According to the mayor of Ceadir-Lunga, Anatol Topal, this holiday has been held at the local hippodrome for 25 years and thousands of guests from all over Moldova and neighboring countries come to the event. But this year, the Executive Committee of Gagauzia reported that the authorities of the autonomy refuse to take responsibility for the traditional holiday “Hederlez”, celebrated annually on St. George’s Day on May 6.
According to the mayor, the official reason for the refusal of the festivities is the infection of foot-and-mouth disease in some European countries, which affects the animals. In this regard, the Gagauz authorities do not seem to want to jeopardize the participants of equestrian competitions in Ceadir-Lunga.
However, as Anatol Topal notes, no restrictions on foot-and-mouth disease were received from the National Agency for Food Safety (ANSA). Moreover, no quarantine has been imposed.
In connection with the current situation, an emergency meeting of the Municipal Council will be held in Ceadir-Lunga on April 14, where decisions will be made on the further fate of the “Hederlez” festival.
