"Cununa Florilor" (the crown of flowers) in Buneşti
|
|
Bunesti, formerly called Bundorf in Romanian (Bondorf, Bondref, Bodndref in Transylvanian Saxon, Bodendorf, Budendorf in German and Szászbuda in Hungarian) is a town lying in the county of Brasov, Transylvania region, Romania, on the highway connecting Brasov to Sighisoara. Here a summer custom is celebrated on the Saints Peter and Paul's Day (June 29th). It is considered a celebration of flowers and rich vegetation which brings hope for the land fertility. This custom is specific to Rupea region: Viscri, Bunesti, Fiser and Dacia, namely to those places where influential Transylvanian Saxon communities formerly existed.
Kronenfest, the Crown's Festival
"Cununa Florilor" originates from a Transylvanian Saxon custom called Kronenfest, the Crown's Festival. In Bunesti, this customs, apart from symbolizing a celebration of the archaic God of Vegetation, was also given the meaning of a "crown" dedicated to all the heroes killed in the battles for the freedom of Ardeal region. All along the event, people sing old songs dedicated to heroes. The traditional round dance makes no exception. The young man and women wear folk costumes and prepare a crown that will be hung on a pillar, on the background of a specific ritual. The preparations for this day start several days before June 29th, when young men and women go to pick up flowers in the fields.
Garlands Braiding
"The Town Hall and the Local Council of Bunesti are involved in the promotion of local customs and traditions. We are glad that the young people are eager to participate in this event accompanied by their parents. The inhabitants gather to celebrate this important and sacred day. The garlands braiding takes place at one of the girl's house. Two crowns are made: one for the children and one for the youth. Then they are hung on the pillars in the church's courtyard. A piece of cheese and a bottle of tuica (plum brandy) are hidden in-between the crown's branches, to be served later on to the participants," said Mr. Palasan Mircea, Mayor of Bunesti.
Gathering around the Crowns
Once the entire local population gathers around the crowns, a young man climbs each pillar and utters a saying. The saying text refers to the religious meaning of the date of June 29th, Saints Peter and Paul's Day. The village priest plays an important role in composing the text and transmitting its message.
