Brasov County Council, the County Center for the conservation and promotion of the traditional culture, along with Fundata town hall, Sirnea school, Pro Sirnea Association, the Association Amitié Rodemack - Sirnea and local authorities of Moieciu organized the ninth edition of ?Sumedru' Fire?.
Each year, in the night of 25/26 October, a nocturnal ceremonial of calendar time renewing is celebrated in Bran ethnographic area. Around a huge funeral pyre, lit by young people in a village with dry wood, all the inhabitants gather, screaming in chorus the ritual formula ?Let's come at Sumedru?s Fire!?. Women give everybod pretzels, nuts, apples and drink. As they live the fire, the participants take stew to fertilize gardens and orchards.
Pre-Christian Origin
The celebration has actually a pre-Christian source; people used to lit fires to heat the spirits rambling during this period. The fire has a protective role; youths and children pass through the flames and throw ember. Saint Dumitru, celebrated on October 26, is a pastoral deity, guardian of shepherds. Romanian shepherds lit the fire to purify them and the herds.
Welcome to Moieciu
As Nicolae Clinciu, the mayor of Moieciu, stated, Saint Dumitru also marks the fast's beginning. ?Nativity is greeted in deep purity of soul and mind. Moieciu, part of the mountain resort Bran-Moieciu receives a huge number of tourists during Christmas holidays, both in hostels and hotel network. They come to spend Christmas and New Year in households to participate at the traditional customs and practice winter sports?.
