Welcome to “one of the wildest and least-known regions of Europe”, as Bram Stoker used to say. These are the lands of Vlad Dracul, father of Vlad the Impaler (1430-1477), the person who has always been associated with the name DRACULA. From the ancient times, Count Dracula inspired obedience, fear and respect among the local villagers and was subject to a lot of movies, stories and scary tales. His historical statute imposed admiration and determined Vlad Tepes celebrity worldwide.
Legends and tales concerning Dracula myth have remained a part of folklore among the Romanian peasantry. These tales have been passed down from generation to generation for five hundred years. Through constant retelling they have become somewhat garbled and confused and they are gradually being forgotten by the younger generations. However, they still provide valuable information about Dracula and his relationship with his people. Many of the tales contained in the pamphlets are also found in the verbal tradition, though with a somewhat different emphasis. Among the Romanian peasantry Dracula is remembered as a just prince who defended his people from foreigners, whether those foreigners be Turkish invaders or German merchants. He is also remembered as somewhat of a champion of the common man against the oppression of the boyars. Dracula's fierce insistence on honesty is a central part of the verbal tradition. Many of the anecdotes contained in the pamphlets and in the verbal tradition demonstrate the prince's efforts to eliminate crime and dishonesty from his domain. However, despite the more positive interpretation, the Romanian verbal tradition also remembers Dracula as an exceptionally cruel and often capricious ruler.
|
