The Days of Codlea – Kronenfest 2011
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The town Codlea (Zeöedăn, Zuidn, Tsâdn in Saxon, Zeiden, Schwarzberg, Schwarzhügel in German, Feketehalom, Feketehegy in Hungarian) is part of Brasov county, Transylvania, Romania and it is located on the road connecting Brasov to Sibiu. Among the other events of the year, the most important is Kronenfest, the Days of Codlea, dedicated to the “Town of Flowers”, as town Codlea is also called. The feast lasts for three days, each one being dedicated to a certain event. The last day consists in a parade of the folk songs and costumes, represented by Romanians, next to Hungarian and German ethnics.
“May Garden”- “Maigarten”
During the old times this feast, which belonged to the Saxon community, was called Zeidner Schulfest, Kronenfest (School Feast, Wreath Feast). Practically this was the school celebration of the Evangelic Elementary School which was first organized at the initiative of the priest Joseph Dück, in June 7th 1874 in the so-called “May garden” (“Maigarten”). It was organized each year in the second Pentecost day. In 1899 “the Association for adornment” (Verschönerungsverein) settles a new location for celebrations at the feet of Magura Codlei. Each year, starting with 1969, Kronenfest is being celebrated here. The peak of the celebration is represented by the march of children through the “magic circle”, on a song composed by Martin Thies especially for this occasion.
Handing over
After the Saxons left to Germany, the feast was taken over by the Romanians in the town, under the same name of Kronenfest, this time with the celebration meaning of the “Days of Codlea”. The custom of the Mayor opening the celebration was maintained, and then the suite starts to the place called “Maial”, at the feet of Magura Codlei. The brass band is in front followed by the folk groups in the town, made up of the folk group Magura Codlei, that of the Hungarian community and of the German community, with specific symbols.
The event
“This year the celebration was really successful. The weather was nice, and that is why the entire community, guests and tourists were given the possibility to enjoy an exceptional show outdoors. Specific elements to the ancient custom were kept, respectively climbing up the mast, and the festive wreath, at 15 meters high. Here, on the top of it, there is a reward for the person succeeding to reach the top of the mast. This is not easy to take and there are not many those who are declared winners. Another attraction point is the horsemen parade and the pyramid of "calusari" (group of dancers performing a Romanian folk dance), who must take the distance from the Town Hall to Maial.” declared Petrică Buhnici, the Manager of the Culture House.
