A member of the Sipoteni bear pack loads costumes on a bus, in Comanesti, northern Romania, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, before touring villages in the area 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/Andreea Alexandru)