Mărţişor - 1st of March / Romanian Traditions/ Village Museum

Romanians celebrate the start of spring on the 1st of March, which, in Romanian, comes from the name of the god Mars, the agricultural guardian, who represented the rebirth of nature.
It is said that the 'mărţişor' brings luck and happiness.
They’re made out of a red and white string, the red – stands for the winter, the white – for spring. Talismans are added to the cord, like four leaf clovers, horse shoes, chimney sweepers or hearts.

Tradition says that the ''mărţişor' string was threaded by Baba Dochia while she was taking the sheep to the mountains. Just like the thread of life, Dochia threads the string of the newly born year with the start of spring.
RADIO ROMANIA

HANDMADE - Romanian Traditions

Marking the start of the festive season, 

Bucharest's Museum of The Romanian Peasant  hosts its St Nicholas Fair.

On the night of December 5th, boots are cleaned and carefully polished to be put by the door or on the windowsill to wait for St. Nicholas' (Sfantul Nicolae) visit. He is generous , putting a little present in each boot—usually nuts, tangerines, sweets and small items, like new socks. In some areas a walnut branch or thin twigs with gold, silver, or bronze gilded walnuts are left as a warning that behavior needs to improve. 

On the sixth of December, gifts are given to friends, children, and those in need. 

It is one of the most important Romanian holidays.

More than 800,000 Romanians celebrate their name day on St. Nicholas day, December 6th. 815,453 persons are named Nicholas or devivations of the name, 530,089 men and 285,364 women, reports the Ministry of Administration.

Over 1000 churches are dedicated to St. Nicholas in Romania, at least 23 are in Bucharest.'

St. Nicholas Center

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happy weekend :