I have travelled to Gagauzia in 1995. We went there from Chisinau by a bus passing through wineyards and springflowers. It is a land of sincere and hospitable Gagauz people; an ancient Turkish people coming from the 12th century with a consistent aspiration for self-preservation and who have succeeded to procure territorial and national autonomy.

I was fascinated by the way of simplistic living of the people as well as the wine they were producing. The food was very similar to the Turkish cuisine, I loved it. Everywhere we went, they served us food and beverages especially home-made wines and spirits.

It is an authentic place where Orthodox Christian Turks are living, an ancient group of people descending from the Oguz Turks, who have survived against all kinds of assimilation. They have been ruled by the Russians, Bulgarians, Romanians, Greeks throughout the history yet they have succeded to preserve their ethnic identity and language.

It was very exciting to see Christian people living distant to Turkey speaking pure Anatolian Turkish.I believe, language is the most authentic cultural trait and the most significant element of a nationality.The Gagauz people have suffered a lot to preserve, sustain and elevate their ancestral tongue, which is one of the living dialects of the Turkish language. The Gagauz emphasize their language which is a precious symbol of unity among them. "This is left to us by our grandparents, they have depended on us that we would carry on this tradition to our own grandsons. We have to teach our language to our children, this is the only way to our glistening future. I hope that the Gagauz will wake up, hold on their language and history and thus command their future. " said one old woman whom I talked to.

Gagauz poeple want further access to outside world. Living standards is very low, unemployement is high.

I watched a Gagauz play, listened to Gagauz opera which I loved and was fascinated, visited churches and schools in Comrat. In Caıdır -Lunga I went to a painting exhibition of young Gagauz painters.

If I may, I would like to stay at a Gaguaz house next time I go there. The Gagauz are very happy with their present status because autonomy on the part of the Gagauz has been taken as a way of pursuing the aim of consolidating the people's intellectual potential for self-preservation and self-survival. Against some reservations that the Gagauz would never be able to survive as a nation, without an independent territory, a sovereign state, written official history, single alphabet and being scattered into the borders of many states, today, they have demonstrated that, national feelings being impenetrable and consistent, any destination can be achieved.

Without any reservation, everyone can go to Gagauzia. Food is excellent. The only problem one may face is accomodation. Present hotels are below the standards we are used to see in continental Europe.

Good luck with a unique and authentic country in the middle of Europe where you will immediately feel the difference...



Recommended: Yes