CERES Country Profile - Moldova

7/30/2019 CERES Country Profile - Moldova

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Country in a Box:

Republic of MoldovaRepublica Moldova

A Teachers Guide

Compiled by the Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European StudiesEdmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown Universityhttp://ceres.georgetown.edu

Chisinau, Gates of the City
http://www.ceres.georgetown.edu/http://www.ceres.georgetown.edu/


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Moldova in a Box: Table of Contents

Facts at a Glance 3-6

History of Moldova 7-9

Timeline of Major Events in the History of Moldova 10-11

Culture of Moldova 12-14

Folklore: The Fortress of Poinarii 15

Additional Resources 16

Stephan the Great monument in Chisinau


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Moldova: Facts at a Glance_______Text and map taken directly from Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook: Moldova.Available at: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/md.html

Country Name:Moldova

Capital:Chisinau

Background: Part of Romania during the interwar period,

Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of

World War II. Although the country has been independent from

the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on

Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River supporting the

separatist region of Transnistria, composed of a Slavic majority

population (mostly Ukrainians and Russians), but with asizeable ethnic Moldovan minority. One of the poorest nations

in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to

elect a communist, Vladimir VORONIN, as its president in

2001. VORONIN served as Moldova's president until he

resigned in September 2009, following the opposition's gain of

a narrow majority in July parliamentary elections and the

Communist Party's (PCRM) subsequent inability to attract the

three-fifths of parliamentary votes required to elect a president

and, by doing so, put into place a permanent government. Four

Moldovan opposition parties formed a new coalition, theAlliance for European Integration (AEI), iterations of which have acted as Moldova's governing

coalitions since. Moldova experienced significant political uncertainty between 2009 and early

2012, holding three general elections and numerous presidential ballots in parliament, all of

which failed to secure a president. Following November 2010 parliamentary elections, a

reconstituted AEI-coalition consisting of three of the four original AEI parties formed a

government, and in March 2012 was finally able to elect an independent as president. As of late

May 2013, the ruling coalition - comprised of two of the original AEI parties and a splinter group

from a third - is called the Pro-European Coalition. In November 2013, the Moldovan

Government initialed an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU), advancing the

coalition's policy priority of EU integration.

Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania

Area: Total: 33,851 sq kmCountry comparison to the world:

140Land: 32,891 sq kmWater: 960 sq km
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Three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a

Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a redbeak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beakand a green olive branch in its right talons and ayellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is ashield divided horizontally red over blue with astylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all inblack-outlined yellow; based on the color schemeof the flag of Romania -with which Moldovashares a history and culture - but Moldova's blueband is lighter; the reverse of the flag does notdisplay any coat of arms.

Area - Comparative: Slightly larger than Maryland

Terrain: Rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea.

Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 mHighest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

Natural Resources: Lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone

Environment - Current Issues: Heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned

pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from

poor farming methods

Population: 3,583,288 (July 2014 est.) Country comparison to the world: 132

Urbanization: Urban population: 47.7% of total population (2011)

Life Expectancy at Birth: Total population: 70.12 yearsCountry comparison to the world:152Male: 66.25 yearsFemale: 74.24 years (2014 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Moldovan 75.8%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.9%, Gagauz 4.4%, Romanian

2.2%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1%, unspecified 0.4% note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in

the Transnistrian region

Religions: Orthodox 93.3%, Baptist 1%, other

Christian 1.2%, other 0.9%, atheist 0.4%, none

1%, unspecified 2.2% (2004 est.)

Education Expenditures:8.4% of GDP(2012); Country comparison to the world:10

Government Type: Republic

Independence: 27 August 1991 (from the

Soviet Union)

Legal System: Civil law system with Germanic

law influences; Constitutional Court review of

legislative acts
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Moldovan Leu

Executive Branch: Chief of state: President Nicolae Timofti (since 23 March 2012); Head of

government: Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici (since 18 February 2015)

Legislative Branch: Unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; members elected on an

at-large basis by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional

judicature)

Political Parties and Leaders: Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM[Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [Marian LUPU]; Liberal Democratic Party orPLDM [Vladimir FILAT]; Liberal Party or PL [Mihai GHIMPU]; Liberal Reformers Party orPLR [Ion HADARCA]; Pro-European Coalition (coalition of the PD, PLDM, and PLR)

National Anthem: Name: "Himnusz" (Hymn); Lyrics/music: Ferenc Kolcsey/Ferenc Erkel;Note:adopted 1844; the anthem is also known as "Isten, aldd meg a magyart" (God, Bless the

Hungarians)

Economy - Overview: Despite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in

Europe. With a moderate climate and good farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its

agriculture sector, featuring fruits,

vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova also

depends on annual remittances of about $1.6

billion from the roughly one million

Moldovans working in Europe, Russia, and

other former Soviet Bloc countries. With few

natural energy resources, Moldova importsalmost all of its energy supplies from Russia

and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on

Russian energy is underscored by a growing

$5 billion debt to Russian natural gas

supplier Gazprom, largely the result of

unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the

separatist Transnistria region. In August

2013, work began on a new pipeline between Moldova and Romania that may eventually break

Russia's monopoly on Moldova's gas supplies. The government's goal of EU integration has

resulted in some market-oriented progress. Moldova experienced better than expected economicgrowth in 2013 due to increased agriculture production, to economic policies adopted by the

Moldovan government since 2009, and to the receipt of EU trade preferences. Moldova is poised

to sign an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with

the EU during fall 2014, connecting Moldovan products to the worlds largest market. Still,

growth has been hampered by high prices for Russian natural gas, a Russian import ban on

Moldovan wine, increased foreign scrutiny of Moldovan agricultural products, and by Moldovas

large external debt. Over the longer term, Moldova's economy remains vulnerable to political


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uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, corruption, higher fuel

prices, Russian pressure, and the illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region.

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $13.25 billion (2013); Country comparison to the world:149

GDP - Real Growth Rate: 8.9% (2013 est.); Country comparison to the world:8

GDP - Per Capita (PPP): $3,800 (2013 est.); Country comparison to the world: 172

GDP - Composition by Sector: Agriculture: 13.8%; Industry: 19.9%; Services: 66.2% (2013est.)

Labor Force: 1.206 million (2013); Country comparison to the world: 139

Agriculture - Products: Vegetables, fruits, grapes, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco;

beef, milk; wine

Industries: Sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment,

refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles

Current Account Balance: -$507.7 million (2013 est.) Country comparison to the world:101

Exports - Commodities: Foodstuffs, textiles, machinery

Exports - Partners: Russia 26.3%, Romania 17.2%, Italy 7.7%, Ukraine 5.9%, Turkey 5.3%,

Germany 4.7%, GB 4.4% (2012 est.)

Imports - Partners: Russia 14.3%, Romania 13.1%, Ukraine 12%, China 8.7%, Germany

7.2%, Turkey 6.9%, Italy 6.3% (2012 est.)

Debt - External: $6.218 billion (30 September 2013 est.) Country comparison to the world: 113

Exchange Rates: Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 12.592 (2013)

Military Service Age and Obligation:18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military

service; male registration required at age 16; 1-year service obligation (2012)

Military expenditures:0.3% of GDP (2012); Country comparison to the world:128
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History of Moldova_______Edited text taken fromhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388005/Moldova/214466/History?anchor=ref476826

Old Moldavia, Turkish and Russian Rule

TheGenoese,founding fortified commercialoutposts on the Dniester in the 14th century,paved the way for contact with Westernculture, but Bessarabias development

depended on the rise of the principalities ofMoldavia andWalachia.The southern area,which originally fell into the Walachiansphere, probably took its name from theBasarab dynasty. The whole province

became part of Moldavia in the 15th centurybut was soon exposed to the Turkishexpansion; the key points of Cetatea Alband Chilia were captured in 1484. Thesouthern part of Bessarabia was againdetached and organized by the Turks into twosanjaks (districts) of theOttoman Empire.Beginning with Peter I (the Great),Russiadrove toward the Danube delta. The Russiansoccupied Moldavia five times between 1711and 1812 and finally secured Turkeys

cession of Bessarabiaapproximately half ofhistoric Moldaviain theTreaty ofBucharest (1812).

In 1829, in theTreaty of Adrianople,Russiapushed the frontier south to include the Danubedelta. After theCrimean War,theTreaty of Paris in 1856 restored southern Bessarabia (at thattime divided into three districts: Izmail, Kagul [or Cahul], and Bolgrad) to Moldavia; but in1878, despite Romanias having fought on the Russian side against Turkey, the Treaty ofBerlinassigned these three districts once more to Russia, giving the Dobruja to Romania ascompensation. The Russian administration had at first been liberal. Autonomy had been grantedin 1818 and had remained in force until 1828. Nevertheless, many Moldavian peasants, fearing

the introduction of serfdom, fled across thePrut.The founding of the kingdom of Romania(1881) formed a centre of attraction for Moldavian nationalism, but no lively movementdeveloped in Bessarabia until after theRussian Revolution of 1905.The movements strengthwas drawn from schoolteachers and parish priests. Bessarabia achieved some prosperity underRussian rule.Chiinuwas a relatively flourishing town, though its large Jewish populationsuffered severely in a pogrom in 1903.
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World War I and the Russian Revolution

During World War I theCentral Powers temptedRomania to side with them by offering to restore

Bessarabia. The scales were tipped in favor of the Allies,however, by counteroffers of Transylvania and Bukovina,so that by 1916 Romania was fighting as Russias ally.

The revolutionary and nationalist ferment in the RussianEmpire spread quickly to Bessarabia, which proclaimedsupport for the moderate Socialist RevolutionaryAleksandr Kerensky in March 1917. In April the NationalMoldavian Committee demanded autonomy,land reform,and the use of the Romanian language; similar rightswere claimed for the Moldavians, about 400,000 innumber, settled east of the Dniester. In November 1917 a

council known as the Sfatul rii (Sfat) proclaimedBessarabia an autonomous constituent republic of theFederation of Russian Republics. On February 6, 1918the Sfat proclaimed Bessarabia an independentMoldavian republic, renouncing all ties with Russia.Recognizing the economic impossibility of isolation andalarmed by the pretensions of the German-sponsoredUkrainian government, the Sfat voted for conditionalunion with Romania in April 1918. TheSoviet Unionnever recognized Romanias right to the province, and in1924 it established the tiny Moldavian AutonomousSoviet Socialist Republic on Ukrainian territory acrossthe Dniester.

Inter-War, World War II and Moldovan SSR

The uncertainty caused by the continued pretensions ofthe Soviet Union hindered development; Romania hadlittle need of Bessarabias fruit, grain, and wine; roadswere inadequate; the railway system was geared to that ofRussia; and the closing of the Dniester and the loss of thenatural outlet, Odessa, had a disastrous effect. Theprovince was put under a centralized regime, at timesmilitary in character; in 1938 King Carol II attempted tobreak up its historical unity by dividing it among newlycreated regions.

After the German-Soviet pact of August 1939, the SovietUnion revived claims to Bessarabia, and the collapse ofthe western European front to the Germans in 1940
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precipitated action. In late June a Soviet ultimatum toRomania demanded the cession of Bessarabia and ofnorthern Bukovina. The Romanian government wasforced to submit, and Soviet troops marched in (June 28).On July 11 the districts of central Bessarabia were joined

to the autonomous Moldavian republic across theDniester to form, in August, a Moldavian SovietSocialist Republic, withChiinuas its capital. In July1941 Romania, having entered the war as Germanys allyagainst the Soviet Union, reoccupiedBessarabia.

Following the Soviet occupation of Bessarabia in 1944,the province was reintegrated into the Soviet Union asthe Moldavian S.S.R. Thereafter, policies formulated inMoscow became the norms for political and economicdevelopment until the Soviet system began to weaken in

the late 1980s.

Independent Moldova

Collapse of the Communist Party in the Soviet Unionmade possible the revival of civil society and open publicdebate in Moldavia, and a number of newpoliticalparties were formed. The independent Republic ofMoldova was proclaimed on Aug. 27, 1991. TheGagauzin the south and theRussians east of theDniesterresponded by declaring independent republics of theirown. The Moldovan majority found itself divided overthe question of union withRomania,and the Moldovan-dominated government found it impossible militarily tosubdue Russian separatists.

In March 1994, Moldovans voted overwhelmingly tomaintain independence, and in April the parliamentapproved limited membership in theCommonwealth ofIndependent States.A new constitution, ratified by theparliament on July 28, 1994, granted substantialautonomy toTransdniestria and Gagauzia, though theformer remained problematic because of the ongoingRussian military presence there. Relations betweenMoldova and Transdniestria remained strained over thelatters attempt to secure independence, a goal the

majority of voters there supported again in a referendumin 2006.
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Timeline of Major Events in the History of Moldova_______Text taken directly from BBC News. Timeline: Moldova. Available at:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1113586.stm

14-15th centuries - Moldova stretches between Carpathian Mountains and Dniester River.

16th - 19th centuries- Moldovan territory disputed between the Ottoman Empire and Russia

1812 - Treaty of Bucharest grants Russia control of eastern Moldova or Bessarabia. The OttomanEmpire gains control of western Moldova.

1878 - Ottomans recognize independence of Romanian state including western Moldova.

1918-20- Bessarabia declares independence. Its parliament calls for union with Romania.Treaty of Paris recognises union of Bessarabia with Romania. The Bolsheviks do not.

1941-1945 - Following Nazi attack on USSR a Romanian puppet regime is installed inMoldavian SSR but driven out before the end of the war when the Soviet Union regains control.

1989- The Latin script is adopted to replace the Cyrillic script (Russian).

1990- Moldova declares its sovereignty. The Gagauz people in the southwest declare theirindependence, followed by the Trans-Dniester region.

1991- Moldova declares its independence. It joins the Commonwealth of Independent States, thesuccessor to the Soviet Union.

1992- Moldova becomes a member of the United Nations. An upsurge in fighting in the Trans-Dniester region leads to a state of emergency being re-imposed. Hundreds die in the fighting.Russian peacekeepers are deployed after a ceasefire agreement.

1994- A new constitution proclaims Moldova's neutrality, grants special autonomy status toTrans-Dniester and the Gagauz region, and declares Moldovan to be the official language.

1999- OSCE summit in Istanbul sets end of 2002 as deadline for withdrawal of Russian troopsand ammunition from Trans-Dniester, despite opposition of authorities there.

2001 - Trans-Dniester authorities halt withdrawal of Russian arms which had been proceeding inaccordance with international agreements.

2002 - Trans-Dniester authorities agree to allow resumption of Russian withdrawal in exchangefor a Russian promise to cut gas debts.

2004- Russia says it will complete withdrawal of its forces from Trans-Dniester only when asolution to the conflict is reached.


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2005- Communist Party tops poll in parliamentary elections. Vladimir Voronin begins secondterm as president..2006- Trans-Dniester leadership reacts angrily to newregulations requiring goods entering Ukraine from Dniester to

have Moldovan customs stamp. Moldova says the rules, backedby the EU, US and OSCE, aim to stop smuggling. Moldovaprotests against a Russian decision to suspend imports ofMoldovan wine on health grounds, saying the move ispolitically motivated..2006- Trans-Dniester referendum VOTE overwhelminglybacks independence from Moldova and a plan eventually tobecome part of Russia.

2008- Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev resigns, saying the country

needs a government with more public appeal. PresidentVoronin nominates deputy prime minister Zinaida Greceanii,another Communist, as Moldova's first woman premier.

2009- New parliamentary polls. Communists lose theirmajority.

2009- Four pro-western parties form coalition government. Liberal Democratic Party leaderVlad Filat becomes prime minister. Mr Voronin resigns as president, and is succeeded by Liberalparty leader Mihai Ghimpu on an acting basis.2010- Marian Lupu, a former rising star on the liberal wing of the Communist Party whoswitched to the Democratic Party in 2009, takes over as acting president.

2011- Anti-corruption campaigner Yevgeny Shevchuk defeats pro-Russian candidates in Trans-Dniester's presidential election. Pledges to establish "friendly relations" with Moldova whilecontinuing to press for the independence of the separatist region. The Moldovan parliament againfails to elect a president.

2012- Nicolae Timofti elected president.

Moldova, proud of its wines, is

looking to overseas markets

2002: Moldova uncorks its

secret weapon2006: Russian wine move

draws protests

Russia ends trade ban on

Moldova
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Mamaliga

A Moldovan stamp showing invartitas filledwith cheese

Culture of MoldovaCuisinehttp://tur.md/eng/section/39/

Moldova is rich in fertile soil and in hardworking

and caring people. Nature is very generous inMoldova, offering plentiful grapes, fruits,vegetables, meat and milk products and cereals, allof which have found their uses in our national food.Moldovan cuisine has had a great influence on thetraditional food of the other nationalities that liveon this territory. At the same time some elementshave been incorporated from Turkish, Ukrainian,Bulgarian, Gagauzian and Russian cuisine.

The ingredients used in the traditional meals are: a

variety of vegetables like tomatoes, green peppers,eggplants, white cabbage, beans, onions, garlic, etc. The vegetables are used for salads andsauces; they are baked, pickled, salted, and canned thus becoming a real food art. The maize andmaize flour give a specific color to the traditional meals, like soups, biscuits, flakes, alcohol freedrinks, etc. The most common is mamaliga a maize porridge or polenta with a fine anddelicious taste. "Mamaliga" is served together with diced meat, cheese, fried meat, cream, etc.

Meat cooked for the first and the second course has a special place in the Moldovan food. Themost common are chicken soup, goulash, roast meat, grilled minced meat rolls, etc. A lot of meatcourses are grilled over charcoal. But before the grilling procedure the meat is properly picked.There is not a holiday without cabbage rolls, meat jelly, noodles, etc. The traditional table is not

complete without biscuits, pies, cake dipped in syrup and fruit. In different parts of Moldovathere are local cuisines. In the East the Ukrainians prefer borsch, in the south the Bulgarians canoffer a delicious chicken saucemangea, and the Gagauzians may serve you sorpaa spicy ramsoup, and the Russians will offer you their traditional pelmenia kind of roll stuffed with meat.The Moldovan cuisine is served with a variety of traditional drinks: stewed fruits, juices, as wellas alcoholic drinks like: wine, brandy, "tuica"plum brandy, etc.

Wine growing in Moldova is a century-oldtradition. The famous Moldovan wines are wellknown and appreciated at home and far beyond thecountry borders. The wines can be dry, sweet and

strong; they have a varied bouquet of flavors andcolors. For wine producing European vines areused such as: Sauvignon, Cabernet, Muscat, etc., aswell as Moldovan varieties: Feteasca, Black Rara,Moldova, etc. Strong drinks such as plum brandy,are produced using traditional methods. Winetastings are offered in most Moldovan cellars.


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National Museum of Fine Arts, Chisinau

Soccer team Sporting, 1925, Chisinau

Text for the following sections are taken fromhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/388005/Moldova

The Arts

Notable Moldovan artists include painters MihailPetrik, Valentin Coreachin, and Vitaly Tiseev andsculptors Iury Kanashin and Vladimir Moraru.Moldova was known in the Soviet era for thequality of its musical instruction, with manyRussian composers and conductors serving on the

faculty of Chiinus Academy of Music. One of the academys graduates is the internationallyknown composer Arkady Luxemburg.

Moldovan literature experienced the vicissitudes of Soviet literature generally during the late

1940s and early 1950s. Building socialism and creating the new Soviet citizen were the dominantthemes, and socialist goals prevailed over aesthetic considerations. Characteristic of these trendswere the early prose and poetry of Emilian Bucov and Andrei Lupan, who followed theprinciples ofSocialist Realism;later they and younger writers diversified their techniques andsubject matter. Perhaps the most outstanding modern writer is the dramatist and novelist Ion

Drua. His novelBalade de cmpie(1963; Ballads of the Steppes), an investigation of thepsychology of the village, marked a significant turning point in the evolution of Moldovanfiction, and his play Casa Mare(1962; The Parlour) turned away from the concept ofcollectivity to probe the individual conscience. The work of contemporary essayist and novelistVitalie Ciobanu is well known in Moldova.

Cultural Institutions

Most of the countrys theatres, museums, music halls, and libraries are in Chiinu. The mostsignificant museums are theNational Museum of Fine Arts of Moldova and the National HistoryMuseum of Moldova. During the period of Soviet rule, the state gave particular attention to theexpansion of cultural opportunities. Numerous amateur theatres and musical and art groups weresupported. The state also attempted to preserve the rich heritage of Moldovan folk art and musicthrough such ensembles as the Doina choir and Zhok popular ballet and through local and

national museums. Economic changes andurbanization, however, underminedtraditional society and curtailed artisticcreativity. Moreover, the economicdeprivations and hardships sinceindependence have left the averageMoldovan little time for cultural interests,and the national budget deficits have leftfew governmental resources with which tosubsidize cultural activities.
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Sports and recreation

Moldovans are avidfootball (soccer) fans. Games are played throughout the country byorganized local teams that compete each year for the national Moldovan Cup. Wrestling hasbecome significant, made popular by Moldovan world champion Lukman Jabrailov. Judo,

archery, and athletics (track and field)are also popular. Other favourite sports are rugby, tennis,martial arts,cycling, boxing, volleyball, and canoeing. Chess is a common pastime. In past yearsethnic Moldovans have competed on the Olympic teams of both the Soviet Union and Romania.At the 1992 Games in Barcelona, the country participated as part of the Unified Team. Moldovacompeted for the first time as an independent country at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Nor.Because Moldova lacks both mountains and seashore, many recreational opportunities arelimited.

Media and publishing

The 1994 Moldovan constitution protectsfreedom of expression in the press; nevertheless,

Moldovan media have received widespread criticism for being overly influenced by thegovernment, and there have been occasional incidents of politically motivated prosecution of

journalists. There has been concern that Chiinu-based publications that question Moldovasindependence or promote Transdniestrias separatist policies will be subject to censorship.

The initial outpouring of publications at the time of independence has been considerably reducedin the years since, largely as a result of economic pressures. Most publications that started as

dailies have cut back production schedules. Notable existing dailies, all published in Chiinu,are the government organMoldova Suveren(Sovereign Moldova),Nezavisimaya Moldova(Independent Moldova), and theChristian Democratic Peoples Party(Partidul Popular Cretin

i Democrat; PPCD) organ ara(Homeland). The nationalnews agency,known by its

acronym Moldpres, is the countrys official news service. All broadcasting activities have beenconsolidated under the State Radio and Television Company of Moldova, which was founded in1994.
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Folklore: The Fortress of Poinarii_______From: http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/rft/rft12.htm

It was not alone in Sparta that Lacedemonians were to be found--not Rome alone, which

could pride herself on her heroic-hearted matrons!In 1476, Etienne le Grand was reigning Princeof Moldavia, and the Turks were waging heavy war against that Principality. The Sultan,Mehmet, wished to reconquer the provinces of Kilia and Ackerman, and he carried devastationand terror throughout the country. Etienne rushed forward to encounter him. Etienne theglorious! Etienne the vanquisher sounded his war trumpet, and from all surrounding parts hisvaliant warriors joined him.

The meeting took place at Valea Alba--the white valley--on July 26th, 1476. TheMoldavians performed prodigies of valor, they struggled like lions, and at one time were almostvictorious, but Mehmet, furious and with flaming eyes, flung himself into their midst, andoverpowered and crushed them with his superior force. Etienne, thrown from his horse,wounded, and in despair, escaped with the remnant of his army, and withdrew to the mountains.

Night, somber and sad, was on them; a cold fierce wind froze their very blood. At length,Etienne harassed and suffering, arrived before his castle, and ordered his trumpet to be sounded.

In this old fortress, built on the side of a mountain, the mother of the Prince was keepingwatch as a sentinel of honor. Voichitza, the young wife of the Prince, was also there, sweet as awhite carnation, sighing for her glorious and much-loved lord. The clock had just struckmidnight, when Voichitza heard the fanfare of the trumpet, and the knocking at the gate. Boththe Princesses rise quickly, and goon the voice of him whom they love cries from the darkness:"It is I, thy son, dear mother, I, thy son! I am wounded in battle, the struggle has been too strongfor us, and my little army is devastated.

Voichitza rushes to the window, but her mother-in-law holds her back, and bidding herremain where she is, descends the stairs, orders the Castle gates to be opened, and appears before

her son, tall, majestic, severe--the absolute personification of dignity and grandeur. "Whatdo yousay, Stranger?My Etienneis far away. His army is sowing death and annihilation.Iam hismother, he is myson! Ifyouare reallyEtienne,Iam notyourmother! If heaven does not wish tomake my last days sorrowful, and if you are really Etienne, you will not enter here, vanquished,against my will. Fly to the battle field! Die for your country! Your tomb shall be flower strewn!"And closing the door, she re-mounted the stairs; and, calm and serene, consoled and wiped awaythe tears of the young Princess Voichitza.

Etienne, repulsed by her whom he loved so much, --Etienne, whom the God of battlesseemed to have abandoned. Then, sounding a furious fanfare, he rode away, with the remnant ofhis followers, into obscurity. He caused fires to be lighted on the hills, and at this sign of call toarms, soldiers seemed to spring forth in every direction.

Etienne has once more an army, and they turned in pursuit of the enemy, resigned eitherto die, or become victorious. The soldiers of Mehmet had devastated and sacked the whole ofMoldavia, and were preparing to return into their own country. Etienne and his men came upwith them near to the banks of the Danube, surprised them, and cut them in pieces. The remnantof the Turkish troops fled across the river in the greatest confusion, leaving their plunder behindthem.


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Select Bibliography of Sources on Moldavia

Brezianu, Andrei and Vlad Spanu. Historical dictionary of Moldova. Lanham Md.: ScarecrowPress, 2007.

Dima, Nicholas. From Moldavia to Moldova: The Soviet-Romanian territorial dispute. Boulder:East Euopean monograph; New York: Distributed by Columbia University press, 1991.

Dyer, Donald L. Studies in Moldovan: The history, culture, language and contemporary politicsof the people of Moldova. Boulder: East European Monographs; New York: ColumbiaUniversity Press, 1996.

Dyer, Donald L. The Romanian dialect of Moldova: A study in language and politics. Lewiston:Edwin Mellen Press, c1999.

East, W. G. The union of Moldavia and Wallachia, 1859; an episode in diplomatic history. New

York: Octagon Books, 1973.

Hamilton, Daniel and Gerhard Mangott. The new Eastern Europe; Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova.Washington, DC: Center for Transatlantic Relations, American Consortium on EU Studies, PaulH. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins university; Vienna: AustrianInstitute for International Affairs: Austrian Marshall Fund Foundation, c2007.

King, Charles. The Moldovans: Romania, Russia, and the politics of culture. Stanford, Calif:Hoover Institution Press, c2000.

Lewis, Ann (ed.). The EU & Moldova: On a faultline of Europe. London: Federal Trust for

Education and Research, c2004.

Spinei Victor (translated by Loloana Teodoreanu and Ioana Sturza). Moldavia in the 11th14thcenturies. Bucharest: Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste Romana, 1986.

Documents

CERES Country Profile - Moldova