Romanian Christmas Traditions

Romanian Christmas Carols

Another beautiful custom is Colind (Romanian word for carol) a group of people,
usually dressed in folk costumes, who go from house to house singing Christmas carols, till
morning. They are received in every house with great joy, because, according to tradition, they
bring fortune and happiness . They receive knot-shaped bread and cakes, apples, nuts and money.
Christmas carols and the practice of caroling both feature heavily in Romanian Christmas
traditions. The act of going through the village, or from house to house, singing carols dates to preChristian times. Today, Romanian carolers are most often children who may carry a staff topped
with a representation of the Christmas star. Some Romanian Christmas carols have a religious
theme, while others may reference Romanian folklore.
During this time everything has to have a festive dimension. Carols create an atmosphere
full of optimism, where men make wishes and foster secret desires.
Probably the best part of a Romanian Christmas is the laborious, magical suite of carols that can be
heard all over the country during this wonderful time of the year, from the paths of the most remote
villages to the classiest venues in the capital. Often accompanied by wishes for health, prosperity
and fulfillment, Romanian carols are far from being just simple Christmas songs. They usually
come together with rituals, special costumes, tools and even short theatrical performances,
generating a genuine spectacle. Most popular include Steaua (the Star boys singing procession),
Capra (The Goat) and Plugusorul.
Overall, Romanian Christmas carols, whether religious songs, pure folklore or theatrical
performances, are all wonderful.
The Star

The Goat

The Christmas Tree

Other Christmas traditions and customs in Romania comprise the

decorating of Christmas Tree, which is usually made by the whole family a
couple of days before Christmas; the arrival of Santa Claus with its bag full
of gifts, a practice that takes place on Christmas Eve; the decorating of each
city with millions of glowing lights.

Christmas Food
Christmas is a true feast for the senses. Preparation begins with pig slaughtering, when a
good part of the poor animal is turned into smoked ham, bacon, sausages, liver sausage, pigs trotter
and other goodies whose names are untranslatable. On Christmas Eve women make sarmale
(delicious meat-and-rice rolls wrapped in cabbage) and cozonaci, a sort of sponge cake with nuts,
cocoa and Turkish delights, similar to the Italian panetone, but more consistent. Christmas dinner is
always a rich, multi-course meal. Highlights of the menu always include roasted pork, pickled
vegetables, the delicious beouf salad, home-made wine and plum brandy, as well as various fancy
cakes.
Sarmale

Cozonac