Good news today: The Spring is here! (at least according to the calendar).

For us in Romania the 1st of March is a moment for special celebration, called Mărțișor. The word is the diminutive of marț (the old folk name for March) meaning "little March".The  tradition is rooted in ancient rituals of agricultural communities, involving wearing in this period charms for protection and prosperity.

Although similar folkloric customs are known in the whole Balkan region, in Romania Mărțișor had become part of the urban culture for more than a hundred years, and we are very enthusiastic about our heritage! 

The sun is (hopefully!) shining, people are smiling and our cities are colored by street vendors offering an endless variety of the lucky charms. The modern Mărțișor is a small object attached by two intertwined red and white strings with hanging tassels, offered to women and little girls to be worn like a broch or tied at the wrist. The strings are believed to represent "funia anului" - the year's "rope", intertwining summer and winter and the talisman is meant to bring good health and luck.