Time
is flying by very fast, but despite that, on Saturday (March 1, 2025) I was absolutely delighted to meet in person with a
number of 15 dear friends to offer them “mărțișoare“ (March amulets),
while we were enjoying together a freshly brewed cup of coffee accompanied by
several freshly backed pastries.
As most of you might know, this is one of those perfect recipes for a happy life...nice gifts for everyone, good coffee, good food, good friends, sharing spring related poems & definitively good, lengthy talks….what else was I to wish for my literary & socio-cultural Circle on a
beautiful, chilly but sunny Saturday!
Definitively I consider myself blessed to be surrounded by so many beautiful
souls carried by these beautiful and wise ladies, who are my dear friends! My
deepest gratitude to each for their lovely presence in my life!
“A grateful heart
is a magnet for miracles.”
This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture.
● For quick reference, here is a brief historical
background:
🌿 “Mărțișor” (March
1) or March amulet:
The name “Mărțișor” (mərt͡siˈʃor) is the diminutive of “Marț”,
the old folk name for March (“martie”, in modern Romanian language),
& literally means "the little March". The actual “Mărțișor” is
made of a small decorative object, tied to a white & red string, with two
hanging tassels, which is offered customarily on the 1st day of March to girls,
women & men (in some parts of the country) as it is
believed that the wearer will stay strong & healthy throughout the entire
year ahead. In the old times “Mărțișor” was regarded more as a protective
talisman, but in modern days, & especially in the urban areas, most of its
talisman properties got lost and “Mărțișor” became more of a symbol of
friendship, love, appreciation & respect, as well as a symbol of the coming
spring in addition to the snowdrop flowers.
NOTE: In 2017, UNESCO decided to inscribe “Mărțișor“ on their list
of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Please follow the links
below for a more detailed reading about this significant gesture…thank you!
– Related ARTICLE: UNESCO adds Mărțișor to
its ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ list