?Zoritorii? from Cristian
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There are several cultural events taking place in the village of Cristian from Brasov County, which are performed both by the local people and by German ethnic population. Among these cultural events the most important is the Group of ?Zoritori? whose characteristic is that the bailiff is elected only once in a life time. The German dance band created ever since 1964 and the folk dance group ?Tara Barsei? founded in 1993 by choreographer Albrecht Klein to continue the Saxons? traditions from Transylvania, also play an important role. The band has participated in many shows in Romania and abroad. It consists now of 18 pairs, high school students and graduates from Johannes Honterus High School, coming from Cristian, Codlea, Sanpetru, Ghimbav, Bod and Rasnov.
The Feast Days of Cristian
The event which reunites both the Romanian and German traditional cultures is known as the Feast Days of Cristian. It is the Feast Day of Wealth, but also the day of Romanian and German cultural events: brass band, folk music band, folk dances performed by the Middle School students from Cristian, the dances of ?Zoritori?, light and party music, minced meat rolls, beer and fireworks.
The Birch Trees Ball
In 2009 the first edition of the Birch Trees Holiday took place in Cristian which ended with the proper birch tree ceremony when the boys go to single girls? houses and put birch trees at their front doors. The ball is very exciting because the most beautiful girl in the town is chosen as the ?Princess of the Ball?.
The Announcement of Christ?s Birth
On December 6th the Group of ?Zoritori? from Cristian meet to elect another bailiff. ?The bailiff is elected only once in a life time for one year. In the evening of Saint Nicholas? Day the boys gather and go to the priest to sing specific carols for Cristian town. On Christmas, for three days, the Group of ?Zoritori? go to each house to announce the Christ?s Birth. The locals let the gates open and welcome them with wine, pound cake and some money. The money collected will be used to organise the ?Zoritori? Ball that takes place in the second week after the New Year?s Eve.? says the current bailiff, Lucian Forfota.
The Mayor of Cristian, Mr. Serafim Dragos, said that the City Hall and the Local Council have supported these cultural activities and allotted funds to promote and maintain their identities. For those who want to spend unique holidays, Cristian can offer a variety of activities through the Evangelical Church and the Group of ?Zoritori?.
