Eastern Partnership Photography
ning we would come back to our hotel on
our last legs, but very happy about what
we could see, about the images taken and
about communicating with one another.
We visited the most remote corners of the
country and Transdniestria. Everything
was well-planned, the hosts were welcoming and cordial, so we felt very comfortable. To tell you the truth, we could
wander around Chisinau only on the last
day, which happened to be the National
Day of the Moldovan Language with a lot
of celebrations and entertainment activities. So we had an opportunity to take a
plunge into the festive atmosphere and
make a photo report… Every photographer could find a theme to their liking.
I would like to praise the choice of
the sights we visited during the trip.
Those were wonderful, absolutely unique
architectural monuments. Ancient monasteries and temples were especially impressive. One of most memorable places
was the Church of the Assumption of
the Mother of God in Căuşeni built in the
early 17th century under Turkish rule. It
is set deeply below the ground level. As
the legend goes, the Tatars gave consent
to building the church on condition that
its height did not surpass a warrior on
horseback. The ancient church is famous
for preserved Byzantine-style medieval
frescos on its walls. When we arrived, the
church happened to be closed for tourists,
but they made an exception for our group.
The old massive door opened and we went
inside into the mysterious cold semi-darkness… Of course, the organizers deserve
credit for this! Besides, the program included visits to viniculture centers located in Moldova’s most picturesque places.
– So what are your impressions of
the sights?
– It was my first time in Moldova,
but the country was not utterly foreign
to me. My husband was born in Moldova
and spent his childhood there. He would
tell me about houses wrapped in grapevines, and plenty of fruit and sunshine…
So I felt some anticipation and yearning
for something wonderful and beautiful. I
could feel the charm of the country on the
way there, when from the train window I
saw all that beauty – the hills, the houses
in the light of the rising sun.
We were exceptionally lucky to be there
in August – the best time for travelling.
Indeed, there was plenty of fruit! Every
time we went sightseeing, the organizers would take along grapes. Moldova is a
wine country. Of course, it is impossible to
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Vyacheslav Broome
forget visits to viniculture centers, where
we could eyewitness the winemaking process. Odd as it may seem, I do not drink
any alcohol, but the process of winemaking is so special, so interesting and spellbinding, such a sight for sore eyes.
Upon return home I came to realize
that the short trip to Moldova had just given an edge to my appetite. It is a country
one can return to many a time. During the
trip I made notches in my memory: here’s
the place I would want to visit again…
Moldova is quite unique, and its natural features – hilly landscapes and wind-
ing rivers – come as a magnet for active
travelers: amateurs of trekking and rafting.
Lively Moldovan songs have sunk deeply into my heart: when you hear them, you
cannot stay indifferent – you would want
to sing along or dance, or both! And plenty
of sunshine! After the trip to Moldova it
feels like the shortage of sunlight has become especially acute…
Interviewed by Liudmila D