The countryside is the heart and soul of Romania, where the the culture of the peasants and the medieval way of life is prevalent. The tradtions and customs of the Romanian people are just as fanciful as the people themselves.
Winter customs~
The villagers of Romania hold close age old customs passed down through the times. One is the "Festival Datinilor De Larna", the winter customs festival. This grand affair is the most spectacular of them all and takes place in the town of Sighetu Marmatiei, every year on December 27th. There are carolers, folk dancers, horsemanship, with exquistely adorned horses, and of course Santa Claus!
Young men revelers
The Dracs with their animal masks
Ladies & Horses
Small festival children
Tragul de Fete (Maidens Festival)~
This festival takes place on top of Mount Gaina during July. This festival in the past, would serve as a place for the young men to meet the young ladies, and since this would frequently lead to many marraiges, everyone would dress in their finest attire.
Maidens Festival
Young men seeking beautiful women
The fair Maidens
Hora La Prislop~
In mid-August, this traditonal event is held in Prislop Pass, a splendid wooded mountainous area, nestled among the road between Marmures and Moldavia. This festival draws many people from all over the country, who come dressed to the nines in their folk costumes. The people come here to socialize and enjoy the tradtional music, songs and dances. Travelers often are able to happen across religious celebrations, and it is not rare to encounter a prosession of worshiper carrying flowers and other icons in relation to a significal church calendar event.
Folk singer
Folk Dancer
The performance group
Gypsies~
The Romanian gypsies play a big part in the traditions of Romania. These people are so colorful and vibrant and extremely friendly. they too hold dear a great many of the same customs as the rest of the country, but to them passing down the traditons of the family are of vital importance. These people are so fasinating in that there still are some that you can find traveling the country side in covered wagons.
Dancing Gypsies
Gypsy Wedding
Girls in red
