Romania is a land of many more traditions than you’d normally expect

from some lesser-known Eastern European country, and Christmas is no

exception.
From cheerful groups of children singing carols from door to door to
mouthwatering dishes and various odd habits, the homeland of Dracula is
kind of a truly amazing place to spend Christmas.
Some of these customs and traditions are old, unusual, and authentic;
others borrowed from overseas, but, together, they put Romania in
festive mood, offering it a unique identity and a special charm during the
winter holidays.
Christmas season in Romania kicks off right after St. Andrew’s Day
(November 30), when according to local legends, vampires and evil spirits
come to light. The period leading up to Christmas is filled with wonderful
celebrations, including Romania’s National Day (December 1st) and Saint
Nicholas, when all children receive gifts.

Pig Slaughter (Taierea porcului)

Pig slaughter is not actually the kind of national custom that one might be
proud of, but it’s a long-lasting Christmas tradition that Romania keeps
stubbornly.
Each year, on Ignat Day (St. Ignatius), on December 20th, Romanian
families throughout the countryside sacrifice their pig in order to have a
rich meal for Christmas. It sounds cruel, I know, and it actually is, but
behind this horror, there’s a very complex ceremony which has been part
of the local customs for as long as history can record.
It all starts early in the morning with the killing itself and continues with a
series of proceedings through which all the meat is carefully prepared.
From the fat melting to the preparation of sausages, one thing is for sure
– Romanians really know how to cook every bit of the poor animal.

Family Reunion

In Romania, Christmas has always been a great opportunity for family

members to get together in order to spend some time in the warm,
loving, and cozy atmosphere of their home. A large part of Romania’s
population lives outside the country, and those who don’t are usually
trying to make a better living by working in large cities, away from their
families.
However, during Christmas, most Romanian houses are filled with
neighbors, friends, relatives, and goodwill – a pleasant, comfortable
jamboree where everyone giggles, dances, cooks, and tells stories. Carol
singers constantly knocking at the door and colorful decorations
throughout add a cheerful festive touch to the scene.
This time of year really is a chance for any family member to recharge
their batteries and to create memories that will keep them warm
throughout the year to come.

Christmas Food

Food is probably the main part of any holiday in Romania, but Christmas
is a true feast for the senses. Preparation begins with pig slaughtering,
when a good part of the animal is turned into smoked ham, bacon,
sausages, liver sausage, pig’s trotter, and other bizarre and delicious
Romanian dishes, whose names are sometimes hard to translate.
On Christmas Eve, women make sarmale (delicious meat-and-rice rolls
wrapped in cabbage/sauerkraut, served with polenta, hot pepper, and
sour cream) and bake cozonaci, a sort of sponge cake with nuts, cocoa,
and Turkish delights, similar to the Italian panettone, but more
consistent.
Christmas dinner is a rich, multi-course meal, with highlights including
roasted pork, pickled vegetables, the delicious boeuf salad, and lots of
homemade wine to wash it all down.

Romanian Carols (Colinde)

Probably the most beautiful part of a Romanian Christmas is the

laborious, magical suite of carols that can be heard all over the country
during this wonderful time of year, from the cobbled paths of the most
remote villages to the classiest venues in the capital.
Often accompanied by wishes for health, prosperity, and fulfillment,
Romanian carols are far from being just simple Christmas songs. They
usually come together with rituals, special costumes and tools, as well as
peculiar theatrical performances, generating a genuine spectacle. Some
of the most popular are Steaua (the Star boys’ singing procession), Capra
(The Goat), and Plugusorul.
Whether religious songs, pure folklore, or theatrical performances,
Romanian Christmas carols are especially wonderful and full of meaning.