"Limba noastră" ("Our Language"; Romanian pronunciation:[ˈlimbaˈno̯astrə]ⓘ) is the national anthem of Moldova. It has been used since 1994 and was officially adopted on 22 July 1995.[1]
For a short period of time in the early 1990s, the national anthem of Moldova was "Deșteaptă-te, române!", which was and remains the national anthem of Romania. The lyrics were written by Alexei Mateevici (1888–1917) a month before his death.[2] Mateevici contributed significantly to the national emancipation of Bessarabia. The music was composed by Alexandru Cristea.
Lyrics
The focus of "Limba noastră" is language; in this case, the national language of Moldova, which is referred to Romanian.
Constitution of the Republic of Moldova refers to the country's language as Romanian, whilst the 1991 Declaration of Independence names the official language Romanian. In December 2013, a decision of the Constitutional Court of Moldova ruled that the Declaration of Independence takes precedence over the Constitution and that the state language is therefore Romanian.[3]}} It calls for the people to revive the usage of their native language. The poem does not refer to the language by name; it is poetically called "our language".
Codru forests, referred to in the line "Our language is the greenest leaf of the everlasting codrii".
The Dniester river, referred to in the line "Gentle river Dniester’s ripples hiding starlight bright and shining."
"Limba noastră" is based on a twelve-verse poem. For the officially-defined national anthem used today, the verses were selected and reorganised into five verses of four lines each; namely, the first, second, fifth, eighth and twelfth verses, respectively,[4] which are highlighted in bold.
12 [rə.sə.ˈri.va o ko.ˈmo̯a.rə] [ɨn a.ˈdɨŋ.kurʲ ɨn.fun.ˈda.tə] [un ʃi.ˈrag de ˈpja.trə ˈra.rə] [pe mo.ˈʃi.e re.vər.ˈsa.tə]
I Our language is a treasure that surges from deep shadows of the past A necklace of rare gems that scattered all over the domain.
II Our language is a burning flame amidst a people that without warning Awoke from the sleep of death like the brave hero of the tales.
III
Our language is made of songs
from our soul’s deepest desires
Flash of lightning striking swiftly
through dark clouds and blue horizons.
IV
Our language is the tongue of bread
when the winds blow through the summer
Uttered by our forefathers who
blessed the country through their labour.
V Our language is the greenest leaf of the everlasting codrii Gentle river Dniester’s ripples hiding starlight bright and shining.
VI
Our language is full of legends
stories from the days of old
Reading one and then another
makes one shudder, tremble and moan.
VII
Our language is singled out
to lift praises up to heaven
Uttering with constant fervour
truths that never cease to beckon.
VIII Our language is more than holy words of homilies of old Wept and sung perpetually in the homesteads of our folks.
IX
Resurrect now this our language
rusted through the years that have passed
Wipe off filth and mould that gathered
when forgotten through our land.
X
Gather now the sparkling stone
catching bright light from the sun
You will see the endless flooding
of new words that overflow.
XI
Utter no more bitter cries now
that your language is too poor
And you will see with what abundance
flow the words of our precious country.
XII A treasure will spring up swiftly from deep shadows of the past A necklace of rare gems that scattered all over the domain.
Images
Moldovan stamp depicting a Romanian language class. The teacher is explaining the lesson. On the blackboard is written a quatrain from "Limba noastră".
Moldovan stamp bearing the first verses of the anthem.
Mateevici, author of the poem. In the background are written quatrains from "Limba noastră".
A "Limba noastră" social ad in Chișinău (with the word ROMÂNĂ) sprayed onto it.
Wikisource, "Limba noastră", full text of Mateevici's poem (in Romanian)
State Symbols of the Republic of Moldova – The official page of the Republic of Moldova features a page about the flag and anthem, which include vocal and instrumental versions
President's House – The official website of the President of Moldova has a page with information about the anthem. The Romanian version of the page also contains the music score of the anthem.
Moldovan stamp depicting a Romanian language class. The teacher is explaining the lesson. On the blackboard is written a quatrain from "Limba noastră".
Moldovan stamp bearing the first verses of the anthem.
Mateevici, author of the poem. In the background are written quatrains from "Limba noastră".
