Until ancient times February was a month when the celebrations were connected to the beginning of the new agricultural year, to the rebirth of nature, life and love. There were also celebrations about the closing end of the winter and the announcing of the beginning of spring.

In the last years February became a month of love with two days dedicated to it: St Valentine’s Day on February 14, an imported celebration and the local messenger of love Dragobetele celebrated on February 24.

Dragobete was the son of Dochia and was considered to be a mythological deity, a patron of lovers that can be compared to the Greek and Roman gods Eros and Cupid. This celebration marked in the old days the beginning of spring, the day when nature is reborn, when the bear leaves its lair, when the birds make new nests and when we all should enjoy the beauty of nature.

Dragobete is different from Valentine from the Catholic religion. He is impulsive and naughty. In the old days there was the saying “Dragobete kisses the girls”. Today these celebrations are moments when we express our love and we enjoy the first warm days of the following spring.