Difference Between the Romanian and American Holidays

Romania is a country with a long and complicated history. It also has a variety of customs, traditions and holidays. Some of the holidays are celebrated throughout the whole country; others are designated for specific regions of the country. Situated in the southeastern part of central Europe, Romania can trace its origins to the Thracian Dacian period. The Romanian traditions have retained myths and rites from that age, thus drawing Romania close to the cradle of the European culture. In particular, the Romanian culture resembles that of eastern Mediterranean regions.

The Romanian holidays have preserved the foundations of family structure and organizations, as well as the patterns defining social groups. The holidays reflect rules of behavior that originated in the Roman and Byzantine civilization.

Americans celebrate a variety of federal holidays and other national observances throughout the year. American holidays can be secular, religious, international, or uniquely American. With the wide variety of federal holidays, and the many levels of American government, it can be confusing to determine what public and private facilities are open on or around a given federal holiday. Any person who has traveled or moved from another country to the U.S. knows that at first you feel culturally disconnected and isolated. This is especially true on American holidays. A basic knowledge of American holidays and how they originated can help a newcomer enjoy these days of rest and fun. Here is a chronological list of American holidays that describes their origin, what they mean to Americans, and how people in the U.S. celebrate each day.

Romanians and americans share three national holidays with many countries: Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Easter is the most important celebration of the Romanian people and it is preceded by numerous preparations and rituals. From Easter are part: Flowers Saturday (Lazarus’ Saturday), Palm Day (Flowers Day), Great Thursday, Great Friday, The Small Fountain, Good People’s Easter.

Americans Easter, which falls on a spring Sunday that varies from year to year, celebrates the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians, Easter is a day of religious services and the gathering of family. Many Americans follow old traditions of coloring hard-boiled eggs and giving children baskets of candy. On the next day, Easter Monday, the president of the United States holds an annual Easter egg hunt on the White House lawn for young children.

Romanian folklores abound with Christmas carols. They are not just simple songs but a type of invocation in verse. Lads and children sing it in the evening of Winters Holidays. They have religions origin but are believed to be the medium in snow through which we can go to the evergreen Heaven once a year and catch the glimpse of God for an instant so that we have enough power and courage to surpass the life's obstacles. Christmas carols lend a religious mood to the festival and carol singers and children walk in the snow-bound Romanian streets of villages and towns holding a board and paper Star with biblical scenes or Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus painted in water colors. Five days before Christmas, on 20th of December, a very sharp knife is used to cut the pig in the honor of Saint Ignatius and this ritual is known as 'Ignatius' too after him. It is washed nicely and covered with a piece of cloth for 10 minutes. Then, the housewife puts the straws in the pig's snout and covers it with burning straws and singes it. Then, the husband makes the sign of the cross on the pig's head and announces to the family - "Let's eat the pig!". Then, a feast is held known as the pig's funeral feast or alms and all the family, friends and neighbors are invited to the feast. Besides bacon, people also eat small pieces of fried pork and drink wine or plum brandy.The Dutch knew St. Nicholas as Sintaklaas. When they immigrated to United States in the 17th century, they took the traditions of St Nicholas with them. However, it was in 1809 that Washington Irving introduced St. Nicholas in his novel with his original description. He smoked a pipe and flew around the world in his wagon (with no reindeers) and gave presents to children every year. Sintaklaas became popular with the novel. It was in 1863, Santa Claus was born in US in his modern incarnation with a white beard, red suit, a big belly, pipe in his mouth and a sleigh to which reindeers are harnessed. Traditional American Christmas dinner consists of roast turkey with vegetables and sauces, goose, duck or ham served with cranberry sauce and rich fruity Christmas pudding such as plum pudding with brandy sauce, pumpkin pie, mince pies, pastries are offered as desserts followed by chopped dried fruits and nuts. Americans visit family and friends and share gifts and greetings on Christmas. In some regions, Christmas Eve to Midnight Mass is the most important part of the festival season. Since it snows in many states on Christmas, dinner is usually set indoors. Holiday home décor in America generally include holly and mistletoe along with Christmas trees decorated with tinsel, baubles, popcorn strings, candy canes and electric lights.