How the Romanians spent the Christmas holiday
Romanians enjoyed a quiet Christmas this year in spite of the pandemic still affecting the world
Roxana Vasile, 27.12.2021, 12:16
The present pandemic this year did not interfere with
the Christmas holiday of most Romanians as the country is still seeing a low
number of daily infections and fatalities caused by the novel coronavirus – the
citizens of Romania were able to peacefully enjoy one of the year’s most awaited
and beautiful Christian holidays.
Traditionally, a period of joy and enlightenment,
Christmas was being celebrated both in the street by groups of carolers heralding
the birth of Christ and in churches through a series of holy sermons held by
the clergy.
Some preferred to spend the holiday at home around the
Christmas tree with rich dinners, family and friends.
Numerous ski slopes have opened so the Christmas
holiday was a good opportunity for winter sports lovers to indulge their
favourite pastime. Poiana Brasov, a ski resort in the Carpathians proved to be
one of the most popular tourist destinations these days with almost all its
accommodation facilities occupied by tourists who enjoyed the resort’s famous snow-covered
ski slopes.
Another popular tourist destination these days proved
to be the region of Bukovina, in north-eastern Romania, where owners of hotels
and guest houses were able to delight their visitors with a series of shows consisting
of traditional customs and carols specific to the winter holidays or with hikes
in a genuine winter wonderland.
On this occasion like every year, politicians conveyed
their messages to Romanians, whom they urged to be generous, to not abandon traditions
or those in need. They also referred to the present medical crisis and the need
for responsibility in this period.
In his Christmas address, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis
referred to the spirit of this holiday at the end of a difficult year.
According to the country’s Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, the responsibility
with which the Romanians understand to spend this holiday is maybe the best
gift offered to others.
‘Christmas urges us all to be generous’ Daniel, the
patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church said. In his message, the patriarch
said that Romanians should think more about the children whose parents have
left to work abroad.
Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Crown of
Romania and her husband, Prince Radu spent the holiday at the royal domain of Savarsin
in the west of the country, where they prepared and offered 300 packages to those
in need.
Like every year, the royal family received carolers dressed
in traditional clothes. Sighetul Marmatiei in northern Romania these days played
venue for the 53rd edition of the Festival of Traditional Winter
Customs, an event, which brought together over 400 carolers, who delighted the
public, made up of locals and tourists alike with some of the best carols and
traditional winter customs in Romania. The festival consisted of carols,
religious pageants, dance shows and mask parades.
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