Newsletters from Moldova

Chisinau is the administrative, territorial, economic, scientific and cultural heritage of the Republic of Moldova. Situated in a picturesque place on the Seven Hills, Chisinau makes a good impression on the guests and inhabitants of the republic. The capital of Moldova has almost one million inhabitants. Chisinau is administratively divided into five sections: Botanica, Buiucani, Center, Riscani and Ciocana.

Stephen the Great Monument (Ştefan cel Mare Monument) which is situated in the public garden Ştefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) in front of the Great National Assembly Square, opposite the Government House, is one of the most important places in Chişinău.

When one thinks of potential places to go for a business internship, Moldova is most definitely not one of the first to come to mind for most people, even for Moldovans themselves. Where I come from, very few people even know where Moldova is or that it even exists.

Our volunteers have visited forest "Codrii", Ethnographic Museum "Casa Parinteasca" (House of parents), and three monasteries: Moldavian Harjauca, Frumoasa and Harbovat Monasteries. This trip was organized with our partners from "Golden Lotus" Organization.

CHISINAU-- When I first told my American friends and family that I wanted to do an internship program in Moldova the first thing that everyone said to me was, “Moldova, where is that?”

On 8 and 9 October in Chişinău the Festival of Wine 2011 was celebrated. Michelle (French volunteer from the Care project) and I (Elena) went together to MoldExpo, the place where the entire city celebrated an important festival for Moldovans.

Before I came to Moldova, I had no idea of what to expect the hospitals to be like. During the month I stayed here, I visited three hospitals – Mother and Child Hospital, the "Emilian Cotaga" Children Hospital and the Emergency Hospital. I mostly observed surgeries in each.

1991 – Moldova declares independence from the USSR. On 1991 Moldova begin to be a nation, a parliamentary republic and democracy with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. Also this date it is officially considerate National holiday and people in this day go in the city at different events organized in the Central Square (Piata Marii Adunari Nationale). In the center of the city are organized concerts with traditional music, and dances, and local food.

Hello! My name is Naomi. I’m a student from England, and I’ve just started working at the newspaper ‘Trud’ here in Chisinau as part of the Journalism Project. On Tuesday, the day after I arrived, I decided to join five other Projects Abroad volunteers (Emma, Hope, Natalia, Sara and Wendi) and the Country Director, Igor, on a trip to the nearby Milestii Mici winery

The Sireti Monastery is situated 16 km from Chisinau and was erected on December 10, 1998, the day of the prayer of Saint John Jacob the Persian. The base was established on May 24th, 1994. At that time the construction was started as well.

Nicoreni Monastery is situated 11km west of Drochia town, Nicoreni village. The monastery was funded by archimandrite Rafail in the summer of 1992 on a place which was once a resting zone. The complex, constituted by two bodies of houses and a building, had been repaired in two years and hallowed in 1994. The building, where the canteen was, was turned into a winter church dedicated to the Holy Virgin-Janitress festival. The two bodies of houses were the monks’ and the pilgrims’ cells.

The Japca Monastery, situated on the shore of Nistru River at the distance of 10km from Camenca town, is the only monastery from Basarabia which was never closed by the Soviet authorities. This monastery has a rare location due to the beauty of the horizon that gladdens tourists’ eyes. The rocks above the monastery, but especially above the old hermitage, the Nistru windings, which can be seen from far away and the gardens that surround it make up the special beauty of the monastery.

There are also projects of labour - sewing, woodworking, collecting flowerpots, decorating vases, making candles, collecting frames, developing cooking acquirements, creativity and theatrical attitudes – role-playing, playback, mime, theatre, singing, dancing, organising diverse parties, competitions – bowling, rolling ball, football, mini-handball, swimming, aerobics, biking, - integration into society – excursions, walking, visiting museums, theatres, cinema, parks, exhibitions, barbecues.

Condriţa Monastery is an orthodox monastery of monks from Moldova Republic. The monastery is situated in the Condriţa village, which is located on the river Catargul 15 km from the Străşeni train station and 26 km from Chişinău city.

The word "Colinda" derives from the Latin word Calendae (Ianuariae) from where it spread into various forms such as: French - chalendes, Albanian - kolendre, the Eastern Slavs - koleadka. In Slavic mythology – "Koleada " is the agrarian folk deity who has become the common symbol of Christmas carols and New Year. In the work of Charles du Fresne Du Cangea which appeared in sec. XII (1678), is made an ample description of feast of Saturnalia, which takes place in Rome between 17 and 23 December.

Moldova is an agricultural country; it is famous for the quality wine made in different parts of the country. Milestii Mici is a village situated 20 km south of Chisinau city, and is very famous for its wine factory and Moldavian wine collection. The State Enterprise Quality Wines Industrial Complex "Milestii Mici" was founded in 1969 to store, preserve and mature high-quality wines.

In medieval times the Moldovan principality was built as a network of cities, which provided enemy defences. Some of these cities were built before the emergence of an independent Moldovan state; others were built by Moldovan households. One of these fortresses from the territory of Moldova is Bender Fortress. It is an architectural monument of the citadel from the sixteenth century, located on the right bank, in Bender city.

Hincu Monastery is located at a distance of 70 kilometres from the Moldavian capital, Chisinau. Located in the midst of hills and forests, it was built in the year 1678. In fact it happened to be one of the wealthiest monasteries of Moldova.

Today, the museum remains an important cultural and scientific centre of Bessarabia and is quite well known across the world. The museum has a large collection of paleontological, zoological, geological, entomological, numismatic and archaeological ethnographic collections. There is a botanical garden in the museum grounds that was laid out in 1906 and is the first of its kind in Bessarabia.

Tipova Assumption monastery is the biggest and the oldest cave monastery in Moldova. The monastery was founded in the 16-17th century by the monks escaping from the Tatar invasion. The major part of the monastic living quarters really dates to the end of the 17th – beginning of the 18th century, when the Tatar yoke was cast off, and the monks resettled to the top of the mountain.

Wereldkampioenschap Voetbal in Chisinau Wat was ik als sportfan blij toen ik zag dat ze grote schermen voor het Wereldkampioenschap Voetbal aan het plaatsen waren op het plein voor het Theater van Opera en Ballet in Chisinau.

A unique place due to its waterfalls pouring their waters near the ancient heart of this Christian sanctuary, this monastery was founded in 1459. It is situated amid three beautiful narrow valleys of the Nistru River and is surrounded by rocky and steep hills that have an astonishing and picturesque view.

Cricova Winery was founded in 1952. Cricova's natural underground labyrinth with 120 km (74 miles) long roadways is one of the biggest in the world. Half of the roadways are used for wine storage. The roads are named by the wines they store.This city has its warehouses, tasting rooms and other facilities underground.

This weekend a group of volunteer went to see Old Orhei. They went in the rock monastery made by the monks. The guide showed them the archaeological complex Old Orhei which is an open-air museum situated between the villages of Trebujeni and Butuceni, 60 km North East from Chisinau. She explained to our volunteers that the first city established here was called Orhei. The name Orhei means “fortification”.

Soroca is the capital of Moldovan Gypsies: over 50 years ago the richest Gypsy families of Eastern Europe settled down here, and many travel agencies organize tours of the so-called Gypsy Hill in the centre of the city, where luxurious gypsies' palaces stand. Gipsy Hill it is a historic settlement, located 170 km from the capital of the Republic of Moldova, Chisinau. On the one hill in the city, the Gypsies have managed to raise in just a few years,

Curchi monastery is a friary in Moldova, one of the most important monuments of architecture of Bessarabia. The monastery complex is located in one of the very picturesque areas in the Centre of Moldova, in Codrii Orheiului, the village Curchi, Orhei district. The architectural ensemble was founded in the 18th century. The monastery was founded by Jordanian Curchi, a local inhabitant in 1765 A.D. The monastery ensemble consists of two churches and nine ancillary buildings with cells and abbot’s apartments and a small water pool.

The time my sister and I spent in Moldova was definitely one of new experiences, and I learned a great deal about a different culture. While it was challenging at times, I am grateful for the time I spent and the things I learned. During the eight weeks I volunteered in a care placement, I had the opportunity to work at three different orphanages. Originally we were placed at a larger orphanage, working with infants. It was intimidating at first, especially since none of the staff really spoke English.

The ancient monument Orheiul Vechi is situated 40 km to the North of Chisinau. The majority of Dacian hearths of civilization are situated here; rock-hewn monasteries, the church "Saint Maria", built in XIX century, a Dacian fortress, ruins of a destroyed public bath-house, villages Butuceni and Trebujeni - all this forms a beauty bearing the name Orheiul Vechi.

Saharna Monastery – a unique place due to its waterfalls pouring their waters near the ancient heart of this Christian sanctuary, this monastery was founded in 1459. It is situated amid three beautiful narrow valleys of the Nistru River and is surrounded by rocky and steep hills that have an astonishing and picturesque view. While going up and down the rocks near Saharna monastery one gains an impression that there is no possibility for such an overwhelming combination of natural beauties in one place.

One of the most important holidays for people from Chisinau is The Day of the City (Ziua Orasului), which is celebrated on October 14, the Day of Holy Virgin Shelter (Ziua Acoperământului Maicii Domnului). The Day of the City used to be celebrated on the first Saturday in October; however, since 2001, this celebration became fixed, and now it is always celebrated on October 14. This is an official public holiday for Chisinau.

The first day of autumn is known in our country as Knowledge Day, often simply called 1st of September. It is the day when thousands of children across the country return to the classroom after the summer break. On this day begins a new year of study, a new period contributing to the intellectual development of children, to ensure a better future for the next generation. It has special significance for the incoming class of first graders who come to school for the first time and often participate in a celebratory assembly on this date.

Even though I’m not a medical student (yet!) and so could only observe, I’ve been able to get an insight into what it’s like working in a hospital in a country that is in need of so much change. Speaking with the doctors and nurses, with the help of my awesome translator, I could see that even though they were not happy with the way things were, they knew that they had to work hard to make a life for them and their families....

Besides spending time in the hospitals, I had multiple opportunities to explore Moldovan culture and experience the life of the people. From visiting attractions such as Odessa, Ukraine, Cricova, Orheiul Vechi, and more to watching ballets such as Swan Lake and live jazz concerts, my time spent here was amazing! Moldovan culture may be comparable to American culture in ways, but to actually go and visit, live, and be a part of that specific culture really tops the cake. One must understand their own culture first in order to even begin diving into another’s.

July 2nd commemorates 505 years from the death of Voivode Stefan the Great. The Prince of Moldavia for nearly half a century (14 April 1457 - July 2 1504), nephew of Alexandru cel Bun, son of Bogdan II and Mary Oltea (+ November 1465, buried in Probota, Iaşi), was born and spent his childhood, as it seems, in Borzesti. After he beat Peter Aron (who killed his father to take Răuşeni) in Doljeşti, he took the seat of Moldova with the help of Vlad Ţepeş and vowed to strengthen the state.

My name is Kamerie Wise and I am from San Diego, California. I am a senior at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. I’m studying Exercise Science with a focus in Pre-Occupational Therapy, and I’m also pursuing a minor in Psychology. I will be working in the Medical Project in Chisinau, Moldova for one month this summer. I’ve been to 13 countries, but this will be my first time to go to Eastern Europe. I am definitely looking forward to spending some time there and experiencing Moldova!

A tradition that has lasts for almost two decades; in every spring the country is covered with ample activities of cleaning and planting some trees and grass. Beginning in 1995, in line with the President’s Decree, the cleaning and planting period is brought at an end with green space extension activities undertaken under the motto “A Tree for Our Continuation”, that are organized on the first Saturday of April.

Summer, (as people keep telling me during the middle of winter!) is a great time to visit Moldova. There will be more volunteers about and more time can be spent outside! (I’ve also been told there are more opportunities for ‘socializing’ in the evenings!) It’s not bad being here in winter, as it’s not as rainy as the UK, but make sure you bring some sturdy, warm shoes.

I arrived in Moldova in the middle of January to start working on the Care project at Casa Gavroche. There are around 15 children there now,between the ages of three and twelve.I had studied Russian off and on for three years in college,but I didn't learn as much as I would have liked.

Nowadays the International Airport Chisinau is the biggest airport in the Republic of Moldova. It is a member of Airports Council International (European region), the “Airport” Association of CIS Civil Aviation and the ALFA ACI (L’association des Aeroports de Langue Francaise Associes a l’Aeroports Council International).

His monument is located in the very center of Moldova’s capital, with a crown and in rich clothes of a Moldovan king. The monument was inaugurated in 1928. It was made in bronze by Alexandru Plamadiala, a sculptor. The destiny of the Stefan cel Mare monument in Chisinau is mysterious and dramatic, as the destiny of the king itself.

My experience in Moldova was full of surprises in terms of language, culture, and people - just about everything! I am so glad I came to Moldova and I have learned so much. The strongest thing I will take away with me is how incredibly friendly and generous Moldovan people are. I will remember forever the friends I made, and I would love to return to Moldova. I really wish I had been able to stay longer.

"Capriana" Monastery - is a monastery in the Republic of Moldova, situated 40 km north-west of Chisinau, in a hilly land, once called "Codrii Lăpuşnei". It is situated at the margin of a big forest between the villages Straseni and Capriana on the river Isnovat

Our trip to Moldova was one of many surprises, we learnt that not everyone speaks English, just because you’re sat at a table doesn't mean people will serve you and if the heat doesn't get you the trolley-buses will...

I first chose to come to Moldova out of sheer curiosity. I had never heard of this country before, let alone thought to visit it. So, when looking through the Projects Abroad website, I ignorantly clicked through the various options, just looking to find an adventure. I clicked on Moldova, and was surprised to see it was an ex-Soviet country; it was this fact that I found the most interesting. I decided to do a medical placement here because it is the career I hope to go into in the future.

Philatelist are celebrating the anniversary of the first stamp this year.The first postage stamp of Basarabia's post was issued 150 years ago.In present the public enterprise "Posta Moldovei" is making happy the stamp collectors and just those who like to communicate by means of letters and cards by different kinds of stamps.

At the Women and Children’s Hospital, I spent time on the respiratory, gastroenterology, infant neurology and neonatal intensive care wards. I would be on the wards for 8.30am and again, time was spent doing ward rounds and also talking to the children about why they were in hospital. I was given plenty of opportunities to ask questions and give my opinions about patient conditions.

1st of April is acknowledged in USA, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Germany and France. The French call April 1 “Poisson d'Avril” or "April Fish" French children sometimes tape a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying "Poisson d'Avril" when the prank is discovered. Here, in Moldova, this day is named “Ziua umorului”. In this day everyone is trying to make jokes on another. In the center of Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, young people are giving to the passers-by small cards with smiles on them. This gives to everyone a smile on their faces.

I live in a house that is situated in Durlesti, on the outskirts of Chisinau. My room, in Durlesti, is larger than my room back in Britain. I live with my host family: Victor, Sofia, Iulia and Maxim. We also have a dog, Demi, a rabbit and a cat (that just wants food), appears now and again! Tia is a peace corp volunteer living in the house and she has been a great help. The best thing about my house is that we always have running water and electricity!

Moldovan people are sure: you are a true housewife if you’ve learned to bake placinta. Otherwise nobody would call you a good housewife even be you a Solomon and even if you cook all delicacies of the world. But fortunately every cook even the beginner is able to make good placinta. He just has to really want it. Also he has to remember a couple of simple secrets. Each placinta has its secret: the most delicious filling is hidden inside this thoroughly baked dough with a special taste. Maybe it is a slightly melted brynza or fine curds with greens, or a delicious potato with fried onion...

The year of 2007 was a successful year for Projects Abroad Moldova and for me personally. I am very proud of the volunteers who visited us this year and I’m thanking them very much. They were exceptional people. Together with them and the staff from Great Britain we initiated 2 new projects in Moldova: Medicine Project and Sport Project. Also we have helped many lyceums and charity organizations that Projects Abroad hadn’t collaborated with earlier. I will begin my analysis with the Teaching Program, which is the oldest program in Moldova.

Saharna Monastery – a unique place due to its waterfalls pouring their waters near the ancient heart of this Christian sanctuary, this monastery was founded in 1459. It is situated amid three beautiful narrow valleys of the Nistru River and is surrounded with rocky and steep hills that have an astonishing and picturesque view. While going up and down the rocks near Saharna monastery one gains an impression that there is no possibility for such an overwhelming combination of natural beauties in one place.

During the inauguration ceremony, the Moldovan top leadership and the guests from abroad tapped the cask of the Friendship Wine from the 2006 harvest. Official delegations from Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, the Czech Republic, China, Israel etc., as well as tourists from over 70 countries came to the National Wine Festival 2007.