Transnistria, ghost of Europe

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Transnistria, ghost of Europe

Written by Natascia

Tuesday, 11 January 2011 16:57

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The Transnistria (officially Pridnestrovie Moldavian Republic of) is not recognized internationally, as officially the Republic of Moldova, actually has all the characteristics of a state: borders, a flag, a currency, a government, a parliament, a president, an army. Sandwiched between Ukraine and Moldova is a long strip of land along the eastern bank of the Dniester river (or Dniester).

It is separated from the Soviet Union in late 1990. A bloody war of secession from Moldova in 1992 led to a current state of peace but not yet fully stabilized.
I arrived in Tiraspol, capital of Transnistria, from Chisinau, using one of many resources (both public and private) that connect the two cities every day, and the distance is only 80 km, the trip takes about an hour and a half.
On this route, the customs are located a few kilometers before the town of Bender (Tighina in Moldovan). I had no complications customs, you can get a permit for entry by filling in a customs form on which must be shown where and by whom it will be hosted. The only language spoken is Russian.
Leaving behind the border to get in quick to Bender, his massive fortress (now closed for restoration) witnessed memorable clashes between Russia and Turkey stands in front of the River. The city is located on the right bank of the river Dniester. During the Civil War was the scene of bloody battles where hundreds of people lost their lives. On many of its buildings are still visible marks of the blows of firearms. Those days are still very much alive in dramatic stories of the people.
Cross the bridge over the Dniester, in about ten minutes to get Tiraspol, whose name, of Greek origin (Tiras is the ancient greek name of the Dniester) is unchanged between Moldovan Russian and Ukrainian. That was the name given in 1792 by its founder, the legendary Russian General Alexander Suvorov (considered one of the greatest military strategists of all time). His equestrian statue is clearly visible at the entrance of the city.
The city has remained the same, unchanged since the Soviet Union, the typical Soviet symbols: red stars and busts of Lenin are still part of the urban landscape. A giant statue of Lenin, the legacy of Soviet times, stands on a column outside the Presidential Palace, as a large bust of Lenin still, this is still before the House of Soviets. The red and green flag of Transnistria was never removed the hammer and sickle of the Soviet Union.
Here in the heart of Transnistria is a Russian military base: the 14th Army, the heir of the 14th Army Guard units, the tip of the former Red Army. Now holds huge amounts of war material, to the point of considering the country as one of the largest armories in Europe. In Tiraspol are seen around a few cars, compensation still circulate in the old Soviet-era trolley buses. In the streets there are old ladies up makeshift stalls selling their wares: from their products in the fruits of the earth.
In the city center, clean and orderly, life seems to run a quiet, tree-lined streets, children playing in the gardens, perhaps at the side of yet another monument glorifying communism or the Great Patriotic War. The suburbs, like that of many other cities of the former USSR is characterized by rows of aligned rectangular blocks of Soviet-style.
While waiting for the bus to take me back to Chisinau play an elderly gentleman who plays the accordion famous Soviet patriotic songs. I leave the country to the sound of these nostalgic melancholy note, with so many thoughts, thoughts on what will be his future.

ilreporter.com

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 January 2011 17:09

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