Culture

Giurgiulesti is Moldova’s southernmost village, so it would make sense that its inhabitants have no use for the cold. Lending truth to that assumption are the village’s colorful traditions about chasing away winter and ushering in spring. The day before the Christmas fasting season starts, villagers gather at the community’s biggest intersection, light a bonfire and jump over it, shouting, “Uliliga!” — “Go away, winter!” Then they whistle to scare the cold into not returning again until next year. Another delightful Giurgiulesti ritual is Chase Aways the Fleas Day. On the first day of spring, women take the carpets in their homes outside, clean them, and yell, “Flea out, spring in.” Not only is this supposed to help chase the cold out of the house, but it’s also supposed to help farmers get ready for the growing season.

About this place

A good time to see a barrage of village traditions is during Mardi Gras, 41 days before the Orthodox Church celebrates Easter.