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| Saints Peter and Paul Fresco |
On this Holy Sunday, centuries old folk traditions continue in villages of Transylvania, among them Crown of Flowers.
Particularly in Buneşti, old Romanian name Bundorf or Bondorf
in Saxon dialect, a village in the county of Brasov, Transylvania located on
the road connecting Brasov to Sighisoara.
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| Maramures Girls |
Preparations for this day start a few days before June 29, when the village young people go into the fields to gather flowers as a celebration of nature's abundant vegetation
that brings hope, renewal in the fruitfulness of the earth.
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| Transilvania Children'Dance |
Throughout the celebration, young people dressed in the
traditional folk costumes get together in traditional dances and prepare the
crowns of flowers that get hung on top of pillars in the churchyard.
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| Flower Wreaths |
Weaving of garlands is done at the home of one of the chosen village
girls.
They weave two crowns: one for children, another for
the youth.
It is tradition to hide a piece of cheese and a bottle
of plum brandy among the branches of the garlands for good harvest.
After the entire village is
gathered around the "crown" on each pole, one young man climbs it and
shouts a "zicătură". The text talks about the religious significance
of the day of June 29, the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, a reminder from village priest most certainly.
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| Churchyard Pole Shouting |
Feasts follow at the homes of the villagers with traditional dishes and drink.
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| Traditional Transylvanian Pastry |
The inspiration from this feast is seen in the patterns of rug weaving and at the harvest of wheat when the last few stalks and ears are made into a crown and placed on the barn wall.
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| Hand Woven Moldova Rug |
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| Last Sheaf of Wheat My Travel Artist |
