From the Romanian Language to Independence and backwards, as a distinctive feature of the present-day Moldova

[On August 31, the Republic of Moldova marks the 18th anniversary of the proclamation of the so-called Moldovan language of the former Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic as the official language, as well as the adoption of the Latin alphabet for that language. The Act was largely backed by the masses, and that happened in a state inhabited by many nationalities and which had few traditions of public displays. It seems that the history hasn’t recorded any other holiday dedicated to a language of a people. It appears that it hasn’t recorded similar controversies as regards the name and the role of the language for a people, either. It also seems that the Act of 31 August 1989 marked the people’s pursuit of freedom and identity rather than announced the significance the people placed on its own language. Two years later, on 27 August 1991, that people summoned its courage and proclaimed the Independence. But the pursuit of freedom and identity is still continuing. The drama of the language has also never ended. From case to case, from government to government, from person to person, the language is endlessly changing names. It is called either Romanian, or Moldovan, or state language, or official, or simply mother’s tongue. Furthermore, it seems that not even today, when we celebrate the 18th anniversary, have some people achieved understanding of the role of speaking correctly this language, no matter how you call it. That is why Info-Prim Neo came up with the idea to produce the interview below, on the occasion of the holiday called briefly and ambiguously “Our Language”. The question addressed to different representatives of various categories of population was the following:] - AS THEY ARE QUITE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND IT SEEMS THAT THEY ARE UNEVENLY TREATED, WHAT IS THE RELATION BETWEEN THE INDEPENDENCE DAY AND THE LANGUAGE DAY, IN YOUR OPINION? [Anatolie Bazgu, the chairman of the Transnistrian Refugees Movement, Nistru war veteran:] - Among other ideals, we fought for the language of our people. That is why these two holidays have the same significance for me. The present government has no plans to celebrate the Language Day, and that is grossly unfair. [Dumitru Diacov, the leader of the Democratic Party of Moldova:] - They are our national holidays, defining elements of the process of building Moldova’s statehood and of the national revival. It is our civic duty to give these holidays the attention they deserve. [Gheorghe Amihalachioae, president of the Moldovan Bar Association:] The relation is very natural. These two events cannot be separated from each other; they should be regarded as parts of a single entity, which triggered each other. [Serafim Urecheanu, leader of the parliamentary group and party Moldova Noastra Alliance:] Language represents one of the people’s attributes, one of the criteria that the people actually exists and has the right to self-determination. That is why I think the fact that these holidays are close also according to the calendar is not accidental. There are a few holidays from the “Independence” to the “Language Day”. It’s again about some tricks when it comes to the language-related terminology. As in the case of the “Independence Day”, there is an attempt to substitute the values. The “Language Day” is actually a precondition for getting Independence in Moldova, but also a continuation of the “Independence Day” holiday, a spiritual continuation, expressed through manifestations, which are less political and more cultural, a fact very important for the unity and spirituality of a nation, of a country, of a people. [- Valeriu Gorenov, builder, foreman at the Chisinau Joint Stock Company Monolit:] It looks as if the Independence Day is more important. Yet, both are holidays for the Moldovan people. Both characterise our nation and, of course, it was necessary to do something. We spoke rather incorrectly… [Valeriu Munteanu, newly-elected mayor of Floreni village, Anenii Noi district:] To me, the two big holidays of the Romanian people from Bessarabia are of the same importance. On August 31, 1989, declaring the Romanian language as the official language of the Moldavian Soviet Republic constituted the first step in the fight for national emancipation. And August 27, 1991 represented the day when we proclaimed our independence from the USSR, when we had the chance to really become independent, and I am saying that because there is a huge difference between the independence declared in 1991 and the one we have at present. [Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev:] These two holidays are closely connected. The language is an instrument that unites the people, the citizens of the state, helps ethnicities co-inhabiting Moldova to communicate between them. As regards the independence, I think that this is holy for all the residents of Moldova. [Vitalia Pavlicenco, MP, chairwoman of the National Liberal Party:] This is a topic to ponder over. Without reducing the importance of these holy holidays for us, we have yet too many holidays, given our poverty. At the same time, the language holiday, the proclamation of the Romanian language, as it is called in the Declaration of Independence, as official language and the shifting to Latin script for the Romanians from Bessarabia meant the unchaining and open launch of the National Liberation and Revival Movement that led to the proclamation of Independence. That’s why I think that the two holidays could be combined. But we should consult about this, have free discussions in the society and take an optimal decision.