Florii (Palm Sunday) and Easter Fair
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On the occasion of "Florii and Easter Fair in the German Garden" which was organized in the Council`s Square of Brasov, locals and tourists could admire the German-Swiss tradition of adorning water fountains. This tradition dates back to 1909 when Osternbrunnen, the first fountain, was adorned with fir tree branches, flowers and coloured eggs in a market square in Switzerland. The custom was then taken over by all German communities as a symbol of the importance and respect given to water, as well as to the coming of spring.
Nowadays, this one century-old custom is part of the Spring Festival dedicated to the Easter holiday.
Easter Decorations
The German Economic Club and the society Bonima have been the organizers of this event and they are also those who organize German-specific events in Brasov each year. The visitors enjoyed admiring the little hexagonal water fountain and the pigeon fountain from the Council`s Square, decorated in German style by the children from Kiga Kindergarten. They also bought handmade Easter decorations, accessories, colourful fine silk scarfs, ginger bread, tarts, handmade chocolate after grandma`s recipe, as well as traditional Easter meals such as: sausages and traditional meat specialties, natural palinka made in Zalau, wine from Pancota wine cellars and various cheeses from "Poarta Maramuresana".
Childhood Memories
There were also a few outstanding stands such as "Poiana Fermecata" (the charming meadow) that sold Romanian traditional products such as zacusca or homemade marmalade. Other stands displayed Dutch, Italian and Turkish specialties. For those who wanted to remember the taste of oven-baked dishes from their childhood there was the "Childhood Memories" stand.
Traditional Workshops
"Iconography, Easter egg painting and making dolls of textile fabrics workshops were opened for children. In a specially installed fenced enclosure with lambs, rabbits and puppets, the Easter Bunny welcomed the children who had the chance to play with the animals during the entire weekend. The children also made the famous Disney cardboards with their favourite cartoon characters using coloured sand," said organizer Mrs Anemona Hermeneanu.
