Saturday, March 1, 2025

March 1, 2025: “Mărțișor”

 Another March 1st has arrived, allowing Romanians around the world to celebrate an ancient custom, called “Mărțișor”, which is considered a symbol of spring to come and the awakening of a new cycle of life in nature.
To all my Romanian friends who honor this very old and truly beautiful tradition, I’m wishing them only the best!
De la mine, un Mărțișor în dar pentru fiecare, însoțit de un gând bun!
“Primăvara este în interiorul fiecărui gând, în faptele noastre, în privirea senină pe care o revărsăm asupra celor pe care-i privim, în zâmbetul larg și sincer, pornit din inimă, în mângâierea oferită unui copil, unei ființe dragi sau unui animal de companie, într-o îmbrățișare în care am împletit șnurul mărțișorului cel mai dorit și mai scump din lume, numit dragostea! Lăsaţi-o să vă decoreze inima, în miile de culori ale bucuriei, speranţei, credinţei, dăruirii, afecţiunii, înțelepciunii, înțelegerii, recunoștinţei și iubirii! Vă doresc mult bine și senin pentru zilele primăverii care e pe drum!”
● The legend of “Mărțișor” 
(as a courtesy, published here in Romanian language…to translate it into any other language, please use the automated translator installed at the bottom of the page…thank you!)
Legenda MĂRȚIŞORULUI
La marginea unui sat trăiau într-o coliba sărăcăcioasă o femeie cu fiica ei. Ca să câștige pâinea de zi cu zi și câțiva bănuți, femeia se îndeletnicea cu torsul lânii pentru oamenii din sat. Dar tot ce câștiga dădea pe doctorii pentru fata ei care era tare bolnavă. Într-o zi, pe când torcea și plângea de mila fiicei sale, femeia văzu o caleasca de foc trecând cu iuțieală dinspre pădure spre sat. Era Crăiasa Primăvara care, auzind-o, s-a oprit și a întrebat-o de ce este așa de necăjită. Aflând de boala copilei, Crăiasa a zis...
-,,Ține caierul acesta de foc și toarce-l firicel subțire, apoi leagă o fundiță și prinde-o de pieptul copilei. Puterile mele o vor trezi la viață, așa cum se trezește la viață întreaga natură după trecerea mea.
Femeia mulțumi și se apuca de lucru. Dar caierul îi ardea degetele și-i era cu neputință să rasucească un firicel cât de mic. Începu să plângă cu lacrimi grele și aproape că nu bagă de seama când o altă caleașcă de zăpadă se opri în dreptul colibei. Era Crăiasa Iarna, care dispărea cu iuțieală dinspre sat spre pădure și care, auzind necazul femeii, zise...
-,,Ține caierul acesta de zăpadă... Răcoarea lui va potoli fierbițeala celui de foc. Răsucește-le laolaltă, poate așa îți pot fi de folos și eu.
Femeia mulțumi din tot sufletul și se puse pe tors. Torcea laolalta fir roșu de foc cu fir alb de zăpadă și astfel ispravi de tors cele doua caiere. Iar după ce duse la capat lucrul, legă o fundiță de pieptul fetiței. Aceasta îndată prinse putere și culoare în obrajori, sări din pat și-și îmbrățișă cu drag mama. De atunci, în fiecare prag de primăvară, femeia împletea fundițe alb-roșii, împărțindu-le oamenilor din sat, să le aducă sanatate și bucurii.
Reminder
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!
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” –  2024, 2023, 2022202120202019
● My previous greetings on the same theme: MĂRȚIȘOR” – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
NOTEDear 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)

Monday, February 24, 2025

February 24, 2025: “DRAGOBETE” Day

 DRAGOBETE” – An old Romanian custom featuring Love (or the Romanian version of Valentine’s Day)
This authentic and special celebration of love continues to be one of the most beautiful Romanian old traditions, symbolizing romance, youth, hope and nature’s rebirth. To all my friends who observe his holiday, I’m wishing them a very happy “Dragobete” Day and a great spring to come!
Dragii mei, iubiți-vă mult, iubiți-vă sincer, iubiți-vă mereu, iubiți-vă până la final!
24 februarie 2025: DRAGOBETE – sărbătoarea iubirii, în tradiția românească.
La cumpăna dintre anotimpuri, atunci când pământul începe să se încălzească ușor, când ziua devine ceva mai lungă ca noaptea, iar frigul parcă devine ceva mai domol, chiar dacă mai sunt petice de zăpadă pe ici pe colo, românii sărbătoresc iubirea. Așa au ales ei să întâmpine primăvara – cu iubire. 
Să ne ținem de tradiții. La mulți ani de “Dragobete”!
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 the 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!
● My previous greetings on the same theme: ”DRAGOBETE” 2024, 2023, 2022, 20212020
NOTEDear 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)

Friday, February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025: Happy VALENTINE’s Day!

 Dear friends, as a new Valentine’s Day is upon us, I’m taking a moment to wish you Joy, Happiness and above all, LOVE!
May the love always prevail!
● My previous greetings on the same theme: VALENTINE's Day  2024, 20232022202120202019

Thursday, February 6, 2025

FEBRUARY – perceived as the “month of Love”

FEBRUARY  (the 2nd month in the Julian and Gregorian calendars) it was originally the very last month added to the Roman calendar. Originally, the calendar was 10 months because winter was considered a dormant, month-less period. January and February were added by the Roman king Numa Pompilius to better align the calendar with the lunar year, and February was moved to its place as the second month.
February comes from the Latin word “februa” – which means “to cleanse.” It was named after “Februalia”, the Roman festival of purification, which was a month-long festival of cleansing and atonement that took place this time of year. The month has 28 days in common years and 29 in leap years, with the 29th day being called the leap day.

But why February has been so heavily associated with love almost throughout the entire world, and why so many people at this time of the year tune into love and connectivity?
Apparently, it is presumed that the association with love might’ve been originated from the popular belief that birds paired in mid-February during middle ages, and since then, by extrapolation, humanity adopted the concept.
Additionally, February has earned a steady reputation as the month of love, primarily due to the widespread celebration of Valentine’s Day on February 14th.
This day is dedicated to expressing affection and appreciation for loved ones through cards, gifts, and romantic gestures.
However, the roots of Valentine’s Day trace back to ancient Roman and Christian traditions. One theory suggests that Valentine’s Day is linked to the Roman festival of “Lupercalia”, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and the coming of spring. Over time, this pagan celebration merged with Christian traditions, eventually evolving into the Valentine’s Day we know today. 
The association of February with love and romance has since become deeply ingrained in cultures around the world. It is a time when hearts beat a little faster, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of romance. As we turn the page on the calendar and step into this enchanting month, there’s an undeniable sense of anticipation and excitement that permeates the atmosphere. 
February is also a time to reflect and emphasize love in our lives, and it can be a month for self-love and self-care, fostering relationships with family and friends, and loving others.

I’m sure that all of you know by now that each February, Romanians celebrate LOVE twice….on VALENTINE’S DAY (which is on February 14’25, this being the Western celebration of Love), and on “DRAGOBETE DAY” (which is on February 24’25…this being the ancient celebration of Love in Romania).
And as I’ve said few times by now….when we talk about LOVE, I guess the more the merrier…anyhow, I’m wishing you all a nice February, full of Love & Joy!
“Loving is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.” (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)

Friday, January 24, 2025

January 24’25: Union of the Romanian Principalities

 Revisiting an old page of Romanian history: The Little Union of the Romanian Principalities
January 24, 1859 – January 24, 2025. 166 years ago, the Union of the Romanian Principalities (also known as: “The Little Union of the Romanian Principalities”, or “The Little Union”, or “The Day of The Unification of the Romanian Principalities”) took place, under the leadership of Alexandru Ioan Cuza.
A new occasion for all Romanians around the world and back home to honor their history, their heroes and to appreciate their national achievements.
January 24’24: To all our Romanian friends, near & far: HAPPY UNIFICATION DAY!
"Grație unirii cresc lucrurile mici, prin dezbinare se prăbuşesc cele mai mari."
La mulți ani tuturor românilor de pretutindeni cu ocazia Zilei Unirii Principatelor Române!
● A concise historic briefing:
January 24th, also known as the Little Unification (Romanian: "Mica Unire") celebrates the political union of these 2 principalities, which is considered the foundation of modern Romania. The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, also known as "The Romanian United Principalities", was the official name of the Romania following the 1859 election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as the ruling prince (Romania: "domnitor") of both territories.
Years later, on December 1st, 1918, the Great Union happened (Romanian: "Marea Unire"), when the 3 Romanian Principalities (Wallachia, Moldavia & Transylvania) became one country, one voice, called "Romania", and December 1st became Romania's National Day.
● Remembering few old songs, relating to this historic moment: Unity Hora”  Ion Roată către Divan
● A short video clip I’ve put together a while ago for this occasionJanuary 24
● My previous greetings on the same theme: 
The Little Union of the Romanian Principalities, each year on January 24 – 2024202320222021