The Life I Love – The Life I Choose

In many parts of the world, industrialized agriculture is replacing small farms. In Romania, traditional farms still exist — but their survival is at risk. While the elderly honour age-old rural traditions, the young often move on to bigger cities. Does the old way of life still have a place in the 21st century?

This is a question explored in The Life I Love – The Life I Choose, a visually stunning photo exhibition by Vlad Dumitrescu. The exhibition documents the lives and traditions of Romanians who continue to practice ways of farming that have remained unchanged for centuries. From the strong relationships they have with their animals to the deep respect of land, nature, and culture, these pictures provide a snapshot into a way of life that is quickly vanishing. The Life I Love – The Life I Choose documents an approach to farming centered around sustainability and a circular economy, which allows the environment to thrive.

Are there lessons we can learn from these practices? What is truly at stake here? Through 41 striking landscape and portrait photographs, this exhibition seeks to spark these conversations while taking us on a journey through the farmlands of Romania. 

The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum is grateful to host this exhibition on loan from the State Palaces and Gardens of Hesse, Germany.