Happy Easter! Easter Egg Symbolism – Romanian cultural heritage in Slovenia

On April 4, 2025, the Slovene Ethnographic Museum and the Romanian Embassy in Ljubljana hosted the exhibition “Easter Egg Symbolism in Mariana Andone-Rotaru’s Creation,” organized to mark this year’s Easter holidays.

The exhibition, featuring 120 painted ostrich eggs, marked the artist’s international debut and is part of a series of cultural events organized by the Romanian Embassy in Ljubljana to promote the Romanian cultural heritage in Slovenia.

With a broad register of ethnographic inspiration, Mariana Andone Rotaru surprised the audience in Ljubljana with her talent and craftsmanship, as well as with the innovative techniques used in her works, which bring back to mind ancient traditions and crafts, while adding refinement and uniqueness.

The exhibition was curated by Dr. Doina Ișfănoni, ethnologist researcher, and art historian, who revealed to the Slovenian public some of the secrets of the red egg, as they have unfolded over time in ancient pre-Christian civilizations and evolved through their encounter with Christianity.

“Since ancient times, humans have celebrated the arrival of spring through rituals and ceremonies rooted in mythical and magical beliefs. A key symbol of the universe’s rebirth—and implicitly of all living beings—has been the egg, dyed red. The choice of red was not accidental. Red is the color of blood and symbolizes vitality, positive energy, and eternal youth. With these meanings, characteristic of archaic civilizations, the red-dyed egg was also adopted by Christians, representing the ultimate sacrifice of the Savior, made out of love for humanity and in order to redeem original sin.” Doina Ișfănoni, PhD, Ethnologist, historian, and art theorist

The visitors became artists by decorating their egg with Mariana’s techniques, under her kind guidance and advice!

In recent years, the Embassy of Romania in Ljubljana and SEM have enjoyed beautiful cooperation aimed at providing a better understanding of the importance of tradition and culture in the relations between countries and their people!

Embassy of Romania Easter traditional egg decoration exhibition 04 04 2025 photo Mateja Jordovic Potocnik

Embassy of Romania Easter traditional egg decoration exhibition 04 04 2025 photo Mateja Jordovic PotocnikAuthor: Ms Andreea Grădinar. Minister-counsellor, Embassy of Romania to Slovenia

Related news: https://theinternational.si/easter-exhibition-organized-by-the-embassy-of-romania-on-april-4th/