Sânziană is the Romanian name for gentle fairies who play an important part in local folklore, also used to designate the Galium verum or Cruciata laevipes flowers. Under the plural form Sânziene, the word designates an annual festival in the fairies' honor. Etymologically, the name comes from the Latin Sancta Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt and moon, also celebrated in Roman Dacia (ancient Romania). Diana was known to be the virgin goddess and looked after virgins and women. She was one of the three maiden goddesses, Diana, Minerva and Vesta, who swore never to marry. According to the official position of the Romanian Orthodox Church, the customs actually relate to the celebration of Saint John the Baptist's Nativity, which also happens on June 24.  Read more..

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After a stamp devoted to the celebration of the "Whitsunday" ("Duminica Mare" in Romanian) issued on June 19, 2016, the Post of Moldova has released on July 7, 2016, a new stamp dedicated to folk traditions and Christian festivals in particular ("Sărbători creştine şi tradiţii populare") through this time the festival "Sînzienele", the popular name of the religious festival of midsummer and Nativity of St. John the Baptist, on June 24. Designed again by Elena Karachentseva, that stamp (L 1.75, print run : 200,000) is included on the official FDC below (print run : 400, sale price : L 12) with, once will not hurt, a FDC cancellation from the town of Hîrjauca (MD-4421) located in the raion of Călăraşi. Read more..