DRAGOBETE

THE TRADITIONAL ROMANIAN HOLIDAY

DRAGOBETELE

Dragobete is the Romanian version ofValentine Day. They say that people who donot celebrate this day will be not lovedduring the year; instead, those who do, willbe in love every day of the current year.Dragobete is celebrated each year on the24th of February.

According to some locallegends, Dragobete, a handsome and lovingyoung man, was the son of “Baba Dochia”- amythical Romanian character. Dragobete’sroots go deep into the culture of ourancestors, the Dacians: he was consideredto be a matchmaker and godfather of all

In some parts of Romania, February 24this considered the first day of spring, atime when nature renews after a hardwinter, the bear gets out of his den, thebirds start looking for mates andnests, and man also has to participate inthe joy of nature through love.

According to the Romanian commonbelief, those who took part in theDragobete festivities were protectedagainst illness all year long. Early in themorning, dressed up in their bestclothes , young people use to meet in thecenter of the village or outside thechurch.

Then,they go to the forest to pick

snowdrops or other spring

plants.As they walk there they sing

and tell jokes.In the forest,they light

fires,gather around them,talk and

laugh.The girls pick flowers,which

are believed to have special

miraculous powers on Dragobete

Day. At noon, the girls start running

back towards the village, a tradition

called “zburatorit“.

The boys have to chase the girls they

like. If the girls are fond of them

too, they will allow them to catch and

kiss them publicly. This kiss is

supposed to seal the ludic

engagement of the couples for that

year.

Young girls collect the snow that still

lies in some places and melt it. The

water obtained out of the snow is

considered to be a magic love

potion, which girls would use

throughout the whole year.

Women use to touch a man from

another village on Dragobete’s Day, in

order to behave more affectionately for

the rest of the year. Young men often

go to parties in the neighbouring

villages, to have real good summers.

So Dragobete is a holiday of love, full

of superstitions and special rituals. It

was considered to bring luck in all

human activities.Farmers believed that

Dragobete could help them have a

richer year.

People did not work on this day;

they considered it a religious

holiday. It was believed that this

deity would punish the girls who

worked on Dragobete day.

Dragobete was seen as a

protector of love, of young

lovers, like a true Romanian

Cupid.

Dragobete is a traditional Romanian

holiday originating from Dacian times and

celebrated on February, the 24th.

Specifically, Dragobete was the son of

Baba Dochia, which stands for the main

character in the pagan myth related to

spring arrival and the end of the harsh

winter.

The day is particularly known as "the day

when the birds are betrothed". It is

around this time that the birds begin to

build their nests and mate.

On this day, considered locally the firstday of spring, boys and girls gathervernal flowers and sing together.Maidens used to collect the snow thatstill lies on the ground in many villagesand then melt it, using the water inmagic potions throughout the rest ofthe year.

Those who take part inDragobete customs aresupposed to be protectedfrom illness, especiallyfevers, for the rest of theyear.

If the weather allows, girls and boys pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for the person they care for. In Romania, Dragobete is known as a day for lovers, rather like Valentine's Day.

It is a common belief in some parts of

Romania that, during this celebration, if

you step over your partner's foot, you

will have the dominant role in your

relationship.

Dragobete customs vary from region to

region.

For this specialday, the students inour school will drawredroses, hearts, cupids,heart-shapedchocolates.

They will display thedrawings in a specialexhibition at school.

Children will wisheach other "HappyDragobete Day".