Martisor more important than Valentine,s Day.
Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are important days for selling flowers in many Western countries. For weeks, florists make the most creative gifts for the consumer. In some countries, such as Romania, there are other traditions besides these flower days. FleuraMetz' colleague Luciana knows the details.
Luciana grew up in Romania and has lived in the Netherlands for a number of years. Besides the important flower giving St Valentine's Day, Luciana points to the power of nostalgia: "Young people like Valentine's Day, but the older generation still prefer to celebrate their own traditions such as Dragobete."
Important days for flower and plant sales in Romania:
- 14th February: St Valentine's Day.
- 24th February : Dragobete.
- 1st to 8th March: Martisor days.
- 8th March: International Women's Day.
Flowers and love: Dragobete.
On the 24th of February Romania celebrates Dragobete. This day is all about love, romance and spring. Lovers and partners give each other small presents. The day is known as 'the day the birds get engaged' because around this time of the year the birds start building nests. "This day is similar to how other countries celebrate Valentine's Day," says Luciana.
Flowers and spring: Martisor
"Martisor marks the start of the agricultural year. We celebrate this in the first week of March. For centuries the Martisor was an ornament that was mainly given to women, often together with a bunch of spring flowers such as irises, daffodils or tulips. In the past, the Martisor was made of wool, cotton or silk, but nowadays mainly tin, glass, wood, plastic, gold and silver are used. It is made using braided cords of white and red silk threads. The red thread represents life, love, and fervour and the white thread for innocence and purity. The Martisor is worn by women until the 8th of March as a brooch on the left side (the heart side) of the clothing. "
International Women's Day.
Romania does not celebrate Mother's Day but does celebrate International Women's Day on the 8th of March. Luciana: "On this day every man gives a flower bouquet and /or a gift, to show his appreciation to the women in his life, such as his wife, partner, mother and /or daughter. Romanian men are keen to take part in this tradition. "
Would you like to know more about the Romanian flower moments? Please contact your vendor or look in the web shop for the offers around these dates.