“DRAGOBETE” – An old Romanian custom featuring Love (or
the Romanian version of Valentine’s Day)
As we all know, February seems to be the month when love is in the air (probably anticipating the spring to come), and for many people (mostly of the Romanian descent) DRAGOBETE is an additional reason to celebrate love even more, occasion which allows me to wish my Romanian friends, Happy “Dragobete” Day!
“Le doresc celor care au găsit
dragostea să o poată păstra vie.
Celor care au pierdut-o, să
treacă peste durere.
Celor care încă mai cred, să
o întâlnească.
Celor care așteaptă o a doua
ocazie, să o aibă.
Celor care au o iubire care
este în cer, să o simtă aproape.
Celor care se simt bătrâni și obosiți să iubească, să fie
surprinși de o emoție.”
Dragii mei, iubiți pur si simplu pentru că iubirea vă dă
bucurie....
● Refreshing a brief historical background
“DRAGOBETE” is a day rich in traditions,
which differ from region to region. In general, nowadays, many Romanians
exchange gifts with their partners as a way of showing their affection for each
other.
On
the other hand, according to one of the many legends on the matter, this day is
also known as the day of "The Engagement", "The birds
accompanying" or "The birds wedding." According to a popular
belief, birds gather in flocks, "courting", in an indescribable
turmoil &, until the end, they’ll find their pair. Together they build the
nest in which to grow their offspring. According to the same old legend, the
birds that do not find their pair now, they remain single until next year.
Another
legend says that “Dragobete” was the son of “Baba Dochia”, who is connected
with the return of spring. The traditional story tells us that in the ancient
times, young men and women together would go to search the meadows for fresh
spring flowers. Nonetheless, a beautiful, old, tradition worth sharing further!
● Few short VIDEO-CLIPS:
⚪ In English language: “The Dragobete Meets Valentine's Day /
Geographies of Tradition”
⚪ In Romanian language: “Despre Dragobete” (Arhiva TVR)
| “Povestea Dragobetelui sau legenda lui Dragobete”
NOTE: Dear readers, please be advised that on this website each of the previous postings, pertaining to the recurrent annual themes, portray a different perspective of the subject/s presented (same theme/s, but a different outlook without duplication due to the cultural richness of the specific topic/s discussed).