Universal Day of the Ia celebrated with traditional events in Romania and Moldova

On 24 June, the Universal Day of the Ia was marked across Romania and Moldova. In Romania, social media filled with images of people in white traditional dress as institutions organized events highlighting national identity. In the Bistrița‑Năsăud region, museum curator Gela Neamțu explained that the celebrated garment is historically a traditional shirt (cămășă) woven from hemp, made through rituals that included specific days, cleanliness rules and protective chants.

In Moldova, a photo gallery captured the lively evening celebration in Ialoveni’s Parcul „Sfatul Țării”, showing crowds, music and displays of the traditional attire. The event underscores a growing regional interest in preserving and showcasing the diverse forms of the Ia.

Both countries used the day to promote cultural heritage and draw attention to the varied regional styles of the traditional garment.