Salut, România! With its changing focus, year after year the VIENNA DESIGN WEEK gives us richly detailed insights into the creativity of another European country. The spotlight onto Eastern Europe this year illuminates a multifaceted landscape – both in topography and in design! Meșteshukar ButiQ (MBQ), the București-based social enterprise and member of the ERSTE Foundation Roma Partnership is participating at the VDW in framework of this year’s country focus.

Meșteshukar ButiQ is working on revaluing traditional Roma craftsmanship and provides premium lifestyle products with a story and design that stands out in any context, using a blend of centuries-old techniques combined with contemporary design.

The design duo zerunianandweisz has accompanied Meșteshukar ButiQ (MBQ) since the very beginning: Nadja Zerunian and Peter Weisz discuss, draw, forge ideas. They sit side by side with the Roma craftspeople who are supported by the initiative – whether in the bone-chilling cold of the Transylvanian winter, or the baking heat of the summer: “We’re on the spot when the objects take shape in minutely detailed handicraft. They look at us, talk to us, follow us. Now they’re also going to talk to their observers.” FIDDLER, PFEIFFER & SCHLAU is a cooperative venture between zerunianandweisz and Meșteshukar ButiQ (MBQ) as part of the ERSTE Foundation Roma Partnership. In addition to the presentation in the Festival Headquarters, Meșteshukar ButiQ (MBQ) will open up a pop-up shop on Blindengasse 3, 1080 Vienna on 5 October at 6pm.