Romanian winter

traditions
Here is where our presentations begins!
 A project created by
1. Radu Alexandra
2. Lupu Alexandra
3. Bejan Maria – Teodora
4. Hîngu Roberta
5. Prisecaru Mihnea
6. Oglan Ioana
7. Cotac Tiberiu
8. Ivan Roberta
9. Lorenț Miruna
10. Dogaru Alexandra
 01 02
carols superstitions
The spirit of Cristmas The bright side and the
dark side

03 04 05
Traditional
The star traditions
food
National Dishes and Symbol and Meaning The bear & The Goat
How to Butchere a Pig & Walking With The
Star
 05
The bear
In Romania, the tradition of the Christmas bear is
relatively new and is not as widespread as in
other countries. The Christmas bear is often seen
as a symbol of warmth and comfort during the
winter season, and is often depicted as a friendly
and cheerful character. Some people in Romania
may have a small stuffed bear or figurine as a
decoration in their home during the Christmas
season, but the tradition is not as prevalent as in
other countries.
 Romania is a beautiful country with lots
of traditions. One of them is Goat Dance,
which is performed around Christmas. It's
executed by a young man dressed with a
special costume, which is different
depending on the region. The 'goat' and
his companions go from house to house,
dancing at each door on New Year's Eve.
It is believed that this tradition dance can predict the
year's weather and also bring fertility to
families. This is an authentic show because of
the unique costume and choreography. The goat
is made of a carved wood in the form of a goat’s
head (or deer). Besides that, the goat is dressed
in fur or crepe red paper. Once the head of the
goat has been made, a blanket with popular
motifs is attached to it.
 04
The star
Symbol and Meaning & Walking With The Star
 The star placed at the
The star at the top of the Christmas tree | Symbol
top of the
Christmas tree is,
and meaning
first of all, a
symbol of that of
Bethlehem, which
guided the Magi to
the place of
Christ's birth.
As the Bible says in Matthew
2:9-11, “after hearing the
king, the magi departed.
And behold, the star which
they had seen in the east
went before them, until it
came and stood over the
place where the child was.
When they saw the star,
they could not rejoice.
The twinkling of the
stars is therefore
associated with the
light of Christ,
which dispels
darkness, and
guides us to the
best way of life.
And when they came into the house,
they saw the child with Mary his
mother, and fell down and worshipped
him, and opened their treasures, and
offered him gifts, gold, frankincense,
and myrrh.
As a result, the star placed on the top
of the Christmas tree has come to
signify to many Christians a sign of
prophecy and bright hope for
humanity. Moreover, she embodies
Jesus, who describes himself, “I am
the root and seed of David, the bright
morning star.” (Revelation 22:16)
In Christian beliefs, stars are
also identified with angels.
The North Star was once
considered the navel of the
universe and the gateway to
heaven. Some even
believed it to be the throne
of God, offering hope and
guidance to those lost in the
darkness of this world.
The light radiated by the star at
the top of the Christmas
tree is also a symbol of
spiritual enlightenment and
the victory of good over
evil. Its location directs us
to heaven, from where
Jesus watches us and is
ready to help us!
• According to tradition, walking with the Star is done from the
evening of Christmas Eve until the end of Christmas days.
Walking with
the star
Children of different ages go with the Star to bring to the
world the birth of Jesus Christ. For example, in Bucovina,
one walks with the Star from the evening of Ajun until the
day of St. Basil.
• On the eve of the winter holidays, both the little ones and the
big ones start on the road with the Carol, with the Star, with
the Capra or the Bear, reminding of the scene of the Savior’s
birth on the eve of Christmas. Carolers are made up of
children, girls, boys.
• In some areas, walking with Steaua is done according to the
age, but also the organization of the carolers.

• Children start with the Star on Christmas Eve and go dressed

in folk costumes or in clothes depicting biblical characters
who are related or participated in the event of the birth of the
child Jesus. The stars will hold in their hands an icon of the
Nativity of the Dome or the Virgin Mary. The star is made of
paper or cardboard, is bright and has an icon attached.
 03
Traditional
food
National Dishes and How to Butchere a Pig
National dishes

A culinary dish from the group
of cold starter. It is prepared
from meat, bones and cartilage
(pork or chicken), boiled for a
long time in a broth(with
garlic).After it has boiled
enough the meat must be
chosen, put in forms and then
pour the broth and let it cool
several hours, until it becomes
gelatinous and it is ready to be
served.
Racitura
National dishes
This dessert is a kind of pie made
of leavened dough and filled with
cheese (salty or sweet). The
Moldovian name “poale-n-brâu”
comes from the way of packing
during their preparation: from the
side to the center of the pie.
Folding the dough over the
composition, make it not come
out of the dough during the heat
treatment.
placinta
A traditional Romanian sweet bread
made with flour, eggs, sugar, and
milk. It is often filled with nuts,
raisins, and/or cocoa powder and is
a popular dessert during the
holiday season. The dough is rolled
and shaped into a spiral before
baking, giving the bread a
distinctive twisted appearance.
Cozonac is typically enjoyed with a
cup of tea or coffee and is a
beloved treat among Romanian
families.
cozonac
A traditional Romanian dish made
of minced meat and rice wrapped in
fermented cabbage leaves. It is
typically served as a main course
during special occasions such as
holidays. Sarmale is often served
with sour cream and can be
accompanied by polenta. It is a
hearty and flavorful dish that is
loved by many in Romania and
beyond.
Sarmale
National dishes
National dishes
 How to butchere a pig

i ii
Jump and catch the pig, lay it on its
side, and one who is more skilled,
sticks the knife in its throat, in so
that the skin is only split as far as
the width of the knife. Inside, the
tip of the knife goes about a palm
width, so that the veins are cut
well and the blood drains
completely.
During the slaughter, no one from
among those who are merciful by
nature should stand around,
because it is believed that the pig
dies with great difficulty; the meat
of such a pig will not be good.

iii
After the pig has died, underneath it
are placed the straws that are
set on fire to destroy the hair.
iv
According to a tradition often found in
Romanian villages, children pose
astride a pig, so that they will be
as fat as him all year long and
have a good year.
DEAR
Dear santa...
SANTA!
● Christmas in Romania is a major annual celebration, celebrated on 24/25 of
December, as in most countries of the Christian world. The observance of
Christmas was introduced once with the Christianization of Romania but public
observance was discouraged during the Communist period (1948—1989). In
the post-communist Romania, Christmas started being celebrated again more
festively.
DEAR
● The Nativity of the Lord is also the first royal holiday with a fixed date, in the
chronological order of the Savior's life. This seems to be the first specifically
Christian celebration, among those of the Savior, although it is not as old as
Easter or Pentecost, whose origins are related to the corresponding Jewish

SANTA!
holidays. In some writings about the Birth of the Savior, it is shown that the
Virgin Mary was supposed to give birth to the son of God and walked,
accompanied by Joseph, from house to house in Bethlehem of Judea, eight
kilometers from Jerusalem, asking people to give her shelter. Arriving at the
house of the elderly Crăciun and Crăciunoaie, they did not receive her, and Maria
entered the cattle manger, where the pains of childbirth seized her. Crăciunoaia
heard her and took pity on her, so she helped her. Christmas, angry, cut off the old
woman's hands. Crăciunoaia, however, filled a cauldron with water as best she
could, heated it and took it to wash the child. Maria told him to try the water, and
when he put in the stumps of his hands, they grew back.
DEAR
● Christmas is a word of Latin origin that would mean, according to some
philologists, "creation", i.e. born at the beginning of the Christian era. At the

SANTA!
Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Magi from the East bring him gifts like a king: gold,
incense and myrrh. Today, children and young people announce the Savior's Birth
through carols, and people, like the Magi from the East, offer them gifts. In
Romania, Christmas is one of the biggest Christian holidays, along with Easter
and Pentecost. On Christmas Eve, children go caroling to announce the birth of
Jesus. Starting from the first day of Christmas, children walk with the Star,
singing carols announcing the birth of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,
Elves of Romanian Christmas.
 Superstitions
during
Christmas
As in the evening of Saint Andrew, in order to banish the charms and
evil spirits, garlic cloves are placed on the table and at the windows, and
in many Romanian villages it is customary to anoint with garlic the
cattle and stables.

Women are rewarded with carols, so that the dwelling is abundant and
the fruits rich. At the same time, he who does not receive carolers and
does not reward them, will have no good harvest or abundance in the
house.

At midnight, strange things happen. Animals get on their knees and start
speaking people’s tongues. The fruit trees are filled with flowers, the
hazeles adorn themselves with golden branches. if you cut them off, you
will secure eternal wealth. if you find a hole in the cemetery, it is said
that there you will find a lot of gold.
Probably the reason we all go so
haywire at Christmas time with the
endless unrestrained and often
silly buying of gifts is that we
don’t quite know how to put our
love into words.
-Harlan milller
 Merry
Christmas boys
and girls!
Does anyone have any questions?