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 New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Victory Day, Independence Day, Labour Day, Language Day, and Christmas.
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 December 25, now a legal holiday in the Republic of Moldova. The holiday seasons gets underway much earlier with the official lighting of the Chisinau town 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 (Bălţi - 21 May) and culminates in the end of August with the celebrations of Independence Day and Limba Noastra.
National holidays
These holidays are designated by the Government of the republic of Moldova, in accordance with the legislation of the republic of Moldova.
Date | Official Name | Remarks |
---|---|---|
January 1 | 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. |
January 7 | Orthodox Christmas | |
March 2 | Remembrance Day | Commemorates the end of the Transnistria War |
March 8 | International Women's Day | |
April/May | Orthodox Easter | |
May 1 | Labour Day | |
May 9 | Victory Day and Commemoration of the Fallen Heroes for the Independence of the Fatherland | [1] |
June 1 | Children's Day | |
August 27 | Independence Day | |
August 31 | National Language Day | It commemorates the Moldovan language and the name of the national anthem. |
December 25 | Christmas Day | |
Other observances
In addition to the holidays, mentioned above, the following days are observed:
Date | Official Name | Notes |
---|---|---|
February 15 | Afghan War Veterans Day | It commermorates the end of the Soviet-Afghan War[2] |
April 27 | Flag Day | It commemorates the adoption of the Moldovan tricolour[3] |
June 10 | Border Guards Day | It commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Border Police |
July 29 | Constitution Day | |
August 24 | Liberation Day | It celebrates the end of the Jassy–Kishinev Offensive. It is also celebrated in neighboring Romania as Liberation from Fascist Occupation Day |
September 3 | National Army Day | It commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Armed Forces |
October 8 | National Wine Day | It commemorates the production of Moldovan Wine. |
December 18 | Police Day | It commemorates the founding of the Moldovan Police Forces |
Local holidays
In addition to the national holidays, cities, communes and cantonal authorities observe the following holidays:
Date | Official Name | Remarks |
---|---|---|
May 22 | Bălţi Day | Public Holiday just for Bălţi |
June 28 | Liberation Day of Gagauzia[4] | Public Holiday just for Gagauzia |
October 14 | Capital's Day | Public Holiday just for Chisinau. |
November 21 | South Capital's Day Cahul | Public Holiday just for Cahul. |
See also
- Christmas controversy