The Romanian people have one of the lowest living
standards in Europe. Almost all of the workers in Romania earn enough to pay for
their families' food, clothing, and shelter, and have a little left over for
recreation. But few Romanians can afford many luxury items. Rural Romanians live in two- or three-room wooden cottages. The houses
are plain and simple, but many people beautify them with a variety of art
objects that they make themselves like wall rugs with
skillfully woven patterns, colorfully decorated plates, woodcarvings on
furniture, building frames, and fences.
Festivals held to celebrate such things as weddings, christenings, and holidays are the most important part of social life in rural Romania.
Romania's cities present a striking contrast between the old and the new. Many city buildings are hundreds of years old. Others are modern structures built since industrialization began in the 1960's.
Both old Romanian traditions and modern, Western culture are part of city life. Many people enjoy going to restaurants and to concert halls where orchestras play Romanian folk music. They also visit exhibits of rural Romanian folk art that the government sets up in cities.
Festivals held to celebrate such things as weddings, christenings, and holidays are the most important part of social life in rural Romania.
Romania's cities present a striking contrast between the old and the new. Many city buildings are hundreds of years old. Others are modern structures built since industrialization began in the 1960's.
Both old Romanian traditions and modern, Western culture are part of city life. Many people enjoy going to restaurants and to concert halls where orchestras play Romanian folk music. They also visit exhibits of rural Romanian folk art that the government sets up in cities.