GARABAJII Ecaterina, GUŢU Olga, ROŞU Dorin

IFAG, SOFIA, 2013

Location: Eastern Europe

Country Name: Republic of Moldova (short: Moldova)

Capital City: Chisinau

Population: 3 559.5 Ethnic groups: Moldovan 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3%

Land Area: 33,371 sq km

Land Boundaries: Romania and Ukraine

Languages: Moldavian (the only official language, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect), Bulgarian

Official Currency: Moldavian Leu (MDL)

Despite its small area, Moldova has an unusual variety of landscape reserves or natural landscapes and unique geological monuments of European and world value

Moldova is an integral part of Europe and has a rich history. This country is situated in the contact zone between different cultural and historic trends – Carpathian-Balkan, Central-European and Eurasian, and during its multi-millennial history harmoniously absorbed diverse cultural traditions of Proto-Indo-Europeans and archaic Indo-European peoples, including the Thracians, Slavs, Celts, Goths, Huns, etc., thus obtaining specific and unparalleled features.

The Moldovan folklore has a strong basis of Dacian-Latin origin and embraces a system of popular confessions and customs, which are specifically defined by means of music and dance, oral poetry and prose, mythology, rites, popular theatre etc. This cultural inheritance in all its manifestations represents a large area of national art of special value, which not only preceded its cultural forms but also continued to develop in the modern era conferring to the professional culture its ethnical originality.

The culture of the Republic of Moldova represents a large gamut of cultural activities: literature, theatre, music, fine arts, architecture, cinematography, broadcasting and television, photographic art, design, circus, folk art, archives and libraries, books editing, scientific research, cultural tourism and so on.

Three concert performing institutions carry out the academic concert activity: ”Serghei Lunchevici” National Philharmonic Society (2 concert halls, symphony orchestra, choral chapel, folk songs group); Organ Hall (chamber orchestra and chamber choir); National Palace („Moldova-concert” Concert and Impresario Organization: artistic formations of music and folk dance, light music).

The Republic of Moldova has a total of 22 theatrical performance institutions: 18 drama theatres, an opera and ballet theatre, an ethno-folkloric theatre and 2 puppet shows. 17 are situated in the country capital and 5 – in other areas. The most important theaters successfully participate in festivals abroad, organize international festivals inside the country, tours to France, Italy, USA, Russia, Japan, China, Romania, other countries.

Moldovan cuisine has had a great influence on the traditional food of the other nationalities that live on this territory. At the same time some elements have been incorporated from Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Gagauzian and Russian cuisine, as well as elements taken some centuries ago from Greek and Turkish food.

Chisinau is closer to European values, business and comfort. This is a youthful city due to the large number of schools, universities, and jobs. In Chisinau, people follow the fashion trends. It is the place where most business is done, and daily cultural events are happening. There are many enjoyable activities in this city: Theaters, Opera, Concerts, Movies, Sports, Dance, delicious food, outdoor festivals and activities, and much more.

Wine growing in Moldova is a century-old tradition. The famous Moldovan wines are well known and appreciated at home and far beyond the country borders. The wines can be dry, sweet and strong, they have a varied bouquet of flavours and colours. For wine producing European vines are used such as: Sauvignon, Cabernet, Muscat, etc., as well as Moldovan varieties: Feteasca, Black Rara, Moldova, etc.

Natural monuments: Prut Toltres, Natural unity “The Hundred Knolls”, "Emil Racovita" Cave, Taul Park

Reservations: “Padurea din Domneasca” Reservation, "Codrii" Reservation,

„Iagorlîc” Reservation, „Prutul de Jos” Reservation, „Plaiul Fagului” Reservation

Museums: "Alexei Mateevici" House & Museum, "Alexandr Pushkin" House & Museum, "Constantin Stamati" House & Museum, Igor Vieru House and Museum, Museum Complex "Old Orhei", National

Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, National Archaeology and History Museum of Moldova, the Museum of Popular Art, National Gagauz history and ethnographic museum "Dumitru Cara-Ciobanu"

Сountry estates: "Zamfir Ralli-Arbore" Mansion, the Hunting Castle of Manuc Bei

Monasteries and Churches: Capriana Monastery, Hincu Monastery, Rudi Monastery, Saharna Monastery, Tipova Monastery, Curchi Monastery, Frumoasa Monastery, Cosauti Monastery, Japca Monastery, the

Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church

Wineries: Cricova Winery, Milestii Mici Winery, Purcari Winery, Cojusna Winery

Old monasteries, slumberous forests, endless hills, fair sky and friendly sun give a special charm to this country. People from Moldova are famous for their hospitality. They are always happy to host you in their houses, to tell you about their culture and traditions, to treat you with their wine... Come to Moldova and you will find yourself in the world which delights both your soul and eye.

magic

optimistic

liberal

dynamic

open

valuable

ambitious

M

O

L

D

O

V

A

KEEP

CALM AND

LOVE

MOLDOVA