The Days of Codlea - Kronenfest
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On the last ten days of June, the biggest multicultural holiday took place in Codlea, namely ?the Days of Codlea? or ?Kronenfest?, as it was once named when celebrated by the Saxon community of this town. This year the 9th edition of ?the Days of Codlea? was organized, it lasted for three days and included artistic and sport events both for the young people, for the entire community of the town and for tourists who came especially to enjoy genuine traditions and customs. These included ?The Snail Dance?, ?Climbing the Mast?, ?Equine Exhibition? (horse beauty and traction competitions), ?The Fair of the Popular Craftsmen?, ?The Riding Lads of Codlea?, local and regional folk groups and extraordinary concerts performed by Veta Biris and Ana Lesko.
Brief history
For those who want to find out more about this beautiful place where both Romanian, Hungarian, German and Romani people live all together, here is a brief account of the town?s history. Codlea, ?Zeiden? in German and ?Feketehalom? in Hungarian, lies inside the Carpathian Mountains arch, at the bottom of Magurii Codlei hill, along Vulcanita brook. Its originates back in the times of the Teutonic Knights who built the Black Fortress on the north side of Magurii Codlei hill (1211-1225) and it was attested in documents in 1265. The tourist attractions of the area include the fortress ruins, the old Saxon houses, the Evangelic Church with a double fortified precincts, the old City Hall building, the House of Koniges, the House of Moise Iacob, the Romanian church (1776), walking trails, the Sun Park, historical monuments and cultural activities held all along the year. Nowadays Codlea is a cultural, historic and tourist center of Barsa region, housing numerous multicultural events.
A meeting point between history and nowadays society
The Days of Codlea brought forward folk groups from Fagaras, Halchiu, Dumbravita, Tarlungeni, Budila, Codlea, ?Alunelul? Assembly from Pielesti, Dolj, and also ?Magura? group of children raging from kindergarten to adults. Thus the event satisfied the folklore lovers through cultural diversity. The young inhabitants of Codlea, interested in nowadays society, could enjoy the performance of break-dance groups, The Marker-Codlea, Sonor, Acord bands, modern dances, a band from Peru and Ana Lesko and Hi-5 bands who offered exceptional concerts.
The Riding Lads of Codlea
The Vice Mayor of Codlea, Mr. Calin Ivan said: ?Everything here is attractive starting with the snail dance, climbing the mast and finishing with the Riding Lads of Codlea. Everything is genuine and transmitted from one generation to another: dances, songs and folk costumes, weather Romanian, Hungarian or German. 500 participants went on stage, 100 flags were flown, over 100 folk traders and craftsmen took part and dozens of thousands of people came enjoying each cultural genre. The German Forum takes further the ancient Saxon tradition and Kronenfest, the Days of Codlea is everybody?s holiday.?
