The Eye of the Noisy

Dofteana is a commune in Bacău County, Moldova, România. The commune is situated around confluence between the Trotuş and Dofteana rivers, in a beautiful natural place. It was first attested in a document of 1436, issued by the hospodar (voyvod, ruling prince) Ştefăniţă, who donated to his adviser Babor Plopescu six villages on the Trotuş and Tazlău valleys, one of which was Dofteana, called Dohtana in that period.

Image from here

Ochiul Huitorii (approx. The Eye of the Noisy) is located behind the Dofteana rail station. It is a niche in a wall of salt that attracts moisture, a natural barometer announcing weather: when moisture in the air increases, on the rock it forms a trail of water and the locals are sure it will rain.

Israel's national anthem

Hatikvah (The Hope) is the national anthem of Israel. The text of Hatikvah was written by the Galician Jewish poet Naphtali Herz Imber in 1878 as a nine-stanza poem named Tikvateynu (Our Hope). The melody is a traditional folk song from Transylvania, Cucuruz cu frunza-n sus (Maize with standing leaf), arranged by Samuel Cohen, an immigrant from Moldova.



I wrote this post following the suggestion of Mrs. Octavia Sălcudean, made as a comment to one of my previous posts.

Voroneţ Monastery

Voroneţ Monastery is located near the town of Gura Humorului, Suceava County, Moldavia, Romania. It is one of the famous painted monasteries from southern Bukovina, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The monastery was built by ruling prince of Moldavia Ştefan cel Mare (St. Stephen III The Great) between May and September 1488. The monastery was built to fulfill a promise to Stephen's spiritual father and adviser, St. Daniel the Hermit, who had lived in a cell in the area, and to commemorate the victory over Turks at Battle of Vaslui (1475). Upon his death, St. Daniel was buried in the monastery church (with the exception of his right index finger, which was encased in silver and sent to Putna Monastery).

The monastery is located on a riverbank, at the end of the long and narrow village of the same name. The present church was built on the site of an older wooden church, the scanty remains of which have not been dated. The exterior, with its buttresses and door and window frames were related to Western European High Gothic. The influences spread from Transylvania and Poland with craftsmen who were invited especially to build churches. The church of Voroneţ that Stephen the Great built included the chancel, the naos with its tower, and the pronaos.

The Last Judgment on the west façade of the Church of St. George

In 1547, the Metropolitan Bishop of Moldavia Grigore Roşca, a salient scholar of his time, added the exonarthex to the west end of the church. The small windows, their rectangular frames of crossed rods and the receding pointed or shouldered arches of the interior door-frames are Gothic. The south and north doors of the exonarthex of 1547 have rectangular frames, which indicate a transition period from Gothic to Renaissance. But, above them, on each wall is a tall window with a flamboyant Gothic arch. On the north façade is still visible the original decoration of the church, the rows of ceramic enamelled discs in yellow, brown and green, decorated in relief. These include heraldic motifs, such as the rampant lion and the aurochs' head of the Moldavian coat of arms, and creatures inspired by Western European medieval literature, such as two-tailed mermaids. The tower is decorated with sixteen tall niches, in four of which are windows. A row of small niches encircles the tower above them. The fragmented roof probably follows the shape of the original roof, which doubtless was made with shingles. The whole west façade is without any openings, which indicates that the intention of Metropolitan Roşca was since the beginning to reserve it for frescoes.

South façade with scenes from the lives of Saints Nicholas and John the New

The frescoes were painted between 1534 and 1535, during the reign of one of Stephen's successors, Petru Rareş. They were commissioned at the request of Grigore Roşca. The names of the artists are unknown except for one master painter, Marcu. Because of the frescoes' vivid color, "Voroneţ Blue", a pigment created using lapis lazuli, has entered the artistic lexicon. During the half century that separates the paintings of the exonarthex from those of the naos, Moldavian art had evolved from sober and rigorous to more complex, decorative and lively. Floral decorations fill all available empty space, divide scenes and registers, and accentuate architectural elements such as niches and arches. The clothes of the figures turn from simple into sumptuous, and the bleak landscapes are now filled with vegetation. Details win ground where earlier spiritual intensity was most important.

Voroneţ Monastery is known as Sistine Chapel of the East due to its splendid exterior and interior frescoes.

Sources: Wikipedia, Orthodox Wiki, Romanian Monasteries.
More images at Orthodox Photos.

Emil Loteanu

Emil Loteanu (November 6, 1936 – April 18, 2003) was a renowned film director, film writer and writer (poetry and short stories) from Moldova.

Loteanu was born in Clocuşna, Hotin County, Kingdom of Romania (now Ocniţa district, Moldova Republic). After the annexation of Bessarabia by the USSR in 1944, Emil remained in Rădăuţi, together with his father. He studied at St. Sava College in Bucharest and after the death of his father in 1949 he illegally went in Moldova, but he was caught and handed over to Romanian border guards, who sent him to Bucharest, where his mother worked at the Soviet Embassy. In 1952 he asked to be repatriated and lived his early life on the streets, sleeping in warehouses and hostels. Between 1953-1954 was an actor at the Drama Theater "Pushkin" from Chişinău. He attended acting classes at the School of the Theater Academy of Art (MHAT) in Moscow (1954-1956) and directing at the Union Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in in Moscow (1956-1962). After graduating, Loteanu was hired in 1962 to Moldova-Film studio, working in the period 1973 to 1983 as director at the Mosfilm Studio in Moscow. In 1968 he joined the CPSU.

He made his directorial debut with Bolshaya gora in 1960, then his debut as a writer of feature films was in 1963, with Aşteptaţi-ne în zori (Expect us at dawn, 1963) at the Moldova Film Studio, and continued to make films there until 1975, when he joined Mosfilm. With films such as Lăutarii (English: The Fiddlers, 1971), Şatra (Russian: Tabor ukhodit v nebo English: Queen of the Gypsies, 1975), Gingaşa şi tandra mea fiară (Russian: Moy laskovyy i nezhnyy zver, English: A Hunting Accident, 1977), and Anna Pavlova (1983) Loteanu began to attract international attention. For his films, he received prizes at film festivals in San Sebastian, Naples, Milan, Belgrade, Minsk, Prague, Paris.

Between 1987-1992 Loteanu was president of the 'Filmmakers Union of Moldova'. He was instrumental in the formation of two promotions for film directors in the 'Upper School of Directing'. He founded the 'Phoenix-M Association of Experimental Creation', the theater and film magazine 'Magic Lantern', and was author of the television show 'Searching for a Star'. Emil Loteanu taught at the 'Art Institute of Chişinău'; among the young actors trained by Emil Loteanu were Svetlana Toma, Grigore Grigoriu, and many other.

He received the titles of 'Honored Master of Art in Moldova' (1969), 'People's Artist of Russian Federation' (1980), 'Honorary member of the International Academy of Film Nike'. He also received the 'State Prize' and the 'Order of the Republic'. In 2001, received the 'Award for Excellence in Art Directing', awarded at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest.

Eugen Doga

Eugen Doga or Evgheni Doga (born March 1, 1937) is the most famous Moldovan contemporary composer.

Eugen Doga was born on March 1, 1937, in in Mocra village, Rîbniţa district of Moldova. After graduating from the Conservatoire in Chişinău, he performed as violoncellist in the Orchestra of the State Committee of the Soviet Moldavia for television and radio (1957-1962), taught at the Music College "Ştefan Neaga" from Chişinău (1962-1967), and worked from 1967 to 1972 at the repertory-editorial Board of the Ministry of Culture of Moldova.



He made his debut in the composition art in 1963, with a string quartet, later becoming the author of many priceless musical compositions, film and theater soundtracks. He is the author of many cantatas, composed a symphony, instrumental music, romances, a symphonic poem, many songs for children etc.



Eugen Doga wrote music for over 200 films, spectacles, ballets. He composed music for many prominent films, including "My Sweet and Tender Beast" which is known under its International title "A Hunting Accident"; "Lăutarii" (The Fiddlers); Şatra (after Maxim Gorky); Anna Pavlova.



On December 30, 1992, composer Eugen Doga was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. He is Doctor Honoris Causa of the International Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. 2007 was declared by the Republic of Moldova as "Eugen Doga Year". He was awarded the Order of the Republic (1997), Order of Merit to the Fatherland (provided by Russia in 2008), Order Dinamo Romania in the rank of Commander, Medal "Mihai Eminescu", and Gold Medal "Man of the century XX"(USA, 1998).



He received the titles of Honored Master of Art in Moldova, People's Artist of the MSSR (1967), People's Artist of USSR (1987), Prize Boris Glavan of Moldova, the State Prize of the MSSR (1980) and the State Prize of USSR (1986). On August 26, 2008, Moldovan President awarded the State Prize for 2008 and the title "Laureate of State Prize" for 2008, for "outstanding contribution to the development of national and world musical art".

Slănic Moldova

Called also “Pearl of Moldavia”, the resort of Slănic Moldova is located in the south-western part of Bacău County, at an altitude of 530 m, on the eastern slopes of Eastern Carpathians, namely Nemira Mountains, in a depression crossed by Slănic Creek. The name of this locality comes from the creek that runs across it, called Slănic, to which it was added the name of “Moldova”, in order to make a distinction from the Slănic place in Prahova region.


The first written evidence about Slănic Moldova is contained by the ancient sealed deed issued by Constantin Cehan Racoviţă on January 1, 1757. The first mineral water spring has been discovered in the year 1800 by cavalry commander Mihai Spiridon, during a bear hunt in the forests of Slanic. He sent water samples for analysis and, being convinced by its importance and he continued searching, discovering one year later the springs no. 3, 4 and 5.


Around 1808, having the approval of lord Scarlat Calimachi, moved here 12 families of peasants from the salt mines region, with the purpose of being caretakers for the two small houses built for those who came here for treatment and spa. In 1816, the Moldavian scholar and metropolitan bishop, Veniamin Costache, visited Slănic and that was the occasion when the first log houses were built; then there were build guest houses, spas for patients and a small church. In 1825, the ruler Ioniţă Sandu Sturza agreed upon an increase up to 27 families moved here to take care of the healing springs. This way started the population of Slanic Valley; the villages of Cerdac and Satul Nou were established. In 1840, the resort was featured for the first time on a map, under the name of “Feredeiele Slănicului” (Slănic Spas).


In 1887 the locality planning started and were built new buildings, modern installations and baths, bridges and culverts, spring intakes were established. All this contributed to the international fame of Slănic Moldova resort from the late 19th century. After World War I, the town had become a ruin. The restoration began late, major repairing was done with great effort and the church was rebuilt from scratch.


By means of its climatic features (pure air, rich in aerosols, resins and negative
oxygen ions), and the flow of ozonated air and forest aroma aerosols, the resort
benefits from a relaxing and refreshing climate that in the same time calms down and stimulates the body. The quality of the natural environment, the complete preservation of the ecological system and scenery of the area is the main support for tourist activities, mountaineering, leisure time and prevention or curing treatments. Slănic Moldova is one of the 12 spa resorts of national importance with mineral springs that have received awards in many international contests - Frankfurt (1881), Vienna (1973), Paris (1889).


The spa potential is the key element in selecting resorts and this is assessed by the nature and availability of resources. The presence of natural therapeutic factors for treatment triggers the organization of three types of medical care: prophylaxis, treatment and functional recovery. In this case, the potential consists of water quality, their highly therapeutic value and proper water flow capacity, valued as reserves. This has determines the spa feature of the resort, appropriate for the treatment of digestive diseases, accessory digestive glands, respiratory system, nutrition and metabolism diseases.


Slănic Moldova offers the possibility of having internal treatment with mineral water, aerosols and inhalation, having the equipment for warm baths with mineral waters, pools for kineto-therapy, equipment for electro and hydro-therapy, gyms, mofettes, treatment with Gerovital. The spa features of the resort are quite unique in Europe, with a high variety of springs from the point of view of composition, concentration, chemical complexity and therapeutic effects, all gathered in a quite small area.

Cotnari Vineyards

Cotnari is a commune in Iaşi County, region of Moldavia. It is located north-west of Iaşi and south of Hârlău, in a major wine-producing region of Romania, and is famous for some wine varieties.


Proofs of habitation in the area go back to the Cucuteni culture; a fortress dating from the 5th or 6th century BC was discovered on the nearby Cătălina Hill (nowadays a nature reserve). It seems that the vineyard have been known since times immemorial. In this area there have been dug out wine cups of the Cucuteni-Tripolie as well as Cătălina and Băiceni civilizations, from the Getic-Dacian epoch. Likewise, Middle Ages Moldavian wine cups and vessels date the old vocation of wine making in the area. Cotnari was first attested in 1448. The establishment of vineyards is attributed by local tradition to an initiative of Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great, under whose rule the village rose to the status of alternate residence, while stone structures and roads to serve the wine trade were built in the area.


The name Cotnari originates from the words “cotitul butoaielor” (“hollowing the barrels”). In 1599 there were 3,500 “smokes” (houses) in Cotnari and the place was one of the largest boroughs of Moldavia, after Suceava and Bacău. Beginning with the latter half of the 16th century, the vineyards started to be parceled out and the population of the settlement decreased more and more, so that in 1832 there were only 230 houses in the borough. Phylloxera gave the finishing stroke to Cotnari in 1891 when, as an ultimate measure, there were cut all the vineyards. In the 19th century, the local vines (Grasa, Feteasca, Tămâioasa, Frâncuşa) were engrafted on American mother plants that were resistant to Phylloxera. This is, in fact, the rebirth of the Cotnari vineyard.


This vineyard is the only one in Romania that has not altered the autochtonous sorts of vine, after the invasion of Phylloxera. At present, the company Cotnari S.A. holds an area of 1316 ha vineyards, of which 1200 ha are in bearing, and the rest consists of young plantations. In the Romanian wine growing landscape, Cotnari is unquestionably one of the most important vineyards. The wine made here is unparalleled in our country and unsurpassed by the wines of Sauternes (France) or Tokay (Hungary) with whom it resembles. Many people still ask about the Cotnari miracle, well known and deeply rooted in the layers of memory. The calcareous soil and the marvelous effect of the “noble rot” (Botrytis cinerea), as well as the selective harvest when berries turn into raisins, contribute to the exquisite quality of the Cotnari wine (D.O.C.C.), known from the Middle Ages as the “Pearl of Moldavia”.