Public holidays in Moldova

Public holidays in the Republic of Moldova refer to the celebrated non-working days established by the Government of Moldova and valid for the whole territory of the country. Autonomous territorial units Gagauzia and Transnistria, as well cities, communes and cantonal authorities also establish local holidays, which are, however, not non-working days. There are 14 nationally celebrated holidays in the modern Moldova. Most holidays celebrated in the Republic of Moldova recognize events or people from Moldovan history. Most retail businesses close on New Year's and Independence Day, but remain open on all other holidays. Private businesses often observe only the big holidays such as the New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Victory Day, Independence Day, Labour Day, Romanian Language Day and Christmas.

Mărțișor, an informal spring holiday celebrated in Moldova and Romania

The holiday season in the winter traditionally ran between New Year's Day until Old new Year's Day. As of 2009, the holiday season now officially begins with Western Christmas on 25 December, now a legal holiday in the Republic of Moldova. The holiday seasons gets underway much earlier with the official lighting of the capital city Chișinău's Christmas tree at the end of November or very beginning of December, when other than Christmas, some locals celebrate Winter solstice, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. The Summer holiday season traditionally (though unofficially) starts in May with celebrations of anniversary of most important localities (Bălți, 22 May) and culminates in the end of August with the celebrations of the Independence Day and the National Language Day.

National holidays

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These holidays are designated by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, in accordance with the legislation of the country.IT

Date Official name Remarks
1 January New Year's Day Celebrates beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight (12:00 AM) on the preceding night, New Year's Eve. Traditional beginning of holiday season.
7-8 January Orthodox Christmas
8 March International Women's Day
April/May Orthodox Easter
April/May Easter of Blajini
1 May Labour Day
9 May Victory Day It commemorates Victory in Europe Day.[1]
1 June Children's Day It commemorates the Children's Day.
27 August Independence Day It commemorates the founding of the Declaration of Independence of Moldova.
31 August National Language Day It commemorates the national language of Moldova, the Romanian language.
25 December Christmas Day

Other observances

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International Children's Day celebrations in Chișinău, 2012
 
A concert in honor of the National Wine Day in 2006

In addition to the holidays, mentioned above, the following days are observed:

Date Official name Notes
15 February Afghan War Veterans Day It commemorates the end of the Soviet–Afghan War.[2]
27 April Flag Day It commemorates the adoption of the Moldovan flag.[3]
10 June Border Guards Day It commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Border Police.
23 June Sovereignty Day It commemorates the founding of the Declaration of Sovereignty of Moldova.
29 July Constitution Day It commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of Moldova.
24 August Liberation Day It celebrates the end of the Second Jassy–Kishinev offensive. It is also celebrated in neighboring Romania as the Liberation from Fascist Occupation Day.
3 September National Army Day It commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Armed Forces.
8 October National Wine Day It commemorates the production of Moldovan wine.
18 December Police Day It commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Police Forces

Local holidays

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In addition to the national holidays, cities, communes and cantonal authorities observe the following holidays:

Date Official name Remarks
22 May Bălți Day Public holiday just for Bălți
28 June Gagauzia Liberation Day[4] Public holiday just for Gagauzia.
14 October Capital's Day Public holiday just for Chișinău.
21 November Cahul Day Public holiday just for Cahul.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "9 mai - Ziua Comemorării Eroilor Căzuţi pentru Independenţa Patriei".
  2. ^ "Moldova Marks Afghan War Veterans Day for First Time".
  3. ^ Parliamentary Decision regarding the establishment of the Flag Day
  4. ^ "COMRAT: "Ziua eliberării de sub ocupaţia fasciştilor români".
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