"Romania's 'Dancing Bear Festival' Draws Hundreds in Traditional Skins"

The Dancing Bears Festival, a centuries-old tradition in northeastern Romania, celebrates the end of the year with hundreds of participants donning bear skins and dancing to the rhythm of drums to ward off evil spirits. The festival, which peaks on December 30 in Comanesti, attracts tourists worldwide and is a testament to the region's cultural heritage, where the bear is a spirit animal. Despite the challenges of maintaining the tradition, including the weight and cost of the bear skins, locals are committed to preserving this unique aspect of their history.