Independence Day, Limba Noastra, and the first day of school

This past Wednesday, August 27, was Moldovan Independence Day, celebrating their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Nothing happened. I didn't really expect parades, or fireworks, but there was nothing. Just a regular day. I only heard one reference to the "holiday" from a neighbor. I have to say that I was a little disappointed. Since Moldova has only been independent for 17 years, maybe this is the reason that there isn't more going on. Do you think that Americans celebrated our independence the way we do now, back in 1793? I did hear from some people in the village that there are celebrations in Chisinau, but there was nothing going on here.

Yesterday was Limba Noastra "Our Language" day. This date, August 31, celebrates the day in 1989, when students and others protested against the Soviet Union for recognition that Moldovans learn Romanian as their language, and asserted their belief that language identifies them separately from the Soviet Union, which unified the Republics through the commonality of Russian language expectations. There are still many people in Moldova who only speak Russian, and almost everyone who speaks Romanian also speaks Russian but this seems to be the celebration of greater pride. It is in this village, at least. Last evening there was a concert at the Casa de Cultura with speeches, recited poems, and singing.

Today is the first day of school. No labor day holiday to postpone the beginning of school for an extra day. This morning there was a celebration at the school - speeches welcoming students to the new year along with lots of flowers for the teachers. Then everyone left, or just milled around the school yard taking pictures and talking, around 10. So, it's the first day, but like almost everywhere, students and teachers are easing into the new year. The learning will start tomorrow. Its nice to have a sense of routine again.

The only other thing that I did this past week worth noting was to visit with Renell in Stefan Voda on Saturday, along with two other volunteers who also came into town to do some banking. As always, it was nice to get out of the village for a little bit. Renell is done with her service in mid-October. I'm going to miss our visits.

There is noticeable progress on the building and the pace does seem to have increased. There are now doors on the building, so construction is moving along. I have said it before, but I will be glad when it is done. It rained on Friday and Saturday, and the standing water that was remaining from the flooding last month appears to have gotten deeper with the additional rain. There are no reports of any additional flooding, so that is good news. The weather here is cool and sunny today. It feels a little like a Maine day, cool in the morning, and warm and sunny by the afternoon. Have a great Labor Day! Miss you all. Jami