The Gagauz, same as some other nations, celebrate Martisor at the beginning of March. Throughout the autonomous territory concerts and festivals are being organized “Mêrtisor Gagauziyada”.
For the Gagauz, Martisor is primarily a celebration of the renewal and light. In this day they do the cleaning in their homes, take the clothes outside for freshening.
A tradition respected by the Gagauz on the 1st of March is related to the beginning of the agricultural year. In the past, a red wool belt would be placed on the table with the words “May the grains become red and not black”, meaning that they should be full, ripened and the harvest should be rich.
On the 1st of March the population of the Gagauz autonomy wear a tiny red and white flower on the chest. However, in the past the Gagauz, mainly women and children, wore a red and white band on the wrist.
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The researchers studying Gagauz culture and history consider the celebration of “Martisor” to be an eloquent example of the willingness of this ethnicity to embrace the experience and traditions of other people.
In 2017, “Martisor” was included in the list of UNESCO, via a joint proposal submitted by Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Moldova and Romania.
This material was developed in the framework of the project “Supporting institutionalized and sustainable dialogue on Gagauzia Autonomy”, implemented by CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation and financed by Sweden. The opinions expressed in this material pertain to the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of CMI or of Sweden.