SÂNZIENE LARGE PAINTING

Part of The Calendar Art collection of 14 paintings depicting 14 of the most important celebrations of the pastoral Romanian year, all created in chronological order (but not necessarily previewed in this manner here). The inspiration came from the rich culture, traditions and mythology of one of the most authentic Romanian area, Mărginimea Sibiului. After thoroughly studying the landmarks of the celebratory year of the locals, rich in traditions, songs and dances, it’s clear that we’re looking at 3 main cultural layers- the base one, an ancestral religion that’s left only residual information for us, a middle layer of the solar cult (inherited by the cult of Mithra) and the last and most present in today’s collective conscience, the Christian layer (their initiators made a clear effort, at Christianity’s beginnings to change the subject of the “pagan”’s celebrations- instead of celebrating the winter Solstice we celebrate the birth of Jesus, instead of celebrating an old Thracian god of thunder and rain, on the exact day, we celebrate Saint Elijah).

THE STORY

The flowers picked on the day (and night) of Midsummer, caught in wreaths or tied in the form of a cross, were taken to the local church to be sanctified and were then kept in the household to treat diseases or drive away all evils. Moreover, now, with the arrival of summer, it was a good opportunity to gather medicinal plants, all of which have maximum effectiveness at their growing peak. On the night of Sânziene, the elusive white fern flower is said to bloom and whoever picks it is blessed all year round with good luck.