Romanian Winter Romanian Winter Customs and Customs and

TraditionsTraditions

Student : Andrada Andreea Student : Andrada Andreea StepanStepan

In Romania winter holidays start on 6In Romania winter holidays start on 6thth of of December and finish on 7December and finish on 7thth of January. This of January. This is a period full of traditions, beliefs, is a period full of traditions, beliefs, happiness, carols and faith.happiness, carols and faith.

Saint NicolasSaint Nicolas

On the evening of December 5On the evening of December 5thth children children polish their boots and place them by the polish their boots and place them by the door or windows because in this night door or windows because in this night Saint Nicolas comes and leaves for Saint Nicolas comes and leaves for everyone a small present. For naughty everyone a small present. For naughty children he leaves a rod.children he leaves a rod.

IgnatulIgnatul

On the 20On the 20thth of December is celebrated of December is celebrated “Ignatul”, the day when pigs are sacrificed “Ignatul”, the day when pigs are sacrificed for Christmas’ dishes. On this day men for Christmas’ dishes. On this day men come to each others’ houses and before come to each others’ houses and before they start sacrificing the pigs they drink they start sacrificing the pigs they drink boiled țuica (Romanian traditional boiled țuica (Romanian traditional alcoholic drink).alcoholic drink).

Christmas Eve Christmas Eve

On December 24On December 24thth people are people are decorating the Christmas tree while decorating the Christmas tree while they are listening to carols. Almost they are listening to carols. Almost everyone wishes a perfect Christmas everyone wishes a perfect Christmas tree full of lights and glitter, but tree full of lights and glitter, but there are few people who choose to there are few people who choose to have a traditional one.have a traditional one.

While some families are While some families are decorating the decorating the Christmas tree, children Christmas tree, children go to every house and go to every house and sing for people carols. sing for people carols. After they finish singing, After they finish singing, they receive apples, they receive apples, oranges and money. oranges and money.

Christmas Christmas DayDay

On Christmas’ On Christmas’ day children day children unwrap their unwrap their presents and presents and after that after that families are families are eating eating together. together.

New YearNew YearFor the New Year Romanians usually have a For the New Year Romanians usually have a

big party, go to a restaurant or to the big party, go to a restaurant or to the mountain. At the midnight they watch the mountain. At the midnight they watch the fireworks and drink a glass of champagne.fireworks and drink a glass of champagne.

SorcovaSorcova

On the New Year’s Eve children carry On the New Year’s Eve children carry with them Sorcova, which is a with them Sorcova, which is a bouquet used for wishes. Children bouquet used for wishes. Children wish their family “Happy New Year” wish their family “Happy New Year” and sing Sorcova’s song while and sing Sorcova’s song while touching them lightly with the touching them lightly with the bouquet. After this they receive bouquet. After this they receive money.money.

The Epiphany The Epiphany

The Epiphany ends the The Epiphany ends the Romanian Winter Holidays. Romanian Winter Holidays. This holiday is very important This holiday is very important for Christian people and it is for Christian people and it is one of the oldest Christian one of the oldest Christian celebrations. On this day celebrations. On this day priests bless the water and priests bless the water and give it to the Christians who give it to the Christians who came at the Church. On came at the Church. On Epiphany’s Eve it is said that Epiphany’s Eve it is said that girls who put some basil girls who put some basil under their pillows will dream under their pillows will dream the man they will marry.the man they will marry.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS!I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS!

WINTER CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

IN “TUDOR ARGHEZI” HIGH SCHOOL

Little artists’ hands at work