Christmas in Moldova

On January 6 I arrived at the Academy of Music to practice and my friends who are in charge of watching the building informed me that the school is on break until the 22nd. I can still practice each day if I can knock loudly on the front door and wait for someone to let me in. They are very generous with several of us who still want to practice every day. They also informed me that January 6, 7, and 8 are Christmas in Moldova, "Craciun noastra." I made a special trip to the Christmas market by the arch in the center of Chisinau to watch the action. I will attach some photos including one of a large furry polar bear who epitomizes the preference for large furry animals at the market. There were rides for children on horses and a small burro and many of us looked like furry animals as it was quite cold this week. I enjoyed hearing colinde (Christmas carols) being sung in the main cathedral on Friday and Saturday mornings. I saw a colinde parade passing by on one of the large streets with a police escort. About 200 people were walking along, some with bells, followed by a large van with the choir keeping warm inside while their singing was broadcast on loudspeakers. Groups of singers sometimes go door to door and I was a bit afraid they would come to my door and I would not have anything very interesting to give them. It was a beautiful three days and I especially enjoyed the a capella singing. In the Orthodox tradition instruments apart from bells are not allowed in sacred events so the emphasis is on singing. Large backgrounds were set up, as you can see in one of the photos, so that people could take photos with them to wish friends and family a happy new year, "La mulți ani - 2011." So La mulți ani and Craciun fericit from Moldova!