Having traveled to 57 countries around the world on five of the seven continents I have seen many interesting native costumes. After visiting Romania, I have to admit their beautiful dress worn on special and religious occasions is one of my favorites. Over 85% of Romanians are Orthodox Christians. This is no more evident than watching the faithful make their way to services on Pentecost Sunday in the rural area of Maramures. Romanians wear modern dress daily but here in Maramures the locals put on native dress and walk to the Pentecost celebration.
Pentecost and languages
Pentecost Sunday marks the end of the Easter cycle but also commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit. According to the bible Acts 2:4, “And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” Yay! Holy Spirit. Keep it up! Being a retired language teacher, I really like this part. There are five Romance languages; all based on ancient Latin of Rome. Hence the name. Clever, eh? The five are: Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese and Romanian. Many learners consider the last one to be the hardest to master. Not quite sure I agree with that after my recent trip to Portugal. I could understand a lot of written Portuguese but when they spoke I didn’t catch a word they said.
On Pentecost Sunday I was hoping my fluency in Spanish would help me out. And it did! I really couldn’t understand them, but they certainly understood me when I said a few words in Spanish to the locals who were walking to Mass in Leud, famous for its wooden churches. They seemed to like the fact that I could say a few words and I’m convinced it help me get some great portraits.
Love these little faces! (Click on each for full view)
The family that prays together…..and walks together
As more people just kept coming down the street with their families, the more excited I got. And the better my Romanian communication got. I was on a roll! They were all friendly and gracious. Of course! They were on their way to church! My favorite couple was an elderly one and kind of reminded me of American Gothic….without the pitchfork. They are included in the gallery below.
I also met a young man, Vasli, on his way to work. He’s the second to last one in the above gallery. Not in native dress. It was a work day for him. He was the manager of the local grocery store. His English was excellent. We are now friends on Facebook!
And guess who else loves Romania? King Charles of England! He has a guest house in Viscri, in rural Translyvania and goes there annually to hike. However, I did not meet him on the streets on the way to church.
And we are not friends on Facebook.
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