August 27, 2014
I just wanted to say that I changed the amount that I am raising to $16,245 because I was informed that the cost of the insurance needs to be included in the totally price. Also, that I am now at $3, 475, almost the amount I need for the deadline! Thank you everyone.
Moldova!
I got this information from Cultures of the World: Moldova by Patricia Sheehan.
-The Flag of Moldova looks almost exactly like the Romanian flag, with the same colors and the same insignia. This shows how close the two cultures and nations are alike. The only differences being that instead of a sword, the eagle is holding an olive branch as a token of peace.
-Moldova is a newly independent state situated between Romania and Ukraine in southeastern Europe. It is about two times the size of Hawaii.
-Moldova’s national animal is actually extinct! Aurochs were a large type of wild cattle, and became extinct around the 1600’s. Moldova still does not have national flower.
-The most important figure to the formation of the medieval Moldavian state was Stephen the Great (1457-1504), who defended Moldova’s sovereignty in battles with the Turks, Hungarians, Polish royal troops, and the Crimean Khans. Fortresses from his time still stand. During his rule, Stephen organized a great, strong force of peasants to resist the Turkish sultan. His efforts were successful until 1503, when he finally signed a treaty with the sultan that managed to preserve Moldova’s independence. During his lifetime he was a supporter of the arts and a religious crusader, and his architects built Orthodox churches throughout the country.
-Moldova was once a province of Romania, and then it came under Soviet rule in 1940. It remained one of the smallest Soviet republics until the collapse of communism in 1991. During this time, Stalin decided that Moldovans and Romanians were now separate ethnic groups, even though the former had relatives across the Prut River in Romania. He insisted that the language they spoke was not Romanian but Moldavian, and imposed Cyrillic alphabet used by Russians to replace the Latin alphabet used by Romanians. Russian became the official language. After the independence, tensions between ethnic groups worsened to civil war. Battles are still going on to this day, with constant military at country and ethnic borders.
-Many Moldovans wish for the reunification of Moldova and Romania, since they are so closely related.
-In April 1999, 1.6 million trees and bushes were planted. Areas afflicted by landslides were primarily targets. The operation, called “Green Day” action, has been in operation for the past five years.
-Moldova is home to beautiful and historic architecture. One such building is the Cioflea Church in the city of Chisinau. It has majestic, sky-blue towers, and the icons inside the church are each decorated with a different frame.
-One of the chief ways of traveling in the cities is by trolley run on electric cables. Approximately 80% of all passengers ride for free.
-Men in Moldova are the only ones that shake hands. Women merely nod to one another.
-In the rural areas, any stranger who enters the village on the day of a marriage is invited to join in the festivities and is welcomed as a part of the family. Local musicians play lively music, and tables are set up in a central communal area for the feast. Giving money rather than presents is a traditional custom at such weddings, and a plate is passed around to collect money for the couple.
-The Academy of Music in Chisinau is one of Eastern Europe’s oldest and most distinguished conservatories. Graduates play in the finest symphonies and chamber orchestras in Europe and the United States. A 10-person music ensemble from the academy toured five Florida cities during the winter of 1994, playing in concerts of classical and Moldavian folk music.
-The government has embarked on several programs to improve the quality of education in Moldova. One of them is called Project GLOBE. It is a student exchange program that involves participating schools in Moldova and Florida. English language classes are provided for Moldovans who plan to attend colleges and universities in Florida. The government hopes that when the students return to Moldova, they can apply their knowledge to the various sectors of the economy.
-Moldovans do not have to pay for primary medical assistance by a family doctor, emergency aid before admission to a hospital, or medical care for an acute condition. Although medical benefits for the people of Moldova are good, modern medical equipment and hospital facilities are in short supply.
-Folk traditions, including ceramics and weaving, continue to be practiced in rural areas. Handmade wool rugs, glass, intricate woodcarvings, earth-colored and black-colored pottery pieces, native dress, tablecloths, wooden boxes, and dolls are some examples of the traditional crafts still produced today in Moldova.
-Chisinau also has a wonderful circus run by the government. Performances are held in a giant circular-domed building. The circus has 158 staff. Performing animals, acrobats, and clowns entertain the crowd. Traveling circuses, such as those from China and Russia, are also hosted here.
-Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Moldova, with Tennis coming in second. Palaces of Culture are popular sports recreation centers for children. Many sports and activities are available to meet different interests, such as soccer, tennis, swimming, judo, karate, and—for the more intellectual—chess.
-Unlike Americans, Moldovans do not hold large scale, public New Year’s Eve parties to usher in the new era. The most common celebration is having friends and family sit down together for a special meal and champagne. After the meal everyone gathers around the television to watch the countdown to midnight. On New Year’s Day children go door-to-door with songs and poems. It is customary to give them small amounts of money or candy.
-Soup and bread are usually served at every meal of the day.
That is it for random information on Moldova. Next time I’ll write about the more serious aspects of Moldova and what I’m praying about this week! If any of you want to add anything else, feel free!!!
God Bless!
~Tori
