Martisor and Women’s Day celebration in New York

Romanian Cultural Institute is hosting a celebration of women’s creativity and ever-surprising beauty in an evening of great music and visual arts! Let’s observe together two of the most beloved traditions of our calendar – the “Mărțișor” and International Women’s Day – with an irresistible program of sing-along classics, from Maria Tănase to Janis Joplin and everything in between, performed by soprano Dika Philosoph, singer-songwriter Cezar Giosan, guitarist Dan Purcea, and violinist Ramon Radosav.

And, as a timely gift, enjoy a sneak preview of “The Atlas of Beauty” Exhibition, opening at the United Nations at the end of March – a fabulous exploration of infinite forms of feminine beauty by photographic sensation Mihaela Noroc.

The event is organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Romania to the United Nations.

“Mărțișor”, a diminutive of the Romanian name of the month of March (pronounced [mərt͡siˈʃor]), refers to an old and very popular Romanian tradition of Roman origin and possibly even older. The name is also given to little talismans with red and white strings attached, which are believed to bring good luck and prosperity and are offered by men and children to their mothers, wives, sisters or female friends and colleagues. Like the original Roman celebration, which honored Mars as the god of agriculture, “Mărțișor” heralds the coming of Spring.

Originally a Socialist celebration and later also adopted by the United Nations, International Women’s Day, held on the 8th of March, has gained great popularity in Romania as the very date to honor womanhood and motherhood.