2024-03-01 12:12:49
The largest martenitsi bazaar in Romania was held in Bucharest on the eve of March 1. 200 participants from different parts of the country exhibited their handmade symbols of spring at the Museum of the Peasant in the Romanian capital, and thousands of visitors flocked to the courtyard of the cultural institution to choose the most suitable accessory for their loved ones.
“The people who sell at the stands have different professions. They are architects, philosophers, nurses, theologians, engineers. They use wool, cotton, leather, glass, copper, metal, resin, paper, stone,” Lina Pasima, director of the “Museum Education” department at the Museum of the Peasant in Bucharest, told BTA.
Visitors, who according to the organizers exceeded 50,000 people, attracted the attention of martenits made from the buttons of a computer keyboard, miniature books, martenix bracelets, those with Morse code, 3D martenix and personalized martenix for grandparents. Some of the authors have also used photos and images of their pets in their works.
But what is the history of the martenitsa in Romania before it became a jewel and rather a fashion accessory? According to archaeological findings, the Dacians wore martenets as amulets. They were in the form of small river pebbles, painted white and red, strung on a string and worn around the neck. The Dacians believed that they were a symbol of fertility and beauty. Over time, the amulets were displaced by the red and white string.
“The martenitsa – starting from the old custom that you also have in Bulgaria – was for protection. It had a magical, protective function. It was a simple cord made of red and white thread and hung on a tree until it blossomed, on the horns of animals, on the arm of children or around the neck. Women also wore it. She was also placed on the barns to protect the animals and the house”, explains Lina Passima.
In Romania today the custom is called “marcishore” – “little March”. Symbols of spring are given on the first of March and worn throughout the month.
“In our country, the martenitsa is a decorative accessory and is a gift that is offered to ladies, mothers, girls, colleagues, grandmothers and children on March 1”, says Lina Passima and adds that men and boys in Romania do not wear martenitsa. There are exceptions only in the region of Moldova and Bukovina.