Located on the well-known Romanian touristic area Valea Prahovei, the city of Breaza has a penetrating and interesting history. There is a legend among the locals that we find out where this town got its name from. It is said that the first inhabitant of this area was a shepherd who built a hut on a pasture. One day his wife fell asleep while the milk was on the fire. As the hot milk swelled, a drop jumped from the pot and touched her cheek (in translation: OBRAZ), leaving a mark. Because of this, the other shepherds called it BREAZA, from where the present town takes its name. Over time, this area developed, and the local people’s rugs, which were hand-woven on the loom in their own households, began to give personality to the area through the pattern of stitches and colors.
Ia de Breaza has experienced a spectacular evolution over time.
- In the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century, it was the mocanese fabric that colored the valley in the everyday wear of the people, the predominant color of the sewn models being red.
- In the interwar period, it appeared decorated with silk, sequins, “butterflies”, beads and metallic thread, and blue, blue, green, gray or beige were added to the color palette.
- The Second World War brings changes in the ranks, so that in their models they appear with “Suveicuță” (picture 1), “Queen’s Star” (picture 2) or “Pointed Star” (picture 3) and many others.
The “Ca la Breaza” dance has great cultural importance. This is a traditional Romanian dance, which has been practiced in the country for centuries. Although it can be found in different forms and variations in different regions of the country, the “Ca la Breaza” dance is known for its lively rhythm and energetic movements.
The dance is generally performed in pairs and involves a series of rhythmic and energetic movements that are synchronized to traditional Romanian music.
While the music played during the dance can vary, it usually involves an ensemble of traditional instruments such as the violin, accordion, and tambourine. The fast pace of the music is reflected in the movements of the dancers, who move quickly back and forth with their arms raised above their heads.
An interesting aspect of the “Ca la Breaza” dance is that there is no strict set of movements or steps to follow. Instead, dancers are free to improvise and adapt their movements to the music and rhythm they hear.
The “Ca la Breaza” dance can be seen at social and cultural events such as weddings, baptisms and traditional festivals.
In conclusion, the “Ca la Breaza” dance is an important element of Romanian culture and traditions. From its rhythmic and energetic movements, to the traditional music that accompanies it, the “Ca la Breaza” dance continues to attract and delight both dancers and audiences throughout the generations.