> “Fuga Lolelor” (Run of the Lole or Escape of the Lole) is a Transylvanian Saxon custom (Saxon refers to Medieval Germans and descendants who had presence in Romania from the 12th century through 19th century) celebrated in late January in Agnita (10 minutes from our country home). The first recorded events of Lole were documented in the mid 1600’s. Local legends say as the Ottomans were getting ready to attack in Agnita, a brave girl named Ursula disguised herself in a terrifying costume, made deafening noises with her whip and bell ultimately chasing the invaders away. Later, Lole became an event of importance in the community as it represented the medieval guilds specifically the cobblers, tailors, furriers, coopers to celebrate the new leader of the guilds and the passing of winter. The tradition was carried out by the Saxons but as the Saxons returned to Germany after centuries of absence from their home country, the tradition of Lole died to be revitalized in the last decade by local Romanians. Today, Lole is a parade in the morning with music, performance, tradition and the Lole running the streets all day ending with a ball that goes to the next morning.
Here is a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CZmzcISD3o
[And some picutres form when my family participated.](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPXIssHIJ8xfaxq9h1EnRaE6olj_lwm2GDdkSIbqLnjO8SNjrRUxOQIFR1lS0aFvw?key=aDYwamJhZjZiemZaNER4aTU2dW1rdTBfWnl5Ui1R)
4 comments
That’s pretty much a Perchtenlauf or Alemanic Fastnacht. So basically it’s a pagan ritual dedictated to the godess Hulda/Holle/Perchta which is similar to Freya in Norse. She is the queen of the elves which can be beuatiful or monstrous. So you have these costumes depicting the monstrous side, in Germany there also some beautiful costumes.
The ritual is held to scare away the demons of winter which in this case became Turks.
Nice thanks for sharing
Cool. I didn’t know about this despite having relatives from that area (Banater Schwaben instead of Siebenbürger Sachsen though)
I find it very weird that as a half german, half romanian (from transylvania) i have never heard of this before.