The Moldovan and Romanian spring welcoming celebration “Martisor” in Lithuania

Every year on 1 March, Moldovans and Romanians celebrate the traditional spring welcoming festival Martisor (Rom. Mărțișor), inscribed in 2017 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Since 1989, the Lithuanian Romanian Cultural Community “Dačija” has nurtured this tradition in Lithuania, seeking to preserve ancestral heritage, strengthen community integration, and introduce their culture to Lithuanian society.

The Martisor tradition has existed for millennia. Its central symbol is the handmade amulet crafted from red and white threads. Each spring, Moldovans and Romanians exchange these amulets, wishing one another the fulfilment of dreams, love, and happiness. Symbolizing vitality and purity, the martisor is worn on the left side of the chest throughout March and, on the last day of the month, is hung on a blossoming tree. 

In Lithuania, the celebration is held annually at the House of National Communities in Vilnius, the Kaunas Cultural Centre of Various Nations, and other locations. Participants greet one another with: “Happy spring, happy Martisor!” or “The white thread brings health, the red thread brings prosperity; together they bring luck and happiness—many long years!” The festival features amulet‑making workshops, exhibitions of drawings, photographs, and embroidered works, and a competition for the most beautiful martisor. Traditional dishes are enjoyed, including plăcinte (filled pastries), colaci (ritual braided breads), mălai dulce (cornmeal cakes), and mămăligă (corn porridge). The programme is enriched with songs and poems about spring, childhood memories of preparing for the celebration, and the Moldovan and Romanian folk dance Hora. 

The tradition nurtured in Lithuania strengthens the diaspora’s connection with their homeland and preserves Moldovan and Romanian identity. By learning about their roots, young people gain an understanding of both their local culture and the wider cultural heritage of Lithuania, and develop respect for their nation’s cultural identity. The success of this good practice is reflected in the strong ties maintained with Moldovan and Romanian diasporas in other countries.

Submission by Lithuanian Romanian Cultural Community “Dačija”, uniting expatriates from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, 2025