March 8, 2022: Happy INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day!

International Women's Day (observed each year on March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women throughout the world, evolving over time and becoming what it is today.  

It has been recognized all across that women are pillars of strengths, able to stand by your side during your hardships, always willing to help the best way they can (being like a silver lining in your darkest clouds), and kindly cheering you during your successes.

I guess that March 8^th is the only day of the year when women of this planet are thinking the same, regardless of their nationality, social status, weight, culture, or any other differences society or nature may plant in between them & this is simply beautiful! I wish that women would never forget how valuable their contribution is!

Wishing all the women I know a very happy, healthy & safe International Women’s Day, filled with goodness, warmth and lasting happiness!

● A brief article I wrote about women: "Being WOMAN"
● My previous greetings on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day – 2021, 2020, 2019
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). 

March 1, 2022: “Mărțișor”

I wish that the coming spring will wrap your soul with the fresh and rejuvenating fragrances of its splendid flowers, reminding you what it means to smile, to be good, to be kind, to be grateful, to love and to be loved! 

I wish that you would open your souls to that as the fresh flowers open their petals to be caressed by the sun’s rays. Blissful spring, dear ones!

● Refresher: brief background info about “Mărțișor”

“Mărțișor is an old tradition celebrated all over Romania every year, on March 1st.

The name Mărțișor is a diminutive of March (“Martie” in Romanian language). It is believed that the person who wears the red and white string would enjoy a prosperous and healthy year. Not long ago, in the countryside, people used to celebrate the “Mărțișor” by hanging a red and white string at their gate, window, cattle's horn and shed to protect them against the evil spirits and to invoke nature's regenerative power.

In eastern Romania (Moldova and Bucovina), the red and white string was complemented with a small (gold or silver) coin. After wearing the coin for twelve days, the women would buy fresh cheese with it hopping that their skin would be healthy and beautiful the entire year.

According to archaeological research, the “Mărțișor” traces its history more than 8,000 years ago. Some ethnologists believe that the “Mărțișor” celebration has Roman origins, others support the theory that it is an old Dacian tradition.

In ancient Rome, the New Year's was celebrated on the 1st of March. March ('Martius') was named in the honor of a Roman god, called “Mars”. Mars was not only the god of war but also the god of agriculture, which contributes to the rebirth of vegetation. It seems that the Dacians also celebrated the New Year's on the first day of March. Ample spring celebrations were consecrated to this event.

In the old times, “Mărțișor” (Ro: “mărțișoare”) were made of small river pebbles, colored in white & red, stringed on a thread & worn around the neck, to bring good luck & good weather, from 1 March until the first trees would bloom. When the first trees were flowering the Mărțișor were hanged on tree branches.

Nowadays, on March 1st, Romanians buy silky red-white threads (Ro: “șnur”) tied into a bow to which a small trinket is attached and offer them to their (female) family members, friends and colleagues to show friendship, respect or admiration.”

The cultural practices associated to the 1st of March in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova and Romania (“Mărțișor”) were inscribed in 2017 on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

● My previous greetings on the same theme: “Mărțișor” – 2021, 2020, 2019

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). 

February 24, 2022: “DRAGOBETE” Day

We all know that February is clearly a month when love is in the air, in anticipation of the spring to come. And, DRAGOBETE is another great occasion to celebrate love in all its varieties. But unlike Valentine's Day, DRAGOBETE (lovers' day in Romania) is not only about roses, heart-shaped chocolate, jewelry, and love letters; it is more about being tender to your significant other by showing them your appreciation and love not through material objects but rather through your attention and presence, which is truly beautiful! This celebration offers the world an additional perspective on Romania’s rich cultural heritage, mystical folklore and old traditions.

Whether single or married, DRAGOBETE is a festival for the entire community, which comes together to celebrate love and the fecundity of spring, since this traditional custom brings something for everyone and that’s what makes it such a joyful event. Happy “DRAGOBETE”, dear ones!

Wishing you a warm, lovely and peaceful day, as well as a fragrant spring to come!

● My previous greetings on the same theme: “DRAGOBETE” Day – 2021, 2020

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).