The Christ's Resurrection and Pentecost Holidays celebrated by the Ethnic Groups from Tara Barsei
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The Centre for Preservation and Promotion of Traditional Culture within the Cultural Centre "Reduta" organized the varnishing of "The Christ's Resurrection Holiday at the Ethnic Groups from Tara Barsei" exhibition. It included the most important Christian holidays: the Christ's Resurrection and the Pentecost (the Descent of the Holy Spirit). The chosen location was Bran Castel, famous all around the world as Dracula's Castle. If some tourists came to see the worldwide renowned castle, others came especially to see the exhibition, to find out about the cultural diversity from this area.
Christian Holidays
Irrespective of their ethnic origin (Romanian, Hungarian or Transylvanian Saxon), the inhabitants of Brasov county prepare with great holiness to welcome Christ's Resurrection. They follow both traditional and Christian traditions. On Pentecost's Holiday, which has a totally religious character, the German ethnic group celebrate the beginning of the summer season. Thus, the fields, or in the case of Transylvanian Saxons the forests, are sanctified. After that, they throw outdoor parties ("maial").
Apart from religious events, different exhibitions presenting specific ethnic elements are organized in most parts of the county on the occasion of Easter and Pentecost's holidays.
Social Trace
Region Tara Barsei may be considered by far a multicultural and multiethnic place, which is representative for the county of Brasov. All ethnic groups, the Transylvanian Saxons, the Hungarians, the Greeks and the Jews, who have lived next to the local Romanians, left their trace in time on the local social life, culture and architecture. This process resulted in cultural and mindset diversity. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that certain customs and traditions were borrowed by the Romanians from the Hungarians and the Transylvanian Saxons. An example would be "Stropitul" (the sprinkling) celebrated on the second day after Easter when young men sprinkle perfume over the young women.
Exhibition Themes
The subject theme of the exhibition dedicated to Easter holidays, which tool place at Bran Castle, was intended to highlight the representative elements of this big holiday for Christians, which is Christ's Resurrection. Though customs and traditions somewhat differ from one ethnic group to another, the feeling and symbols making the essence of this important holiday are the same and have brought together Romanian, Transylvanian Saxon, Csango and Greek people within the legendary scenery of Bran Castle.
