Culture

Located geographically at the crossroads of Latin and Slavic cultures, Moldova has enriched its own culture adopting and maintaining some of the traditions of its neighbours.

Moldova's folk culture is extremely rich, and the ancient folk ballad, the "Miorita", "Mesterul Manole" plays a central role in the traditional culture. Folk traditions, including ceramics and weaving, continue to be practiced in rural areas. The folk culture tradition is promoted at the national level and is represented by, among other groups, the republic's dance company, Joc, and by the folk choir, Doina.

The first Moldovan books (religious texts) appeared in the mid-seventeenth century. Prominent figures in Moldova's cultural development include prince and scholar, Dimitrie Cantemir (1673-1723), historian and philologist Bogdan P. Hasdeu (1836-1907), author Ion Creanga (1837-89), and poet Mihai Eminescu (1850-89).

Prominent modern writers include Vladimir Besleaga, Pavel Botu, Aureliu Busuioc, Nicolae Dabija, Ion Druta, Victor Teleuca and Grigore Vieru. In 1991, a total of 520 books were published in Moldova, of which 402 were in Romanian, 108 in Russian, eight in Gagauz, and two in Bulgarian.

In the early 1990s, Moldova had twelve professional theatres. All performed in Romanian, except the A.P. Chekhov Russian Drama Theatre in Chisinau, and the Russian Drama and Comedy Theatre in Tiraspol, both of which performed solely in Russian, and the Licurici Republic Puppet Theatre (in Chisinau), which performed in both Romanian and Russian. Members of ethnic minorities manage a number of folklore groups and amateur theatres throughout the country.

Football has traditionally been Moldova's national sport, however, rugby union has risen to become a very popular sport with the national team earning promotion to Division one of the European Nations Cup with some brilliant displays attracting many spectators to their matches.