Members of the Sipoteni bear pack put on their outfits in Racova, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, while touring villages to perform the bear dance ritual. Centuries ago, people in what is now northeastern Romania would don bear fur and dance to fend off evil spirits. Nowadays, the unique custom thrives, with popular festivals drawing large crowds of locals and tourists. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)