The Haferland Week project was initiated in the summer of 2012 by Michael Schmidt, President of MHS Holding and of the M&V Schmidt Foundation, together with Peter Maffay, founder of the Tabaluga Foundation. Their intent was for this festival to promote Saxon culture and traditions as well as tourism in the region between Rupea and Sighișoara that is known as “Oat Country” or Haferland.

Whereas the first edition of the festival brought together a few hundred attendees, most of them Saxons returning to their homeland for the summer, over the following years festival attendance kept rising. More than 37,500 people—Saxons, members of local communities, and Romanian and foreign tourists attracted by the stunning landscapes and the stories about local traditions and customs—participated in the 10 editions of the festival.

“Through its longevity, the numerous shows hosted over the years and the constantly increasing attendance, Haferland Week is living proof of the vitality of the Saxon communities in Romania. It is crucial to make sure that these communities preserve their ancestral traditions for a sustainable future and a growing economy. Thus, the Saxons’ return to their homeland every summer has become a new and dynamic tradition that carries on the life of the Saxon communities in the Oat Country and beyond, enriching our common cultural heritage. All those who are curious to discover this extraordinary region, its traditions and its people are warmly welcomed to attend Haferland Week.” says Michael Schmidt