“Nature” and “Nation” in the Republic of Moldova: Rebirth and Rebuilding Through the International Festival of Music “Mărţişor”

Abstract

This article examines the political–pedagogical performance of the spring holiday “Mărţişor” in the Republic of Moldova, as part of Moldova's official nation-building project in the period 2001–2009. By analysing the International Festival of Music “Mărţişor”, we examine symbolic allegories between the celebration of the rebirth of nature—known in folklore as “the holiday of mărţişor”—and the (re)creation of “the Moldovan nation”. We argue that Moldova's official policies of the management of collective memory are based on an ideology that has a direct impact on symbols which are meant to be a source of enthusiasm and cohesion. During the Communist governments (2001–2005 and 2005–2009), the International Festival of Music “Mărţişor” was transformed into a symbolic space in which the Moldovan nation-building project was supposed to be implemented, and “Moldovenism” as a state ideology was intended to be promoted.

Keywords:

• Cultural Emblem
• Invented/Secular Tradition
• Mărţişor
• Nation-Building
• Political Performance

Acknowledgements

Preliminary versions and part of the article was presented in the context of the 7th National Conference of the Romanian Society of Cultural Anthropology (September 2010, Bucharest), at the Seminar of Historical Anthropology (November 2010, Cluj-Napoca), and at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology (September 2011, Halle). The authors express gratitude to the audiences at all of these events, including Simona Nicoară, Chris Hann, Jennifer R. Cash, Nicolae Mihai, Virgiliu Bîrlădeanu, Julian Welch, and the reviewers of History and Anthropology for their extremely useful comments.

Notes

The expression “multinational Moldovan people” (popor multinaţional moldovenesc) was introduced in the official narrative by the President Vladimir Voronin in August 2004, in the context of commemorating “the 60th anniversary of Soviet liberation of Moldova from Nazi occupation” at the inauguration of Memorial Complex “Şerpeni Bridgehead”, 22 August 2004 (Pagina oficială a Preşedintelui Republicii Moldova 2004).

These semantic changes to the meaning of mărţişor were confirmed during interviews we conducted: “The mărţişor signifies joy and happiness in the family, because you give and receive beautiful gifts” (Ion, 19 years old, Cantemir); “There is a respected tradition in the family … A mărţişor is put on a fruit tree, so that the tree will bear fruits” (Rodica, 18 years old, Lăpuşna, Hânceşti); “It is said that after one month of wearing the mărţişor, one must tie it to a tree, and thus this tree will have a big yield” (Victor, 19 years old, Ciorescu, Chişinău); “The mărţişor should be worn throughout the month [March] and at the end of the month I have to hook it on a tree: as the tree blooms, so will be my year” (Daniela, 19 years old, Chişinău).

Here are some of the congratulatory phrases used on 1 March or when presenting a mărţişor: “May your life be as beautiful as the mărţişor!” (Cornel, 20 years old, Chişinău); “Congratulations on the occasion of the arrival of spring!” (Tatiana, 18 years old, Nisporeni); “Be as gentle as the mărţişor!” (Rodica, 18 years old, Lăpuşna, Hânceşti); “Be as beautiful as this mărţişor!” (Victor, 19 years old, Ciorescu, Chişinău); “I offer them with good wishes that begin with ‘Happy Mărţişor!’. For me it is an opportunity to offer spring in miniature” (Corina, 20 years old, Chişinău); “I offer mărţişor as a sign of respect” (Grigore, 22 years old, Măşcăuţi, Criuleni); “Take this mărţişor on the occasion of the arrival of spring, which will make you become better, will bring you much luck and health!” (Mihail, 19 years old, Călugăr, Făleşti); “May this spring not be the last one!” (Olga, 19 years old, Chişinău).

Here are some examples from the interviewees involved in our research: “I learned about the mărţişor tradition in kindergarten, where I was in a matinee performance. In kindergarten I made it from paper” (Cornel, 20 years old, Chişinău); “I (was) familiarized with the mărţişor tradition in kindergarten. There we were told the legend of mărţişor and we organized different parties and contests. I also made my first mărţişor at kindergarten. I don't remember exactly the details, but I was very proud that I had made it” (Victor, 20 years old, Soroca); “I was familiarized with the tradition [of mărţişor] by my teachers at kindergarten” (Nicolae, 20 years old, Cimişlia); “We learned in kindergarten that you wear it on the left side, near the heart. The first mărţişor I made was definitely at kindergarten, with great joy because it was the first gift I gave to my mother” (Ion, 19 years old, Cantemir); “It is the magic of the Spring holidays. When I was little, I was celebrating it in kindergarten through contests. I have pleasant memories of my first mărţişor” (Olesea, 19 years old, Chişinău); “I learned the tradition from my parents when I was a little child … and in kindergarten we made greeting cards in the form of mărţişor for our mothers” (Victoria, 18 years old, Floreşti); “I learned about mărţişor at the age of six or eight years from my teacher” (Tatiana, 18 years old, Nisporeni); “My first mărţişor [was] at the ‘labour lessons’. I was proud that I made such a big thing, although now I consider it to be ugly and ridiculous” (Constanţa, 20 years old, Ungheni); “My first mărţişor—I made it the third or fourth grade. It was hard, but I managed. I gave it to my mother. It is still kept in the family now” (Olga, 19 years old, Fârlădeni, Căuşeni); “I learned about mărţişor from my first teacher. I made one around the second grade. I did not quite manage—I know I gave it as a gift to my mother, who enjoyed it very much” (Mihail, 19 years old, Călugăr, Făleşti); “I designed it on a larger scale in kindergarten and school. At the age of six I combined a white and red thread, making a little gift for my mother on the occasion of 8 March” (Olga, 19 years old, Soroca); “I made my first mărţişor helped by my teacher, then I gave it to my mother on 8 March, when the class held a party dedicated to mothers” (Anna, 19 years old, Lăpuşna, Hânceşti).

The Government Decision nr. 859 from 26 July 2004 regulated the main aspects of the statute, organization, content and financial support of the International Festival of Music “Mărţişor”.

It is important to mention that the forty concerts allocated to regional areas were programmed to be performed in twenty-four Houses of Culture, newly renovated by the government, ignoring 1200 similar institutions in other rural communities.

The year 2008 was declared “The Year of Youth” in the Republic of Moldova. According to a Presidential Decree from 26 December 2007, the aim was “to augment the role of youth in the socio-political and cultural life, and to create the conditions for a full demonstration of the young generation's creative potential”.

The programme of the opening concert was created by Lidia Panfil, associate professor at the Academy of Art of Moldova, and was the result of long debates with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Moldova.

The opening concert of “Mărţişor” 2008, with the theme “The Spring of Our Planetary Time”, reunited outstanding artists such as Mihai Munteanu, Nicolae Botgros, Valentin Dinga, Nelly Ciobanu, Liviu Ştirbu, Natalia Barbu, the folk-rock band “Zdob şi Zdub”, the Symphonic Orchestra of the National Philharmonics “Serghei Lunchevici”, the National Academic Ensemble of Popular Dance “Joc”, the Ensemble of Sportive Dance “Codreanca”, as well as many junior artists.

The opening concert is usually broadcast live by the national television station “Moldova-1”, the only channel that reaches rural communities. In 2008, this concert was also broadcast by the national television station “Moldova-1-International”, which is intended for Moldovan citizens abroad.

It is necessary to mention that “Mărţişor-2008” contained ten spectacles at the National Palace. The most significant were: The Opening Concert of the Festival “Mărţişor-2008” on 1 March; “A Name among the Memories”, a concert in memory of Ana Gherman on 4 March; and the 5-h concert titled “The 55^th Anniversary of Nicolae Botgros” on 5 March. On 6 March, at the National Palace, artists invited from Romania performed. On the evening of 8 March, local artists performed; the next day, artists from the Russian Federation performed.

Casa mare is the room for guests in a traditional house and perceived as sacred place in the traditional Romanian culture; here, the most important events in life take place.

For a list of ethno-cultural associations of the Moldovan diasporas, see the official website of the Bureau for Inter-Ethnic Relations of the Republic of Moldova: http://diaspora.md/lista_diaspore.html.