The Moldovans who settled in Germany no longer celebrate Christmas as they used to at home, in Moldova. Journalist Diana Zamurca, who settled in Germany, has told IPN that for a period she hasn’t celebrated New Year’s as they did in Moldova. The young woman called on the people, regardless of where they are, to pay less attention to tangible things and not to forget to do good things because a holiday is when the people are happy around.

“We do not like when there is a lot of food, noise and fireworks. Even if we moved to Germany, we keep our traditions and we have more important values than eating and drinking a lot on the night between years. When I was at home, I visited my parents on New Year’s. Here we try to be near our close friends. For us, Christmas is more important,” said the young woman.

She noted that the holiday atmosphere starts to be felt in Germany at the end of November. By December 1, Christmas trees are placed in all the main squares of the town. There are also staged Christmas fairs where they sell presents, handicrafts and tasty food and beverages such as Lebkuchen, Glühwein (boiled wine) and Currywurst (curry sausages).

“The Germans also gather around a holiday table with the family or friends. Santa Claus - Weihnachtsmann - comes to them too and shares out presents to children. Each family has their own Christmas traditions, including as regards food. Some prepare duck with red cabbage in the oven, others a type of food from potatoes called Klöße as well as the traditional cake Stollen. On New Year’s or Silvester, the Germans celebrate nosily, with fireworks. They go to parties or clubs with friends or colleagues. A lot of people gather in the center of the town to see the display of fireworks,” said the Moldovan woman.

Diana Zamurca noted that in general she prepares more Moldovan food because she does not have a rich experience of cooking German dishes. But they do not lay great emphasis on food. “I don’t know if I would recommend something to the Moldovans as regards the winter holidays because I like very much our customs and traditions. It’s nice when each people observes their traditions and do not forget the real meaning of each holiday,” she stated.

Diana Zamurca urged everyone to do good things and to make someone happy, to bring smiles and warmth to those around and not to forget about the parents and relatives and to visit them more often. “Let the birth of Christ clear our minds so that we make this world better,” he said.