"Limba noastră" (Romanian:[ˈlimbaˈno̯astrə]ⓘ), known in English as "Our Language", is the national anthem of Moldova.[1] It has been used since 1994 and was officially adopted on 22 July 1995.[2]
For a brief 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.[3] Mateevici contributed significantly to the national emancipation of Bessarabia. The music was composed by Alexandru Cristea.
The focus of "Limba noastră" is language, hence its namesake; in this case, the official language of Moldova, namely Romanian.
The Constitution of Moldova refers to the country's official language as Romanian, and similarly 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.[4] In Transnistria and by older populations, however, the language is often referred to as Moldovan. Additionally, in Transnistria, the Moldovan Cyrillic alphabet is still used, and the Russian language is spoken by a majority in the region.
The anthem 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 12-verse poem. For the officially-defined national anthem used today, the verses were selected and reorganised into 5 verses of 4 lines each; namely, the first, second, fifth, eighth and twelfth verses, respectively,[5] which are highlighted in bold.
12 [rə.sə.ˈri‿va o ko.ˈmo̯a.rə |] [ɨn a.ˈdɨŋ.kurʲ ɨɱ.fun.ˈda.tə ‖] [un ʃi.ˈrag de ˈpi̯a.trə ˈra.rə |] [pe mo.ˈʃi.e re.vər.ˈsa.tə ‖]
English translation
Russian translation[9][b] (official in Transnistria)
I Our tongue a noble gem bejeweled From ominous shadows of old, A pendant of stones rare and grand That scattered all over our land.
II Our language is a fervent flare Amidst a folk who suddenly Awoke from the deadly slumber Like the heroes brave and holy.
III
Our language a body of songs
From the devotions of our soul.
A flash of lightning strikes apace
Within black clouds, blue horizons.
IV
Our language is the tongue of bread
When the breeze blows through the summer
Proclaimed by our forefathers who
Blessed the country through their labour.
V Our tongue the greenest verdant frond Of our codrii lasting and fond, Our Dniester flows with repose Like a constellation of stars.
VI
Bemoan not! Thy yammers shall cease
That thy tongue's only a mere piece;
Yet, abound in words aplenty
That scatter o'er our dear country.
VII
Our language abounds in folklore
And legends from the days of yore.
Reading and delving into them
Renders all aghast and in qualm.
VIII Our language is the chosen one For blessing glory in heaven, Acclaiming in endless passion Everlasting faiths that beckon.
IX
More than heavenly is our tongue
Of sacred homilies of old;
For aeons lamented and sung
All over the motherland heard.
X
Our language shall one again rise
After the passing grieving years,
Wash off the rust and grime that grew
When left in oblivion our land.
XI
Round up that brilliant shining stone,
And absorb bright light from the sun.
Now thou wilt see countless new words
That are rushing over our land.
XII Apace shall our treasure extend From ominous shadows of old, A pendant of stones rare and grand That scattered all over our land.
I Наш язык, наш клад нетленный От безверия укрытый, Свет жемчужин драгоценных, Над отчизною разлитый.
II Наш язык — душа живая Пробуждённого народа. Он воспрянул, разрывая Сна мертвящие тенета.
III
В нём живут огонь и дойна,
Грусть полей и шелест хлеба,
Полыханье белых молний,
Рвущих тучу в чёрном небе.
IV
Это боль, сердец томленье,
Тихий говор дедов наших,
Что любили эту землю
Правдой рук в труде угасших.
V Наш язык — узор прекрасный, Кодры, шорох листопада. Плёс Днестра, в котором ясно Догорают звёзд лампады.
VI
Наш язык — скрижаль былого,
Голос многих поколений.
Это их святое слово
Пробуждает в нас волненье.
VII
Словом предков мы по праву
Воспеваем в час урочный
Вековечных истин славу
В светлом храме, в доме отчем.
VIII Потому он свят до боли, Что на нём в отцовском крае И оплакивают долю, И застолье воспевают.
IX
Нет ему в веках забвенья,
Что забыто — воскресите,
Пыль эпох с него сотрите, —
Жаждет он освобожденья.
X
Соберите свет жемчужин
С ярким радужным отливом —
И пред вами хлынет дружный
Новых слов поток бурливый.
XI
Нет, роптать вам не придётся
На язык свой с укоризной, —
Он щедрее струй в колодцах
Нашей матери-отчизны.
XII Да пребудет он нетленным От безверия укрытый, Свет жемчужин драгоценных Над отчизною разлитый.
^Although Russian is not an official language of Moldova, it is still widely spoken due to the country's long history with and influence by Russia. In addition, Transnistria and Gagauzia are predominantly Russian-speaking regions.
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.