by David, age 9, asks Mos Craciun your name means Old Man Christmas. Is that like Santa Claus?, about the Carpathian Mountains, and Romania’s folklore history
Dear Mos Craciun,
My name is David and I am 9 years old. I live in Bucharest, Romania, where my bunica tells scary old stories about a count who lived in a castle in the mountains, right before we decorate our tree every year.
First, your name means Old Man Christmas. Is that like Santa Claus?
Second, a geography question: what mountains is Dracula’s castle famous for standing in?
Third, a school question about my country: why does Romania have such strong folklore traditions like the Dracula legend?
I left you cozonac and a warm cup of tea.
Love, David, age 9, Bucharest, Romania, Bucharest, Romania
From the Desk of Mos Craciun
Dear David, thank you for the treat, it was wonderful. Now, your questions.
Your name means Old Man Christmas. Is that like Santa Claus?
Exactly that, and yes, that is the same idea as Santa Claus, just dressed in a Romanian name and a Romanian coat.
What mountains is Dracula’s castle famous for standing in?
Bran Castle, the fortress often connected with the Dracula legend, sits in the Carpathian Mountains, a long, dramatic mountain range that curves through Romania, forested peaks and old stone towers alike.
Why does Romania have such strong folklore traditions like the Dracula legend?
The Dracula legend was inspired partly by a real historical Romanian ruler named Vlad the Impaler, who lived in the 1400s, though the vampire story itself was created later by the author Bram Stoker. Romania has a long, rich tradition of folklore passed down through storytelling in villages and mountain regions for centuries.
Craciun fericit, David.
Ho ho ho, Mos Craciun
