The 6th Edition of the Days of Dumbrăviţa
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Dumbrăviţa, formerly called Tantari, Tantariu (Schnokenderf in the Saxon dialect, Schnakendorf in German, meaning "the village of mosquitoes", Szunyogszék, Szunyogszeg in Hungarian) is a town in the county of Brasov, Transylvania, Romania. It belongs to the historical region of Tara Barsei and lies at 4 km distance from DN1 Brasov-Sibiu highway. It is Dumbrăviţa commune where the customs and traditions have remained unaltered in time, with a wide range of potential tourist attractions. It also appeals by ecumenical tourism, forest tourism and recreation.
Meeting the sons of the village
Among the customs of the year, „The Days of Dumbravita” is the most important one dedicated to the commune, now in its 6th edition. On this occasion, people march in procession starting in front of the Town Hall, cross the commune, make a large round dance in the centre and then stop at a stage set up outdoors. This holiday includes several events: meeting the sons of the village, the youth's evening and the promotion of folklore.
„The Days of Dumbravita is a good opportunity for the sons of the village to get together, after returning home to meet their relatives. This year, we celebrate the sixth edition, and as we know, this is also an occasion to celebrate the Dormition of the Mother of God feast. After the end of the mass, the people form a procession displaying their folk costumes,” said Mr. Zachiu Popa, the Mayor of Dumbravita commune.
Genuine folklore
On the Days of Dumbravita, the folk agenda is spectacular: dances and songs performed by folk groups of Teliu, Cristian and Codlea and last but not the least by the folk group Plaiurile Dumbravitei, trained by teachers Elena and Gheorghe Guseila. Top of the bill: Veta Biris and Elena Merisoreanu. The singer Marius Dragomir and the famous band „Ardelenii” performed on stage at the youth's evening. There were also performances by the fiddlers` band Cetatuia din Teliu, instrumentalist Gheorghiţă Guseila and the children from Dumbravita Middle School.
Here for more than 500 years
“We have been here for more than 500 years and we have plenty to be proud of: cultural and historical monuments, churches with centuries-old paintings, genuine traditions revived by the folk group Plaiurile Dumbravitei, lands rich in flora and fauna, fish lakes and last but not the least, hospitable people in whose farms tourists can find organic food,” concluded the Mayor by making an invitation to the next year's Days of Dumbravita when 505 years will be celebrated from the first documented mention of the town.
