The Moldovans who live in France celebrate New Year’s Eve differently. Some come together and celebrate inside the family, while others meet with friends. Over the last few years, the Moldovan community in Bordeaux has come together for the winter holidays, were they dance at evening parties, Moldovan young woman Rodica Ninicu, who will celebrate the fourth New Year’s Eve in France, has told IPN.

January 1 hasn’t always been the first day of the year in France. In the VI-VII centuries, the coming of the New Year was celebrated on March 1. In time this date has been changed for many times. “As regards the traditions, New Year’s Eve is celebrated mainly among friends, with a lot of noise and in a good mood. Christmas remains the family holiday,” said Rodica.

The young woman also said that during her four years of stay in France, she celebrated New Year’s Eve both with Moldovans and with French people. “I don’t know if there is a big difference because a holiday depends a lot on the people you have near you. It’s yet certain that the food is not prepared for a week ahead. Emphasis is placed on the atmosphere, not on food,” she stated.

Rodica added that the French people, as the Moldovans, make a wish on New Year’s Eve. Some kiss under a branch of mistletoe at midnight and, after clinking glasses, call their relatives to wish them a happy New Year. There are also other customs that differ from region to region.

The traditional French dishes are mandatorily present on the holiday table. These include the oyster or ‘les huîtres’ and the ‘foie gras’ (duck liver). As France is situated near the Atlantic Ocean, the sea fruits remain important for the dinner between years for the French people.

Rodica Ninicu wished the Moldovans everywhere a fruitful and prosperous year and not to forget about Moldova, which will always remain the ‘home’ for those who went abroad to live or work.