In commune Budila, county of Brasov, there is an old custom which has been revived and turned to account by the locals through the Service for the Preservation and Promotion of the Traditional Culture from the Cultural Centre REDUTA. After a thorough research, the authenticity of this custom has determined the organizers entitle this event "The Mask Procession". It includes the most important characters living in a community and who increase the importance of time.
Waiting for spring to come
"This custom implies the organization of a masked parade made up of the most relevant figures of a community and more, who wander about the village to wish the locals well. Their intention is to ask people for doughnuts, sausages, meat, bacon, wine or brandy for the evening party. The entire community prepare to welcome the procession of people who knock from one door to another in order to purify and chase away bad spirits from people's houses. This way people are prepared for the coming of spring and the beginning of a new agricultural year," said Mr. Constantin Galborcea, Mayor of Budila.
Stories from the village elders
According to the stories told by the village elders, at the time of the Grofs, a group of disguised villagers entered the Grofs` house to make sure that food was enough until the coming of spring and that animals were well taken care of. What is funny about this custom is that in time it has become a tradition to have someone from the procession steal from the Grof` pantry sausages and a piece of bacon to serve them at the village party.
This custom was resumed three years ago within the Project "Destinations of excellence, the couloir Prejmer-Teliu-Budila-Vama Buzaului".
The event schedule
The event attracts many tourists and involves the entire village community taking part in all the moments of the show. These include: the Mask Procession, the doll burning custom (a symbol of the old times) and a show of masks performed by the local kindergarten children and the middle-school students. The evening ends with a ball.
