The 42 edition of the Festival of Customs and Traditions “Steaua sus rasare” will take place in Piatra Neamt, Stefan cel Mare Plaza on Monday, December 27, 2010 starting with 13:00.

This festival is a folkloric event that over 40 years unites important folkloric bands. This year’s edition will feature 14 bands from the following counties: Neamt, Iasi, Suceava, Maramures, Bacau and Moldavian Republic.

Here are some of the traditional dances and customs that will be present at the parade from Monday: „Caiutii” (The Horses) from Tudora – Botosani, „Sumanarii” from Trifesti, „Cerbul si ursul” (The Deer and The Bear) from Ceplenita – Iasi, „Ursii” (The Bears) from Girov-Neamt, „Datina” (The Custom) from  Breaza – Suceava, „Alaiul de datini si obiceiuri” (The band of customs and traditions) fromn Tasca – Neamt, „Ursii” (The Bears) from Darmanesti – Bacau, The Band of Customs and Traditions from Tazlau – Neamt, „Alaiul de datini si obiceiuri” (The Band of Customs and Traditions) from Raucesti – Neamt, „Arnautii” from Baltatesti – Neamt, The Folkloric Band „Floricica de la munte” of “Carmen Saeculare” Cultural and art Center from Neamt, The Band of Customs and Traditions from Piatra Soimului-Neamt, „Busuioc” from Orhei – Moldavian Republic, „Izvorul Izei” (The Spring of Iza) from Sacel – Maramures.

Images from “Steaua sus Rasare” Festival, Neamt County

On Christmas days you’ll see on the streets of Piatra Neamt traditional bands of an wearing masks of bears, deer, goats and small horses that will celebrate through dance the winter holidays.

The festival “Steaua sus rasare” is organized by “Carmen Saeculare” Cultural and art Center from Neamt County. The parade will take place on the route Tineretului Theatre – Caas de Cultura building – The history Museum – Ceahlau Hotel and back to Tineretului Theatre. The show will start at 14:00 and will last until 18:40.

Here is the schedule:
13:00 – The parade of traditional bands on the route Tineretului Theatre – Caas de Cultura building – The history Museum – Ceahlau Hotel and back to Tineretului Theatre
12:00 – 14:30 – A Christmas Carols concert in Stefan cel Mare Plaza

The order of the bands for parade:
1. „Caiutii” (The small horses), TUDORA – Botosani
2. „Sumanarii” de la TRIFESTI –  Neamt
3. „Cerbul si ursul” (The deer and the bear), CEPLENITA –  Iasi
4. „Ursii” (The Bears), GIROV – Neamt
5. The Group „Datina”, BREAZA – Suceava
6. The Band of Customs and Traditions, TASCA – Neamt
7. „Ursii” (The Bears), DARMANESTI –  Bacau
8. The Band of Customs and Traditions, TAZLAU –  Neamt
9. The Band of Customs and Traditions, RAUCESTI – Neamt
10. „Arnautii”, BALTATESTI – Neamt
11. The Band FLORICICA DE LA MUNTE
12. The Band of Customs and Traditions, PIATRA SOIMULUI – Neamt
13. The Band „Busuioc”, ORHEI – Republica Moldova
14. The Band „Izvorul Izei” (The Spring of Iza), SACEL –  Maramures

14:00 – 18:40 – A show hosted by Ioan Hongu in Stefan cel Mare Plaza

The time frame
14:00 – 14:20 The Band FLORICICA DE LA MUNTE  –
14:20 – 14:40 „Caiutii” (The small horses), TUDORA – Botosani
14:40 – 15:00 „Sumanarii” de la TRIFESTI –  Neamt
15:00 – 15:20 „Cerbul si ursul” (The deer and the bear), CEPLENITA –  Iasi
15:20 – 15:40 „Ursii” (The bears), GIROV – Neamt
15:40 – 16:00 The Group „Datina”, BREAZA – Suceava
16:00 – 16:20 The Band of Customs and Traditions, TASCA – Neamt
16:20 – 16:40 „Ursii” (The bears), DARMANESTI –  Bacau
16:40 – 17:00 The Band of Customs and Traditions, TAZLAU –  Neamt
17:00 – 17:20 The Band of Customs and Traditions, RAUCESTI – Neamt
17:20 – 17:40 „Arnautii”, BALTATESTI – Neamt
17:40 – 18:00 The Band of Customs and Traditions, PIATRA SOIMULUI – Neamt
18:00 – 18:20 The Band „Busuioc”, ORHEI – Republica Moldova
18:20 – 18:40 The Band „Izvorul Izei” (The Spring of Iza), SACEL –  Maramures