ROMANIA

The name of Romania (România) comes from Român (Romanian)

which is a derivative of the word Romanus (“Roman") from Latin.

Brief Historical Overview

● Originally a Roman province, the area was conquered from the 3rd to

the 12th century by a succession of invaders, including Goths, Huns, Magyars,

and Mongols.

● Romania is an Eastern Orthodox country.

● In the 13th century two principalities, Moldavia and Walachia, emerged, becoming vassal states within

the Turkish Empire and eventually Russian protectorates. They were united in 1861. Romania becomes

fully independent in 1878 and in 1881 it becomes the Kingdom of Romania.

● After the defeat of Austria-Hungary in World War I, the region of Transilvania is added to Romania, as

is the Russian region of Basarabia. Romania becomes a parliamentary democracy. The rise of fascism in

the 1930s led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a dictatorship in 1940.

● Following Romania's surrender to the USSR during World War II, the country was declared (1947) a

communist republic, which was overthrown in 1989 with army-supported countrywide revolts.

● During December, 1989, the Revolution that successfully overthrew Communism took place. The

country held its first democratic elections in 1990 and adopted a new constitution in 1991. In spring

2004, Romania joined NATO. Romania’s present main goal is its accession to the European Union (EU).

Holydays and TraditionsTraditional Christmas Greeting:

"Sarbatori Fericite“ (Happy Holiday!)

Capra The “Goat” is actually a usually boisterous young

person dressed up in a goat costume The whole group

dances through the streets and from door to door,

often with flute music.

The leader carries a large wooden star called "steaua“ (the star), which is covered with shiny paper and decorated with bells and colored ribbon.

Holydays and Traditions

A picture of the Holy Family is pasted in the star's center,

and the entire creation is attached to a broomstick or stout pole.

Holydays and Traditions

Plugusorul is a small plough. In Romanian folklore is a

traditional procession with a decorated plough, on New Years' Eve

Holydays and Traditions EASTER

Easter is the most important event in the Orthodox Christian calendar.

• Traditionally, celebrations in Romania begin on the Saturday evening. Dressed in all their

finest clothes and holding candles, people gather round the churches. At the Easter

Resurrection Mass (Slujba de Inviere) just before midnight, the priest comes out to give a

blessing, distribute holy bread and provide the flame from which everyone will light their

candles. Suddenly the darkness is lit up and thousands of candles take to the streets.

EASTER

Everyone tries to keep the flame alive until they arrive home. There, around the table, thefamily comes together for a special Easter meal. Roast lamb and home-made cozonac (sponge

cake with nuts and poppy seeds) are the traditional dishes.

The craftsmanship of dyeing the eggs at Easter is an ancient tradition with Romanians. The belief that eggs represent the source of life led to the relation of eggs to the rites of the revival of nature, and eventually Easter. Romanians traditionally painted Easter eggs red and they decorated them ornately.

National Day

The National Day of Romania or Union Day (Ziua Unirii) occurring on December 1, is the

national holyday of Romania. This holiday was set after the 1989 Romanian Revolution and it

marks the 1918 unification of the Romanian Kingdom with Transilvania, Basarabia,

Bucovina.

• Folk Costumes – old peasants house

Folk Costumes old peasants house

Travel Tips : Romania's Attractions

Bucharest Romania's capital and one of the most chaotic cities in the world, Bucharest was a

beauty in the 30's

Travel Tips : Romania's Attractions

Brasov is a medieval town established by the Saxons. It is surrounded by mountains

and it's one of the most visited places in Romania.

Travel Tips : Romania's Attractions

Sighisoara is one of the world's best preserved medieval towns.

Travel Tips : Romania's Attractions

Constanta Romania's second largest city; the oldest Romanian city.

Romania's Attractions

Black Sea Cost A bit more than 250 km long, the Romanian Black sea coast starts at the

Danube's Chilia brace and ends at Vama Veche, near the Bulgarian border.

• The Carpathians Mountains offer skiing opportunities (some of the cheapest in Europe

• Delta Danube

• Monasteries Bucovina‘s painted monasteries are

considered to be a world heritage and they are

one of the most impressive works of art.

Food & Wine

The main ingredients used by Romanian chefs are meats such as pork, beef and lamb, fish,

vegetables, dairy products and fruit. A traditional Romanian meal may include:

Appetizer

All kinds of cheeses, cold cuts and vegetable spreads.

Soup

• Ciorba de perisoare (meatball soup), ciorba taraneasca (vegetable soup, with or without

meat), ciorba de burta (tripe soup).

Fish

Saramura (grilled carp in brine), nisetru la gratar (grilled Black Sea sturgeon) or scrumbie

la gratar (grilled herring).

Food & Wine

Tocanita or tochitura (meat stew seasoned with onions and/ or spices), ghiveci (over 20 vegetables cooked in oil), sarmale (pickled cabbage leaves stuffed with a mix of minced meats, rice and spices) and mititei (The "Wee Ones" - small skinless grilled sausages) are among the favorites.

• Dessert

Papanasi (cottage cheese donuts, topped with sour cream and fruit preserve), clatite cu

branza (crepes filled with cottage cheese, raisins and spices) and cozonac (traditional holiday

sweet bread filled with walnuts, poppy seeds or cream cheese).

A traditional drink enjoyed with appetizers is tuica (a potent plum brandy)

which varies in strength, dryness and bouquet according to the production area. Entree

Language

Here are some useful phrases.

• Good morning Buna dimineata!

• Good afternoon Buna ziua!

• Hello Salut!

Buna!

• Thank you Multumesc!

• Goodbye La revedere!

• Excuse me/I'm sorry Imi pare rau/

Scuza-ma!

• Yes Da

• No Nu