Medieval Women Haunted by Startling Laws in the Romanian Lands

In medieval Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania, the concept of the “perfect woman”, be it a daughter, a wife or a queen, was shaped by both startling secular and religious laws that dictated nearly every aspect of her life. These laws not only defined what women could own or where they could go, but they also controlled whom they could marry and under what circumstances. The image of the ideal woman presented by these laws wasn’t necessarily based on her desires or individuality but was a reflection of society’s expectations, framed by the intertwined forces of religion and politics.

05/03/202515/03/2025

Daughters, Wives, and Queens: Medieval Women in Romania’s History

Exploring the status of women in medieval Romania, across Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania this Women’s History Month reveals a complex picture shaped by diverse historical sources, legal systems, religious influences and, not lastly, legends. Each region presented a distinct profile of women with gender playing a crucial role in shaping their access to knowledge, societal perceptions and, of course, power.

01/03/202514/04/2025

1 March, Magic Threads of Mărțișor: a Tale of Fate, Tradition and New Beginnings

Martisor, 1 March, Celebrating Old and New, Change and Hope

Each year, as 1 March arrives, Romanians welcome spring with Mărțișor, a red-and-white thread woven with luck, renewal, and tradition. More than just a symbol, it carries the weight of history, binding generations through its delicate strands.

Read the full Threads of Mărțișor story here. 🙂 I am so excited to share this tale with you!

22/02/202514/04/2025

Where the White Storks Migrate, Folktales and Histories Along their Path

a mustering of storks at the beginning of their migration, February 2025

For centuries, the white storks migrated witnessing humanity’s triumphs and tragedies unfold beneath its wings. From the old African tribes to the sacred temples of Egypt and the battlefields of the Levant; from the grandeur of Ottoman palaces to the villages of Romania, the white storks have traveled through space and time. They carry no bias, no memory of war or peace. Only the rhythm of migration and the promise of return. And so, when it takes flight again, it remains, as ever, a silent witness to the world’s unfolding tale.

Yesterday, on the 21st of February, we witnessed the white storks taking flight on their migratory journey. Let’s join them.

05/12/202414/04/2025

The History of Christmas Trees in 9 Merry Short Stories

A fir sprig adorned ancient Rome or Dacian blouses; candles on fir trees recalled Christ's star; behind closed doors Christmas traditions endured Communist times.

Explore the history of Christmas trees through nine short stories and let’s be merry time traveling from ancient Rome and Dacia to the Druids and Saint Boniface, through medieval Germany and the Baltic Renaissance. Follow the journey under the glow of Martin Luther’s candles, which also adorned royal Christmas trees, and even hear whispers of those hidden under Romania’s Communist regime. Let us celebrate light and birth on one of the longest and most magical nights of the year.