Public holidays in Moldova

Public holidays in the Republic of Moldova are the celebrated non-working days established by the Government of the Republic of Moldova and valid for the whole territory of the country. Autonomous territorial units Gagauzia and Transnistria, as well cities, communes and cantonal authorities also establish local holidays, which are, however, not non-working days. There are 14 nationally celebrated holidays in the modern Moldova.

In the Republic of Moldova, most retail businesses close on New Year's and Independence Day, but remain open on all other holidays. Private businesses often observe only the big holidays (New Year's Day, Easter and Easter Monday, Victory Day (May 9), Independence Day, Labor Day, Limba Noastra, and Christmas).

Most holidays celebrated in the Republic of Moldova recognize events or people from History of Moldavia, although four are shared in common with many other countries: Christmas Day and New Year's Day, Victory Day (May 9) and Labour Day.

The holiday season in the winter traditionally ran between New Year's Day until Old new Year's Day. As of 2009, the holiday season now officially begins with Western Christmas on December 25, now a legal holiday in the Republic of Moldova. The holiday seasons gets underway much earlier with the official lighting of the Chisinau town Christmas tree at the end of November or very beginning of December when other than Christmas, some locals celebrate Winter solstice, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Summer holiday season traditionally (though unofficially) starts in May with celebrations of anniversary of most important localities (Bălţi - 21 May) and culminates in the end of August with the successive celebrations of Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova and Limba Noastra.

National holidays

These holidays are designated by the Government of the republic of Moldova, in accordance with the legislation of the republic of Moldova.

Date	Official Name	Remarks
January 1	New Year's Day	Celebrates beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight (12:00 AM) on the preceding night, New Year's Eve. Traditional beginning of holiday season.
January 7–8	Craciun pe stil Vechi (Orthodox Christmas)
February 23	Day of Veterans of the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies	Celebrates the veterans of the armed forces and police of Moldova.
March 1	Martisor (first day of spring)	Not a Public Holiday
March 8	International Women's Day
April/May	Orthodox Easter
April/May	Memorial Day
May 1	Labour Day (Moldova)
May 9	Victory and Commemoration Day
June 1	Children's Day	Not a Public Holiday
August 27	Independence Day (Moldova)
August 31	Limba Noastra (National Language Day (Moldova))
September 3	Day of the Moldovan National Army	Celebrates the birthday of the Moldovan National Army.
December 25	Craciun pe stil Nou (Western Christmas)

Local holidays

In addition to the national holidays, cities, communes and cantonal authorities observe the following holidays:

Date	Official Name	Remarks
May 22	Bălţi Day	Public Holiday just for Bălţi
October 14	Capital's Day	Public Holiday just for Chisinau.
November 21	South Capital's Day Cahul	Public Holiday just for Cahul.

See also

• Christmas controversy

External links

• World travel Guide - Moldova Public Holidays