimental, lifestyle.

Short documentaries uncovering the secrets to a long and peaceful life

A filming team from the Geopark has created a documentary series titled “Ținutul, bucată cu bucată” (The Land, Piece by Piece), delving into the themes of longevity and transience, two extremes coexisting in one of Romania’s lesser-known and most beautiful regions. Longevity is evident as people here lead remarkably long lives, while transience is represented by this unique way of life being on the brink of disappearing.

Gheorghe Massa

”We have set out to preserve it for memory, to cinematically capture its wisdom and vitality in a series of documentaries about the most sustainable way of life: communion with nature. To relearn from the elders of Buzău Land what we knew and have forgotten: simplicity, moderation, and common sense”, says Anca Grădinariu, project coordinator for video documentaries, TV producer, and member of the Buzău Land Association.

„We’ve come to realize that we’re dealing with a treasure, something truly valuable: we’ve succeeded in discovering and filming genuine human milestones. From these, we can rediscover how to lead a healthy, independent life well into old age, finding peace within ourselves and with the surrounding environment. All of this unfolds in a modern world where the preservation of nature and sustainability have become urgent priorities. Our journey doesn’t end here; we’ll keep engaging with the locals, listening to their advice, and filming their lives as they’ve known them for decades. Through this, we aim to unveil their incredible vitality, longevity, wisdom, and resilience. Ultimately, we’re on a mission to relearn what we’ve forgotten: how to live in harmony with nature. For the long term.”, shares the author of the documentaries.

Anca Grădinariu engaged with numerous seniors to uncover the secret that keeps them going, establishing a genuine connection with the community. ”When I come here in Valea Slănicului, people approach me and share stories about relatives and friends who are 90 or 100 years old, still vibrant and hardworking. Some elderly folks have never heard of the term ‘lifestyle’, yet they’ve adopted a healthy way of living, either inherited or guided by common sense and experience. Using knowledge I gained from a master’s degree in consumer sociology, I practically did qualitative research, with results not much different from those in the book or documentary Blue Zones. I believe it’s the responsibility of public institutions to thoroughly investigate this phenomenon quantitatively, as long as it still exists (whether in Valea Slănicului or elsewhere). The findings could greatly benefit Romanian society and our wish for a longer and healthier life”.

About Buzau Land Association

Buzau Land Association is the organization that manages the UNESCO International Geopark Ținutul Buzăului, in partnership with Buzău County Council and the University of Bucharest. It is a non-governmental organization that carries out sustainable development, civic involvement, education, economy, and environmental protection projects. In the period 2020-2022, together with the County Council of Buzau department and the University of Bucharest, the association has taken steps to acquire the status of UNESCO International Geopark for this territory. Its mission is to build a sustainable development model using the area’s natural and cultural heritage as a primary resource. The association includes specialists in geology, socio-cultural sciences, sustainable development, protected areas, education, graphic design, IT, community involvement, destination management and conservation of natural and cultural heritage. Their aim is to improve the quality of the environment and the life of the communities in the area, developing their decision-making and action capacity and promoting the development of alternative tourism in harmony with the environment.

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Teaser trailer Ținutul Buzăului: https://youtu.be/eC5VZDqfflI

06.12.2023 / Editor, Andreea Dragan