TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF MAJOR CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS THAT ATTRACT TOURISTS TO RURAL AREAS

Abstract

Rural Romania is an area with a strong spiritual and cultural imprint, where Christian traditions are sacredly preserved and transmitted from generation to generation. Major religious holidays such as the Nativity of the Lord and the Resurrection represent high moments in the life of rural communities, but also special occasions to attract tourists. This paper explores the impact of religious traditions on rural tourism, analyzing the particularities of each major Christian denomination in Romania, with an emphasis on the authenticity factor. This research paper brings together a comprehensive study on how the traditions and customs associated with the major Christian religious holidays from the three major branches of Christianity – Orthodox, Catholic and Neo-Protestant – become factors of tourist attraction in rural areas of Romania. The analysis focuses on holidays such as Christmas, Easter, but also holidays such as Epiphany, Palm Sunday and Pentecost, offering a comparative perspective on the religious and cultural manifestations that lead tourists, both local and foreign, to explore Romanian villages in search of authenticity.