Beautiful Traditions

The exhibition entitled Beautiful Traditions explores the richness of customs and spiritual values passed down through generations in the Romanian space, focusing on the beauty of the way Romanians celebrate the winter holidays. The event offers visitors an excursion into the traditions that enrich the cultural heritage of Romania, revealing the deep significance of Christmas in the life of the rural and urban communities.

The Christmas traditions in Romania focus on preparing the households for the spiritual and material blessing brought by the Nativity, according to the Christian tradition. The carols, the baking of the Christmas knot-shaped bread and other customs specific to this period, as well as the vast religious art reflecting the Christian tradition outline the tangible and intangible heritage of the Romanian space – a heritage that deserves to be revalued and understood in a contemporary context. The public will thus be able to better understand both the symbolism of Orthodox iconography from the perspective of the scenes associated with the Birth of Christ and the relevance of Romanian carols that capture the Orthodox tradition in a popular manner. In addition to the words and the melody of the carols, symbolic objects – such as traditional folk costumes or the instruments used by the carol singers – contribute to the festive atmosphere.

Thus, the exhibition aims to inspire the public with the emotions associated with the Christmas celebrations, a time of hope, joy and love.

The exhibition is organized in partnership with the National Institute of Heritage, the Archdiocese of Bucharest, the State Secretariat for Religious Affairs, and the National Village Museum “Dimitrie Gusti” and the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant.