Language/Romanian/Culture/Romanian-Holidays
| ◀️ Describing Activities — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Romanian Cuisine ▶️ |
In this lesson, we will explore Romanian holidays and their customs. Holidays are an important part of any culture as they reflect the beliefs, values, and traditions of a society. Understanding Romanian holidays will not only deepen your knowledge of the language but also provide insights into the rich cultural heritage of Romania. We will focus on three major holidays: Christmas, Easter, and National Day. Each holiday has its unique customs, traditions, and significance in Romanian culture. By the end of this lesson, you will have a comprehensive understanding of Romanian holiday celebrations and be able to engage in conversations about these important cultural events.
Christmas[edit | edit source]
Christmas, called "Crăciun" in Romanian, is one of the most cherished holidays in Romania. It is celebrated on December 25th, following the Western Christian tradition. The holiday is deeply rooted in religious beliefs and customs, but it has also adopted some secular elements over time.
Customs and Traditions[edit | edit source]
Romanians begin their Christmas preparations on December 6th, which is Saint Nicholas Day. Children place their shoes by the window, hoping that Saint Nicholas will fill them with gifts and sweets.
On Christmas Eve, families gather for a festive dinner called "Cina de Ajun" or "Cina de Crăciun." The table is adorned with traditional dishes such as "sarmale" (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice), "cozonac" (a sweet bread with nuts and raisins), and "coliva" (a wheat-based dessert). It is customary to leave an empty seat at the table for deceased family members, symbolizing their presence in spirit.
After dinner, families attend the midnight mass at the local church, known as "Misa de Gallo." The mass is followed by a joyful celebration, where people sing carols, exchange gifts, and wish each other "Crăciun fericit!" (Merry Christmas).
Vocabulary and Phrases[edit | edit source]
Here are some Romanian words and phrases related to Christmas:
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Crăciun | /ˈkrə.t͡ʃi.un/ | Christmas |
| Sarmale | /sar.ˈma.le/ | Cabbage rolls |
| Cozonac | /ko.zo.ˈnak/ | Sweet bread |
| Coliva | /ko.ˈli.va/ | Wheat-based dessert |
| Misa de Gallo | /ˈmi.sa de ˈɡa.lo/ | Midnight mass |
| Crăciun fericit | /krə.t͡ʃi.un fe.ˈri.t͡sit/ | Merry Christmas |
Cultural Insight[edit | edit source]
In rural areas of Romania, some unique customs are still practiced during Christmas. One such custom is "Plugusorul," where young boys and girls dress in traditional costumes and go from house to house, singing and reciting blessings for good luck in the upcoming year. They are rewarded with treats and small gifts.
Easter[edit | edit source]
Easter, known as "Paște" in Romanian, is another important holiday in Romania. It is celebrated according to the Eastern Orthodox tradition and usually falls on a different date than Easter in Western Christianity. Easter is a joyous occasion that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Customs and Traditions[edit | edit source]
Romanians begin their Easter preparations on Good Friday, known as "Vinerea Mare." It is a day of fasting and attending church services. On Saturday, people bring baskets filled with traditional Easter foods to church for a special blessing. The baskets typically include painted eggs, "pasca" (a sweet bread), lamb-shaped cakes, and other traditional dishes.
The highlight of Easter Sunday is the traditional game of "căutarea ouălor" (egg hunting). Family members and friends gather in the garden or nearby fields to hide and search for eggs. The person who finds the most eggs is believed to have good luck in the coming year.
Vocabulary and Phrases[edit | edit source]
Here are some Romanian words and phrases related to Easter:
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Paște | /ˈpaʃ.te/ | Easter |
| Vinerea Mare | /vi.ˈne.re.a ˈma.re/ | Good Friday |
| Pasca | /ˈpa.ska/ | Sweet bread |
| Căutarea ouălor | /kəu.ˈta.re.a u.ˈə.lor/ | Egg hunting |
| Hristos a înviat | /ˈhris.tos a ɨn.ˈvi.at/ | Christ has risen |
Cultural Insight[edit | edit source]
Romanians have a unique tradition called "Învierea lui Hristos" (The Resurrection of Christ) that takes place on Easter Sunday. At midnight, people gather outside the church with lit candles. At the stroke of midnight, the priest announces the resurrection of Christ, and everyone shares the light from the priest's candle, symbolizing the spreading of God's grace. It is a beautiful and moving moment of unity and faith.
National Day[edit | edit source]
Romania celebrates its National Day, known as "Ziua Națională a României," on December 1st. This holiday commemorates the unification of Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina with the Romanian Kingdom in 1918, creating the modern state of Romania.
Customs and Traditions[edit | edit source]
On National Day, people gather in cities and towns across Romania to participate in parades, concerts, and various cultural events. The national flag is proudly displayed, and the atmosphere is filled with patriotism and pride. It is a day to celebrate Romanian history, culture, and achievements.
Vocabulary and Phrases[edit | edit source]
Here are some Romanian words and phrases related to National Day:
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ziua Națională a României | /ˈzi.wa na.t͡si.o.ˈna.lə a ro.ˈmɨ.ni.ej/ | National Day of Romania |
| Tricolor | /tri.ˈko.lor/ | Tricolor (the Romanian flag) |
| Parada | /pa.ˈra.da/ | Parade |
| Concert | /ˈkon.t͡ʃert/ | Concert |
Cultural Insight[edit | edit source]
Romanians take great pride in their national identity and history. National Day is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their shared heritage. It is a day when the country's accomplishments and contributions are acknowledged and appreciated.
Exercises[edit | edit source]
1. Match the Romanian holiday with its English translation:
- Crăciun
- Paște
- Ziua Națională a României
2. Fill in the blanks with the correct Romanian words: a. "Sarmale" is a traditional dish served during __________. b. The traditional game of __________ is played on Easter Sunday. c. On National Day, people gather in cities to participate in __________ and cultural events.
Solutions[edit | edit source]
1. Match the Romanian holiday with its English translation:
- Crăciun - Christmas
- Paște - Easter
- Ziua Națională a României - National Day of Romania
2. Fill in the blanks with the correct Romanian words: a. "Sarmale" is a traditional dish served during Crăciun. b. The traditional game of căutarea ouălor is played on Easter Sunday. c. On National Day, people gather in cities to participate in parades and cultural events.
In this lesson, you have learned about Romanian holidays and their customs. Christmas, Easter, and National Day are important cultural events that reflect the traditions and values of Romania. By understanding the significance of these holidays, you have gained a deeper insight into Romanian culture. Practice the vocabulary and phrases provided, and try to engage in conversations about these holidays with native Romanian speakers. This will not only enhance your language skills but also allow you to connect with the rich cultural heritage of Romania.
Videos[edit | edit source]
Traditional ROMANIAN FOOD Tour (Foods you need to try in ...[edit | edit source]
Sarmale - Romanian Cabbage Rolls Recipe - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Romanian Language and Dialects
- Education and Science
- Religion and Folk Beliefs
- Geography and Landmarks
- Moldova Timeline
- Media and Entertainment
- Romanian Cuisine
- Romania Timeline
- Romanian History
- Cuisine and Customs
| ◀️ Describing Activities — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Romanian Cuisine ▶️ |