Titlul subiectului: despre romania, articol al unui englez:

Masks, Traditional Dress, and Age-Old Customs Mark Romanian Festivals
By Joyce Dalton

romania

With all due respect to ruins, monuments and cathedrals, nothing highlights a trip or provides better photo ops than a traditional festival. And few people in today’s world maintain and cherish their age-old customs as do the villagers of Romania. Hardly a week goes by without a religious or secular festival somewhere in this eastern European country. Some of the best, however, take place between Christmas and New Year’s.

For the grandest winter spectacle, head to Romania’s northwestern corner by December 27 when the Festivalul Datinilor de Iarna (Winter Festival) takes place in the town of Sighetu Marmatiei.

romaniaMasks hang from lamp posts and people (overwhelmingly local) pack the streets. More masks—part demon, part animal, part indescribable—hide the faces of young men who run through the streets as oversized cowbells hanging from their waists clang loudly. Far from idle Halloween fun, masks, here, are an old tradition, symbolizing fertility, the passing and renewal of time and the good and bad aspects of human nature.

By the time the procession gets underway, everyone has caught the excitement and the anticipation matches that of teens at a rock concert.

romaniaAccompanied by music and colinde (carols), some 40 to 50 groups, representing virtually every village in Maramures, pass along the main street. All are in traditional dress, meaning, for girls and women, stiff white blouses with fancy work and puffy sleeves, white or flowered skirts partially covered by striped woven front and back panels, headscarves, embroidered black woolen vests, thick knee-high socks, a stiff ballet-type shoe called opinci which laces criss-cross fashion over the socks, and white or black wool jackets. Large homemade bags, usually of a black and white checked design, hang by long twisted wool from shoulders. Some walkers reach into these bags to toss rice or grain toward the viewers which represents both prosperity and ridding oneself of bad fortune. Boys and men don similar jackets or a white, long-haired cloak, wide white pants, loose shirts, tooled leather belts, boots and tall hats of curly black or gray wool.

romaniaWhen a group reaches the reviewing stand, they earn a few minutes in the spotlight for a carol, a folk dance or a tune on old instruments such as the trambita, an extremely long horn, or the buhai, a small barrel through which horsehairs are pulled.

Some young men ride beautiful horses with evergreen and ribbons braided into the mane and tails and red tassels hanging from the bridle. Gorgeous handmade saddle cloths are ablaze with patterns of colorful flowers.

Signaling the end, a horse-drawn sleigh filled with white-jacketed youths, musicians and of course, Santa Claus passes by the crowd.

Throughout the afternoon, folk musicians, singers and dancers perform from a stage set up by city hall.

romaniaIn many villages, especially in the northeastern province of Moldavia, December 31 is the big day—not eve, mind you, but morning. The tradition-packed outdoor event I observed in Verona, a 45-minute drive from the city of Suceava, is typical. The weather may have been chilly but neither participants nor onlookers seemed to notice.

First, a choir of schoolgirls sang old carols. Animal skin winter jackets failed to completely hide their embroidered blouses, flowered belts and long striped skirts from which the lacy edge of white under-skirts peeked. Colorful hand-woven shoulder bags and black head scarves completed the costumes which are unique to the area.

romaniaSoon, this idyllic scene gave way to the whistles and shouts of young men who galloped out for a spirited dance of the caiuti, or horses. With amazingly fast foot movements, punctuated by high kicks and boot-slaps, they maneuvered themselves and white cloth horse heads, attached to their waists and adorned with embroidery, tassels and a multitude of colored pom poms, around the small space.

In olden days, white horses were believed to be messengers bringing life and luck and this dance symbolizes the bond between farmers and the animals that pull their wagons and aid in working the land.

A clack, clack, clack signaled that the capra (goat) was coming. A guaranteed crowd pleaser, the carved wooden head is attached to a long pole which the bearer manipulates to noisily open and close the mouth as he dances around. Any resemblance to a real-life animal has been disguised with long ribbons, a towering headdress and whatever other adornments flash into the creator’s mind.

romaniaThis dance once foretold an increase in shepherds’ flocks along with abundant crops in the new year. Today’s antics are lighthearted, with many a satirical reference to the manners and morals of the villagers.

Another festival staple is the dance of the bears (the two-legged costumed variety). Accompanied by their Gypsy trainer and a youth beating a tambourine-type instrument, the animals crawl through the crowd. Reaching the center, they perform a dance until eventually, the bears fall dead on the ground. After their hearts are taken by the trainer, they return to life, theoretically, a more gentle one. Even today, more bears exist in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains than any other place in Europe and this ancient rite suggests the power of man to tame nature.

romaniaThroughout the festival, masked figures ran about, banging anything that made noise, to frighten away any stray bad spirits that might have invaded the merrymaking. This is another reference to premodern days when people believed that spirits of the deceased wandered the Earth between Christmas Eve and January 6.

After young orators offered rhyming chants of welcome and good wishes for the new year, the mayor presented round braided loaves of bread, symbolizing abundance and rich harvests, to each participant as well as to a Senator or two, who, true to the nature of politicians worldwide, knew the wisdom of appearing at public events.

romaniaFollowing the spectacle, in a scene repeated in villages and cities throughout Moldavia, groups of children, dressed as bears, horsemen or Gypsies, made the rounds of their neighborhoods. Announcing themselves with a jangling bell, they touched the homeowners with a flower-adorned stick while chanting a verse invoking them to be “strong as stone, quick as an arrow, strong as iron and steel.” In return, they received fruit, candy, a pastry or some coins.

romaniaFor those whose winter travel plans lean toward more tropical climes, Romania offers many more festival opportunities. One of the most well-known, Targu de Fete, or Maiden’s Fair, takes place in July atop Mount Gaina, situated about 20 miles west of Campeni in the province of Transylvania. In decades past, the festival served as an opportunity for young men to meet girls from neighboring villages (and vice versa, of course). Since this not infrequently led to marriage, everyone dressed in his or her finest traditional attire.

With today’s less isolated lifestyle, young people no longer need an annual event to meet. Happily, though, the festival lives on and remains a time for traditional garb, food, music and dance along with appearances by some well-known folk artists.

romaniaFor another colorful traditional event, in an even more splendid wooded mountain setting, don’t miss Hora la Prislop. Held mid-August at Prislop Pass, situated along the northerly road which connects Maramures with Moldavia, this festival attracts people from numerous regions who come, decked out in folk costumes, to mingle and enjoy the traditional music, songs and dance.

romaniaTravelers often chance on religious celebrations. The majority of people belong to the Romanian Orthodox faith and it is not uncommon to come across processions of worshipers carrying flowers and icons to a church or monastery in honor of a significant event in the church calendar. In villages, such people most likely will be in traditional dress.

A major religious event takes place annually on August 15 near the Maramures village of Moisei. Villagers from around the county make pilgrimages to Moisei’s monastery for the Feast of the Assumption. Walking in village groups, sometimes for two days or more, the worshipers carry crosses and holy pictures. The majority of walkers are children and young people. In a scene reminiscent of first Communion, little girls wear pretty white dresses with white flowers, headbands or ribbons adorning their hair. Traffic along the narrow roads slows to a crawl as drivers wait their chance to pass these singing, joyful groups.

romaniaAfter leaving the main road, the procession continues another mile and a half up a moderately steep dirt and rock road before reaching the spacious grounds of the monastery. Most groups arrive on the 14th so the grass is covered with clusters of people who have spread blankets out and are enjoying the chance to socialize and catch up on news from neighboring villages. Some gather in a long open-fronted shelter which has been set up for the pilgrims. Even a few vendors have established temporary shop, hawking food and trinkets. Surprisingly, most of the latter are completely unrelated to religion.

romaniaMany, especially the elderly, kneel in prayer before various icons set up around the grounds. Others worship in a small wooden church, typical of the region, dating to 1672 or in a larger, modern church nearby. On the 15th, priests lead special services for the thousands who have gathered in the wooded setting.

With its mountains, forests, medieval sites and traditional villages, Romania is a beautiful and rewarding destination at any time. By planning your trip around a festival, however, you’ll come away with a better appreciation of the Romanian people and their unique culture. And or course, you’ll return home with great photos, too.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The Romanian Tourism Promotion Office offers an impressive variety of brochures, maps, hotel and other tourist information. While some festival dates remain fixed, others change year by year so it’s wise to check before your trip.

Romanian Tourism Promotion Office
14 East 38th St., 12th floor, New York, NY 10016.
Tel: (212) 545-8484. Fax: (212) 251-0429.
E-mail: ronto@erols.com.

ACCOMMODATIONS

For a true introduction to Maramures life, consider a home stay. Prices vary but usually include breakfast and dinner. If the proprietors are members of the agro-tourism organization, Antrec, expect clean, comfortable surroundings and indoor plumbing. Do not expect private bath facilities or that the hosts speak English.
Antrec. Str. Stirbei Voda 2-4, Bucharest, Romania. Tel: (011) 40-1-315-2732. Fax: (011) 40-1-312-0148. E-mail: office@antrec.ro.

Note: When calling within Romania, drop the 011 and 40 and add 0 before the one- or two-digit area code for all telephone numbers.

romaniaromaniaOne recommended Antrec-associated B&B is the home of Vasile and Mariana Bud.
Oncesti 335, Jud. Maramures, Cod 4932, Romania.
Tel: (011) 40-62-331-322. E-mail: BudMariana@yahoo.com.

Rates are $12 per person including two meals. Vasile and Mariana speak Romanian and French and enough English for basic needs to be met. They are very informed and helpful with suggestions about sight-seeing in Maramures. Oncesti is an ideal base for visiting the main tourist sights of this traditional region.

romaniaFor those who prefer hotel accommodations, the Perla Sigheteana has eight comfortable double rooms, all with private bath, and a good restaurant. The owner lived in Switzerland for more than 20 years, and operates the property on Swiss standards of amenities and service. Rates are $31 per person, including breakfast. Some staff speak English.

Perla Sigheteana. Str. Avram Iancu, Nr. 65/A,
Sighetu Marmatiei, Jud Maramures, Cod 4932, Romania.
Tel: (011) 40-62-310-613. Fax: (011) 40-62-310-268.

afara este trist si cenusiu.........

daca mi-ar traduce si mie cineva ce scrie mai sus, poate m-as incumeta sa-mi dau cu parerea
Tedy, explica si la necunoscatori, din pacate nu toti ne descurcam lejer cu engleza.

Buna Selen;este vorba despre un englez care a vizitat Romania si a fost foarte enuziasmat de traditiile noastre seculare;placandu-i atat de mult sa gandit sa publice un articol despre Romania,in care sa descrie obiceiurile noastre in perioada sarbatorilor.
Toate bune si frumoase daca articolul nu se intr-o nota ironica,cum ca romanii in marea majoritate nu inteleg engleza si nici oaspeti sa nu se astepte la confortul occidental.
Sper ca ai glumit,doar nu vroiai o traducere a la carte
In cazul asta: shame on my
Iti doresc un wekend cat mai placut

afara este trist si cenusiu.........