Click here if you are looking for the 2007 Romanian Christmas Party. Sunday 17 December 2006, from 17.00 The Romanian Orthodox Church, St Dunstan in the West, 186 Fleet Street , London EC4A 2HR Tube (closest stations): Blackfriars, Chancery Lane . See map here. Click here to see an image related to this event. Programme:

• 17.00-17.40: Concert of Romanian traditional Christmas Carols with the choir of the Romanian Orthodox Church in London
• 17.40-18.00: Opening of the exhibition of Orthodox Icons on wood and glass. All icons on display can be purchased.
• 18.00-18.30: Presents for the children
• 18.30: Romanian snacks for all

* * * * * * Note: Dear Parents, in order to help Father Christmas, please bring a small wrapped present, clearly marked with your child’s name and surname to be added to Father Christmas’ sack. Please let us know if you can attend this event and how many people are likely to accompany you, so we can arrange an appropriate amount of food. Book your places before Friday 15 December 2006 E-mail: bookings@romanianculturalcentre.org.uk Tel. 020 7439 4052, ext. 102 * * * * * * Together with Easter, Christmas is the most important celebration in Romanian tradition. The religious meaning of Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ is still preserved in Romania and is very important to people. Although Christmas celebrations benefit of the presence of Santa Claus / Father Christmas, and the weeks before 25 December are as much of a shopping bonanza as they are in the UK , tradition still has a say in the way the celebration goes on. Carols – usually from the folkloric and Orthodox Church tradition – are a must, and so is Christmas food. Several Christmas foods: ‘Cozonac’ – a brioche-loaf with chopped walnuts, Turkish Delight and raisins; ‘Sarmale’ – similar to Greek or Lebanese stuffed vine- leaves (dolma), with the difference that the filling is made with rice, spices and minced pork, and the leaves are generally pickled cabbage leaves; ‘Carnati’ – Romanian fresh sausages, just like the British ones, only meatier and spicier; ‘Caltabos’ – what one would end up with if crossing a haggis with a sausage. The traditional celebrations continue until 7 January, with the feasts of St Stephen (26 January), New Year’s Day, St Basil the Great (1 January), the Baptism of Christ (6 January), and St John the Baptist (7 January). * * * * * * Organised by: The Romanian Cultural Centre in London and The Romanian Orthodox Church in London With the kind support of The Embassy of Romania in the UK