A lot of stories you read about Moldova will tell you this former Soviet republic (population 3.5 million) is “the poorest country in Europe.” If we’re talking per capita GDP — sure, maybe. And maybe that’s helpful, if you’re an economist writing a report. But for the curious reader who is more interested in people, places and history, Moldova has much more to offer. Here is what I found:
1.
Style. People leave the house looking their best, even if they’re just picking up something at the corner store.
Discovering Constanzia Yurashko in Moldova – Photos by Viktoria Viprada https://t.co/4QENpJmpn1 via @A Shaded View on Fashion
— Constanzia Yurashko (@CYurashko) December 20, 2019
2.
Bright colors. Think teal-blue doors and fences, vibrant green headscarves and housedresses in every shade of hot pink (kind of like the palette of this Moldova-born painter I just discovered).
Figures in the Field , 1962
— ana (@ana19323559) July 29, 2019
Grégoire Michonze (1902–1982) (Romanian: Grogórij Mišónznik ; Michonze was a Romanian Jew (his mother’s family were rabbis), Jewish-French painter, born in 1902 in Kishinev (Bessarabia), Russian Empire (now Republic of Moldova) pic.twitter.com/RmavLjlJAb
3.
The wine is very, very good. But don’t take my word for it — listen to the queen of England.
Purcari Winery Hotel is located in a picturesque rural area, 108 km from Chisinau. All rooms at the Purcari Winery are decorated in a chalet style and include a minibar. The property has 2 restaurants, which offer home-cooked meals and European cuisine. pic.twitter.com/kBvNf3nnUn
— BacchusTours (@bacchus_tours) December 20, 2019
4.
Almost everyone is bilingual. Thanks to Moldova’s complicated history, Russian and Romanian are spoken interchangeably. How interesting it must be to grow up seeing the world in two languages (and using two separate alphabets!).
Moldova is an even more extreme example of a bilingual society!
— Ladan Jiracek (@ladanwisdom) July 21, 2019
5.
Patriotism and historical memory run deep — and so do political rifts (see Transnistria and Gagauzia). More on this later.
Currently in the Autonomous Republic of Gagauzia! pic.twitter.com/GAziLhLAjw
— Endless Roads Travel (@RoadsEndless) October 8, 2019
6.
Between trains, buses and marshrutkas (minibuses), public transportation will get you pretty much anywhere you need to go in Moldova. Even in the snow.
Iasi, Romania to Chisinau, Moldova by marshrutka (minibus) #marshrutka #travel http://t.co/Fp4FeyOlf9 pic.twitter.com/jNSZ2iEl61
— Pivoslavija (@Pivoslavija) October 31, 2013
7.
Moldovans take celebrations seriously. Weddings can last days and holidays stretch on for weeks.
Celebrate like Moldovan! 🙂 Old New Year is finalising the raw of winter holdays celebrations in Moldova. Tomorrow people, companies finally are expected to really start working 🙂 And… https://t.co/49VJMtypMD
— Liuba Ceban (@liuba_c) January 13, 2019
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