On the occasion of Romania's National Day, The Embassy of Romania in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute organise two distinctive performances of Romanian Christmas carols and customs with the folkloric group Colinda and the singer Theodora Paunescu-Tuca.
Colinda will also perform at the National Day reception, organised by the Embassy of Romania at the Royal Automobile Club on the 1st of December.
The performances are organised with the kind support of Westminster City Council, Covent Garden London and Slough Borough Council.
Established in 1975 by Cezar Neacsu, in the village of Matau, Arges, the Colinda Ensemble brings together 39 professional and amateur peasant artists, aged from 11 to 75. The group performs Romanian traditional Christmas carols and brings to life ancient rituals & mythic characters such as the Bear and the Goat, reminiscing demonic gods originated in Romanian folklore. They wear striking ritual masks and traditional peasant costumes from Southern Romania.
In the programme:
- Christmas carolsOn Christmas Eve the streets are bursting with carolers' voices singing Romanian traditional Christmas carols. They go wassailing from door to door and under lit windows, wishing health and joy to their hosts, from which they receive gifts like money or nuts, apples and pretzels to put in their bags.
- The BearA young masked man wearing the coat of a bear is followed by a procession of costumed children and adults who sing: Dance well, you old bear / Because I give you bread and olives. The bear stomps his feet to the beat of drums and pipes. His dance symbolises the death of the old year and the birth of the new one.
- The GoatA woman wearing a wooden mask and a brightly coloured costume cavorts and twirls, clattering its wooden jaws to the rhythm of the pipes. Goat's lively performance is meant to scare away the fear and curses.
- The StarTo announce the birth of Christ, children make a star from paper with Jesus icon in the centre. While holding the star they sing: The star has appeared on high / Like a big secret in the sky / The star is bright / May all your wishes turn out right."
- PlugusorulOn the New Year's Eve, teenagers and children bearing whips, bells, pipes and a little plough go wassailing wishing a fruitful harvest to those who open their doors to them. The plough is a symbol of fertile fields in the New Year.
- SorcovaOn the morning of 1st January, children go from house to house with Sorcova, a bouquet of flowers and multicoloured ribbons, which they touch lightly on the shoulders of the house holder, bestowing wealth and good luck: Sorcova, the merry Sorcova / Long may you live / Long may you flourish / Like apple trees / Like pear trees / In midsummer / Like the rich autumn / Overflowing with abundance / Hard as steel / Fast as an arrow / For many years to come / Happy New Year!
Click here for the performances flyer. When: 30 November, 12.00 - Covent Garden Market, London
1 December, 11.00 am - Observatory Shopping Centre, Slough
Admission: free.
