August 27^th 2022 marks the 31^st Independence Day celebration for the country of Moldova!

It’s a great opportunity for our Nobel team to discover new things about this beautiful country and learn more about our Moldovan colleagues’ culture.

Did you know that?

• Ziua Independenței (Independence Day) is Moldova’s National Day and marks the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union on August 27^th 1991.
• Moldova’s Independence Day is celebrated with fireworks, concerts and parades.
• Moldova is a small land-locked East European country with a history stretching back for millenia. Ancient tools dating back 1.2 million years have been found in some of Moldova’s key archeological sites. The flint relics were added to the national hoard of Paleolithic and Neolithic artefacts that includes jewellery, weapons and cooking utensils.
• The blue-yellow-red tricolor of Moldova’s flag is inspired by the flag of Romania, reflecting the two countries’ national and cultural affinity.
• The Moldovan flag features a dark golden eagle holding an Orthodox Christian cross in its beak. The eagle on the coat of arms is also holding an olive branch, symbolizing peace.
• An aurochs’ head (“zimbru”) is represented on the flag as well in remembrance of this extinct bovine species (aurochs) that used to live on Moldovan land.
• Moldova’s most important historical site, Orheiul Vechi, is a crumbling open-air monastic complex that dates back more than 2,000 years. The rambling ruins feature ancient fortifications, baths and monasteries.
• The capital city of Chișinău suffered a deadly earthquake in October 1940 which measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and destroyed much of the city. In the month of June of the same year the city had been invaded by the Red Army and, as if that wasn’t enough, the following year the Luftwaffe arrived and blew what was left of the city to smithereens. Moldova’s capital rebuilt itself through the years.
• Moldovans speak either Romanian, which is the official language, Russian or Gagauz (găgăuză). Some speak all three. However, Moldova’s second language, Gagauz, spoken in the Autonomous Region of Gagauz (Găgăuzia) is in peril of dying out, being classified as critically endangered by UNESCO.   
• Moldova is home to an impressive array of birds, with approximately 300 different species calling it home.
• The Mileștii Mici wine cellar in Moldova is the world’s largest with nearly two million bottles of wine stored in its vaults.
• Dendrarium Park in Chișinău offers beautiful sights, with a collection of more than 1,000 types of trees and rare species of wood, beautiful flowers, especially roses, situated in a splendid area between several pools and little rivers. 
• Traditional Moldovan dishes include plăcinte (sweet and savory pie pastries with various fillings such as local cheese, cabbage, potatoes, apples, sour cherries and others), mămăligă (polenta made of cornmeal and usually paired with butter, sour cream, cheese, or any number of other sides), sarmale (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice), and a chicken soup called zeamă.
• Moldova has a rich folklore that is expressed through intricately woven traditional costumes, folk music and dances.
• In the field of pop music, Moldova has produced a few internationally acclaimed bands, like O-Zone, Zdob și Zdub and Carla’s Dreams.
• Trîntă (a form of wrestling) is the national sport in Moldova. Football along with rugby and cycling are also popular sports among Moldovans.
• The Moldovan Nicolae Birliba is a world champion weightlifter, nine times over.
• Moldova had several international masters in chess, including Viorel Iordăchescu, Dmitry Svetushkin, and Viorel Bologan.