Christmas Traditions

IN ROMANIA

Romania :
Short Introduction: -

Located in SE Europe, it has all three major geographical elements

(sea, hills, mountains )

Not only the country of vampires

Cultural diversity
One of the most richest country regarding bio-diversity
Friendly people, interesting traditions

One of the most beautiful mountain roads in Europe

Transfagarasan ( Build during the communist regim, in less than 2 years by prisoners and army )

Corvins Castle,

pretty awesome right

Its one of the many castles spreaded around Transylvania.

Atracting tourists since 1446

The country where giants lived

-one of the most well kept secrets in the soviet Era
- over 1000 skeletons of giant human beings found in Transylvania
( they were over 5 meters tall )

Decebals face
Very old sculpture representing Decebal ( A dacian ruler )
Keeping an eye over the Donau river for a very long time.( I dont even
remember)

Ever heard of

DRACULA ?

Yup, this is his home

( Bran Castle )

Hints : - Blood Thirsty

- Scary looks
1456 Vlad the Devil 4th, oftenly named Vlad the impler started to rule
Valahia (region of Romania)
- Prefferd method of punishing criminals IMPALING
- Transylvania became famous after Bram Stokers first vampire
novel

Beautiful wooden churches

Common sight in Romania, especially in Maramures are the wooden churches

Happy Cemetery
of humor, but common )

Also can be found in Maramures.

( Romanians are well known for their sense

Can you hear it coming ?

The only narrow gauge steam train ( still used today in Romania )
Mocanita Valea Vaserului

Its used to transport people, animals, and supplies to remote villages in the
heart of the mountains.
In the summer its a touristic attraction ( each day aprox. 500 tourists visit the
narrow gauge train )

Still not impressed ?

What about this washing machine ?

( uses gravity, pure water andthats it )

Now, about CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

Christmas
it seriously )

is a very important holiday in Romania ( we take

City of

Sibiu

during winter holidays

Cultural Capital of Europe in 2007

Christmas Traditions in Romania

One day before Christmas

In our tradition one day before Christmas we first sacrifice some
animals in the morning ( This tradition is called IGNAT )
After meat is on the table all young men get together, dress up horses in
traditional port; and they begin the LOLE hunt

What are LOLE ?

The legend says that when turks tried to invade Transylvania, mythological creatures came from
the ground and the moon to protect the land from invadors.
Well, ofcourse this was only a one time thing, we got invaded by Austro-Hungarian empire shortly
after
This young men, dress up in scary costumes to scare away the dark souls that hunt the land before
Christmas, so the birth of Jesus is celebrated in a pure atmosphere.

In some parts of the country ( especially in the mountain areas ) the

connection between humans and wildbeasts was very tight
The Bear follows the LOLE everywhere they go.

Meanwhile the women prepare traditional food.

And special treats for children who will come and sing Christmas carols.

A group of little children singing Christmas carols.

Sadly this sight is slowly fading away.

Christmas morning
First thing we do in the Christmas morning, we go to church and pray.
After church, the whole family gets together and celebrate Christmas like
everywhere else.
Its time to relax and enjoy quality time with family and friends.

The hardest part, is to say goodbye to family and friends and go to

different cities, countries.

Far away from home !