Hundreds of people descend on the sleepy northern Romanian city of Comanesti every year dressed head to toe like bears, in costumes made from real fur, with the heads attached.
It’s a tradition that originated in pre-Christian times, when dancers wearing colored costumes or animal furs went from house to house in villages, singing and dancing to ward off evil.
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A man, wearing a bear fur costume, kisses his girlfriend during an annual bear parade.
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A girl gets ready for the start of the annual bear parade.
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A child, wearing a bear fur costume, yawns while dancing in Comanesti, Romania.
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Raluca Atrejei helps Roxana Stan apply lipstick.
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A man, wearing a bear fur costume, screams while dancing.
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Roxana Stan braids Raluca Atrejei’s hair for the parade.
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In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 picture children wearing a bear fur costumes pause during an annual bear parade in Comanesti, Romania. The tradition, originating in pre-Christian times, when dancers,…
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A man, dressed as a bear, approaches a young spectator.
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In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, picture men, one wearing a bear fur costume, hug during an annual bear parade in Comanesti, Romania. Hundreds of people descend on the sleepy…
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In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 picture people wearing a bear fur costumes make their way through the crowds during an annual bear parade in Comanesti, Romania. Hundreds of people…
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Tudor Huluta, an 8-year-old, who returned from Britain to attend the parade, wears a bear fur costume while dancing.
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In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 picture people watch an annual bear parade in Comanesti, Romania. Hundreds of people descend on the sleepy northern Romanian city of Comanesti every year…
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Cleopatra Antonia Turcu, 10-years-old, and Georgiana Andresoaie, take a break from the annual parade.
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In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, picture a girl wearing a bear fur costume takes part in an annual bear parade in Comanesti, Romania. Hundreds of people descend on the…
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Roxana Stan, top, supports 9 year-old Florin Paduceanu as they take a break from the parade.
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In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, picture Raluca Atrejei stretches her hands during an annual bear parade in Comanesti, Romania. The tradition, originating in pre-Christian times, when dancers, wearing colored…
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Raluca Atrejei, wearing a bear fur costume, looks at an item in a Christmas fair.
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