Kronenfest or Flower Crown
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Flower Crown is a summer custom organized on Saints Peter and Paul`s Day (June 29th). It is a celebration of flowers, abundant vegetation, which brings hope for a fertile soil. This festivity is specific to the inhabitants of Rupea region, from Viscri, Bunesti, Fiser, Dacia, Homorod, Mercheasa, Jimbor, where powerful Transylvanian Saxon communities used to live. This event has its origins in a Transylvanian Saxon custom called Kronenfest or the Crown`s Holiday, celebrated at the same day.
Making the Crowns
Preparations for this event start a few days before June 29th when young men go to the fields and pick up flowers. The wreaths are braided at one of the girls` house. Two flower wreaths are made, a children`s wreath and a youth`s wreath, which are then hung on pillars in the church`s yard. A piece of cheese and a bottle of brandy are hidden between the crown`s boughs, that will be offered later to the participants. When everybody is gathered around the wreaths, a young man climbs each pillar and gives a holler. The text is written by the priest and speaks about the religious meaning of the day of June 29th. During the entire celebration, old songs dedicated to heroes are sang. The traditional round dance is also part of this festivity. At the end people give the salute "May you live many years!"
The Heroes` Crown
"In Bunesti, this custom has acquired another meaning which refers to patriotism and revolution found in the lyrics of the songs sung on this occasion. The Crown is dedicated to the heroes who died while fighting in the battles for the liberation of Ardeal. On the same Saints Peter and Paul`s Day, the Day of Sanpetru is celebrated in the town with the same name when another celebration honouring flowers and soil fertility takes place called Ruscuta de primavara (the spring Bird`s Eye flower). Kronenfest or the Crown`s Holiday takes place in Codlea Municipality. This summer custom taken from the Transylvanian Saxons is a celebration of flowers and abundant vegetation. All these events are attended by locals and guests from the surrounding regions," said Mr Adrian Valusescu, Director of the County Centre for the Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture in Brasov.
From one season to another
This holiday is part of the series of customs celebrated throughout the year in the County of Brasov and symbolizes a period of transition from one season to another, from spring to summer. It brings hope to the people for a thriving and joyful season. Nowadays in certain regions this custom takes also the form of bucolic parties. Its purpose is to preserve and make the most out of local traditions, to pass them on to future generations but also to create a bond between the Romanian and Transylvanian Saxon communities. These customs are very appealing to foreign tourists.
