Culture In Romania
The culture of Romania is very unique, rich and varied. This primarily is due to its geographical location and history. The Romanians are descendents of Eastern Romans, and it is estimated that Romanians came to be during the first millennium A.D. |
There is a strong connection in Romania between culture and folklore. In fact, in rural Romania, the culture and heritage is steeped in folk art and legends. Slavonic was the first book published in the country in 1508. It is a prayer book, while A Catechism was the first book in Romanian language printed in 1544 in Transylvania. This clearly shows that religion is an integral part of Romanian life. Majority of the population is Romanian which follows the Romanian Orthodox Church. In addition, the culture has been influenced by the Ottoman Empire, Roman Empire and Austro-Hungarian Empire. All these empires occupied the country or certain regions of it at some time or the other; thus blending with the local culture to come up with a new and unique culture, which is visible in present day Romania.
Even literature has played an important role in influencing the culture of Romania. In the second half of the 19th century, Constantin Brancusi, an abstract sculptor, influenced the country with his work and concepts. Also, Titu Maiorescu and Junimea Cultural Society contributed immensely to the country.
The cuisine in the country is blend of the foreign races and Empires that occupied Romania. Because of the Ottoman Empire, you can get Baklava, meatballs and stuffed vine leaf rolls in the country. Thanks to the Greeks, Tatziki and Moussaka are an integral part of Romanian cuisine. Placinta, a pie dish, owes its origin to the Dacian Roman era. Beef, pork, lamb, fruits, vegetables and dairy products are very much part of the Romanian cuisine. So, also Tuica, a plum brandy. Of course, different regions within the country have their own unique cuisine. For instance, Transylvania is famous for its use of spices and sweetened sauces, while Moldavia uses sour cream in majority of its dishes.
The festivals celebrated here are a beautiful sight with the local wearing brightly colored costumes dancing to traditional music. Wood carving, delicately woven carpets and pottery are traditionally made by hand. The special folk art of the country is hand decorated Easter eggs and hand painted glass. In fact, you can get these items any where near a tourist attraction in markets or from roadside vendors.
More Articles :
|
