WINTER TRADITIONS IN ROMANIA

KINDERGARTEN WITH PROLONGED PROGRAM NR. 3, SLATINA, ROMANIA

TEACHER: MARILENA CILTA

About us…• Our kindergarten was founded in 1970 and is located in Slatina city, south-

west of Romania, in the Region of Oltenia. We have over 180 children attending daily classes on a normal schedule basis (4hrs) and on prolonged schedule basis (8hrs).

Romania is a country that follows many traditions and customs from ancient times till today. One of

the best parts of these traditions is shown throughout the month of December.

• Celebrations start with the Saint Andrei day on 30th of November. It is continued with Saint Nicolae on 6th of December and Christmas on 25th. There are also very specific celebrations for the New Year on 31st of December.

On December 5 the Christmas lights are turned on all over the streets. The same night, Saint Nicolae comes and gives children presents.

Children receive their gifts early in the morning of December 6 or late at night on December ; traditionally, the gifts are put in their laced up boots.Children are usually given sweets or books; if they have been naughty they get wooden sticks. On December 20, Saint Ignatius day, Romanians start last preparations for Christmas. On this date they cut pigs for the Christmas Eve dinner. On December 24 th is Noaptea de ajun, the day children usually start caroling their neighbours.On the same date women bake traditional cookies to give children for their Caroling.

Good morning, is Christmas EveYou give or you don’t give!

• Music is an important part of Christmas celebration allover Romania. There is a special genre of music, related to Christmas carols but with more traditional lyrics. Those are named Colinde. Although the text of all colinde is concerned with the events of the Nativity, certain elements of the folk rituals performed around Christmas.

• starting on Christmas Eve, the groups would go to different houses and begin singing

• The families would then invite them into the house, and give them different small gifts such as nuts, dried fruits and pretzels.

• Examples of colinde with religious subject are "Astăzi s-a născut Hristos" (Today Christ Was Born), "O, ce veste minunată! (Oh, What Wonderful News!), "Trei păstori" (Three Shepherds), "Trei crai de la rărărit", "Steaua" (The Star) or "Sus la poarta Raiului" (Up at Heaven's Gate).

Winter celebrations in our kindergarten…

CHILDREN SINGING CAROLS…

Winter in our kindergarten…

Making of the cards for our e-twinning project

CRÃCIUN FERICIT!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!