Prejmer is one of the settlements that treasure a valuable architectural, cultural and environmental patrimony, as an expression of the secular cohabitation of the German and Romanian population. The inhabitants conserve the memory of an ancient costume called Fasching that the German community used to organize on Shrovetide, according to the evangelic church calendar.
The Triumph of Light
The Fasching has a very ancient origin; it marks the passage from winter to spring, symbolizing the chasing up of the dark?s spirits and the triumph of light. The village?s streets are crossed by ,,The Pancakes Caravan?, a procession of carts and masked riders.
The masked people sing, dance and play laughing sketches, accompanied by trumpets and harmonicas. A traditional kitchen is set up in one of the carts; the youths cook pancakes they offer the people, as an invitation to the fancy ball. On Friday evening, on the party?s eve, the youths gather to confection masks and frippery for the carts and horse in the caravan.
The Pancakes Jury
On Sunday morning, The Pancakes Caravan starts from the Prejmer Stronghold. Children are invited to attend the Children Carnival, were the nicest masks are rewarded.
The guest-houses owners of ANTREC presents in the fancy ball opening the most original pancakes recipes; young dancers bands from Braşov perform a program of round and German popular dances. The fancy Ball evening is a real feast, a moment of joy and cheer for local people, guests and tourists with raffles, contests, dances and masks parades. A jury had the difficult mission to choose the best pancakes among the hundreds cooked in Prejmer.
Involving the Community
Şerban Todorică, the mayor of Prejmer, is happy to see revived the Fasching tradition, after 15 years of absence. ,,The town-hall, in partnership with the County Council, the ,,Euro-rural? Association and the Centre for the Conservation and Promotion of the Traditional Culture organized the sixth edition of the Pancakes Caravan . The event is a great occasion to promote rural tourism, to inspire and involve the community in conserving the local traditions?.
