TRADITIONS AND CULTURE

Moldova is a European Country, which has a rich ethnic history. The majority of the population are Moldovans (Romanians), but the following national minorities live on this territory too: Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Gagauzians, Russians, Germans, Greeks, and others. In Moldova many traditions are centuries old. It is hard to believe that the multi-ethnic character of the country still exists within the popular traditions. What’s more it has enriched them with new qualities, giving them a new colour and transforming them into an original bunch of customs, rituals, and folklore present in Moldovan villages. In spite of the differences of nationalities, the people here have the most important quality – Hospitality. In Moldova every guest is received with a special warmth. The householder will always serve his guest with great Moldovan wine and with the best dishes of food. Usually, the guests are invited into the "Casa Mare" (Big Room) – a traditional room in each house where people feast together. There are a lot of holidays in Moldova and everyone can join in them.

The Winter Holidays, for instance, feature greetings cards, best wishes, plays performed by both children and adults from one door to another, thus announcing with joy the coming of the New Year. Everybody is looking forward to Santa Claus to come on a sleigh filled with presents. Especially children prepare themselves for this event: they put on different costumes and masks and perform in front of the Christmas tree. In fact, at that period the holidays, following the traditional agricultural calendar coincide with the Christian festival of Christmas.Another very important traditional holiday is "Martisor" – the symbol of spring. In March everybody in Moldova hangs on their collar two knitted white and red ropes, which symbolize nature’s revival.

In Spring the most important holiday for our people is the Easter religions holiday. For this celebration people prepare in good time, they cook special food: Easter Cake and painted eggs and the best wine. In the course of time the painted eggs have become a handicraft art.A lot of traditional events in our country represent an amalgam of elements characteristic to the agricultural, religious and civil calendars, a mixture that was transformed in a permanent source of goodwill, warmth and hospitality in Moldova. During the holidays guests in Moldova can participate in a range of cultural events: concerts "Martisor", "Ciresar", "Maria Biesu Welcomes", etc., performances, parades, mass manifestations on Independence Day, on "Limba Noastra" Day, on towns or villages’ Day, etc. On Harvest Days traditional fairs are organized in towns and villages. Especially during these holidays, tourists can get closer to the national folk and handcraft art.

Special Events

Besides public holidays, numerous festive occasions are held in Moldova each year. These are "Maria Bieshu Invites" (a week of opera and ballet with the participation of guest performers from entire world), Russian Culture Days, Ukrainian Culture Days and etc.Every spring on March 1 Martsishor, the national Moldovan holiday, is celebrated. On this day people present each other with the traditional flowers, and martsishors (the symbol of serenity and happiness). One of the old Moldovan legend says that once in a fight with the winter witch, that didn't want to give up its place, the beautiful lady Spring cut her finger and few drops of her blood fall on the snow, which melt. Soon on this place grew a snowdrop and in such a way the spring won the winter. The traditional Martsishor musical festival, which began in 1967 and it is held every year in Moldova from the 1st to 10th March. Members of amateur art groups and professional performers from other countries are invited to take part in the festival.

We cannot speak about Moldova without mentioning the traditions of a family nature: weddings, celebrations, etc., which become real shows performed by guests and hosts.In Moldovan villages "sezatorile" are very traditional social meetings, especially in the winter, where people sing, dance, and make handicrafts.It’s truly said that each guest in the "Casa Mare" of Moldova is a real friend.

National Holidays

January 1

New Year’s Day

January 7 and 8

Christmas (Orthodox)

March 1

March 8

Beginning of Spring--Martzishor

International Women’s Day (Gifts and flowers are given to women)

1st and 2nd day of Easter

Easter (Orthodox, dates depending)

1st Monday after Easter

Memory Day

May 1

International Labour Day

May 9

Victory Day

August 27

Independence Day

August 31

Language Day

October 14

City Day

Information courtesy: www.google.com