Romanian New Year Traditions. New Year and Christmas in Romania How the New Year is celebrated in Romanian traditions
New Year in Romania: vivid photos and videos, detailed description and reviews of the event New Year in Romania in 2019.
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New Year in Romania is at least curious: interesting cuisine, Dracula's castle, excursions to antiquities, very beautiful nature and inexpensive ski resorts. And it’s not far to fly there and you can enter on a Schengen visa.
The air temperature in late December - early January in Bucharest is about -5 °С, sometimes it drops to -12 ... -15 °С. On the Black Sea coast in winter it is a little warmer - up to 0 ... + 5 ° С, but it is cloudy, windy and rainy, sometimes it rains with sleet. At ski resorts during the New Year holidays, the most pleasant thing is: temperatures down to -5 ° C, a lot of snow and sunny days.
Traditions
New Year in Romania is usually celebrated with family. Santa Claus comes to the children, who is called here a shepherd named Mosh Krechun. According to legend, it was he who sheltered the Virgin Mary on the eve of the birth of the baby Jesus and gave them both milk and cheese. Today, instead of healthy dairy products, Mosh Krachun gives sweets and toys to children.
In Bucharest, on the eve of Christmas and New Year, Christmas markets are held, and in Brasov there is a whole Christmas festival with concerts, songs, dances and master classes where you can learn how to bake New Year's cookies and make Christmas decorations with your own hands. These fairs are very similar to European ones, especially the famous Viennese ones - they are also colorful, noisy and fun. It is impossible to pass by: all New Year's markets are always held on the main city squares and on a large scale.
The housewives decorate the house with branches of spruce and mistletoe and prepare a festive table, which always includes hominy, cabbage rolls, smoked ribs, as well as meatloaf “shot” from lamb offal and pies with “lucky” coins inside - whoever gets them will definitely get rich in coming year.
On New Year's Eve, it is customary to carol on the streets of Bucharest: people walk around in sheep's hats and with whips in their hands, with which they “drive” oxen, and one will definitely be in a goat mask.
Unlike Italians, Romanians do not throw away old things on New Year's Eve, so as not to accidentally “throw away” happiness with them.
One of the most unusual Romanian New Year's signs - on the morning of January 1, it is not customary to leave the house until a brunette or brown-haired woman arrives - it is considered to be fortunate. But the blond guest does not bode well, so fair-haired people prefer to stay at home on this day.
Things to do
The weather for the New Year holidays in Romania is quite conducive to going on excursions. For this, Bucharest or Transylvania are usually chosen, and sometimes they are combined in one trip. Bucharest has many architectural landmarks, including structures created during the reign of communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Transylvania is primarily medieval castles, each of which is attributed to a relation to Count Dracula.
One of the most popular cities is Brasov, it is there that the Gothic Black Temple is located, the city of Sighisoara is also interesting, where, according to legend, Vlad the Impaler, the same Count Dracula, was born. Tours in Transylvania are usually very mystical and eerie, the legends are beautiful and gloomy, although not always believable.
Ski tours
It is most pleasant to celebrate the New Year in Romanian ski resorts. It is there that during the New Year holidays the most crowded, although compared to the popular European resorts, there are quite a few people here. The best resorts are located in the Southern Carpathians, sometimes called the Transylvanian Alps. There are tracks of different categories of difficulty, hotels of a completely European level, restaurants and other infrastructure, and the prices for ski passes, equipment rental and New Year's entertainment are much lower than in Europe.
Prices for New Year tours
A week-long New Year's tour in Romania with excursions in Bucharest and Transylvania will cost from 570 USD per person. This amount includes accommodation in a 3 * hotel, breakfasts and all excursions according to the program, accompanied by a Russian-speaking guide. The road to Bucharest and dinners are paid separately. Prices on the page are for November 2018.
New Year in Romania is called Anul Nou (Anul Nou). Romanians usually celebrate it with their families. These days they forget about their favorite hominy for a while and prepare festive New Year's dishes: cabbage rolls "Sarmale", served with smoked ribs, and meatloaf "Drob" from lamb offal. They bake pies with surprises (pepper, coins, rings and figurines). Decorate the house with branches of spruce and mistletoe.
On New Year's Eve in Bucharest (the city of Joy) you can meet carolers in high ram's hats and with whips in their hands. Among them there will definitely be a teenager in a goat mask. While everyone sings carols and beats with whips, as if driving oxen, he performs a goat dance. In order to have a rich harvest, children carry sticks through the snow: this is the first furrow.
A special flavor of the New Year holidays in Romania
The New Year is celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, and Christmas in Romania is celebrated on the night of December 24-25. The holiday continues until the 26th. Santa Claus is called here a shepherd named Mosh Krechun.
It is believed that it was he who sheltered the Virgin Mary on the eve of the birth of Jesus Christ. More than 2 thousand years ago, Mosh Krechun gave them cheese and milk, and now he gives toys and sweets to modern children.
In December, Christmas markets are held in Bucharest, and in Brasov there is a traditional Christmas festival. Master classes on making New Year's candles and sweets are organized for children and adults. Christmas markets in Romania are very reminiscent of Vienna: beautiful, noisy and always arranged in the main city squares.
Why is it hard to be blonde in Romania?
There are many unusual New Year signs in this country. For example, on January 1, Romanians will not leave their homes until a brown-haired or brunette comes to visit them. It is believed that people with this hair color bring happiness for the whole year. The blond will not be allowed on the threshold that day - a bad omen. And on the first day of the new year, they don’t throw out anything from old things, so as not to lose good luck with them.
New Year in Bucharest or in the Alps
Bucharest is a very beautiful city with ancient baroque, gothic and renaissance architecture. The central square of the city is Universitetskaya. Many noisy youth companies gather here for the New Year. You can walk around the old part of the city - Lipskany. There are a lot of drinking establishments here, so there is where to sit with friends.
It is better for tourists to celebrate the New Year in Romania at the ski resorts: Sinaia, Poiana Brasov, Bushten and Predeal (known since 1892). The Romanians call their mountains the Transylvanian Alps or the Southern Carpathians. Their height reaches 2000-2500 m. All ski slopes are equipped with lifts and snow cannons, and the slopes are marked according to the degree of difficulty.
Weather during the New Year holidays in Romania (°С)
Romania is a country with a rich history. What should a tourist see?
In Bucharest, it is worth visiting the National Museum of Art of Romania - the former royal palace. It is located on Revolution Square. The museum collection includes paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Claude Monet and even Repin and Aivazovsky. And in Bucharest there is the largest administrative building in the world - the Palace of the Parliament with an area of 350 thousand m².
On New Year's Eve in Romania, you can visit Dracula's castle, located 30 km from Brasov. It was built by the locals with their own money, jointly. And Count Dracula (in reality - the governor Vlad Tepes) spent the night in it only once. After 1918, the castle became the residence of Queen Mary, beloved by the people.
There are many other famous castles in Romania: Peles, Deva (literally from Dacian - “fortress”), Corvinov, Pelisor, Poenari and Fagaras. If it snows on New Year's Eve, they look fantastic. It is also worth visiting the fortresses of Sighisoara and Alba Iulia in Transylvania, as well as Rasnov - 15 km from Brasov.
Excursions to castles and other entertainment in Romania
The most popular excursions to Transylvania (literally - "Zalessya") - the North-West of Romania. The itinerary usually includes a visit to Dracula's castle, the ruins of a fortress in Suceava and the Voronets monastery. A very interesting sightseeing tour of the city of Sighisoara. The UNESCO monument is the historical center of the city, which was founded in the 13th century.
On New Year's Eve in Bucharest, you can go shopping. There are many noisy markets, large malls and small souvenir shops here. Moreover, the prices for shoes and clothes in them are lower than European ones. But electronics and perfumes are a little more expensive. But on the eve of the Christmas holidays they give discounts and arrange sales.
On New Year's Eve in Romania, you can try wines from old grape varieties. 700 million liters of wine are produced here annually. According to one legend, the god Dionysus was born on the territory of modern Romania. On New Year's Eve in Bucharest, you can buy the famous Babyaska Neagra and Feteaska Neagra.
What to do and where to celebrate the New Year in Romania?
For the New Year in Bucharest, you can book a table at the hotel restaurant. You will be served national Romanian dishes or dishes of traditional European cuisine. The day before, you can visit the SPA-salon to relax and freshen up.
On New Year's Eve in Romania, noisy parties are often held in the best restaurants in the cities of Constanta, Brasov, Sibiu, Sinai and Timisoara.
Winter fairy tale: how to entertain children in Romania?
Children will love Terra Park with rides and souvenir shops. It is worth a look at the Bucharest Zoo, which has carts for transporting babies around the territory. It is small but very well maintained. On New Year's Eve in Bucharest with teenagers, you can visit Laser Vtgazone to play paintball and airsoft.
With a child on New Year's Eve in Romania, you can go to ski resorts. There are special tracks for children. The surrounding landscapes of the Southern Carpathians will take you to a real winter fairy tale. And be sure to visit the Christmas markets in Romania to chat with the local Santa Claus.
Real estate for rent in Romania
On New Year's Eve in Bucharest, renting a property will be cheaper than in many other EU cities. The destination is very popular at this time of the year. So, in many hotels in the capital of Romania, almost half of the rooms have already been booked.
The order of the cost of renting a property in Bucharest is approximately as follows:
Hotel room - from $ 60 (for two);
apartment / house - from $ 35 to $ 75 (depending on the number of rooms and distance from the center);
apartments - from $100 to $250;
cottage - from $500;
villa - from $1000 to $2500.
It is more affordable and more convenient to rent a separate apartment. The farther from the capital, the cheaper it will be to rent real estate in Romania for the New Year.
New Year tours to Romania for 5-7 days
New Year tours to Romania are usually purchased for 5 days and 3 nights or for 7 days 5 nights. The cost of the tour for 1 person starts from $150 (accommodation in a 3-star hotel + breakfast + guide). Most tours include several excursions. Additionally, you must pay for insurance (personal or group).
The cheapest way to get to Romania is by train, but faster - of course, by plane. Bucharest has 2 international airports. Low-cost airlines fly from Moscow to Romania, for example, the Romanian airline EasyJet or the Russian Dobrolet. You can book tickets online.
What must be done in Romania during the New Year holidays?
Get married at the Kissing Gate in Tirgu Jiu. The City Hall gives gifts to all newlyweds - champagne and cakes. The Romanians have a time-tested sign that an alliance concluded on this day and in this place will be reliable. The Kissing Gate is over 5 meters high and 6 meters wide.
Romania is a beautiful and hospitable country
Over the past decades, Romania has turned from a dirty and poor country into one of the tourist centers of Europe. In most cities, the facades of historical buildings and roads have been repaired, and a good tourist infrastructure has been created. At the same time, prices are lower than in other EU countries. And magnificent winter landscapes will make the meeting of the New Year and Christmas truly fabulous and memorable.
Romania is a country with a rich past, interesting culture and picturesque nature. Hundreds of tribes that swept through this territory during the era of the Great Migration of Peoples transferred their culture and their original traditions to this land. The first cities on these lands were created by the ancient Greeks, in the 7th-6th centuries BC. e. Then the Romans became interested in these lands, who left a deep mark on the history and culture of modern Romania - even the language spoken by the country originates from ancient Roman Latin.
The first independent states of the Romanians - Wallachia and Moldavia - appeared in the 14th century. And soon they fell under the five-century rule of the Ottoman Empire. Only in the 19th century the country managed to fully restore independence. In 1859, as a result of the unification of Wallachia and Moldavia, a state was created, called Romania. After World War II, communist rule was established in Romania, which ultimately led to economic collapse and poverty.
At the end of 1989, a revolution broke out, during which the communist regime was overthrown. During the 1990s, the foundations of a market economy were created in Romania, as a result of which the country entered a period of economic growth. The last seven years have been largely successful for Romania. The country's government managed to restore the economy, achieved the country's entry into NATO and the European Union. Romania is the picturesque Carpathians, the Danube Delta, monasteries, millennial traditions, famous wines, traditional cuisine and, of course, national hospitality. Everyone knows Dracula's castle in Transylvania.
However, one of the most attractive places for guests of the country is the capital of the country - Bucharest. The main attraction of the city is the Old Town with its narrow streets, small squares and a large number of historical monuments. Here is the huge Palace of Parliament, which occupies the second largest area in the world after the Pentagon.
Romanian cuisine is quite original. Having absorbed the culinary traditions of the neighboring Slavic and Ugric peoples, it has gained a reputation for being simple and very satisfying. The basis of the cuisine is vegetables and corn, dozens of types of traditional thick soup "chorbe", meat and dough dishes. The most commonly used household product is hominy- steeply boiled porridge made from cornmeal. It is served with all sorts of additives, fried, puddings and snacks are made from it.
Romanian wines deserve special attention. The best varieties are Babyaska, Busujoka, Zgihara, Feteaska. Local brandy "Vinars" is also famous for its excellent quality. Also in Romania they make good strong drinks, including traditional Romanian plum moonshine. cuica(by the way, 55-60 "degrees") and the Hungarian "palinka". Local beer also has an excellent reputation.
Romanians have a rich tradition of celebrating the New Year. In some places in Romania it is called "Little Christmas" or "The Craciun Brothers". By the way, that's right - Mosh Krachun- in Romanian they call Santa Claus. In the villages, the eve of the holiday is especially solemn - the evening on the day of St. Basil. As soon as the sun goes down, in every house in front of the icon of Christ they light a candle made of pure wax, which must burn all night, "so that happiness can enter the house." Doors and thresholds in the house, in the premises for livestock, in grain stores are coated with garlic and melted fat. With the same composition, they put the sign of the cross on domestic animals and, finally, smeared themselves and all family members.
According to popular notions, in this way it was possible to save oneself from the machinations of devils who roam near the house that night and try to milk cows or cause some kind of damage to a person.
One of the most ancient and colorful New Year's customs among Romanians is plugushorul. In fact, these are carols, which in Romania are not only for Christmas, but also for the New Year. Plugushorul is an ancient tradition. It is curious to note that in those areas where it was performed, only the poor and smaller boys took part in caroling, that is, those who were most occupied with plowing as plowmen and drovers. On New Year's Eve, as soon as it gets dark, the guys went from house to house and caroled. The most talkative of them, standing near the house, read the plowman's carol - the same plowshorul. During caroling, the first furrow was made in the snow. After saying carols and congratulations to the owners of the house, the latter gave pluguras, as on Christmas: rolls, nuts, apples, money, etc. So they went from house to house until midnight. And then, sharing the gifts in a brotherly way and wishing each other happiness in the new year, they dispersed.
An nou fericit! Happy New Year!
Pluguşorul (in Romanian)
Aho, aho copii si frati,
Stati putin si nu manati,
Langa boi v "alaturati.
Si cuvantul mi-ascultati.
S "a sculat mai an,
Badica Traian
Si-a "ncalecat pe-un cal invatat,
Cu saua de aur,
Cu nume de Graur,
Cu Frau de Matase,
Implete in sase
cat vita de groasa,
El in scari s "a ridicat,
Peste campuri s "a uitat,
Sa aleaga-un loc curat,
De arat si semanat.
Si-a pornit intr "o joi,
Cu un plug cu doispreceze boi.
boi boureni,
In coada codalbeni,
In frunte tintatei,
Ia mai manati, mai, flacai, hai, hai...
La luna, la saptamana,
Isi umplu cu aur mana.
Si el vru sa vada,
De "i dete Dumnezeu roada.
Era "n spic cat vrabia,
Era "n bob cat trestia.
Ia mai manati, mai, hai, hai...
Traian iute s "a intors
Si din grajd alt cal a scos,
Un alt cal mai nazdravan,
Cum ii place lui Traian,
Negru ca corbul,
Iute ca focul,
De nu "l prinde locul.
Cu potcoave de argint,
Ce da sporul la fugit.
Traian iute-a "ncalecat,
La Tinchin a apucat
Si otel a cumparat,
Ca sa faca seceri mari,
Pentru seceratori tari.
Si-altele mai mititele,
Pentru fete ochesele
Si neveste tinerele.
De urat am mai ura
Dar ma tem ca va "nsera,
Pe aici, pe la dumneavoastra,
Departe de casa noastra.
Si ne-asteapte si-alte case,
Cu bucate mai gustoase,
Cu paine calda pufoasa,
Cu vinul de vita-aleasa,
Cu Cotnar de Dragasani,
La anul si la multi ani!
In some places in Romania, the New Year is called "Little Christmas" (Craciunul mic) or "The Craciun Brothers" (Fratele Craciunului). New Year's Eve is especially solemn - the evening at St. Vasily. As soon as the sun went down, in every house in front of the icon of Christ they lit a candle made of pure wax, which was supposed to burn all night, "so that happiness could enter the house." Doors and thresholds in the house, in the premises for livestock, in grain storages were coated with garlic and various kinds of melted fat. With the same composition, they put the sign of the cross on domestic animals and, finally, smeared themselves and all family members. According to popular beliefs, in this way it was possible to save oneself from the machinations of the devil and strigoi, who roam near the house that night and try to milk cows or cause some kind of damage to a person.
But not only an evil force roams this night. It was believed that the heavens opened up and people could see God surrounded by saints. However, this was not given to everyone - only to people of a strict and righteous life. According to Romanian beliefs, the skies opened up not only on New Year's Eve, but also on Christmas Eve, Epiphany and Easter. People believed that all this happens very quickly and the one who saw it could ask God for everything he wants. The Romanians thought that cattle could also talk on New Year's Eve, but in order to avoid misfortune, it was impossible to eavesdrop on it.
This evening, like Christmas Eve, was rich in all kinds of carols (colinda). The guys went from house to house, singing them, saying congratulations and wishes. All this was accompanied by the slapping of a whip and a cheerful noise. Not a single house was let by the collectors. The time of the greatest caroling was Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, a large number of people took part in caroling, regardless of age. On the eve of St. Vasily was caroled a little less, and here carols, especially such as plugushorul (plugu-sorul), were more focused and dedicated to "causing fertility" of the earth. But nevertheless, between caroling on Christmas Eve and on the eve of St. Basil, no significant differences were observed. As on other holidays, they gathered at home, and the old people told legends about the saints, in which the latter mostly acted as poor shepherds.
One of the most ancient and colorful New Year's customs among the Romanians was plugushorul. It is curious to note that in those areas where it was performed, only the poor and smaller boys took part in caroling, that is, those who were most occupied with plowing as plowmen and drovers. On New Year's Eve, as soon as it gets dark, the guys went from house to house and caroled. The most talkative of them, standing near the house, read the plowman's carol (plowshorul). During caroling, the first furrow was made in the snow. After uttering carols and congratulations to the owners of the house, the latter presented plowuras, as on Christmas: rolls, nuts, apples, money, etc. So they went from house to house until midnight. And then, sharing the gifts in a brotherly way and wishing each other happiness in the new year, they dispersed.
"New Year's traditions" - Expert in New Year's traditions. Bibliography. The material I have collected and the presentation will make it interesting to have a thematic class hour in any class (from grades 1 to 11). New Year is the most mysterious holiday that opens the world of good fairy tales and magic. Quiz. New Year's traditions of different countries.
"How they celebrate the new year" - In Guinea. During the New Year festivities, high jump competitions are held among girls. On the night of January 5-6, the Befane fairy descends through the chimneys into the rooms. On the island of Bali, the year is not 365 days, but 210 days. In Cuba. The New Year begins when the first snow falls. As the clock strikes, every Cuban must eat a grape.
"Scenario of the New Year" - Beads are bright. There is a cry on the ice platform. A poem about skates. Holiday. You came to visit us Santa Claus. Bobsled. Ski relay. Game "Dress up the snowman." The needles glow softly. A poem about sleds. Biathlon. Threads of colorful tinsel. Biathlon game. Skating. Magic movie. Snowmen game. Star. Round dance.
"New Year's program" - .... "White party" gathering of guests. 17:00 Meeting guests. in the SHOW program. New Year's Eve opens Freak show. Alien men will appear in different images, unusual for mankind. A competition will be organized directly at the event! Entertainment program for adults Contests, prizes, gifts!
"Meeting the New Year" - The Germans are famous for their love of New Year's lighting. The main event on December 31 is fireworks and a festive concert at the Brandenburg Gate. Madrid. Japan. Iran. Amsterdam. Even Santa Claus comes to them in the clothes of a cattle breeder. Russia. Australia is celebrating the New Year. Starting from mid-November, the streets turn into a kind of Christmas fairy tale.
"Old New Year" - Old New Year! An interesting rite of going from house to house to treat yourself to pork dishes. Vasiliev day. A pig's head was also placed on the table. Ready porridge was taken out of the oven and carefully examined. Church about the Old New Year. And there was also a kind of ritual - cooking porridge. At the end of the 15th century in Russia, the beginning of the New Year was officially determined - September 1.
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