March 8, 2023: Happy INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day!

International Women's Day (each year, on March 8^th) is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

Wishing all the women out there a very Happy International Women’s Day!

● Additional background info:

ARTICLES:  (English) “UN-International Women's Day” | (Romanian) “Ziua Internaţională a Femeii - 08 Martie: Semnificație și scurt istoric”

● My previous greetings on the same theme: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

March 1, 2023: “Mărțișor”

 “Mărțișor” – an immortal Romanian tradition

Each year, on March 1^st, Romanians celebrate “Mărțișor”, which is a cultural practice marking the changing of seasons,

while everybody is sensing that spring is in the air.

To all my friends who honor this custom, I’m wishing them joy, peace and prosperity!

● Remarks:

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!

          - ARTICLE: Romanian spring tradition included on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list

          - ARTICLE: UNESCO adds Mărțișor to its ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ list

● Brief historical background info about “Mărțișor” (March 1)

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.
● Previous events I organized featuring “Mărțișor”– 2022,  2021, 2020, 2019

● My previous greetings on the same theme: “MĂRȚIȘOR” – 2022, 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, 2023: “DRAGOBETE” Day

 “DRAGOBETE” - an old Romanian tradition, featuring Love

Each year, on February 24^th (10 days after Valentine’s Day), Romania celebrates its own day of love, called “DRAGOBETE” – a day dedicated not only to love, but also to nature as well. With the month of February marking the onset of spring, nature itself seems to be in celebration, as birds begin to mate and build their nests during this time. For that reason, this day is also known as the day when ‘birds are betrothed’, and, likewise, this promising sign inspires Romanian youth to pursue their own future ‘mates’. Why the name Dragobete though? Legend has it that he was the son of “Baba Dochia” (the goddess who ushered in spring), and because of his unending kindness, he was blessed to be the guardian of love.

“Dragobete” was, and hopefully shall remain one of the most beautiful Romanian traditional holidays, in which the human feelings and the rhythms of nature are intertwined; this holiday celebrates love, in the time when nature wakes back to life.

To all those who observe this old traditional Romanian custom, I’m wishing them a very happy “Dragobete” Day!

● My previous greetings on the same theme: ”DRAGOBETE” Day – 2022, 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).