Jewish community of Moldova marks lighting of Hanukkah candles in Chisinau

Chisinau, 26 December /MOLDPRES/ - The Jewish community in Chisinau today marked the lighting of Hanukkah candles, known also as the festival of lights. Attending the event, Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan said that the Hanukkah candles symbolized the resilience, miracle and triumph of the light over the darkness and was a profound lesson which inspires us, ‘’especially now, when the solidarity and hope are vital, in order to overcome the challenges we are facing.’’      

The official also said that the lighting of these candles did not only celebrate a nice tradition, but also reminds us that we can edify a bright future only through unity.    

„It is a privilege for me to be with you today, to mark this special moment: the lighting of the second Hanukkah candle. This very old holiday of the Jewish people, full of symbolism, conveys a universal message, which unites us, beyond our faith differences. The Hanukkah festival of lights this year coincides with other winter holidays, with traditional holidays, giving us a rare opportunity to celebrate the diversity in the spirit of solidarity. This is a telling example of the fact that, no matter our cultural or religious origin, the common values of unity and hope can connect us into a stronger community. The ending year has been full of significant achievements. A reference moment represented the organization of the first national festival, European Days of Jewish Culture – an initiative which highlighted the richness of the traditions, history and values of the Jewish community, which has been celebrated at the European level for more years and this year it was marked also in Moldova for the first time ever,’’ Sergiu Prodan said.          

The culture minister also expressed gratitude and appreciation for the outstanding contribution of the Jewish community to the cultural diversity and richness of Moldova.  

Ambassador of Moldova to the State of Israel Alexandr Roitman said that this coincidence of the holidays this year – Christmas, Hanukkah and the winter holidays – showed us once more that the unity, friendship and cooperation yield fruits and it is important for us to be together and to cooperate.   

„It is particularly moving for me to participate in this ceremony of lighting the Hanukkah candles here, in the centre of Chisinau, on the pedestrian street, across the street from the Jewish Cultural Centre. The miracles which occur in the world do not come from themselves; they come from faith, from the confidence in the light and in good things. I want to come up with a message to everybody: let us believe in this light, in this kindness, in the fact that there are miracles,’’ the ambassador stressed.     

Hanukkah, known also as the festival of lights, lasts eight days, According to the tradition, on the occasion of this holiday, each evening during eight days candles are lit on a special candlestick with eight arms. The value of the holiday has historical and spiritual significances and represents the victory of the light over the darkness and of the spirit over the terrestrial things.   

The head of state on 25 December conveyed a congratulatory message to the Jewish community of Moldova, which celebrates Hanukkah on these days. ‘’This holiday represents an occasion to speak about our society, about the importance of the uniting of the communities, about the mutual respect, tolerance and protection of the peace in the country and in the world. Hag Hanukkah Sameach!” President Maia Sandu conveyed.