Those who walk with the star are singing carols. Romanian culture sets itself apart from others in the Eastern European region just as it shares some elements with them. In Romania, many traditional Christmas dishes consist of pork meat and these dishes are served throughout the entire winter, not only during Christmas time. The puppet theater is already an old tradition, and it was a really nice party event even in the palaces of Romanian rulers. Travel to Romania and experience one of the Romanian traditions below. Introduced early in Germany and Hungary, it reached Romanian through the Transylvanian Saxons. Traditions say that pigs should be sacrificed on Saint Ignatie’s Day (also known as simply “Ignat”), on December 20th. The repertoire of the Romanian traditions includes traditions, practices, superstitions, advices with the origin in faith, ancient myths or Christians. There are many customs that are respected on the wedding day. The characters of the drama are Herod, his people, an officers and soldiers dressed in Romanian uniforms, the three Magi or Wise Men: Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar, a shepherd, a child and in some parts a joker. The girl who want to know if she is marrying the next year, must go outside in the night of Christmas Eve, and take a pile of chopped wood and put them under the table. Romanian Christmas Traditions: From Carols to Delicious Dishes. In Moldova, traditions say you shouldn’t give anything away from the house on the day of Christmas Eve, no garbage is thrown out of the house and nothing is ever borrowed, because it is believed that you throw away your good luck for the year to come. Well, it’s pretty tricky to present the pig’s sacrifice tradition without raising some questions regarding animal rights or EU norms that pretty much oppose this practice. Dancing with bear masks symbolizes the death and resurrection of nature during wintertime. It celebrates the unification of Transylvania, … This is perhaps the most widespread tradition amongst the Romanian people. In the morning of Christmas it is good to wash the face with flowing water, taken from  valley. This might seem a bit odd for a foreigner, but it is their way of showing their faith in God. In-between these transitions, Romanian people have many beautiful and unique yearly traditions, to celebrate seasons, holidays and holy events. They go back in time to pre-Christian beliefs when gods were celebrated on winter solstice to bring nature back to life. When they leave the house in which they were received, the carolers say “. The Nativity Drama has its origins in the eighteenth century. Orthodox Pentecost is a public holiday. After everybody finish to eat, the girl must count them. Ziua Națională a României. Romania holidays 2020. The dough is shaped like the number 8. Romanian traditional customs have as means of expression: music, choreography, gesture and mimic. The height of the ransom is negotiated with the groom over the phone. The rites of passage signify different stages in life, including birth, marriage and death. In some places, at Christmas Eve you can hear a religious song known as the Nativity Drama or “Irozii” in which participate children. The priest who consecrated the meal, it the first who tastes the food after that the house members. Between Christmas and Epiphany (God|’s baptism, 6th January) the carolers, walked with the star. Martisor comes from the name of the month Martie (March). These are just a few of the many traditions that Romanians practice, and almost all of them are done with a unique twist, depending on the region of the country or the people that celebrate it. In Bucovina it is believed that it is better not to have borrowed things during the winter holidays. Varying from one region to the other, the Romanian Christmas traditions are authentic and valuable pieces of cultural heritage, closely linked to the agrarian life of the countryside. All Rights Reserved. You could opt for a ski holiday in Romania or, if you want to have a more spiritual trip, you can choose the Christian tour of the painted churches. Irina Marica. This is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Romania. The bride only may return if a symbolic ransom is paid. A well known tradition in Romania is “cutting the pig”. If you decide to go on a trip to Romania during winter, you should know that the mountain resorts are welcoming the tourists with ski slops and other winter attractions and activities, such as ice skating, sleigh rides, snowboarding and much more. Moldavian mask games are archaic customs, of agrarian and pastoral tradition, taking place on the occasion of New Year’s. In fact, carols were first sung in Europe thousands of years ago as part of the rituals of winter solstice celebration.