On the 27th anniversary of the declaration of Moldova’s Independence, IPN News Agency set the goal of presenting the thoughts of those who chose to leave the country temporarily or for good in search for a better future.
Svetlana Lisagor Vergis has lived in Athens for 16 years. She is married to a Greek man. She works for a Greek ecological organization as a consultant in the public relations department. She is also a journalist accredited by Greece and the founder and president of the Moldovan-Greek Friendship Union “Alexandru Ipsilantis” and of a folk dances school in Athens. She was awarded by UNESCO for promoting the culture of the Republic of Moldova.
Svetlana Lisagor Vergis said the choice to leave saved her future. She likes comparing this period of life with a big, nice travel full of experiences, teachings, accomplishments, wins and promotion of Moldova’s echo.
“Ellada is the country that has strung the whole mankind for centuries. Consequently, if our people want to make progress, it should closely cooperate with Greece in sciences as these form the basis of the Greek civilization and are borrowed by other states. The studying and practicing of the Greek wisdoms would be a solution for us to overcome many of our sorrows. Learning from the mistakes of the Greeks is another solution. We will surely find experimented solutions to many of the problems,” stated the journalist.
As to Moldova’s image abroad, she said this is positive. Moldova is admired for its education level, for the quality of culture and the spiritual richness. It is less attractive as an eventual economic partner.
“On each occasion, I tell my Greek friends about positive and remarkable things and about the quality of our people. Surely, the Moldovans do not live only with undying treasures of the patrimonial values inherited from our ancestors, but the Republic of Moldova, despite the times and situations, has successes that are recognized and appreciated by frontrunners in the country and outside it. I tell them about the possibilities of rural tourism that is the most popular in the Republic of Moldova, about religious tourism, about our Codrii forest and our attractive wineries. The discussions become more captivating when the foreigners are asked to state their opinion about different themes and tell if they have an experience related to Moldova,” stated the Moldovan woman.
Svetlana Lisagor Vergis said the return home does not depend on the changes and conditions in the Republic of Moldova. She said that in many countries that are host to Moldovans there is a small Moldova that also needs them. In Ellada, she assumed responsibility that is related to the activity and involvement of the community of Moldovans in promoting what the Republic of Moldova is. When she reaches the conclusion she did what she panned and achieved all the set goals, she will look for someone better than her to whom to transmit the task or, if there are no Moldovans left there, she will return home.
Being far away from home, she misses her brothers and the making of knot-shaped bread on holidays together with the mother. “I miss the places of my childhood and the parental house. I would like to visit more often the graves of my father and my grandparents. I miss the colors and smells of seasons in Moldova. I miss going through the streets of my village and greeting the people there and wishing them God Help You from over the fence,” stated Svetlana Lisagor Vergis.
Sabina Rebeja, IPN
Repeat of August 24