The Moldovans who live in Sri Lanka celebrate New Year’s Eve at a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and go swimming. Snejana Cvasnei, a young woman from Moldova who settled in Sri Lanka, told IPN’s reporter what she will do on holidays now that she is away from home. She said she would ‘import’ from Moldova several friends, a little snow, roast pork, ewe’s cheese and wine made by her father.

“The New Year in Sri Lanka is traditionally met on April 13-14. But on December 31 one can also enjoy a lot of recreational activities. We settled here three years ago. We celebrate Christmas and New Year’s at home, with the family or friends,” said Snejana Cvasnei, who is the mother of two.

The woman said that as in Moldova, in Sri Lanka they go shopping on holidays and they sing “I wish you Merry Christmas” in all the shops. There are lights and Santa Clauses everywhere, even if there are mainly Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The difference is that in Sri Lanka on December 31 there are 30 degrees Celsius and the Moldovans go swimming instead of sledging.

Snejana Cvasneia noted that she prepares Moldovan traditional food if she finds the necessary ingredients. “I will make forcemeat rolls with cabbage only as we cannot find vine leaves here. I cook as at home all year round, not only on holidays. They eat more rice here and the food is very spicy,” she stated, wishing the Moldovans health and prosperity.