Every December, Romania’s Bear Dance Festival transforms the Trotuș Valley into a roaring realm of pelts, drums, and ancient Dacian ritual. Dancers in real bearskins stomp away evil, bless homes, and spark New Year hope—an explosive mix of pagan roots, Roma grit, and winter spectacle. The frozen Trotuș Valley is coated with snowflakes that drift like confetti as the first percussion sound is heard—deep, heavy, and unmistakably alive. Afterwards, there is the loud drumming. A hundred furs move in a wave, with red fringes going up and down, the mouths of the dancers opening and shutting in sync with the furious pounding of the ground—their intent is nothing less than to scare the earth awake. Don’t be surprised—this is just the first scene of the Bear Dance Festival—Festivalul Ursului / Jocul Ursului—Romania’s most basic and most incredibly photogenic one, and a winter event at the same time. The festival runs from December 24th to 30th, when the Moldova region bursts with fur and...

The 2025 Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo blend tradition, culture, and global celebration. From grand banquets to the inspiring Peace Prize, both cities offer rich experiences, historic venues, and festive winter charm, making Nobel Week a truly unforgettable journey into human achievement. On December 10, 2025, the two Nordic capitals, Stockholm, Sweden, and Oslo, Norway, will once again be the focus of the world’s premier celebration of intellect, courage, and creativity—the Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony. Each winter, for generations, these cities transform into grand stages, thereby honouring many of the most outstanding achievements in history with a level of appreciation usually reserved for the finest artistic and cultural productions and by maintaining some of the oldest customs of honouring achievement. No matter the reason—culture, science or travel—it is apparent that the 2025 ceremony will blend ceremony, storytelling and winter wonder into memorable events...