Project Work: Culture and Traditions in Moldova

8th Form
Aims:
Students should be aware of the cultural peculiarities and specific traditions in the
Republic of Moldova.
Students should comment the new video/ information in groups with their
colleagues.
Students should present a speech on the topic “Traditions in my Motherland”.

Activities
Study the information and discuss the main points in groups of four. Present your
comments to your colleagues.
Cultural heritage
One of the things that you’ll quickly notice when you visit Moldova is the richness of
Moldovan culture and traditions. This deep and diverse cultural heritage is represented
not only it the traditional crafts like the famous Moldovan traditional woven carpet and
Ia, the traditional Moldovan embroidered costume, but also in holiday celebrations, music
and festivals.
As you travel across Moldova you will certainly find some places, both in the
Moldovan countryside as well as in urban Chisinau, where you will encounter and have
the opportunity to become immersed in Moldova’s cultural heritage and traditions.
Everywhere you go you’ll find friendly local people excited to tell you stories about
Moldovan history and traditions so that you quickly find yourself feeling welcome like a
true guest.
And remember, Moldova’s authentic culture is not just about tradition and the
past. You will also find a vibrant modern culture and contemporary art scene with street
art and graffiti, design and fashion, as well as an active co-working and tech scene.
Moldova’s culture today embraces the authenticity of its past and present.

The Moldovan traditional woven carpet

Throughout history, the Moldovan traditional woven carpet has acquired a
significance as a symbol of Moldovan handicraft creation that has evolved over the years,
but has preserved the authenticity of traditions.
The period in which the predominant motifs of the Moldavian carpet were outlined
is considered to be that of the 18th century – beginning of the 19th century. It was during
this period that the ornaments characteristic of the Moldavian tradition, the reflected
composition and the patterns used as a whole in weaving were determined. Even if for a
period of time the tradition of weaving was stagnant, there was a period of relaunch
which was possible due to the legacy of knowledge and love for one’s people and history.
Looking at a traditional carpet, you will see labor, value, tradition, secular roots,
whole generations reflected in it. The effort behind the greatness of the Moldovan carpet
is colossal. Usually, a group of at least 4 women worked on a carpet, one person could not
cope with the complexity of the creation process. Weaving a carpet with a 6-7 sq. meter
surface can take even a year or two of continuous work. Today, when the technique of
weaving Moldovan carpets is not as well known as it was in the past, you can always visit
the “Arta Rustica” Cultural Complex to find out as much as possible about this craft, the
history of the carpet, but also to see what carpet weaving actually involves.
The traditional techniques of making carpets in Romania and the Republic of
Moldova have been inscribed in the UNESCO cultural heritage. Thus, it was decided to
register the traditional techniques of making scoarta (rug) In Romania and the Republic
of Moldova on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
under a joint file for the Republic of Moldova and Romania.

“Ia” Traditional Blouse and Traditional Costume

One of the distinctive elements of the Moldovan people is the traditional costume –
the result of work and creation for over hundreds and thousands of years, bringing
together various representative forms of culture, rituals, holidays and national folklore.
At one time, the role of traditional dress was to indicate the position of each person
in society and the hierarchical organization mode. One of the elements that has remained
among the most known but also appreciated at the moment is the “Ia” traditional blouse.
The “Ia” is a blouse made of white cotton, linen or gossamer, hemp, wool. It is decorated
with embroidery in traditional motifs with a special emphasis on the neck, chest and
sleeves. The traditional execution techniques are: weaving, sewing, embroidery. It is also
important that Ia was not worn every day, but only on holidays, the catrința traditional
skirt was worn with the opening aside, while the usual ones they had the opening in front.
On June 24, the day of Folkloric Wear is marked in Moldova. This day has the role
of emphasizing the rebirth of traditional culture and promoting values in order to ensure
the continuity of Moldovan traditions.
If you are wondering where specimens of the traditional Moldovan wear could be
seen, well, the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History has over 2330
objects of traditional wear. Also, at the Cultural Complex “Rustic Art” you will find
plenty of new information about the traditional dress, thanks to the permanent exhibit
that can be found in the hall dedicated to the folk costume.
 Memorial Easter
The Easter of the Blessed or Memorial Easter (Pastele Blajinilor) is one of the oldest
popular holidays that is strictly observed in Moldova. Every year, Memorial Easter is
celebrated depending on Easter day (one week after) and marks the reunion of the living
with the dead by commemorating the moments spent together.
The significance of the holiday is in passing the happiness that people feel due to the
Resurrection of Christ on to those who have passed away.
Usually, on this holiday, Moldovans meet at the church or cemetery where several
traditions take place – one of them is to take care of the graves of the dead and light
candles. The housewives have the task of preparing all the gifts on the graves of the
deceased – a traditional towel on which they place kulich, Easter cake, Easter painted
eggs and a bottle of wine. The priest comes to the graves and sanctifies the gifts brought to
the cemetery by relatives of those who died. Finally, these gifts are usually given to needy
people or children.
Some superstitions that are taken into account during this holiday are also specific
to usual Sundays in Moldova – when it is a bad sign to sew, clean, wash clothes.
The traditions and customs of Easter vary depending on everyone’s visions of this
holiday, but one thing remains certain – this is the day when Moldovans commemorate
those who passed away.