Martisor - Moldova's tradition old of more than 8,000 years
Chisinau, 1 March /MOLDPRES/ - The first day of spring, 1 March, when people wear Martisors (1 March trinkets) at the chest, is a tradition old of more than 8,000 years. They say that, starting from this day, the cold and snow start disappearing, everything revives to life and there are everywhere a lot of joyful and coloured Martisors, meant to bring luck.
The origins of the Martisor holiday are not known exactly; yet, the holiday is regarded to have been appeared in the times of the Roman Empire, when the New Year was marked on the first day of spring, in March. This was not only the god of war, but also of the fertility and vegetation. This duality is seen in the Martisor’s colours – white meaning peace and red – war. The New Year was marked on 1 March till the beginning of the 18th century.
On 6 December 2017, the Martisor was included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Humanity of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The project on nomination was launched in March 2014 by Moldova’s Culture Ministry, in partnership with the Culture Ministries from Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Macedonia.
Facebook
Instagram
X/Twitter
Telegram
Maria Bieșu International Opera and Ballet Festival opens in Chișinău
Opera “Lucia di Lammermoor” raises curtain on 34th edition of Maria Biesu International Opera and Ballet Festival in Moldova
Moldova withdraws from Commonwealth of Independent States agreement on exchange of publications between libraries
PHOTO // Well-known Romanian actor, three memorable roles to be screened at Romanian Film Days
Bookfest Chisinau opens its 2026 edition; readers invited to celebrate books for five days
PHOTO GALLERY // Start for Bookfest Chisinau; 30 publishing houses and dozens of cultural events
PHOTO // Rare publications dedicated to Grigore Vieru donated to Parliament Library by poet’s son
VIDEO // EU Ambassador recites poem written by her daughter in Romanian
Romanian Language Day celebrated in Chișinău through Great National Dictation and cultural events
BTA: Javor Gardev’s Production of Euripides’ “The Bacchae” Returns to Athens with Performance at Lycabettus Theatre
PHOTO GALLERY // “Serenades in Butuceni”: Story of concert told through pictures
BTA: Javor Gardev’s Production of Euripides’ “The Bacchae” Staged at Ancient Theatre in Dion
PHOTO GALLERY // Thousands celebrate Independence of the Republic of Moldova in Great National Assembly Square
Ministry of Culture launches call for offers to translate national book abroad
PHOTO GALLERY // Chisinau City Day: capital celebrating, captured through lens of MOLDPRES
Moldovan PM meets Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister: water discharge into Dniester River to increase by about 20 per cent
VIDEO // Moldexpo Exhibition Center aims to become Moldova Expo Park, regional hub for business, leisure, accommodation
VIDEO // Schools, hospitals, roads of Chisinau modernized with government's support
PHOTO // Old Chisinau: lesser-known stories, traditions of Moldova's capital
Straseni–Gutinas power line at center of talks between Moldovan energy minister and new U.S. Ambassador
Moldovan parliament speaker calls for strengthening local administrations
National Bank of Moldova 
Moldovan PM meets Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister: water discharge into Dniester River to increase by about 20 per cent
Moldovan parliament speaker to attend European Conference of Presidents of Parliament of Council of Europe member states
Moldovan Prime Minister discussed advancing European integration of Moldova with Malta’s Prime Minister
State Chancellery and European partners discuss support for public administration reform
Books, photographs, stories from interwar Chisinau brought together in exhibition at Moldova's parliament
Moldovan parliament speaker welcomes opening of EU accession negotiations on two more chapter clusters
Moldovan president conveys message on Chisinau’s City Day
European Commissioner for Enlargement announces visit to Chisinau
Luxembourg Meeting // Irish Minister for European Affairs says Ireland to continue to support Moldova in EU accession process
Luxembourg Meeting // EU Commissioner for Enlargement says reforms can bring Moldova more European funds, investments
Luxembourg Meeting // Deputy PM for European integration says today’s decision gives Moldovan citizens one more reason to trust European choice
VIDEO // Moldovan deputy PM for European integration, ahead of the Luxembourg meeting: “We are ready and quite determined to carry out the reforms necessary for EU accession by 2030”
PM says Moldova in race against time to conclude EU accession negotiations by 2028
Republic of Moldova elected to UN Human Rights Council for second time
Moldovan Prime Minister discussed advancing European integration of Moldova with Malta’s Prime Minister
Moldova opens accession negotiations on two more EU chapter clusters
State Chancellery and European partners discuss support for public administration reform
PHOTO // General Carabineer Inspectorate provided with 16 vehicles and modern equipment with EU support
STISC warns of spear-phishing campaign targeting Government institutions
PHOTO // First monument commemorating Roma victims of Holocaust to be erected in Cosăuți, Soroca
Seven hospitals to receive new equipment for storing blood products
Receive the latest news directly to your email
Receive the latest news directly to your email