The town of Calafat has been shaped and developed over time in an excellent natural geographical setting, determined by the presence of the waters of the old Danube, on whose left bank is located the settlement. Calafatul, the city of roses, chestnuts and secular oaks, golden holdings, and modern industry, but also of towering historical monuments, is in the Southwestern part of Dolj County, on the left bank of the Danube, about 90 km from Craiova.

The people of the villages from Dolj County protect their traditions and customs. Tradition meant something almost sacred, with rules of Christian benevolence, with well-defined customs and ordinances and respected with holiness. The people here are proud, loving, and social. They love their place and do not hesitate to show it to those who want to see it.

The winter holiday season (between December 24th and January 7th) is one of the richest in ceremonial practices, some of them of a remarkable archaisms and complexity. Throughout Romania, this period, between Christmas Eve and St. John (Sfântul Ion), means the time of carols, the mythical time of the Nativity, full of special ritual meanings.

Among the most spectacular winter customs that are still preserved today are:

The Christmas Carol

It is one of the most famous winter customs, groups of carolers, after midnight on December 24th to 25th, walk from house to house wishing health, happiness, and luck.

• Colindatul cu Steaua/Caroling with the Star - It takes place on the first day of Christmas, in some places on Christmas Eve;
• - groups of children go on New Year's Eve to carol in the houses of local households and wish them well;
• Plugusorul/ The littleplough - is a very ancient fertility rite performed in Romania on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day;
• Colindatul cu Capra / Caroling with the goat: it is a special form of caroling with masks - It is practiced more on the first day of New Year, but also on the second and third day;
• The caroling period ends with the onomastic carols of St. John. The custom is known as the Jordanian or Ionian Jordanian (

Local tradition

People from Calafat are interconnecting with Danube is related with “Boboteaza” / Epiphany (Great Agheasma or Water Baptism), celebrating Saint John at the beginning of the new year (January 6th). It is a religious holiday, and its customs are related to the religious service which is aimed at sanctifying the waters. Thus, the most important element on this day, besides the church ceremony, is represented by the men's swimming competition to get the Holy Cross, thrown by the priest, out of the Danube water. Throwing the cross in the water of Epiphany (Bobotează) is a custom that is kept both in villages and in cities. After the service on the day of the Lord's Baptism, the people go in procession with the priest to the Danube. The priest throws a cross in the water, and the young people dive in to take it out. It is said that throwing and retrieving the cross from the water on the feast of the Lord's Baptism symbolizes the entry and exit of Christ from the waters of the Jordan river. And the competition of the young people to get the cross out of the water as soon as possible is based on the fact that Christ came out of the water "immediately". The young man who succeeds is said to be under the protection of God throughout the whole year.

Păzitul Fântânilor/Guarding the Fountains (on the night of January 6 to 7). Every year the locals from Calafat, Ciupercenii Noi, Caraula sacredly guard their fountains on the night of the Epiphany (Boboteaza). It is said that in this way they prevent the evil spirits from ruining the water, and it involves real ritual, but also a good occasion to celebrate. The water have to be clean because on the morning of St. John (Sfantul Ion) the young people go through the city with the Jordan (Iordănitul) to sprinkle water on all the girls. Photo sourse: https://mirelacoman.ro

• Tradition says that by guarding the wells, people prevent evil spirits from ruining the water that must be clean so that on the morning of St. John's Day the young people go with the Jordan and sprinkle all the girls;
• The locals say that this is also an opportunity to party, the music, the drinks and the certain dishes are always present;
• "The evening is very beautiful in our area. At Epiphany, at night, it is the custom to guard the wells. It is the oldest custom in our area. They must be guarded with great care. Make the fire near the fountain, put the table on which we place various dishes - sarmale, fried meat, boiled brandy, mulled wine. There is a real party and the next day it continues to all those who are named Ion. “This objection (custom???) is still maintained", said one of the people from the Calafat area;
• In the past, only young people, up to the age of 20, participated in guarding the wells. But now, old men and women are coming;
• All these customs were and are presented to the people of Calafat by folk ensembles within the festivals of customs and traditions that take place periodically (ex. “Peasant Christmas Festival – Decorating the Christmas Tree” - “Festivalul Crăciun Țărănesc – Îmbodobirea Bradului”: painting exhibition, poetry recital, musical auditions, folk dances);
• For the people of Calafat, traditions mean a connection with the past, capitalized by respecting and transmitting meaningful habits;
• In Romanian, Christmas Eve is called “AjunulCraciunului”;
• In Romanian, Merry Christmas is “CrăciunFericit”;
• In Romanian, Santa Claus is known as “MoşCrăciun” (Old Man Christmas). During the time of communism in the coutry, the character who was giving presents was “Moş Gerilă” (Old Man Frost)!