MartisorMartisor

• Moldovans have a beautiful ancient tradition on Moldovans have a beautiful ancient tradition on the first day of March : Martisor (The Amulet). Its the first day of March : Martisor (The Amulet). Its name is a diminutive from the name of Martie - name is a diminutive from the name of Martie - the Romanian word for March. There is a the Romanian word for March. There is a similarity between Martie and the ancient Roman similarity between Martie and the ancient Roman God "Mars" or "Marte" in Latin language. In God "Mars" or "Marte" in Latin language. In ancient Rome this God was a symbol of revival, ancient Rome this God was a symbol of revival, green fields, flocks and love. They used to green fields, flocks and love. They used to celebrate their God on the first day of springcelebrate their God on the first day of spring.

• From the ancient time people were celebrated From the ancient time people were celebrated the coming of spring with long time forgotten the coming of spring with long time forgotten rituals. They used small pebbles painted in white rituals. They used small pebbles painted in white and red arranged alternatively on a string. It and red arranged alternatively on a string. It might be curious why they had chosen these two might be curious why they had chosen these two colors : red and white. In those times, many colors : red and white. In those times, many magical rituals involved human or animal magical rituals involved human or animal sacrifices for determining their pagan Gods to sacrifices for determining their pagan Gods to listen to their prayers. So blood was associated listen to their prayers. So blood was associated with life, fertility and worship. On the other hand, with life, fertility and worship. On the other hand, the snow, the ice and the clouds were white. In a the snow, the ice and the clouds were white. In a single expression the meaning of two colors single expression the meaning of two colors might be : "let's forget about winter and pray our might be : "let's forget about winter and pray our Gods to bring us fertility".Gods to bring us fertility".

• Nowadays "Martisor" is present in all Romanian Nowadays "Martisor" is present in all Romanian regions but you can find a similar tradition in regions but you can find a similar tradition in Macedonia and Albania too. In Romania this Macedonia and Albania too. In Romania this Amulet is a symbol of coming spring and joy. Amulet is a symbol of coming spring and joy. Exchanging them is a gesture of love, friendship, Exchanging them is a gesture of love, friendship, respect and appreciation. You can buy silky red-respect and appreciation. You can buy silky red-white threads (tied into a bow) and small plastic white threads (tied into a bow) and small plastic objects : flowers, horse shoes, leaves, objects : flowers, horse shoes, leaves, bumblebees, animals, birds, tiny suns or stars, bumblebees, animals, birds, tiny suns or stars, red hearts, and many others. People wear in the red hearts, and many others. People wear in the left side on their chests these amulets during left side on their chests these amulets during nine days, starting from March 1st, of course, nine days, starting from March 1st, of course, after that people put the amulet on the three. after that people put the amulet on the three.

Doua Inimi GemeneDoua Inimi Gemene

• The festival “Doua inimi gemene”,that from Romania The festival “Doua inimi gemene”,that from Romania means “Two twin hearts” is a musical festival that is means “Two twin hearts” is a musical festival that is celebrating from 13 to 15 Noveber.celebrating from 13 to 15 Noveber.

• The festival was craten in name of Romanian singer: Ion The festival was craten in name of Romanian singer: Ion and Doina Aldea-Teodoroviciand Doina Aldea-Teodorovici

• ““Doua inimi gemene” is an international festival where Doua inimi gemene” is an international festival where part 10 countres like:Republic of Moldova, Romania, part 10 countres like:Republic of Moldova, Romania, Italy, Bulgaria, Latvia, Germany, Russia, Ukraine,and Italy, Bulgaria, Latvia, Germany, Russia, Ukraine,and Uzbekistan.They need to sing two songs:one song od Uzbekistan.They need to sing two songs:one song od Ioan Aldea-Teodorovici,in Romanian and the second in Ioan Aldea-Teodorovici,in Romanian and the second in theyr national language.theyr national language.

• The award for the first place s 1000 euro~1500$ The award for the first place s 1000 euro~1500$

Chisinau City Day (October)Chisinau City Day (October)• Chisinau City Day, or Hramul Chisinaului, is a Russian Orthodox Chisinau City Day, or Hramul Chisinaului, is a Russian Orthodox

religious festival commemorating The Intercession of the Holy religious festival commemorating The Intercession of the Holy Virgin. It is celebrated on October 14th each year. In celebrate of Virgin. It is celebrated on October 14th each year. In celebrate of the feast, the main street of city, Stefan cel Mare Blvd, is closed to the feast, the main street of city, Stefan cel Mare Blvd, is closed to traffic and instead plays host to a huge open air festival.traffic and instead plays host to a huge open air festival.

• Traditional food and wine is plentiful, served on numerous improved Traditional food and wine is plentiful, served on numerous improved terraces along the boulevard. National music, dance (especially the terraces along the boulevard. National music, dance (especially the hora, a traditional Moldovan folk dance), and other folkloric hora, a traditional Moldovan folk dance), and other folkloric traditions are all around. Many people wear national costumes. traditions are all around. Many people wear national costumes. Vendors sell local handicrafts. In the evening, typically there is an Vendors sell local handicrafts. In the evening, typically there is an open air concert in the Great National Assembly Square which often open air concert in the Great National Assembly Square which often ends with an impressive firework display.ends with an impressive firework display.

• Every city, town, and village in Moldova has a Every city, town, and village in Moldova has a hramhram day, honoring  day, honoring the patron saint of the locality. By tradition, on the patron saint of the locality. By tradition, on hramhram days family,  days family, friends, and guests are invited to festive dinners where guests also friends, and guests are invited to festive dinners where guests also enjoy traditional Moldovan folk dancing. Visits to local enjoy traditional Moldovan folk dancing. Visits to local hramhram festivals  festivals can be arranged by tour operatorscan be arranged by tour operators

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Dulce Floare de Salcam (May)Dulce Floare de Salcam (May)

• Dulce Floare de Salcam is a traditional music Dulce Floare de Salcam is a traditional music contest that brings together artistic bands from contest that brings together artistic bands from Moldova and sometimes from the neighboring Moldova and sometimes from the neighboring countries. During the contest, artists of all ages countries. During the contest, artists of all ages perform beautiful folkloric pieces, including vocal perform beautiful folkloric pieces, including vocal performances and traditional instrumental. performances and traditional instrumental. Prizes are awarded to the best artists, but win or Prizes are awarded to the best artists, but win or lose everyone has a great time. Festival starts lose everyone has a great time. Festival starts with a parade of traditional clothing, and ends with a parade of traditional clothing, and ends with a large Moldovan with a large Moldovan hora.hora. Admission is free.  Admission is free.