2. DRAGOBETELE
Dragobete is the Romanian version of
Valentine Day. They say that people who do
not celebrate this day will be not loved
during the year; instead, those who do, will
be in love every day of the current year.
Dragobete is celebrated each year on the
24th of February.
According to some local
legends, Dragobete, a handsome and loving
young man, was the son of “Baba Dochia”- a
mythical Romanian character. Dragobete’s
roots go deep into the culture of our
ancestors, the Dacians: he was considered
3. In some parts of Romania, February 24th
is considered the first day of spring, a
time when nature renews after a hard
winter, the bear gets out of his den, the
birds start looking for mates and
nests, and man also has to participate in
the joy of nature through love.
According to the Romanian common
belief, those who took part in the
Dragobete festivities were protected
against illness all year long. Early in the
morning, dressed up in their best
clothes , young people use to meet in the
center of the village or outside the
4. Then,they go to the forest to pick
snowdrops or other spring
plants.As they walk there they sing
and tell jokes.In the forest,they light
fires,gather around them,talk and
laugh.The girls pick flowers,which
are believed to have special
miraculous powers on Dragobete
Day. At noon, the girls start running
back towards the village, a tradition
called “zburatorit“.
5. The boys have to chase the girls they
like. If the girls are fond of them
too, they will allow them to catch and
kiss them publicly. This kiss is
supposed to seal the ludic
engagement of the couples for that
year.
Young girls collect the snow that still
lies in some places and melt it. The
water obtained out of the snow is
considered to be a magic love
potion, which girls would use
6. Women use to touch a man from
another village on Dragobete’s Day, in
order to behave more affectionately for
the rest of the year. Young men often
go to parties in the neighbouring
villages, to have real good summers.
So Dragobete is a holiday of love, full
of superstitions and special rituals. It
was considered to bring luck in all
human activities.Farmers believed that
Dragobete could help them have a
richer year.
7. People did not work on this day;
they considered it a religious
holiday. It was believed that this
deity would punish the girls who
worked on Dragobete day.
Dragobete was seen as a
protector of love, of young
lovers, like a true Romanian
Cupid.
8. Dragobete is a traditional Romanian
holiday originating from Dacian times and
celebrated on February, the 24th.
Specifically, Dragobete was the son of
Baba Dochia, which stands for the main
character in the pagan myth related to
spring arrival and the end of the harsh
winter.
9. The day is particularly known as "the day
when the birds are betrothed". It is
around this time that the birds begin to
build their nests and mate.
10. On this day, considered locally the first
day of spring, boys and girls gather
vernal flowers and sing together.
Maidens used to collect the snow that
still lies on the ground in many villages
and then melt it, using the water in
magic potions throughout the rest of
the year.
11. Those who take part in
Dragobete customs are
supposed to be protected
from illness, especially
fevers, for the rest of the
year.
If the weather allows, girls
and boys pick snowdrops
or other early spring plants
for the person they care for.
In Romania, Dragobete is
known as a day for
lovers, rather like
Valentine's Day.
12. It is a common belief in some parts of
Romania that, during this celebration, if
you step over your partner's foot, you
will have the dominant role in your
relationship.
Dragobete customs vary from region to
region.
13. For this special
day, the students in
our school will draw
red
roses, hearts, cupids,
heart-shaped
chocolates.
They will display the
drawings in a special
exhibition at school.
Children will wish
each other "Happy
Dragobete Day".
