Although Women’s Day is an international holiday, it isn’t celebrated much in the United States. In the former Soviet states, however, it is a huge holiday. Here in Moldova, there is no school and most businesses are closed. There are celebrations the day before at schools and other places of work, and on March 8th, everyone celebrates.
On Wednesday, our 7th grade students prepared a small celebration and concert for the teachers. They recited poems about mothers and women, sang, and spoke about the importance of women. After, one of the few male teachers at our school presented the rest of us with flowers and kind words. We followed that with a small masa (meal)- just tea, bread, some vegetables, and vegan sausages since it’s currently post (a fasting period- in this case lent).
On Thursday, our village had a large concert at the casa de cultura (cultural house/community center). It was held in the afternoon with song, poems, dance, and even some surprises for a few women in our community. A number of students from my school performed various songs. The students who learn at our village’s school and music school performed both traditional songs and dances. Generally, only the older students (grades 8-9) get to perform, but on Thursday the youngest group (mostly in grades 1-3) and medium group (mostly grades 4-7 but with a couple of 3rd graders as well) also performed. The older group, which performs often across Moldova and even in other countries, performed a new dance that was really beautiful.
A number of women in the village were given certificates and gifts for being great mothers and raising kids that the community is particularly proud of, as well as a younger mother with 6 kids. The first woman to receive a certificate was also surprised by the community. After she received her certificate, a man from a gift store presented her with a cake and a card from her son, who lives abroad in France and she hadn’t seen in quite some time. Then, after the card was read, the emcee announced there was another surprise, and first that son and then all of her kids and grandchildren entered. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the entire auditorium. Another older woman received a similar surprise, with kids living abroad surprising her.
After the local groups performed, there was a short intercession, and then a well-known Moldovan orchestra took the stage. A number of well-known singers also joined them, including one that is from my village.
In all, it was a beautiful celebration full of good music, and special moments.
The Oke Den 