Romania, a land of breathtaking beauty, is so much more than its bustling cities. It’s a place where old-school traditions and the rural way of life still hold sway. On the second Sunday in October (today!), Romanians celebrate Ziua Agriculturii și a Vieții Rurale (pronounced zee-wah ahg-ree-kool-toor-ee shuh uh vee-eh-tsee roo-rah-leh), or Agriculture and Rural Life Day, a day the heart and soul of the nation’s countryside is honored.
↓Let the festivities begin!↓
header via Augustin Lazaroiu
Sometimes words just don’t do a beauty justice.
Most of the time I hate everything about winter—the snow, the cold, the gloomy gray—but there’s something magical about how winter transforms Romania. It’s straight out of a fairytale, and I’m ready for my story to begin.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s some visual reading material 😉
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Image via Unsplash.com
Well . . . yesterday, at least 🙂
But, in keeping with the holiday spirit, I’d like to share with you some of the fun and festive Romanian traditions on and around December 25th.
from freeimages.com
Halloween Fericit! Or Happy Halloween!
While kids and adults are getting ready to go trick or treating—or go out and sing karaoke… no one? just me?—here are some of the traditions from Romania’s Halloween, otherwise known as Noaptea Sfântului Andrei {Saint Andrew’s Night}!
One of the traditions I remember most growing up, although never having participated in, is the mărțișor (pronounced mart-e-shore), which translates to little March (martie meaning March in Romanian). Beginning on March 1st, and continuing through the month, the mărțișoare are handed out to women (and, in some regions, men, as well). The mărțișoare is a thin, red and white cord, sometimes with a little charm affixed to it. Those without a charm are meant to be worn on the wrist, as a way to herald in Spring. Even though we’re well past March, I like to wear my mărțișoare as a piece of jewelry. It reminds me of Romania and is a great conversational opportunity to share this unknown cultural treasure with others. 🙂 The charms each have a special meaning, for instance, a chimney sweep is said to bring good luck to those who you meet on your way.
Funny meaning for a chimney sweep, huh? But sweet, nonetheless.
