Erasmus+ Programme – Strategic Partnership Project Nr: 2019-1-RO01-KA220-063665_1
Christmas in Romania
CELEBRATING SAINT NICHOLAS On Saint Nicholas’Eve, (the 5th of December) all Romanian children clean their boots, place them at the door and go to sleep waiting for Moș Nicolae to fill them with presents.
In the morning, the most obedient of them will discover lots of little surprises, mostly sweets, tucked into their shoes, while the naughty ones will only find the symbolic rod.
SINGING TRADITIONAL CAROLS On Christmas Eve, 24th of December, groups of children go from house to house to sing carols. The hosts give them cakes, cookies and sweets. In the countryside, children dress in traditional clothes and sing songs such as: Trei pastori ( Three shepherds) O brad frumos ( Oh, Christmas tree). A LINK TO OUR FAVOURITE CAROL: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/HFRRJEFSWXQ
The STAR CAROL refers to the star that leads the wise men to baby Jesus. Carol singers take the star with them when they go carol singing. https://youtu.be/O8z-K0Q6v-E
Capra (The Goat) is a traditional Romanian dance, perfomed around Christmas . It's executed by a young man with a goat mask and a sheep's skin on his back. https://youtu.be/uhIZgWkaetA
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS On Christmas Eve Romanians decorate the Christmas tree using tingles, Christmas globes, candies, handmade decorations, and small coloured lights while singing Christmas carols. On Christmas Day we open the presents Santa left for us under the tree.
The houses are often decorated with mistletoe, a sign of good luck and wealth. The mistletoe is a "magic" plant , a symbol of spiritual purity, of freedom and harmony.
CHRISTMA S DAY
On Christmas Day, the whole family meets and spents quality time together. Romanians have wonderful traditional food.
Women prepare traditional pork products ( ham, bacon, sausages) , Beef salad, pork jelly and many delicious dishes.
TRADITIONAL DISHES You will always find the delicious Stuffed Cabbage rolls (sarmale) and polenta(mămăligă) in every Romanian house on Christmas.
We love the tastiest cake in the world , the Romanian sweet bread, cooked in every house on Christmas.
Crăciun fericit!