Music & traditions in the heart of Bucharest

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National Folklore Festival - 3 days of traditional music, dances, food and art.

A great project that took place in Cismigiu Park, perfect location in my oppinion. During the 3 days more than 400 singers and dancers performed on the stage from all the regions in Romania - definetly one doesnt get the chance to see all of them at once in the same place.
Personally I dont listen to folklore music besides weddings and special events but I love the costumes, dancing and that aura those people performing have it. It was a great opportunity to learn more about each region's customs and style, the way they talk, so different for someone who is born and raised in Bucharest
Even if outside was over 35C degrees people came (young & old), clapped their hands, had fun, singing and dancing in the Cismigiu Park. I cant imagine how ll those singers and dancers managed the heat while they were dressed with so many items.
The festival is at the first edition and we hardly wait the second one next year where they promised to bring folklore singers from other countries too. The least we can do is to do everything
The temperature outside is over 35C degrees,they r wearing wool mantles but nothing can take that smile off their faces.
in our power to preserve whats left of our cultural heritage.
Yes city people dont wear traditional clothes anymore but who could afford it anyways? A woman's shirt called "ie" is over 100 Euro handmade but looking further how that shirt was made its understandable: hours, maybe days sewing each flower, star or whatever symbols represents the region. The handmade items r unique, although many have same symbols none is the same as the next one.
Those pics reflect only a small part of this beautiful art and u really can understand it only by trying to sew at least one lil flower. Then u can appreciate it at its real value.

Enjoy it!

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Photos

Proud woman in traditional costume
She was happy to give me details about her costume: traditional wear from Oas region - Satu Mare, every piece is handmade.

Folklore singers - Teleorman region
The temperature outside is over 35C degrees,they r wearing wool mantles but nothing can take that smile off their faces.

Folklore dancers - Teleorman region
Each region has its own dance style, mix of colours - just like a lable.

Calusarii - performing Calusul dance
Very ancient Romanian dance, people used to believe it drove away bad spirits and demons.The costumes r decorated with ribbons, bells and on the flag r tied basil & garlic.

Dancers - Moldova region_Suceava
So young and talented..

Just a face in the crowd
This old lady reminds me of my grandma, who used to put on her traditional clothes every Sunday or important holiday.

Beautiful traditional shoes
Nowdays only in remote villages u get the chance to see people fully dressed in traditional wear but this type of shoes I havent seen in ages.

View from the lake
Some people got better seats to this show

The singers from Oas region
Very large trousers for men and lots of skirts for women. Their singing style is called "tipurit" and its very unique. High notes - Mariah Carey style - performed by women as well as men.

Comments

[just me]

nice country
hi elena, just a random scan of the travel blog and i found your blog. it is really quite fascinating to learn the cultures of other places. recently, the former olympic gymnast champion from Romania (Ms. Comaneci? - not sure about the name) visited our country - the Philippines and i became interested to know more about Romania. just reading blogs about Romania, oh how i wish i could visit the place someday.