Within 12-15 April, thousands of tourists from Romania and abroad flocked to attend the sixth edition of Brasov?s Days, organized by the Town Hall Brasov. The official opening was also marked by the handing over of the album ?Brasov, the children? citadel? by the pupils of several local elementary schools and the launch of the anthology ?Brasov in one hundred poetries? by Nicolae Stoe, written in Romanian, French, English and German.
Tinned Towns? Guests
Mayor George Scripcaru welcomed his guests with music, champagne and the traditional bread and salt. Among them, personalities of six towns connected through the twinning procedure with Brasov: Holstebro (Denmark), Minsk (Belarus), Trikala (Greece), Rishon Le Zion (Israel), Tours (France).
The spectators had the opportunity to admire the gigantesque parade, included an old cars parade and the exhibition of the trucks made at ?Roman? factory.
During the four days of feast, the town hosted various entertaining events, The Flowers Fair at Piata Sfatului, the Artisans Fair, exceptional shows performed by Romanian and foreign guests and the Touring Fair with promotional offer.
The Popular Artisans Fair
Popular artisans from all over the country were gathered by the Association of the Popular Creators of Romania (ACPR) to promote their products and inform the visitors about the Romanian traditional art. Among the exhibits there were tissues, popular clothes and accessories, musical instruments, naïve paintings, wood sculpture and crystals.
The Juni? Parade
As every year, the main attraction of the event was the parade of Junii Brasoveni, the mounted inhabitants of the old town, the treasurers of the ancient habits of Brasov. More than 100 men on horseback ? Junii Tineri, Batrani, Brasovecheni, Curcani, Dorobanti, Rosiori, Albiori ? splendidly paraded on the streets.
At Solomon?s Rocks
After covering the usual itinerary in the firts Sunday after Eastern, Junii, accompanied by the crowd, went to Solomon?s Rocks, where they compete in throwing the mace and dancing. Each group set at its table, marked by a special flag. The groups? leaders saluted their ones with the traditional Eastern salute, pronounced in Greek language too.
Myth, Rituals and Magic
The Juni costume is profoundly related to the Spring. Every year, the first going out happened on Annunciation (March 25), but the most exciting events occur around the Resurrection Day, starting with the Eastern Sunday, for all the Holly Week long. Beyond the magnificent show there are ceremonial elements, myth, rituals and magic, on their three dimensions: youthful and heroic, mixed later with Christian significances, mainly paschal.
Junii treasure the admittance rules into their bands as well as regarding the moments and places to celebrate the costume, the pies? recipes, the ritual meals, the specific round-dance, the mace?s throwing as a ritual to chase away the maleficent spirits, the horses? adornment.
