With his enchanting melody, the flautist leads the group of bear-costumed people around him, setting the pace and guiding their movements. Known as 'Jocul Ursului' (the Bear Dance), this traditional Romanian custom is performed every year between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Once considered a sacred animal deeply connected to the rhythms of nature—hibernating through winter and awakening in spring—the bear was believed to hold the power to defeat the cold season and herald renewal. Men, women and children disguised as bears with red tassels mimic the movements of the animal in a captivating ritual meant to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity in the year to come, as they bring back to life the spirit of the bears whose skins they wear.