This is a Halloween story straight from Moldova. Even though Dracula was supposedly from our neighboring country, Romania, the celebration of Halloween is still a novelty here in Moldova. There is zero commercial promotion of it. No candy sales or costume specials. You would be hard pressed to find a plastic pumpkin to collect your treats. The church here has been leery of Halloween in the past as it seemed to promote witchcraft and sorcery in their view. Some pockets of places are starting to have costume events for the children. Peace Corps volunteers can't help themselves. They promote many Halloween parties for the children they work with. This year I had many pumpkin carvers assisting me. There's a picture of me in action at the Center in Piatra. One of the junior artists did a quick sketch of Mr. Oren (that's me). We had several good games on Halloween. That included making mummies, bobbing for apples, and of course, face painting. Naturally we had "bomboane" (candy) for everyone. Well that brings Halloween or hellowen (nice try) and another month in Moldova to a close. Change your calendars and change your clocks.
Great photos! That first one, so gray, bare branches... oooooh! Loved the face paint, the mummies, the drawing of Mr. Oren. Ha!
ReplyDeleteDoes Moldova do anything with All Saints Day? All Souls Day? Visits to cemeteries?