Dragobete - love story

Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia, the major character in the Romanian tradition about the entrance of spring and the end of a terrible winter. Dragobete, Romania's equivalent of Valentine's Day, is celebrated on February 24th.

In Romanian traditional culture, Dragobete, portrayed as a young gorgeous guy, is the defender of lovers. It is thought that on that day, which signifies the end of winter, birds find their spouse and start building homes together.

In the past, young men and women would find flowers in the woods together, and when they returned, ladies would let the guy they liked to sneak a kiss. That would be the beginning of their romance, and in older times, their engagement. On this day, which is considered the first day of spring in certain areas, boys and girls pick spring flowers and sing together.

People who participate in Dragobete ceremonies are thought to be immune to disease, particularly fevers, for the rest of the year.