Language

The working language for the Conference will be English. Efforts are done do ensure simultaneous interpretation from Russian into English at Romani Language and Culture in Post-Soviet States panel.

Registration

Registration for the event will be available at 8:30 am till 10.30.am, on the 10 September 2015.

Meals

Coffee breaks, during the day of the Conference will be provided by the organizers.

Contacts

Dr. Ion DUMINICA

Email: glsam2015moldova@gmail.com, Tel.: +373 79537572

Visa

All foreign visitors entering Chisinau, Moldova must be in possession of a passport (valid for a period of at least 6 months beyond arrival date).

You are reminded to obtain a visa prior to entering Moldova, where necessary.

In order to verify if there is a need to obtain a visa prior to travel you can check on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova: http://www.mfa.gov.md/entry-visas-moldova/. Also remember to check for any transit visas, if necessary.

For printing the “Visa Application Form” please access  the link:

http://www.mfa.gov.md/img/docs/Visa_application.pdf

Also, it is possible to apply  for an electronic visa for entry in the Republic of Moldova by accessing the following link: http://www.evisa.gov.md/

All those who need an official invitation letter for visa should request it from the organizer at e-mail glsam2015moldova@gmail.com

Chisinau Airport

Chisinau Airport is the main international airport and it is situated at half an hour drive from the city Center & “Codru” Hotel. For more information about Chisinau Airport services (including on-line schedule), please visit http://www.airport.md/homepage-en

Hotels, Restaurants & local Transport

To find more information about restaurants/cafes & local transport, access the links below: http://chisinau.hotels.md/ & http://map.point.md/ & http://www.md4ever.com/maps/index.html

The conference organizers recommend

Restaurants:
- La Taifas (http://www.md4ever.com/La_Taifas_national_cuisine/index.html

- Pani Pit (http://www.md4ever.com/panipit/index.html )

- Robin Pub (http://www.md4ever.com/robinpub/index.html )

About Republic of  Moldova

Republic of Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East, and South, without any access to the Black Sea apart from less than a kilometer along the banks of the Lower Danube. The capital city is Chisinau.

The Republic of Moldova proclaimed its independence from the USSR on 27 August 1991. According to the Moldovan Constitution of 29 July 1994, the Republic of Moldova is a sovereign, independent, unitary and indivisible State.

The Republic of Moldova is a parliamentary democratic republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The 1994 Constitution of the Republic of Moldova sets the framework for the government of the country. The country's central legislative body is the unicameral Moldovan Parliament, which has 101 seats, and whose members are elected by popular vote on party lists every four years. The head of state is the President, who is elected by the Moldovan Parliament for a four-year term of office, requiring the support of three fifths of the deputies (at least 61 votes).

After achieving independence from the Soviet Union, Republic of Moldova established relations with other European countries. A course for European Union integration and neutrality define the country's foreign policy guidelines. In 1995 the country adhered to the Council of Europe. In addition to its participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program, Republic of Moldova is also a member state of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Francophone and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The EU is developing an increasingly close relationship with Moldova, going beyond co-operation, to gradual economic integration and a deepening of political co-operation. Moldova is a partner country within the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and a member of the Eastern Partnership. In June 2010 a visa dialogue opened, examining conditions for visa-free travel of Moldovan citizens to the EU as a long-term goal. Since 2010, the Republic of Moldova is a full member of the Energy Community Treaty.

http://www.moldova.md/en/home/

People

Moldovan people are the greatest treasure of the country. The majority of the population is Moldovans, but national minorities as Ukrainians, Bulgarians, Gagauzians, Russians, Germans, Roma, Greeks, and others live on here, as well. Despite the variety of our people, they are all distinguished by hospitality, kind attitude and openness; they have a genuine and sincere nature. In Moldova every guest is received with special warmth.  The householder will always serve his guest with great Moldovan wine and with the best dishes of food.

Traditions

The Moldovan folklore has a strong basis of Dacian-Latin origin and embraces a system of popular customs, which are specifically defined by means of music and dance, oral poetry and prose, mythology, rites, popular theatre etc. Festivals and fares involving the handicrafts are true holidays for Moldovan citizens and guests. Moldovans are respectful to skilled specialists who can make musical instruments. The tourists can find here a wide choice of handicrafts, keeping a part of the soul of Moldovans. Every holiday preserves old traditions which convey the true spirit of our people.  For all Moldovan celebrations, song is an essential and very appreciated component of the ceremonial activities.

During the holidays guests in Moldova can participate in a range of cultural events: concerts "Martisor", "Ciresar", "Maria Biesu Welcomes", etc., performances, parades, mass manifestations on Independence Day, on "Limba Noastra" Day, on towns or villages’ Day, etc. On Harvest Days traditional fairs are organized in towns and villages. Especially during these holidays, tourists can get closer to the national folk and handicraft art.

Culture

The Republic of Moldova has an important cultural inheritance of incontestable value: archeological sites, dwelling houses, country estates, fortresses, cloisters / monasteries and churches, monumental art works, monuments and technical equipment, building ensembles – squares, streets, quarters, villages and urban centers or traditional architecture ethnographic areas. The archeological inheritance of the Republic of Moldova is rich in ancient works of art. There were discovered sculptural models of as far back as the late Paleolithic age.

The ceramics of „Cucuteni-Tripolie” culture from the Eneolithic Age is attested in several areas of the Republic of Moldova and it has incontestable artistic valences representing a whole mythology in pictures.

Although it has a small area, the Republic of Moldova as a tourist destination has a great potential represented first of all by the geomorphologic aspect of its territory – an unusual diversity of landscape reservations or scenery and unique geological monuments of European and world value. Tourism focuses on the country’s natural landscapes and its history. Wine tours are offered to tourists across the country. Republic of Moldova is rich in places that will convey the old history, Christianity, and beautiful nature of the land between the Prut and Nistru rivers. One will be impressed by numerous natural and scientific reserves and parks, monasteries and religious sites from the medieval times.

Attractive places

Here are just some “MUST SEE’S”:

Museum Complex “Old Orhei” presents the remains of different civilizations from ancient times. Up on the top of the cliff there was a strong fortification (V - III c. BC) built by the Geto-Dacian people and on the opposite side of the river one can distinguish the ruins of the "New town" of the Golden Horde (XIII-XIVc.).

“Emil Racovita” Cave is considered to be on the 3^rd largest gypsum cave in the world and the 8^th in terms of the length of its underground paths. A curiosity present in the cave, which is hard to understand, is the fact that each hall and gallery has a delicate clay lining of different colors: green, blue, red, black, white, etc.

Cricova Winery – the biggest wine cellars in the world. Here, underground lies a real city of wine – with wide streets, warehouses, tasting-rooms and so on.
The total length of the underground galleries in Cricova exceeds 60 km.

Trajan Walls - evidence of the Romans’ presence in Moldova, which is found in the remains of a strong defensive system of linear fortifications comprised of a wave shaped earthworks strengthened with sharpened logs. This is an extension of a huge fortified system on the borders of the Roman Empire.

http://www.moldova.md/en/turism/

Telecommunications

All modern communication technologies are widely available in Moldova, including mobile, broadband internet, and express deliveries. The coverage of the country is outstanding, so you will be able to reach virtually any number. The country code is 373, and the code of Chisinau is 22.

Mobile communications in Moldova are also very well developed. The largest operators are Orange and Moldcell – they hold approximately 90% of the market.

Customs control

Information about Personal Belongings and Currency that may be brought into the country without paying customs taxes can be found here: http://www.airport.md/green-red-channel-en 

Traffic Jams

In case you’ll use public transport, please note that in Chisinau city center, traffic jams occur on main streets: Stefan cel Mare, Al. Puskin, Mitropolit Banulescu-Bodoni, etc. in the intervals 7 to 9 AM, 12 till 2 PM and 5 to 7 PM.

Currency

The local currency is Moldovan Leu, which was introduced on November 29, 1993. The information about exchange rate is available at: http://bnm.md/en/home or at http://curs.md/en/index  

You can exchange money in banks or at exchange offices (most of them don’t charge a commission fee).

Banking Services

Banking facilities (cash traveller’s cheques and exchange) are available in Leogrand, “Codru” & Jolly Alon Hotels. Exchange offices are located in downtown area and are open from 10 AM till 6 PM, including during weekends. There are many ATM’s in the city and most restaurants and stored accept Visa or MasterCard.

Insurance

It is recommended to participants to secure their own international medical, accident and travel insurances. The conference’s organizers are not liable for any loss or damage whatsoever that may be incurred by delegates, during their travel time to and from the meetings as well as during the period of participation to the meetings.

Social events

For a comprehensive information about Moldova tourism and the opportunities to spend your free time , please visit the web pages:

http://fest.md/en/

http://evenimente.md/#page1

Maps of Chisinau

http://www.md4ever.com/maps/index.html

http://point.md/Map#x=28.895016&y=47.029107&z=12