Overview of Romania

The name “Romania” was adopted in 1862, after the merging of the Romanian principalities of Wallachia and Moldova in 1859, creating a new state.

Romania is located in the southeastern part of Central Europe, at the crossroads of eastern, central and southern Europe. It covers an area of 238,391 square kilometers, 2.5 times less than that of France.

The Danube River largely defines the Romanian borders with Serbia (to the west) and Bulgaria (to the south). The Prut River, a tributary of the Danube, forms the border between Romania and the Republic of Moldova (to the east). The eastern Carpathians separate the country from Ukraine (to the north), and there are no natural barriers between Romania and Hungary (to the northeast). Finally, Romania has a coastline of 245 kilometers along the Black Sea (southeast).

A characteristic feature of Romania is its position at the intersection of 45 ° north latitude and 25 ° east longitude. This location positions Romania halfway between the equator and the North Pole, and also between the Atlantic Ocean and Ural Mountains to the east. In other words, Romania is located at the center of geographical Europe!

Climate

Romania has a very similar climate to that of Bulgaria, featuring very low and very high temperatures. During the summer, temperatures vary between 22° and 24° Celsius and can even reach 45° Celsius, while the average temperature in the winter is -3° and can sometimes drop down to -25° Celsius. The overall climate is pleasant, with the exception of Bucharest, where the summer can get quite stuffy.

Landscape

Nature has been very generous to Romania, where the relief is not only carried but also very harmoniously distributed. About 1/3rd of the country is mountainous, with the other two consisting of hilly landscapes and plains, the Danube Delta and the coast of the Black Sea. At the heart of Romania is Transylvania, a hilly region surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains, which forms an arc from the Danube to Ukraine. Beyond the Carpathians, the regions of Banat, Krishana, Wallachia and Moldovia consist of plains, stretching east all the way to the Danube Delta.

More than half of the largest range of the Carpathians is located in Romania. The Romanian Carpathians occupy about one third of the country and are a major part of the landscape. These mountains define the location of rivers, depressions, hills and plains. The Southern Carpathians are the highest in Romania, with the Fagaras Mountains reaching a height of 2,544 meters at Moldoveanu Peak, while the Pietrosu Peak (2303 meters) is the highest point in the Eastern Carpathians.

These mountain ranges define the Romanian regions of Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. The prominently limestone relief of the country has allowed for the formation of caves (about 12,000 throughout the country), gorges and canyons (Bicaz Gorge, Olt Defile, Lapus Gorge) and an especially dense network of rivers. 14 national parks have been created in order to protect this natural beauty, with 8 of them in Southern Carpathians, 4 in the Eastern Carpathians and 2 in the Danube Delta and its surroundings.

Capital

Founded during the 15th century, the city of Bucharest became the capital of Romania in 1862. Its name comes from the legend of the shepherd Bucur, who is considered to be the founder of the city. On the other hand, some suggest that the origin of this name is the Romanian word “bucur” or “bucurire”, which translates to “joy”, echoing the aura radiating from the city.

There is a significant French influence in Bucharest, and this is precisely the reason it is referred to as “Little Paris” or “Paris of the Balkans”. Many of the streets and boulevards in Bucharest remind us of this influence with their names, such as “La Strada Franceza” (French Street) in the old city cinter. Despite the large scale emigration, Bucharest’s population far exceeds that of other cities in Romania. The Bucharest municipality has a population of about 1.9 million people, a figure which increases to 2.4 million if you include all of the urban areas.

Bucharest has retained some of its old charm, despite the many changes in architecture made by Nicolae Ceausescu. However, the parks and green areas of the city have changed very little. Bucharest is one of the greenest capital cities in Europe and features many parks, the most famous of which are Herastrau, Tinerutului, Cismigiu, Carol I, Isvor and Titan.

Main Romanian Cities

The main cities of Romania are: Timsoara (310,000 residents), Cluj-Napoca (310,000 residents), Iasi (310,000 residents), Constanta(300,000 residents), Brasov (280,000 residents), Galati (230,000 inhabitants), and Sibiu (130,000 inhabitants).

Administrative Organization

Romania is made up of 41 counties, two of which are in the region of Bucharest (Bucharest and Ilfov). Bucharest is divided into six administrative units, each managed by a mayor. The territory of Romania has developed thanks to the support of Bucharest, which is the largest city in the country. A regionalization project has been underway for many years, with the aim of dividing Romania into seven regions, situated around the big cities (Bucharest, Brasov, Constanta, Craiova, Timisoara, Cluj- Napoca and Iasi).

Population

Romania has a population of 21,710,000 inhabitants. 55% of the population resides in cities, while the other 45% lives in the countryside. The population density is about 94 people per square kilometer (compared with the population density of England: 414 people per square kilometer).
83.46% of the population is made of Romanians, but there are other ethnicities as well: 6.1% Hungarians, 3% Roma (gypsies), 0.1% Germans, 0.1% Serbs, 0.2% Turks, and 0.1% Slovaks (statistics from 2011).

Religion

The only Latin country with Orthodox religion, Romania is marked by faith and spirituality. The majority of the Romanian population is made up of Orthodox Christians (86.8%). There are also Catholics (5.1%), Greek Catholics (1%) and Protestants (3.5%)
The church has a strong influence, which you can see almost everywhere. Orthodox Christians, unlike their contemporary Catholics, have no central religious authority or monastic orders. In 1885, shortly after Romania gained independence, the Romanian church also became independent, thanks to the patriarchate in Bucharest. Today it includes 7 dioceses and 28 eparchies. Religious traditions are still practiced in Romania, and it is not uncommon to find a village empty on Sunday morning, and streets full of people on Christmas Eve. The Orthodox Church uses the Gregorian calendar.

Language

The official language of Romania is Romanian, and is used by 85% of the population. This is the language that has remained closest to Latin, with more than 75% percent of the words being inherited from the language of the Romans. The Roman army had occupied the territory of the former territory of the Dacians, and the people very quickly integrated the Roman language into their own.

Slavic and Turkish influences also mingle in the Romanian language. However, these influences are a minority. The influence of the French language can also be noticed; here are some examples of words borrowed from French: vis-à-vis/ vizavi; à propos/ apropo ; parfum/ parfum. French was main secondary language in Romania, but English has already taken its place, and German is becoming more common as well.

In some areas, people still speak Hungarian and German. In these areas, the names of the streets and other public utilities are bilingual (Romanian and Hungarian or German) or even trilingual (Romanian, Hungarian and German).

Currency

The currency of Romania is called Lea, or Lei (plural). Since July of 2005, the Lea has been denominated, and dropped four zeros (a new lea (RON) is equal to 10,000 “old” lei. Despite this change, many Romanians continue to use the values of the old currencies. There are coins of 1, 5, 10 and 50 cents, and notes of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 lei. The lea is now in stable condition, following a serious decline (it lost half of its value from 1989 to 1990). One euro is worth about 3.5 lei.

Time difference

Romania is 2 hours ahead of the United Kingdom. Daylight savings time takes place at the same time as the rest of the European Union.

Government

Romania’s government is a bicameral parliamentary republic. The Parliament consists of the Chamber of Deputies (332 members) and the Senate (137 senators). Representatives are elected by a system of voting, and serve for a term of four years. The Parliament is the supreme representative body of the Romanian people, and the sole legislative authority of the country.
Executive power is exercised by the Romanian government, which consists of 15 ministries. The government ensures the implementation of internal and foreign policy, and also manages public administrations. The government is politically accountable only to the Parliament.
The president of Romania is Klaus Werner Iohannis. He is the guarantor of national independence and security, as well as the Commander of the Armed Forces and Charman of the Supreme Council of National Defence.

The presidential terms in Romania last four years, and can only be renewed once. Today, this post is filled by Klaus Iohannis, who has occupied its position since 2014. His was preceded by Traian Basescu, Ion Iliescu, Emil Constantinescu and Nicolae Ceasescu.

From Antiquity to Present

The geographical position of this Latin country, located among the Slavic nations, has suffered numerous invasions throughout the centuries. Thus, the history of Romania is filled with events. Romania is a young country, but its history and culture have been enriched by its people, who have passed them down over the years.

In the beginning

2000 B.C. - The regions between the Carpathians and the Danube belongs to the Geto-Dacians, a people of Thracian origin.
77 - 70 B.C. - King Burebista (who established a capital in Sarmizegetusa, southwest of Transylvania) unites the Dacians of the region into a powerful nation, much larger than the Romania of today. Dacia was known to have an extraordinary amount of natural resources, and for this reason was harassed regularly by invaders.
101 - 106 - Following two bloody wars, the Roman Emperor Trajan invaded and occupied the kingdom of Dacia, which at the time was led by King Decebalus.
106 - 271 - Dacia is occupied by the Romans. The natural resources of the area allow the empire to fill a large part of their deficits. However, Dacia also attracted the interest of other nations, and the Romans were forced to leave the land to the Goths.
IV - X centuries - The departure of the Romans gave way to successive invasions, and the Romanian people (who were not yet defined as such), were controlled by foreign powers. During these six centuries, the Huns, Magyars, Mongols and Turks were consecutively removed from these lands.
XIV century - Founding of the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia.
XV century - Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans were the biggest threat to the western countries. The princes of Wallachia and Moldavia (Mircea the Elder and Stephen the Great, primarily) resisted, earning the respect of the Ottomans. However, this did not prevent them from gaining control of the Romanian lands during the 16th century.
XV - XVII centuries - Ottomans control the regions of Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. The Romanians were allowed to continue using their own language and practicing their religion. The Ottomans would eventually be repelled out of Transylvania by the Austrians in the 17th century, while Wallachia and Moldavia remained under their control. French culture began increasing in popularity across Romania over the following centuries.

From vassalage to independence

1812 - The region of Bessarabia (now Moldavia) is occupied by the Russians. Relations between the Turks and the Russians begin to deteriorate.
1821 and 1848 - Rebellions arise, aiming to attain independence for Wallachia, Moldavia and Transylvania. A government was established from June through September in 1848, however, the Ottomans quickly crushed this revolution.
1859 - Alexandru Ioan Cuza unites Moldavia and Wallachia. In 1861, this unified state was named Romania.
1866 - Carol I is chosen for Prince of Romania, following the overthrow of Prince Cuza.

Independence

1877 - 1878 - The Russian Empire attacks the Ottoman Empire, with the goal of recovering territories lost during the Crimean War. Romania, Serbia and Montenegro join the Russian army, in order to gain their independence.
1878 - Following the victory of the Russian coalition, the Berlin Congress recognizes the independence of Romania. At the time, the country consisted of Moldavia and Wallachia. Budjak, a southern territory of the present day Republic of Moldova, was taken by Russia. Northern Dobrogea (the region of Constanta and Tulcea) was also taken by Russia, while the southern portion of the region was given to Bulgaria.

World War I and World War II

1913 - Romania enters the Balkan Wars in order to prevent the creation of “Greater Bulgaria”. They, along with Serbia, are victorious, and Romania recovers the territory of Southern Dobrogea. This war is still cause for tension between Romania and Bulgaria.
1916 - Romania joins World War I on the side of the Allies in order to retake Transylvania and Bukovina.
December 1st, 1918 - The territories of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia are united. December 1st would later become the National Day of Romania.
1919 - The Treaty of Saint Germain gives Transylvania and Bukovina to Romania. After an attempt by the Hungarians to retake Transylvania, the Treaty of Trianon allocated part of Transylvania and Banat (the Timisoara region) to Romania. These events would have a lasting negative impact on the relations between Hungary and Romania.
Great Depression (1930s) - Romania is hit hard by the economic crisis taking place throughout Europe. The precarious state of the population allows xenophobic parties to gain power, persecuting the Jewish and Hungarian minorities.
Start of WWII - In spite of Carol II’s support of the Allies, the rapid defeat of France forces him to accept the conditions of the Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1940. The territories of Northern Transylvania, Bessarabia and Bukovina were distributed between the USSR, Hungary and Bulgaria, although Romania regained northern Transylvania at the end of the war.
1940 - Ion Antonescu leads a coup, and King Carol II is banished from the country. Romania enters an anti-Semitic period, and becomes a Nazi satellite. Conflicts arise with Russia. During this period, many Jews and Roma were deported to concentration camps in Germany and Transylvania.
1941 - 1944 - Antonescu’s government is in power, but is challenged. Many resistance groups begin to organize in the Carpathians. The conflict between the USSR and Nazi Germany leads some of these groups (often communists) to join the Russian army.
1944 - Ion Antonescu is arrested and removed from office, by a decree from King Mihai I of Romania. Romania entered the war against Germany, and the following an agreement between Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill in Moscow, the Soviets took power in Romania.

The Rise of Communism

1945 - The Romanian Communist Party, largely a minority, acquires power with the help of the Red Army and NKVD. Elections are held, and 71% of Romanians vote for the Communists.
1947 - Romania remains a communist monarchy until 1947, when King Mihai I abdicated the throne and left the country. The People’s Republic of Romania is formed. During the same year, the Treaty of Paris awards Bessarabia to the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova and Bukovina to Ukraine, countries which are satellites to the Soviet Union. However, northern Transylvania was returned to Romania.

From Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej to Nicolae Ceausescu

1945 - 1953 - From the end of World War II until the death of Stalin, the communist government, led by its First Secretary Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej, removes adversaries and any potential opposition. It is during this period that the Department of State Security was created.
1953 - 1965 - Gheorghiu-Dej proposes a strategy to consolidate the achievements of the party and its relations with Moscow and the West, which is the privilege of a satellite country of the USSR.

Ceausescu

1965 - Following the death of Gheorghiu-Dej, Nicolae Ceausescu takes power of the communist party and creates the People’s Republic of Romania. During his 24 year reign over the country, Ceausescu turned more to the West and Far East, weakening his reputation with the government in Moscow.
1968 - Ceausescu refuses to participate in the suppression of the Prague Spring, winning him praise from the West.
1971 - Ceausescu makes diplomatic visits to China and North Korea. Impressed by the local discipline, huge buildings and monuments dedicated to the communist leaders, he begins a cultural revolution in Romania. The country by this point is very weak economically, and industrialization did not bring the desired effect. During a party congress, Ceausescu is named “Hero of the Carpathians”.
1980 - This period is the beginning of major reforms. Ceausescu begins implementing a project of “systematization” in urban and rural settlements. The goal of the project was to house villagers in the newly constructed buildings. Ceausescu begins various projects through the 70s and 80s: the Transfagarasan (a mountain road), the Victory of Socialism Boulevard (today’s Unification Boulevard) in Bucharest, and the Ceausescu Palace. These massive structures permanently deteriorate the country.
1986 - During a visit from Mikhail Gorbachev, Ceausescu refuses to change his policies and submit to the demands of Moscow.

The fall of the regime: revolution or coup?

December 15th - December 20th, 1989 - Protests arise in Timisoara. Workers and revolutionary groups protest peacefully but are suppressed. Gradually, these events begin occurring in the provincial cities and in Bucharest.
December 21st, 1989 - After his return from an urgent diplomatic trip to Iran, Nicolae Ceausescu became aware of the scale of the protests. The National Assembly expects the people to show support for their leader, and Ceausescu gives a speech from the balcony of the Central Committee (now the Revolution Square). The crowd begins chanting revolutionary slogans, and riots begin soon after. Ceausescu is in total confusion after the end of his speech.
December 22nd, 1989 - Ion Iliescu, a Romanian politician with close ties to Moscow, appears on television. The Romanian army is now on the side of the protestors. Ceausescu and his wife Elena flee Bucharest, and are caught on the same day near Targovishte.
December 25th, 1989 - The Ceausescu’s trial takes place between 13:20 and 14:40, and is carried out by a revolutionary tribunal put together by Ion Iliescu. The ruling, the death penalty for the pair, is announced at 14:45, and is carried out at 14:50.

Democracy

1990 - Liberalism rapidly enters Romania, and much of the industries and government projects are sold. The country experiences more and more difficulties.
1991 - The first free elections take place, and Iliescu is elected. A new constitution is also adopted.
1993 - Romania joins the European Council.
2004 - Traian Basescu becomes president of Romania.
2007 - Romania becomes a member of the European Union
2014 - Restrictions on Romanian workers in the Schengen Area are lifted.

A rich cultural heritage

Romania has always been a crossroads for culture. Once an ancient Roman province, Romania still feels the imprint of the Roman Empire. Nevertheless, the culture, religion, traditions, language and mindset of Romania preserve various cultures and values.

Situated between two major empires that have dominated the history of Europe, the Romanian provinces have been taken successively by the Byzantines, Ottomans and the Habsburgs. The influences of western culture, especially German, but also French and Italian can be felt throughout Transylvania, in cities such as Sibiu, Sighisoara or Cluj-Napoca. South and east of the Carpathians, the eastern influences are more prevalent, leaving behind traces in the religion, paintings, architecture and music.

Over time, especially towards the end of the 8th century, the influence of Western Europe, especially that of the French and German cultures, began to be felt throughout the Romanians. The French lifestyle of art, architecture, fashion and luxury was adopted by the residents of Bucharest during the early 20th century. This influence has earned the city the nickname “Little Paris”.

The culture of the Romanians is a huge topic that cannot be easily summarized. However, in the categories below, we offer a brief summary of the splendor of this culture.

Architecture

The various ethnic groups of Romania each have their own unique culture, which makes for a plethora of different types of buildings around the country.

Many military buildings are scattered around the country, mainly in the Carpathians, where the borders were once located. The original structures were often made of wood, and were later reinforced by voivodes such as Vlad Dracula (Transylvania), Mircea I (Moldavia), and Brancoveanu (Wallachia).

In the big cities of Moldavia and Wallachia (Bucharest, Iasi, Galati), communist architecture dominates the landscape. This is especially so in the capital, which features buildings in a neoclassical style also. The communist style clearly changed the faces of these cities throughout the 70s and 80s.
The main architectural asset of Romania, however, is the village. The structures in the villages of Romania are often modest, but always neat, and feature a keen attention to detail!

Moldavian architecture is certainly some of the most interesting in the country. It was developed in the 15th century, during the golden age of the region, and various monasteries of Bukovina were built during this period. Oriental influences, as well as those of the western world can be found inside the houses of Moldavia, which are always in harmony with the local environment.

The appearance of Transylvania is marked with Saxon and Hungarian flavor. The Gothic style is also found in many cities of the region, while the villages are usually organized around a fortress. Further north is Maramures, another region of Romania, which is famous for its woodworking. There are eight wooden churches in Maramures that are classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Wallachia is also littered with monuments, mainly the princely residences of the Wallachian rulers in Curtea de Arges, Sinaia, Targovishte and Mogosoaia. Constantin Brancoveanu (ruler of Romania from 1688 to 1714) had a major impact on the regional architecture, even spawning a new style of monasteries, churches and palaces known as the “Brancovenesc” style.

Most of the minorities in Romania also have their own unique styles. The architecture of the Lippovan people (Old Believers who fled to Bukovina and the Danube Delta in order to escape persecution in Russia) is unique, featuring bright blue houses with small yards for livestock. Similarly, the Roma population also has its own style, mainly in Wallachia, with very large buildings on the outskirts of cities.

Painting

Byzantine traditions can be seen in the paintings created in 14th century Wallachia. There are also some great examples of such paintings in the monasteries of Bucovina and northern Moldavia, created during the 18th century. These works represent the last great period of Byzantine artwork.

In 1840, the first Romanian artists educated in the west began gaining some recognition. These artists depicted French culture, as well as customs and traditions of the Romanian people. The main examples of this academic style were the artists Theodor Aman and Gheorghe Tattaresku, while Nicolae Girgorescu and Ion Anreesku represent the Barbizon style in their works.

During the communist period, the regime wanted the art style to focus on socialist realism. However, the fantasy and symbolism expressed by Ion Tukulesku, the dramatic realism of Corneliu Baba and the style of Alexandru Ciucurencu were contrary to this vision.

Art

Although Romania is a melting pot of various cultures, such as Turks, Saxons and Moldavians, there artworks are generally alike. These arts began gaining recognition during the 19th century, when the intellectual elite had more of a tendency toward French culture. The Romanian villages decided to express themselves through local arts. Their works are often characterized by great finesse.

Ceramics
The production of ceramics has brought pride to Romania for centuries, and is inspired by the Dacian and Saxon cultures. The main areas of production are located in Horezu (UNESCO), Korund and Marginea. Each region has developed its own methods of production and decoration, but the finesse and aesthetic of the products is a constant.

Weaving
Weaving is generally used for the production of clothing and interior decorations. Everyday clothes and traditional outfits were made by hand for decades in the villages of Romania. As in many societies, these traditions have disappeared, but it is still possible to see people wearing traditional costumes on Sundays and holidays in some rural areas (Maramures, Marginimea and Sibiului, for example).

Painted eggs
This is a typical activity of the Bukovina region, as well as an internationally developed art. During Easter, in many rural areas of Romania, the locals create these beauties, utilizing a lot of decterity and skill.

Woodworking
In the areas with large forest areas, such as Maramures, woodworking is an art practiced since ancient times. The works vary depending on the region, but is most likely seen in the construction of houses, doors and even churches. It is important to note, however, that many wooden churches were burned easily by the Tatar invaders, which sharply reduces the remaining total.

Iconography
This tradition still lives on in Romania, thanks to the high number of Orthodox Christians in the country. The production of glass icons is mainly practiced by villagers. These icons can be used for decoration or as a prayer object.

Literature

The earliest forms of Romanian literature are religious works, translated from Greek and Slavic in the 17th century.

A lot can be said about the Romanian literature of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when western standards of writing gradually began to appear in Romanian works.

A substantial effort to develop the literature of Romania was made during the 19th century. It was during this time that the most famous Romanian authors, such as Mihai Eminescu, Ion Kreanga and Ion Luka Caragiale began to appear. Thanks to these authors, Romanian literature began to rise in importance.

By the end of World War I many authors began to appear, some of which showed expressed their discontent in their works. Others, such as Lucian Blaga and Liviu Rebreanu wrote poetic prose.

From 1945 – 1989, the censorship of the communist regime forced authors to seek refuge abroad, especially in France. Such was the case of Emil Cioran, Mircea Eliade and Eugene Ionescu (a famous playwright of the French avant-garde theatre, whose most famous work is the play “Rhinoceros”).

Editorial work is mainly in the translation of foreign literature, translation of works previously banned from publication and the publication of Ceausescu’s memoirs.

Music

Romanian music originated in part from rural traditions, from classical music developed in the larger cities by composers such as George Enescu, and also from foreign influences.

George Enescu, a musical genius, received significant praise and popularity for his national spirit and artistic integrity. His work is an example of innovation and progression, combining classical European music with Romanian folk music. His compositions, which drew influence from over 100 years of music, went through several stages in the history of music.

In the rural areas, the traditional folk musicians often produce rhythmic music of a high artistic quality. Once they pick up their flutes, violins or trumpets, the musicians, often of the Roma ethnicity, will invite you to dance to their eastern-influenced songs. Bands like Taraf de Haidushka, Tsiokalaia, and to a lesser extent the Mahal Rai Band are the main representatives of this musical style, which can only be heard on Sundays or at weddings in Romanian villages.

The current style of music is based largely around “Dance” rhythms, with influences from American culture. Many artists are able to break through with this type of music, such as Zdob si Zdub from Moldova. This group is very popular in Romania, and combines traditional rhythms with modern rock culture.

Theatre

The first theater performances (with amateur artists) were held in 1814 in Iasi and 1818 in Bucharest. The theater schools in Iasi (1836) and Bucharest (1833) laid the foundations of theater education in Romania. Ion Luka Caragiale was one of the principal founders of contemporary Romanian theater. Romanians often frequent the theaters, and the walls of Bucharest are filled with posters of the productions taking place in the city.

Cinema

Romanian cinema is undergoing a process of change and development. This form of art was largely used during the communist era, in order to give value to the historical figures of Romania. The goal was to entertain the people, and to put the “heroes” of Romanian history, such as those that fought against the Ottoman Empire, into the public consciousness.

After the revolution, Romanian cinema began to develop slowly, due to the small amount of resources. Over the past several years, it has become more professional and gained recognition internationally. Directors such as Corneliu Porumboiu (12:08 East of Bucharest), Cristian Mungiu ( 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days), and Cristi Puiu ( The Death of Mr Lazarescu) have recently received acclaim at the Cannes film festival, and have paved the way for the revival of Romanian cinema.

Romanian Lifestyle

It is true that people do not travel just to eat different food, but in practice, it is impossible to avoid the traditional dishes in the places that you visit. In fact, tasting some of these local specialties will help you fill out your holiday and give you some lasting memories!

Religious holidays in Romania are always accompanied by the warmth and hospitality of the Romanian people, as well as their delicious local dishes. Romanians have a special place for table gatherings, in order to honor their guests with an often crowded, but well organized table. Romanian cuisine has kept its roots over the years, and has also been enriched with Slavic and Oriental flavors. These dishes combine basic food products in order to create and abundance of flavors, which vary throughout the different regions of the country.

The geographic position and history of Romania can be felt in the cooking of Romania. The various terrains offer plenty of fruits and vegetables, which differ from region to region. Throughout the countryside, the daily meals are always simple and nutritious, and families usually produce most of the products that they consume.

Moldavia

Some of the best Romanian specialties can be found in Bukovina and Moldavia. These regions are known for their various types of soups, rice and meat wrapped in cabbage leaves and traditional woven slippers. The local villagers utilize about ten species of mushrooms in the kitchen, which are used to prepare hundreds of dishes. It would be a shame to pass through Bukovina without trying the porcini mushroom, chanterelle mushroom and vinetele (fried eggplant) soups. Also, don’t forget to try “bors de sfecla” (beat soup), “parjoale Moldovenesti” ( grilled meatballs with garlic and spices) and “papanasi” (sweet buns with cheese and vanilla, eaten warm with whipped cream)

Transylvania

In Transylvania, Maramures and Banat, you will have the opportunity to enjoy delicious meals with sausage, caltabosi (a type of sausage) and sunca fumée (a type of spicy smoked bacon – very delicious).

Oltenia and Wallachia

In Oltenia, sausages and soups of beans and mushrooms are very popular, while in Wallachia, there are two traditional recipes that will win you over: chicken with quince and stuffed turkey. Game animals are also popular.

Dobrogea

In Dobrogea and the Danube Delta there is a huge variety of seafood and sheep dishes. A family lunch on Dobrogea, Muntenia and Moldavia will help you discover the Turkish influences in traditional Romanian cuisine, especially on holidays. Here you can taste various appetizers with eggplants, peppers or other vegetables cooked with a sweet sauce, various spicy meat dishes, sheep pastarma ( minced mutton with spices, smoked and dried), hotchpotch (vegetable stew) and a myriad of irresistible desserts: baklava, saralii, Turkish delight, sorbets, and jams made from rose petals or water lilies.

Holiday meals

Especially proud of their traditions and religious beliefs, Romanians have adapted their dishes according to the customs of their religious holidays. Lent – during which believers can eat only certain foods, mostly vegetables- is practiced mostly in the rural areas, but also in the major cities.

During the spring, it is a tradition to sacrifice a lamb in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The kitchens and stoves of every household are busy during this time. Among the traditional dishes of this period are: lamb liver with onion and dill, stufat (lamb stew with onions and garlic), and roasted meat and lamb wrapped in grape or cabbage leaves. To complete the Easter table, there is also pasca: a delicious cake with fresh cheese eggs and raisins.

Another important ritual is the sacrifice of a pig following the Day of Ignatius of Antioch on December 20th. This is an important event in the rural areas of Romania, and is associated with many traditions. When the time comes to eat the animal, those who participated in the butchering are the first to try the meat, which is the basis for the preparation of various Christmas and New Year dishes. The lady of the house prepares different kinds of sausages, bahur and pudding. All of the villages are immersed in the sweet smell of smoke from wood stoves, and the aroma of cakes and pastries. Put on a warm pair of slippers and immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit!

In addition to the special dishes of the major religious holidays, you can also try some traditional Romanian dishes, such as mititei (a kind of skinless sausage with several kinds of meat), the famous ciorbă de burta (tripe soup), other types of borscht (soup) and many other specialties. Also, don’t forget to try some polenta, a dish with a stunning appearance. Polenta is a type of porridge made with maize flour in salted water, and complements various dishes. However, the best combination is polenta with telemea (fresh cheese that hasn’t been brined, similar to feta), sheep chees or fresh cheese with whipped cream.

Mountain specialties

In the mountainous regions, where cow, sheep and buffalo milk are abundant, farmers produce lots of dairy products, such as fermented milk, a kind of sweet yogurt that can be found in Bukovina. It can also be mixed with jam made from cherries or rose petals.

Telemea is another type of cheese, which is brined in salt water and resembles Greek feta cheese. After the cheese is made and baked, the whey is warmed again in order to obtain urda, a fine and granular cream cheese with a silky and pleasant taste. If you can, try to get some directly from the shepherds and consume it with a little salt and green onion. Your senses will surely be satisfied!

The mountains near Brasov offer a very interesting variety of cheeses. Some are wrapped in bark from spruce trees. You can also try branza (cheese fermented in the stomach of a pig or sheep, for a specific flavor) made from cow or sheep milk, svaiter (the Romanian version of Schweitzer), and Kashkaval, a hard cheese made from cow or sheep milk. This type of cheese is very widespread.

Beverages

Don’t forget to sample some Romanian drinks during your trip to Romania (very sparingly!). Tuica (brandy) is a staple of Romania, and is consumed on all occasions as well as an appetizer. It is also not uncommon to see a peasant with a roadside stand and a bottle of the drink! Production of brandy continues to be tolerated in Romania, although the legislation is becoming increasingly strict. The majority of brandies are made from plums, apples, grapes and pears. In Maramures, tuica is referred to as horinca, in Transylvania it is called palinca, and the Saxons refer to it as schnapps. Instead of buying tuica from a store, it is better to try getting it directly from a good manufacturer.

Romanians also love beer and wine. Romania is the 24th largest producer of beer in the world, producing and consuming beer of a high quality. The most popular local brands are Silva, Timisoreana, Ciuc, Ciucas and Ursus.

As for the wine, Romania is a country with winemaking traditions (vineyards have been planted there since antiquity) and the 12th largest wine producing country in the world. About two thirds of the vineyards in these 270,000 are planted with white grapes (Alb wine) and the other third with red (Rochus wine). Also, old varieties of grapes can still be found on occasion, such as Grasa Cotnari, Feteasca Alba, Husi or Cramposia de Dragasani.

Sports in Romania

Romania boasts great successes in sports, which are often associated with one of the items mentioned above: beer!

The communist period was synonymous with success in many sports in Romania. Nadia Comaneci brought glory to Romania in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, when she won three gold medals in gymnastics and also being the first female gymnast to receive a 10/10 score. Romania is still one of the most competitive nations in gymnastics at the international level.

These days, the Romanian national handball team dominates the sport, with four intercontinental titles. Although the level has largely fallen, the Romanian people are still big fans of handball.

If gymnastics and handball are Romanian specialties, football remains the national sport. The highlight for the country was the European title won by Steaua Bucuresti (Bucharest Star) in 1986 against FC Barcelona.

Finally, you may recall Ilie Nastase (French Open winner in 1973) and Ion Tiriac, who is now a businessman. The new rising star of tennis in Romania is Simona Halep, who was a finalist at the French Open in 2014.

These sports are practiced by children and students, but sporting facilities are few in number. Mountain sports have developed rapidly, and sports such as the triathlon and climbing in the Carpathians have also blossomed in the country.

Political Economy

Communist Era

Contrary to some western beliefs, the economic system of communist Romania did not have a solely negative impact on the financial position of the country. Of course, the dictatorial intentions of the communist leader largely weakened the resources of the state, and in practice limited access to private property, but many Romanians still believe that the economic situation was more favorable before 1989. At that time, unemployment rates were increasing at almost 0% (including gypsies) as a result of greater social cohesion.

1990s

Uncontrolled liberalism took hold in the 1990s; unemployment and inflation began rising rapidly. The economic structure of the country struggled to adapt to this new model. Businessman began to appear, many of whom were associated with the Securitate, and were granted access to resources. Some mentionable names are Ion Tiriac (a former tennis player) and Gigi Becali (president of the football club Steaua Bucuresti, now in prison).

Acceptance into the European Union

By early 2000, the situation was partially stabilized, and reforms were undertaken with the prospect of joining the European Union. Economic growth was at about 6% between 2002 and 2008, with Romania entering the European Union in 2007. During the same year, the country experienced an economic boom, but was strongly affected by the financial crisis of 2008.

Renewed growth

Since 2013, the economy of Romania has been growing, thanks to exports and development of the industrial and agricultural sectors. An economic transition is underway, and the services sector is playing an increasingly important role in the larger cities.

Political instability

The former president Traian Basescu has been the subject of many attacks, due to his difficulties in rebuilding the country at the end of the last decade. The reforms of the healthcare system caused riots in January of 2014, putting the president in an awkward position. Prime Minister Victor Ponta appears to have played his hand with the opening of western markets and increasing his diplomatic visits, especially to France.

The new president, Klaus Johannis was elected at the end of 2014, and promises to change the political situation. One of the main challenges Romania faces in 2015 is the conflict of interested between the parties of the President and Prime Minister, which does not bode well for the peace and political stability of the country.