I love my country, but I don’t see any future in Moldova, Dumitru Filipov

{Info-Prim Neo feature from the series “Independent for 21 years. New Moldovans coming?!” with Oxana and Dumitru Filipov – the family that decide to assert itself in another country, because they believe there are no chances in Moldova} Oxana and Dumitru Filipov are a family from Chetrosu village, Anenii Noi district, but who have been living in Spain for almost two years and, currently, do not plan on returning to Moldova. Although both spouses have higher education degrees, Oxana – construction engineering technologist, Dumitru – jurist, and both have tried to settle in their home country, the uncertainty of the following day motivated them to leave. However, they still hope that something will change. After having graduated in Law, Dumitru found a job as a jurist. We worked at a notary’s office, and later at a bank. His income did not allow him to ensure himself a decent living, especially after the baby was born. The man says that the only ones who manage to build a successful career are those who have some kind of material support and certain connections. Otherwise you need years to feel accomplished. The man stated that he was praised at all of his jobs, but there still was no possibility for him to advance. According to him, there is a plateau in our country, which stops you and there is no way to overcome it. Most of the big businesses belong to the governing lot. Five years ago he decided to leave for Spain. Dumitru tells that it was hard for him to leave, because his wife and daughter remained in Moldova. It took him little time to accommodate in Spain. His elder brother was already developing a business there. It was a company that installed security systems, smoke evacuators, fire alarms, acoustic alarms, etc. There are only four enterprises of this kind on the Spanish market. They are official representatives of a large Russian company, and distribute security systems all over Spain. Presently, all three brothers are there, and all three are part of this business. “I feel more accomplished over there, than I used to feel over here. We have our business. I work for myself. Sometimes I reminisce about my suit job, about the morning coffee, but…” said Dumitru. Oxana retells that, after graduation, she worked as a construction engineering technologist at an enterprise, for about 5 years. She decided to follow her husband. She and her daughter have left for Spain almost two years ago. The woman hopes for a better future than the one she could have in Moldova. Over there, just as in Moldova, they live in a small village, but it as different as night and day, the spouses say. In these two years, the girl went to prep school, which is called kindergarten back home, and this year she will go to elementary school, to the first grade. The woman is happy about the Spaniards’ attitude towards them. She describes them as a welcoming people. Their girl has fit in to the education institution perfectly; she has very good grades, and neither the pupils, nor the teachers differentiate her from the others. Oxana says that she was impressed by the opportunities children have there, albeit living in a village. “The quality of education and healthcare services is far better than in Moldova. Children have the opportunity to practice everything they want: dancing, sports, gymnastics, swimming, go to concerts, watch cartoons, and a great many other activities; and you don’t even have to go to the city. All extracurricular activities are nearby, you don’t have to make long trips to bring you child there”, says the woman. Oxana said that, in Moldova, albeit living 20 kilometers away from Chisinau, there were no activities for children. “There is not even a park here. When we left, she was at an age when kids forget quickly, and whilst in Spain, my daughter asks me if there is a park in Chetrosu. And I don’t know what to tell her. Ever since we came here on vacation, my child keeps asking me where we can go for a walk, not even mentioning other activities. They have nothing to do here, except kindergarten and school”, says Oxana. The spouses say that the Spaniards’ mentality is different from that of Moldovans. In Spain people don’t judge you by Moldovan standards, i.e. how you dress, what car you drive and where you live. People are simple, but invest a lot in other delights, such as vacations. “People know how to spent their leisure time; they go out on holidays, whereas in Moldova we set tables larger than at christening feasts”, Oxana added. Dumitru says that he is disappointed by politicians, leaders and the general political, economic, and social situation of the country. “Things don’t stagnate, they regress. I am a patriot, even nationalist, by nature. I love my country, but I don’t see a future for Moldova, even as an independent state”, Dumitru said. The man claims that independence is a luxury Moldova can’t afford, because its economic situation forces it follow on country or the other. Integration to the European Union might be a chance. “Europe has always been the role model on well-being and democracy, but I don’t deny the possibility to have good relations with Russia. After all, both parties have an interest in this small patch of land”, Dumitru added. The spouses say that, although living in Spain, they watch Moldovan news, because they are curious of how things are here, and also await changes. “When I come to Moldova, I inhale this air and feel at home. Regardless of how bad it may get, I love my country, but I don’t want to go back, since my wife and daughter are in Spain, I would like to stay there”, said Dumitru. [Elena Nistor, Info-Prim Neo] {The first time the Info-Prim Neo Press Agency used the sentence “New Moldovans coming” was in the summer of 2010, also at the anniversary of Independence. It seemed appropriate to us, to attribute this description to a category of people whom Moldova can lay its future hopes upon. The Info-Prim Neo team believes that Moldova has changes for adequate development only in the case when the society will accumulate a critical mass of new people. We did not refer strictly to young people, and strictly to ethnical Moldovans. “New Moldovans” are all the people who adopt new visions and experiences, new will and mentality; all those who care about themselves, their family, and their country. It is true that the Agency found it necessary to end the sentence “New Moldovans coming” in an exclamation mark (!), as a symbol of hope, and an interrogation mark (?), in order not to scare our luck away.}