Throughout the year, Romanians celebrate their ancient heritage, changing seasons, religious holidays and life-cycle events, such as birth, marriage and death, with festivals that have remained unchanged for centuries. Some of Europe's most traditional folkways are meticulously preserved here, with young celebrants wearing the same costumes and dancing the same steps to tunes played on instruments traditional to their forefathers since time immemorial.
Festivals provide wonderful opportunities for visitors to experience the amalgam of the people who make up this country ? whose Latin roots dating from the Roman Empire make it unique in East-Central Europe. Major festivals throughout the year include:
June
The Traditional Crafts Fair - Crafts enthusiasts from all over Romania gather at the Village Museum in Bucharest to offer free demonstrations of traditional woodcarving, rug weaving, textile weaving and embroidering, pottery molding, glass blowing, egg painting and more.
July
Bucharest of Old - Celebration of the city as it was 150 years ago. Parade of 1800s costumes, horse-drawn carriages, traditional food, music and special performances.
Medieval Days - Three-day celebration of medieval arts, crafts, music. Recreating the atmosphere of medieval Sighisoara using medieval arts, music, and crafts.
The Maidens' Fair (Targul de Fete) - Traditional matchmaking festival where villagers in traditional costume walk up to Gaina Mountain for dancing, feasting and choosing a mate.
Romania
August
Dance at Prislop (Hora de la Prislop) - Traditional celebration of ties among three of Romania's main regions: Transylvania, Moldova and Maramures; villagers parade in traditional costume to Prislop Pass in the Carpathian Mountains, then participate in traditional dances, singing and feasting.
Romania's Folk Art Festival - Initiation in folk art creation (pottery molding, textile embroidering, woodcarving and more) offered, for free, by preeminent folk artists to those interested in traditional crafts.
September
Sambra Oilor - festival marking the return of the sheep herds from the Mountains.
October
Wine Making Festival - Celebration marking beginning of the grape harvest.
Halloween in Transylvania - Tours, shows and celebrations following the footsteps of Bram Stoker's novel character, Count Dracula.
December
Christmas Traditions Festival.
Of all the events enjoyed during the year, folk festivals are without a doubt the most spectacular. While some festival dates remain fixed, others change year by year so it's wise to check before your trip. For a complete list of events please contact the nearest Romanian Tourist Information Office. |
Romania
Calendar of Events