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| Today's date: Wednesday, 10 March 2010 |
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Celebrating “Martisor” together with refugee children in Moldova
Story date: 04 March 2010
Source: UNHCR
Mărţişor is the traditional celebration of the beginning of the spring in Moldova and Romania on 1 March. On this occasion, within the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers in Chisinau, Moldova cultural activities for children were organized. Asylum seekers and refugees children made “martisoare” – the symbol of spring.
Children listened and learned the legend of Martisor and the traditions in Moldova. With the assistance of the UNHCR and the Charity Centre for Refugees staff, asylum seekers and refugees children have learned how to make several models of “martisoare”. On 1st of March they will share “martisoare” with the school mates and with friends.
According to Wikipedia, Mărţişor is the symbol of spring and also a celebration on the first of March. Its beginnings are still a mystery, but it is usually said that it originated in ancient Rome, because New Year's Eve was celebrated on the 1st of March (Martius), the month of the war god Mars. He had a double role: both protector of agriculture and of war, so the celebration signified the rebirth of nature. The duality of symbols is kept in the colors of the Mărţişor: white and red, meaning peace and war (it might also symbolize winter and spring). |
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Cooperation prospects between UNHCR and the Ministry of Interior of Moldova
Today, on 5 February, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (MoI) Mr. Iurie Cheptanaru and the leadership of the Bureau for Migration and Asylum met with UNHCR Representative in the Republic of Moldova Mr. Petrus Wijninga. The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize the leadership of the MoI with the activities of the UNHCR Representation during 1997-2009.
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High Commissioner's Dialogue on refugees in urban settings
Representatives of national governments, municipalities, non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations, academics and refugees themselves are expected to participate in the third annual "High Commissioner's Dialogue on Protection Challenges," which is focusing this year on the challenges faced by millions of refugees, internally displaced people and returnees who are living in cities and towns across the globe.
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