RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

The tradition of Mărțișor

A series of events to celebrate Mărțișor Day are held these days in Romania and abroad.

Source: pixabay.com
Source: pixabay.com

, 01.03.2024, 13:50

The arrival of spring is marked in Romania with old customs and traditions passed down from one generation to the next. On the first day of March, Romanians are celebrating Mărțișor Day. An ancient custom, Mărțișor is recorded by ethnologists in the early 20th century in Romanian, Bulgarian and Albanian communities in the Balkans. In the Romanian countryside, Mărțișor was believed to provide protection against diseases and ill-fortune. A silver coin attached to a twisted wool or cotton thread would be tied around children’s wrists to shelter them from disease. After twelve days, the children would hang the coins up in a tree to make it fruitful or around cattle’s horns to keep them healthy. Adopted by the urban world and turned into a decorative item, Mărțișor can be made of silver or gold, worn as an ornament pinned to the chest or even as a necklace.

In 2017, Mărțișor was inscribed by UNESCO in the list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the world, following a joint application to this effect by Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. A series of events are staged these days in Romania to mark this tradition.

The capital Bucharest and other cities are hosting Mărțișor-themed fairs. One such fair held in Bucharest (Bucharest Mărțișor – Romanian Crafts and Tastes) invites visitors to discover the authenticity and beauty of Romanian crafts. “You will be welcomed by an atmosphere of joy and colour ready to enchant your senses and open up your heart to the beauty of spring. Visitors can admire and purchase the most beautiful and authentic handmade Mărțișor objects designed by skilled artisans and fashioned with great talent by folk craftspeople, as well as various objects carved in wood”, said the organisers of the fair.

On the first day of March, Radio Romania’s concert hall is hosting a performance of Robert Schumann’s Spring Symphony by the National  Radio Orchestra conducted by the Italian conductor David Crescenzi.

Abroad, the Romanian Cultural Institute marks this celebration by hosting a series of events to promote Romanian traditions dedicated to the beginning of spring, events held in New York, Stockholm, Warsaw, Lisbon, Nicosia, Tel Aviv, Venice, Madrid, Chişinău, Vienna, Paris, Istanbul, Rome and London. These events include classical music concerts, Mărțișor workshops, art performances, poetry readings, exhibitions, theatre performances and the screening of documentaries about the symbolical significance of the Mărțișor. (CM)

Signing of the protocol (foto:
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

Transition program towards F-35, launched

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.   Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter...

Transition program towards F-35, launched
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

The National Energy Strategy, adopted

Using local resources, reducing imports and making massive investments in production capacity are important elements of the new National Energy...

The National Energy Strategy, adopted
European Commission (photo: © European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

Political agreement on the new European Commission

    The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next...

Political agreement on the new European Commission
Photo: aep.ro
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

13 for Romania

    In Romania, presidential elections usually spark the greatest interest and emotions. Even more so this year, when the two rounds of the...

13 for Romania
Today in the News Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading

On Tuesday, the Romanian company Romgaz launched its first issue of bonds on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, worth 500 million EUR. Romgaz is the...

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania ahead of the presidential election

Next month, President Klaus Iohannis will end his second and last five-year term in office according to the Romanian Constitution. The so-called...

Romania ahead of the presidential election
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

NATO welcomes Romania’s continuous efforts and its significant contribution to strengthening the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security, NATO...

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels
Today in the News Monday, 18 November 2024

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Romania’s economic growth estimate has been recalculated by the European Commission (EC), at a value well below the initially established...

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company