However, if you wish to experience the native culture of Moldova, there is plenty of possibility.  Rich in tradition and famous for its various handicrafts, such as carpet weaving, carving and fretwork, lace and ceramics, this country will leave its impression on you.  The earliest traces of these go back to antiquity.  For instance, less then a hundred years ago (Doesn’t sound that long ago, does it?) the tradition was for the bride to prepare her own dowry by weaving carpets and making various embroideries.

Moldova has its own out of the ordinary customs, which are often expressed through music, dance, oral poetry, prose, mythology, or rites.  When it comes to weddings, such tradition as stealing the bride, or undressing the bride might sound quite unusual for a foreigner, but if you get the opportunity to attend a traditional Moldovan wedding, it will be one in a lifetime experience.

Most of the customs are very closely related to popular holidays, such as Christmas, Passover, New Year, Wine Day, City or Village Day.  Since Orthodox Christianity is the main religion in Moldova, many traditions have a religious connotation. For instance, one practice is to decorate the house with willow, or walnut tree branches on the previous to Passover Sunday, marking Jesus Christ’s entrance in Jerusalem.  Or, there is the tradition of putting 41 wheat grains under the pillow on St. Andrew’s Eve believing that, if you dream of somebody coming and taking it, then you will get married… Do you want to try it?