8 Festivals In Moldova Not To Miss

When we travel, we like to make sure our trips are larger than life and bigger than our grand plans. And there’s no better way to do so than living it up at a festival. That’s why we have listed some of the best festivals in Moldova to help you chart out your travel plans.

GUSTAR

Old Orhei, August (on last weekend of August)

This ethno music festival gathers citizen of Moldova and foreign tourists to a multicultural dialogue. People call it “Gustar”, archaic word that symbolizes the month when most of the fruits including grapes are ripe and tasty. You’ll have the chance to spend a weekend in nature, taste delicious traditional meals and enjoy amazing ethno music.

VELO HORA

Chisinau, September 22 (Car-free day)

It’s goal is to unite people on bicycles, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and changing  drivers’ attitude towards cyclists. The participants have a 20km ride through the streets of Chisinau.  In addition to the ride, there are family-friendly games and activities to enjoy, including an open air concert in the square. The festival draws its name from the hora, a traditional Moldovan circle dance, symbolizing unity.

VICTORY DAY

Chisinau, May 9

Victory day marks the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the WWII. On this day, TV networks broadcast World War II-inspired films, veterans, that wear their medals are honored by younger generations. On this day there is a tradition to give flowers, usually red carnations, to veterans in the street and to lay wreaths at the war memorial sites. The festivities culminate in a military parade at Victory Memorial.

WINE DAY

Chisinau, October (usually on 1st or 2nd week-end of October)

You will have the opportunity to try different types of wine and liquor, enjoy traditional food, meet people, engage in a traditional hora, and have a whole Moldovan cultural experience. Don’t forget to spoil yourself and  buy a bottle of Moldovan “corked history”.

BITEI

Chisinau, May

Biennial festival BITEI is the only International Festival of Scenic Arts in Moldova. The program of the festival includes the following sections: Theater, Music, Dance and Street performances. Within these sections, there are played dramatic theater performances, modern dance performances, puppet theater, music and folklore. There are held debates, meetings at the event with people interested in theater, personalities, and guests invited to the festival.

CRONOGRAF

Chisinau, mid-May

The International Documentary Film Festival CRONOGRAF is the only film festival in Moldova. It includes an international section of Documentary Film and three sections dedicated to local producers: video advertising, music video, local TV productions. The festival aims to get the public closer to documentary film and filmmakers. The friendly and informal athmosphere during the festival breaks the formal barriers and offers a space for communication, free expression and sincere emotions.

NUFARUL ALB

Cahul, July (in odd years)

During the festival the town transforms into a place of meetings for folklore singers and dancers, handicraft makers from different countries. This is a folk festival where groups showing restores or stylized folklore participate. What is very obvious at this festival is the diversity of cultures and music traditions kept for centuries by different nations.

MARTISOR

Chisinau, March 1-10

Martisor is one the biggest musical celebrations in Moldova.

During these ten days, even in the air you can feel the music vibrations, as the best concert halls from Chisinau  and other cities host over 40 concerts. Martisor is a music festival with most varied genres in folklore and symphony music, theater and chamber companies, even modern music. It gathers artists from many countries. This is the reason why even the most distinguished tastes will be satisfied.