Noaptea de Sânziene
Romania celebrates the Sânziene (also known as Drăgaica) on June 24, a pagan tradition that coincides with the Orthodox holiday of the birth of St. Ioan Botezătorul (St. John the Baptist).
It was believed that during the nights around the Sânziene , there is complete silence in nature and that animals acquire the gift of speech.
In the popular belief, Sânzienele are very beautiful girls, true priestesses of the Sun, who live in the forests or fields unexplored by people. They are linked to an ancient solar cult, and their name probably comes from the forest goddess Sancta Diana.
