The narcissuses glade Iyling on the territory of the commune of Zervesti,
near the town of Caransebes in the "stage" of a great annual
popular feast, kept with the aid of amateur artistic ensembles and folklore
groups from the valleys of the Bistrita, the Sebes and the Timis.
The scenery, the beautiful popular costumes and particularly, the originality
and virtuosity of the dancers make everything look just great. It is a
real spontaneous parade of the popular costumes worn all over the area
with floral motifs, local songs, popular dances and customs, in which
take part groups of dancers from Zervesti, Obreja, Teregova; the bands
of popular music from Caransebes amd from Otelu Rosu, the folk customs'
group from Marga or from Borlova Booths are also set up with folk art
objects and typical dishes, outributing to make up a very attractive popular
cultural and artistic event.
Andrei Ardelean
"Alexandru Papiu Ilarian"Highschool Dej, Romania
Coordinator teacher: Cornelia Platon
Peony Day
The cellebration takes place on the second Sunday of May. There is a
belief among the people that red peonies which make of this spot a fairy
tale decor have grown from the blood of the fearless soldier in the army
of the Moldavian ruling prince Ioan Voda the Brave, in the battle fought
in Roscani forests, against the Turkish invaders (June the 14th, 1574).
Every year, at the time when the peonies bloom, the natives gather in
the Roscani forest, the theatre of the former battles, to cellebrate in
a vast allegorical festival of a marked popular character, the memory
of their ancestors. In front of a stage set up in the midst of the forest,
all decorated with garlands of oak leaves and vivid red peonies, the spectators
of their forerunners, while song and dance groups perform a rich and interesting
artistic programme. Not very far, sheepfolds specially fitted up offer
the public varied range of products, while art exhibitions allow them
to choose a
souvenir of genuine value.
Adina Huza
"Alexandru Papiu Ilarian" Highschool Dej, Romania
Coordinator teacher: Cornelia Platon
Lilac Day
An ancient custom of horas danced on the first Sunday of May, when the lilac is just bursting into blossom, this event takes place in the neighbourhood of an interesting monument of nature, situated in the karstic area of the Mehedinti mountain plateau. Setting out from the centre of the village where we can admire the "natural stone bridge" (the result of the action of water on limestone) and the lake "Zaton", the carriageable road climbs in serpentine indings, showing the traveller the wonderful view of the Mehedinti mountains, all the way to a glade lying in the former bed of the Prislop Valley. A necklace of dolines with rocky slopes on either side, takes you to the entrance "gate" of the forest, in an area covered with lilac shrubs (Syringa vulgaris). The "Sarbatoarea liliacului" as the cellebration is called in Romanian language, starts at dawn and develops according to a charming ritual. First from a rocky slope come the sounds of trumpets. A group of people on horseback (as a rule men and women from the village of Izverna headed by the mayor) arrive, at full trot, offering symbolically to all those present bunches of lilac. From another doline comes the sound of "haulitori" (Romanian archaic word). A song rises from all the clearings. It is the chorus of these days and these places:
Green poppy leaf
High up on the lilac hill
My sweetheart's come to stay.
Then the brass bands shining in the forest glades invite the whole gathering to make merry and rejoice. Dance teams, groups of singers, folklore ensembles, popular musician bands, solists from Mehedinti county and from the neighbouring ones meet at Ponoare on this day.
Acacia Day
Devoted to the traditional accupation of the bee-keeping, the event
takes place in the old Hanu-Conachi forest, full with acacia blossom,
on the first Sunday of May. Groups of horsemen in national costumes, jolly
and garrulous "vornicei" (a sort of heralds) - who wish the
people present to enjoy themselves - hunters specially equipped, who with
pistol shot announce the beginning of the performances, girl dancers,
dancing the symbolical "bee's industry" with real honey comb
as "properties", to the delight of the lucky ones who are asked
to taste its sweetness; choir singers in epoch costumes sing famous tunes
such as the "Hunters Choir" in Weber's opera "Freischutz",
amateur artistic groups from the counties of Galati, Vrancea, Braila and
Buzau - offer the
spectators unforgettable moments of artistic delight.
Adina Huza
"Alexandru Papiu Ilarian" Highschool Dej, Romania
Coordinator teacher: Cornelia Platon