Ancient Guardians of the Forest: Romania’s Bear Dance Festival
Every December, Romania’s Bear Dance Festival transforms the Trotuș Valley into a roaring realm of pelts, drums, and ancient Dacian ritual. Dancers in real bearskins stomp away evil, bless homes, and spark New Year hope—an explosive mix of pagan roots, Roma grit, and winter spectacle.
The frozen Trotuș Valley is coated with snowflakes that drift like confetti as the first percussion sound is heard—deep, heavy, and unmistakably alive. Afterwards, there is the loud drumming. A hundred furs move in a wave, with red fringes going up and down, the mouths of the dancers opening and shutting in sync with the furious pounding of the ground—their intent is nothing less than to scare the earth awake Read more.