ID :
277557
Mon, 03/11/2013 - 18:29
Auther :

Moldovan Martisor holiday celebrated in 12 world cities, including Baku

Baku, March 11 (AzerTAc). The arrival of spring, Moldovan national holiday Martisor, has been celebrated in 12 cities around the world, including in Baku, Istanbul, Odessa, Iasy, Vienna, London, Paris, Warsaw, Madrid, Sarajevo, Vilnuis and Turin. Celebrative events featured performances varying from classical music to folklore and traditional and modern dance. Every spring on March 1 people in Moldova, along with their neighbors celebrate Martisor (Mărțișor in Romanian). They celebrate the rebirth of life after the hard winter. On this day men offer to their beloved women flowers and martisors (the symbol of serenity and happiness). The tradition`s origins go back to the times of Thracians (also called Dacians or Getae, who are Romanians` ancestors). It was previously called “dachia dragobete” - the end of winter. The pin-charm could only be made during the winter months and worn after March 1st. In earlier times, the Thracians would hang little coins from a thin, twisted black and white wool rope. The coin type - gold, silver, or metal - dictated the individuals social status or wealth. The coin charms were originally used to provide both luck for the future and protection from the environment to the wearer. The ropes stood for the advent of summer, warmth, and regeneration (white), while intertwined with the constant presence of winter, cold, and death (black). The amulets were also believed to enhance fertility, provide beauty and prevent sunburn in women! Young girls even threw the amulets toward the sun to prevent freckles! They were worn on the wrist or pinned over the heart. Many wore the pins until trees began to bloom, hanging the amulets in the tree branches after that point. In modern times, the pins lost their talisman properties and became symbols of love. The black ropes were replaced with red, possibly influenced by the Valentine practice of the western world.

X