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The time in Moldova
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These are photographs of my city and district of Riscani, Moldova, from 2015-2017.
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Or visit...
Sau vizitați...
A few soccer (fotbal) and basketball games in Riscani, in Sports
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Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR A SLIDESHOW
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR A SLIDESHOW
August, 2015 -- August, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Here are 123 of my "favorite" photos as a Peace Corps volunteer in northern Moldova.
August 27, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Independence Day #26 for the Republic of Moldova began in Rîșcani with a wreath-laying ceremony at a war memorial, followed by a small parade to downtown, where dancing and music and food and fun commenced! I used everything for this presentation; SLR, GoPro, iPhone and a drone. Videos are here.
(Nu vă vedeți fața aici? Verificați fotografiile "Oameni" din DropBox.) (Don't see your face here? Check the "People" photos in DropBox)
(Nu vă vedeți fața aici? Verificați fotografiile "Oameni" din DropBox.) (Don't see your face here? Check the "People" photos in DropBox)
June 16, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - The hospitals and clinics in my district held their annual recognition ceremony today, with plenty of dancing by area students. Great performances!
June 11, 2017 - Duruitoarea Veche, Moldova - It has been years in the making, but worth the wait as seen at the grand opening of the cultural museum in the village of Duruitoarea Veche, Moldova. This community, in the shadow of cliffs and above the Prut River, has great views looking up and down, and now inside a beautiful museum.
June 11, 2017 - Dumeni, Moldova - In the 1970s, when construction of a dam on the nearby Prut River flooded the village of Șarbaca, Moldova, residents moved away, many to the nearby villages of Dumeni and Duruitoarea Noua. Many of these evacuees and their descendent have formed a historical group to keep memories of the village alive. They have erected a monument at a nearby crossroads, and it was there that the group held its annual summer picnic. They brought tables and benches on a cart pulled by a horse, reminisced over historical photographs and had a beautiful picnic in the sparse woods on the side of the road.
June 1, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Today is International Children's Day, and though I don't remember it being celebrated in the U.S. much, it is a national holiday here. Since school ended yesterday, this is a good time for families to enjoy a relaxed time together. My city holds a children's dance performance in the morning, and outdoor games all afternoon.
May 30 & 31, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - The schools here end the year in style, with assemblies outside, with diplomas, speeches, songs and dance. I visited the Russian public school for two ceremonies; one for the youngest children and one for rest. Beautiful traditions with beautiful people.
May 20, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Even when promoting their armed forces, Moldovans do it with beauty and flare. The Moldovan army visits each district each year, and they came to Rîșcani with a marching band, a hand-combat demonstration team and static equipment displays. Then, they held a track meet for the students. One year of military service is mandatory here for males unless they attend college or have a waiver.
May 17, 2017 - Balanul Noi, Moldova - The Riscani school department held a special day for children in the village of Balanul Noi, with fun, games, music and exercises. The 471 diverse residents of the village share five different religions and several ethnic groups, so the children benefit from activities such as this one that helps them build their community. For more photographs of the village of Balanul Noi, click here.
May 9, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Victory Day is one of the most popular holidays in Russia, commemorating the time when German troops gave up the fight in Europe in World War II. My city holds a beautiful ceremony in the war memorial park, with the usual speeches, music and dance, and WW II veteran Alexandru Gavriliuc in a seat of honor. Many people display the orange-and-black St. George's Ribbon, a tribute to soldiers that is growing in popularity here and throughout Russia and the former Soviet states. Random, (posed,) photos of people are at the end.
May 7, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Dance and music students here work hard all school year for the May performance. This year's event at the public performing arts center celebrated the 415th birthday of the city. I am always amazed at the tremendous skill and dedication these children have, and the crazy enthusiasm they put into every show.
May 6, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - In the mid-1800s, Gheorghe Râșcanu-Derojinski of Chișinau spent his summers in an area northwest of Balți that would become a city and district named after him. His family built homes here and a hospital and contributed a great deal to the area. Today, residents gathered to honor him with a bronze bust on a monument. The crowd enjoy singing, dancing, speeches and presentations, and Father Tudor blessed the new monument and everybody.
April 16, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Easter is very special to Russian Orthodox followers, and in Moldova I have found a beautiful tradition very early Easter Sunday. Throughout the country, thousands of people quietly walk to their churches and enjoy a blessing of food. These early-risers meet other people who had been attending an all-night service.
April, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - SPRING! - After a long winter, Moldovans are usually ready for spring. They say it arrives March 1, but seriously, it is not really warm yet (gripe...). Anyway, I love to photograph people enjoying the sunshine, so here are several candid shots of candid people, followed by a blessing ceremony for construction of a new monument honoring our city's founder.
April 7, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - The president of Moldova visited our city today, as some people say he is warming up for his 2018 campaign. (The last president to visit the district was Mihai Ghimpu in 2010.) Dodon spoke to the district council this afternoon and then to about 600 people at the city's performing arts center.
December 31, 2016 & January 1, 2017 - Rîșcani, Moldova - New Years Eve and Trick or Treat? -- We're about halfway through the holiday season here, with the "New" Christmas and New Year celebrations behind us, and what fun they were! Last night, people danced in the streets, shot off fireworks and watched as Santa Claus (Father Christmas, or; "Mos Craciun") gave candy to the kids. Also last night, and this morning, children walked around the neighborhood, knocked on doors, sang traditional Moldovan holiday songs, threw rice on my floor (whaaa?) and received treats. I gave everyone small American (okay, okay, U.S.A.) flags. What fun!
December 25, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - More dancing in the streets with beautiful outfits! This, to celebrate the "new" Christmas, which is on the Gregorian calendar and which has mostly been recognized in countries west of here. Many people here will celebrate their traditional Christmas about 12 days later, in early January. It is a little confusing, with two celebrations of Christmas and two celebrations of a New Year, but it is a LOT MORE FUN!
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December 19, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - In my city in Eastern Europe, they have an interesting way of erecting a massive "Christmas tree" in the public square; they build it. They have a tall, steel frame stored somewhere all year, and they piece it together using a large lift-bucket attached to a tractor. Then, they drape it with large boughs trimmed from healthy trees in and around, I guess, the parks, woods and streets throughout the city. And then, come ornaments and lights.
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Simple, right? They don't destroy a perfectly good tree — In fact, they help dozens of trees by pruning them. The boughs last for several weeks, until they take the whole thing down, and then I'm sure, families use the dried boughs for heating fuel (yes, not great environmentally, but they do what they do, here, and it is what it is.
And Monday night, just before the winter solstice, they lit up the huge thing, and we sang and danced all around it! |
December 19, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Some people actually feel a little sorry for Peace Corps volunteers, spending the holidays so far away from home. But I was fortunate this year to enjoy several hours with the children, staff and volunteers of the Phoenix Centre for children with disabilities in Rîșcani, and those beautiful children reminded me, every minute, of the incredible gift I have been given.
December 11, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Moldovans are working hard to help their communities, and today, they held an exciting and fun event to raise money for charities here. Inside the lobby of the city's auditorium and library, children met Santa Claus, and everyone ate and drank holiday treats, bought used and new clothing, crafts and gifts, and joined in raffles for beautiful gift baskets filled with goodies.
HRAM RÎȘCANI !
September 21, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - So, cities and villages here really go all-out to celebrate their birthday. Well, their "Hram," which translates to "church," and it is usually held on a Saints day (Saint Marie in my city,) and it all starts with a church service, so somehow it makes sense. Here in Rîșcani, we had bicycle races for the kids, then a motorcycle and classic car show, and then a big concert with fireworks. Long, beautiful day.
September 17, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Once upon a time, a brilliant Moldovan woman moved to England. She married a Brit, found a way to feed her passion to help children with disabilities, and then she built a castle for them. Right here, in Moldova, where handicaps are meant to be hidden, where wheelchair travel is a team effort, and where, one year ago, children from my district were finally able to emerge from their homes and go to a real school, sprouting wings like a Phoenix, and learn to become a part of our community. This weekend, we celebrated -- it was actually a fundraiser attended by notables and generous people from around the country, but, really, it was a beautiful celebration.
September 1, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - A lot of beautiful faces in this album, all shined up and ready for another school year. Moldovans celebrate their first day of school, which is always September 1, by dressing up (younger children in uniform,) wearing the Moldovan red, yellow & blue, bringing flowers for their teachers, and attending a "First Bell" ceremony outside. A priest blesses the campus, diplomas are handed out for last year (too many for one ceremony,) speeches are made, and a chosen student rings the ceremonial bell. A very cool way to start the school year.
Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
August 27, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Most cities and villages in the Republic of Moldova celebrated the country's independence and 25th birthday today, with huge parties, and Rîșcani was an exciting place to be! I loved the singing and dancing, and food and drink, and the wonderful Moldovan people -- what's not to love? *** DON'T SEE photos I took for you? NU VEZI fotografii: am luat pentru tine? CLICK AICI. ***
July 31, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Arm-wrestling competition in front of the council building on Strada Stefan cel Mare.
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June 21, 2016 - Șaptebani, Moldova - District Council V.P. Galina Zamurdac invited me to attend opening ceremonies for the district's summer camp in Șaptebani. I walked through the turnstile and into a beautiful, enchanting place. Galina said the camp was built in the 1980s, which meant that the Soviet wherewithal built 14 beautiful A-frame cabins that each hold up to 18 campers and two counselors. Campers enjoy six weeks of soccer, tennis, swimming, arts, crafts, music and fun each summer.
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Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
May 31, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Another incredible event here in Moldova! Today was the last day of school, known here as "Last Bell," and as usual, they put on a really good show. Photos below, and a video below that.
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May 29, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - I have seen some incredible dance performances here, but this one was over the top. In a traditional end-of-school-year blowout, dancers of all ages performed more than a dozen beautiful dances, with incredible costumes, lighting and music. The dance club, "Alisedora" celebrated 20 years that night, and they have been 20 very productive years!
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May 20, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - An effective, but troubling strategy of the Soviets (as I understand it) was to blend populations when they took over a country. So, when they put Moldova in the Union, they moved several thousand soviets into the new republic, and moved similar numbers of Moldovans to other Union countries. Interesting plan, but a diabolical one, since the deported people usually had no choice. Memorials are in place around Moldova, and a new one was unveiled in Rîșcani May 20. The ceremony was solemn and inspiring.
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May 15, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - The folks in Rîșcani honored families today, during a banquet organized by the local family association. The highlight, for me, of course, was the dancing. I swear, it gets better every time.
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May 9, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Moldovans honored their veterans today, with ceremonies similar to those in the U.S., only more popular – understandable, since the World Wars were fought here. At least 300 people attended the services in Rișcani, which included dances by children in military costumes, and two WWII veterans (I understand) as honored guests.
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May 1, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - Easter in Orthodox Europe was celebrated on May 1 this year, and it begins with an all-night church service. At about 4 a.m., the congregation gathers outside with baskets of food, candles and offerings to the church. I arrived at the Church of the Assumption of our Lady of the City of Rișcani shortly after 5 a.m., as everyone was lined up on the entry road, and the priest, Teodor Bazatin, was blessing them. It was beautiful and mystical and fun, just like so many scenes I have witnessed here in Moldova.
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March 28, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - The Clubul Femeilor de Rișcani (Women and Girls Club of my city) held a spring dance fundraiser Sunday. It was Easter in the U.S., but we won't celebrate that here until May 1. Several students performed amazing dances, and then about a dozen girls modelled beautiful white gowns, in a competition, I believe.
Rișcani oamenii, Click aici pentru fotografii, ,,in spatele scenei."
March 3, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - The children here in Moldova love to dance, and it is a beautiful sight! Here in Rișcani, we have a school for the performing arts, and the students held their spring festival performance today. They danced, sang, and played a few games, and since International Woman's Day is only five days away, the children celebrated their mothers. Beautiful, exciting and sweet -- what a day.
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Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
January 14, 2016 - Rîșcani, Moldova - This was a beautiful day – cold as heck, but joyous, whimsical and enchanting. Celebrating the "Old" New Year that starts on what we now call January 14, (or 14 ianuarie in Romanian), children paraded down the main avenue here, and then danced around the massive Christmas tree. The costumes were incredible, pulled from wardrobes, closets, traditions and youthful imaginations, they lit up the overcast, winter day like fireworks. And then the children competed in food-eating contests, but not the gluttonous spectacle that Americans indulge in. No, they vied to see who could eat a single orange, apple or banana the fastest. The mayor handed out gifts (books) to the children, and then they launched paper balloons. The air was freezing, but filled with music, beautiful smiling faces, love and friendship, and the joyous spirit of a new year.
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December 3, 2015 - Rîșcani, Moldova - The Phoenix Centre in Riscani held an extraordinary open house today. The day-facility for children with special needs showed their special talents, as they sang, played music and recited verse for their families and a group of area school children. The visiting children were a part of a dance troupe, and they performed as well..
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November 14, 2015 - Rîșcani, Moldova - I was very impressed with the beautiful 75th birthday celebration our district held this weekend. Dancing, singing and some seriously adorable bumblebees! Remember, the "Full-Screen" button works once the video is playing. Photos are below this video.
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Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
November 12, 2015 - Rîșcani, Moldova - My walk to work each day includes a wonderful trek through the campus of the city hospital, and I have taken many photos of it, mostly with the fall foliage. I hope to study this beautiful area in photographs much more in the next two years.
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Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
November 7, 2015 - Rîșcani, Moldova - I love spending time with children of the Phoenix Centre, an NGO that teaches life-skills and more to children with disabilities. This Saturday, the staff held an Autumn Festival, and the meeting room was filled with wheelchairs, music and laughter. This is yet another reason why I say; "I meet the most wonderful people in Moldova."
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Hover mouse over image for controls.
Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
October 15 & November 2, 2015 - Whiteville, North Carolina - The News Reporter publishes a photo page, an article and a column on Moldova. The article describes the unique and comprehensive relationship that Tarheels have had with Moldova for nearly two decades.
September 19, 2015 - Fall Festival, Rîșcani, Moldova - My raion (a county, and pronounced "rayon") here in Moldova celebrated fall and the harvest season this week with an expo, and, of course, singing and dancing. Vendors set up food, craft and clothing booths that would rival anything in the U.S. Then, they closed the street and danced in it. Great fun.
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Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
August 27, 2015 - Moldova Independence Day, Rîșcani, Moldova - As a country only 24 years old, they still have a lot to celebrate, and in every city and village in Moldova, you can see the beautiful red, yellow and blue colors showing proudly. In my home city of Riscani, they held an incredible, two-hour celebration today, that started with a march of dignitaries to the war monument for a presentation of flowers and wreaths, and it continued, back at the Raion (county) offices, with music and dance. The school band played, and there were speeches, and adult choral groups and solo singers, and lots of children dancing in beautiful costumes
Use of images is free for Peace Corps volunteers, staff and partners. Right-click on any image to Save.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
Utilizarea imaginilor este gratuit pentru voluntari Corpul Paci, personalul și partenerii. Faceți clic dreapta pe orice imagine pentru a salva.
FROM THE HEART OF A FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL
July 7, 2015 - Zgurița, Moldova
Last evening, I had one of those wonderful moments, one that pulls at your heart and scratches your head at the same time. I was staying at a temporary host's home in the village of Zgurita, population 2,500, in Northern Moldova. We had just eaten dinner and it was time for evening chores. I had made another attempt at milking the family cow with my host mom, and I decided to walk out back to the family garden, where Dad, Grandpa and the 13-year-old daughter were watering the vegetables. Well, to get there, you have to cross a phalanx of guard dogs. They don’t have many pets around here, and all animals serve a purpose. Dogs are used for protection, so they are bred and trained to be angry and mean, and these two German Shepherds were well bred and trained. As soon as they saw me, they would lunge to the end of their chains and bark ferociously. I don’t know how well they take care of those chains, but if one broke, I can’t imagine myself surviving the attack. These guys are big and scary, and when they lunge at me, I instinctively recoil in fear. I remember when I was a child aged five or six, I was terrified of dogs, especially big ones, and you could not have dragged me near one of these guys. So when I saw the family’s youngest daughter, five-year-old Elena looking like she wanted to walk past the dogs to join her family in the garden, I did the classic heroic, Peace-Corps-ish, gentlemanly thing |
I walked back to Elena, and she reached up to me. I took her tiny hand and we walked toward the dogs. They snarled and lunged and barked at us, and all I could see was teeth. Either one of them outweighs Elena and both of them together likely eat more than her weight in a good week. I considered picking the little girl up and holding her above the fray, but she didn’t seem too scared, so we kept walking.
Well, I thought, quite a bonding moment, here, or as the Peace Corps says, “engagement” with the community. I was already writing the narrative in my head for a charming and touching little story to season dinner party conversations for years to come. We walked quietly for about 10 yards past both dogs, her little fingers wrapped around mine, and we approached the garden as I enjoyed a touch of pride from my good deed. Then, Elena let go of my hand and I watched for her to go running to her father, excited that she had braved the wild animals to be with her family. But that's not what she had in mind. I turned around and saw the little heroine casually walking back to the house. Her deed done, she strolled past the still very angry dogs, inches from their jowls and miles past my own courage. |
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