Codlea: " Mărţişor or the Year's Rope"
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Spring is awaited and celebrated with great pomp by the inhabitants of Codlea town from Brasov County, situated on the road connecting Bucharest to Sibiu, the first European capital from Romania. Everything has to do with 1rst of March, the Day of Martisor, when the "First Snowdrop" event takes place or when people choose their days from among the days at the beginning of March, called "Babele" or "Mosii". This time of year, on the 8th of March, the women celebrate the "Women's Day". All these support the name of "The City of Flowers" that has been given to Codlea town.
The Days of Baba
The cycle of first nine or 12 days of March, corresponding to the days when the sheep flocks are moved to the mountains by Baba Dochia, is dedicated to the death and resurrection of the Earth Goddess and the calendar time.
"The customs and magical practices of time renewal are mainly performed on the first day of the cycle, 1rst of March, locally called Dochia, Mărţişor, Dragobete and on the last day of the cycle, when Dochia dies, on the 9th of March, called Mosi, Macinici, 40 Saints. People chose one day from the Dochia's days and judging by how the weather is on the chosen day, they know how the new year will be for them. If the weather is cold, snowy and sleety, the phenomenon is called by different names: <>," said Mr. Petrica Buhnici, Manager of the Culture Centre of Codlea.
The Symbol of 1rst of March
The "Martisor" thread or the Year's Rope symbolizes the first day of March. The two threads knitted in white and red are a symbol of the two extreme seasons: winter and summer. The young people from Codlea announce the first day of March with a show called "The First Snowdrop". This is an occasion for them to offer Martisor threads to women. Pupils from the Secondary School of Codlea, teachers, parents and guests participate in this event. Usually, the show is organized under the auspices of the Culture Centre of Codlea, together with the Town Hall and the Local Council, which allot funds for these events and make sure everything goes as scheduled.
An Exceptional Show
Both at the "First Snowdrop" festival and on "Women's Day", the folk song and dance groups "Magura Codlei" divided in three generations perform, as well as children groups from local secondary school and kindergarten and local vocalists.
"Every year, the beginning of spring makes us welcome it with cultural events which highlight the traditions and customs preserved over the years. We are glad that this time we have also managed to bring talented people from Codlea in the same place. They made the best of the cultural potential of Codlea," said Mr. Petrica Buhnici, Manager of the Culture Centre of Codlea.
