From ancient times, the Gagauz have celebrated Kasim, marking the end of the agricultural season and the beginning of winter.
The celebration Kasim is associated by the Gagauz with the cyclical separation of the year in two parts: from Kasim to Hederlez – winter, and from Hederlez to Kasim – summer. Today, Kasim is celebrated on 8 November and it coincides with St. Dmitri Day. The researcher at the Academy of Science of Moldova, Eudochia Soroceanu, specifies that the Turk word Kasim means transition.
According to the tradition, the householders would bring their cattle back home and pay the salaries of the shepherds. The owners of large numbers of livestock used to slaughter part of their herd. At the same time, during Kasim the results of the agricultural year were checked, and the dayworkers would get paid for work. This day may also be called Harvest Day.
Nowadays, on the occasion of Kasim Wine Day is also celebrated in the Gagauz Autonomy – Gagauz sarap yortusu. The farmers from the region gather at Comrat, presenting their mastery of winemaking but also the talent of cooking traditional dishes’.
In some villages exhibitions of livestock are also organized, which is an occasion for on Wine Day there are tours being organized to different Gagauz wineries. Tourists may get acquainted with Gagauz wines also have the opportunity to take part in production process.
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.