|  Christmas: The Christian celebration of Christmas has become
important since the fall of the Communist regime in Romania. Singing Christmas carols is a very important part of the Romanian Christmas festivities. Many carolers walk in the streets of the towns and villages holding in their hands a star made of board and paper with Biblical scenes painted in watercolor. On the first Christmas day, kids walk in the streets of snow covered towns and villages. The tradition in Romania is for children to travel from house to house singing carols and reciting poetry and legends throughout the Christmas season. The leader carries a large wooden star called "steaua", which is covered with shiny paper and decorated with bells and colored ribbon. 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.
Easter: Along with the religious aspects, in Romania the holiday is seen as symbolizing rebirth and renewal of everyday life. Cleaning one's house, wearing new clothes and a ritual bath before going to church are all supposed to mark a new beginning. Everyone, rich or poor, dresses in his/her best clothing, many wearing national costumes, and attends a midnight church service. Candles are lit for each person throughout the service, and people leave with candles still lit, returning home to place them in their houses and apartments. It is also said that lit candles prevent thunder and lighting from harming people as they go home.
Once home, the festivities continue with a traditional Romanian feast, which likely includes dishes such as "pasca", "cozonacul" spiced minced lamb or lamb roast, cheeses and sponge cake. 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. Over time, other colors were used and this custom was transformed into an art form and expert skill. Today, real and wooden eggs are painted with intricate designs, or decorated all over with various colored beads, and are available throughout the year.
New Year's Eve: This holiday was allowed to continue during communism, because it had no religious significance. It is believed that no person should spend the night alone, as it is the night when the new year, represented by a baby, is born--and the old year, represented by the tired old man, is replaced. On December 31, villagers carry a plough from house to house in a New Year's greeting, wishing a "prosperous new year" to neighbors. On January 1, children will offer rice or wheat to neighbors, throwing the seeds over the threshold, in a wish for properity and "good sowing."Another folk tradition is of the "Plugusorul", whom appear in all villages and even the most cosmopolitan cities during the period between Christmas and New Year's day. Nobody is quite certain how the practice originated, but it is an amusing, living legend. Traditionally costumed characters crack whips as loud as cannons, play symphonies on ancient percussion instruments accompanied by accordions in the streets and in courtyards. The whole intent seems to be making lots of SOUND to scare away evil ghosts of the past year, to bring good luck and hope into the new year. Like many Romanian myths, the Plugusorul have retained their mystery over thousands of years.
Which is the most significant one?
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