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ªtefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) was a voivod (prince) of Moldova (Moldavia)
(1457-1504),
who was renown in Europe for his ...
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs is the central body which promotes the State’s policy in the area of foreign relations and conducts
its activity in conformity with the Constitution and ... |
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CULTURE / Traditions
 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.
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.
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