“Let’s read together” promotes reading and Gagauz traditions in autonomy kindergartens
There are kindergartens in the Gagauz autonomy where children learn their native language, along with Russian and Romanian. The young learners engage with poems, listen to stories, and explore their cultural roots. During the month, the "Let's read together" campaign is being held in preschool educational institutions, promoting both a love for reading and Gagauz traditions.
Once upon a time, there was a father who had many sons. One day, the brothers started arguing. To stop the argument and calm them down, the father took a bunch of twigs, tied them together, and handed them to each son in turn.
The children from Kindergarten Nb. 9 in the city of Comrat listened with bated breath to a Gagauz folktale. The little ones learned this language at home, but they also use it in kindergarten.
“Our day starts in Gagauz. We say ‘good morning’ to the children and parents, and we ask them how they are, all in Gagauz,” says teacher Marina Gaidarji.
Almost 80 percent of the region’s residents speak Gagauz, but studies show a complex situation where Russian remains the main language of communication in three out of four families. The mayor of Comrat, Serghei Anastasov, emphasizes that actions to promote Gagauz culture are very important.
“These stories not only help us learn our native language, but they also teach us to be united and move Gagauzia and Moldova forward,” the mayor of Comrat stated.
In the last census, 77 percent of the residents in the autonomy reported that their mother tongue is Gagauz. At the national level, the percentage is nearly four percent. Gagauz language instruction is offered in 44 schools and 56 kindergartens throughout the region.
