On 1 March, the traditional day of Martisor, Romanians in the region celebrated this custom and joyfully welcomed the arrival of spring. This ancient holiday is a significant element of Romanian culture, symbolizing the transition from winter to spring and the rebirth of nature under the warm rays of the sun.
The gymnasium of the “1 Mai” Elementary School in Petrovasâla hosted the annual event titled “Martisor 2023”. Already a well-established tradition, this event reached its eighth edition, bringing together talented children from various local schools and high schools. The Martisors displayed at the event were meticulously crafted by these skilled young participants under the guidance of teachers from “Borislav Petrov Braca” High School in Vršac and the elementary schools “Coriolan Doban” in Coștei, “Dr. Aleksandar Sabovljev” in Ecica, “2 Octombrie” in Nicolinț, “3 Octombrie” in Sân-Mihai, “George Coșbuc” in Torac, and “Stevica Jovanović” in Pančevo. Through these Martisors, the young participants conveyed messages of beauty and delight characteristic of this traditional celebration.
The “Martisor 2023” event was supported by numerous sponsors, while the provincial authorities and the Romanian National Minority Council in Serbia provided backing and recognition for this exceptional cultural event. Special guests included Milinka Hrčan, acting provincial secretary for national minorities, Dr. Valentin Ardelean, President of the Romanian National Minority Council in Serbia, representatives from the municipality of Alibunar, and Daniel Bala, Minister-Counselor at the General Consulate of Romania in Vršac.
Attendees and visitors had the privilege of admiring the Martisors—meticulously crafted works of art made from the traditional white-and-red twine that symbolizes this celebration. The Martisor is given to loved ones and is regarded as a talisman that brings luck and prosperity. Tradition holds that those who wear a Martisor for a day or more will be blessed with well-being and happiness in the year ahead.
At its core, the Martisor represents far more than a simple traditional object. It symbolizes the enthusiasm and optimism that accompany the arrival of spring, encouraging generosity and appreciation for the renewed beauty of nature. Through cultural and traditional events like “Martisor 2023”, the Romanian community in this region preserves and promotes its identity and cultural values, contributing to the rich ethnic and cultural diversity of Serbia.