With funny face masks, made of wool, leather or wood, people reproduced an ancient dance. The custom called the Masks Game is practiced in several northern villages on the New Year's Eve. It is believed that this ritual casts out evil spirits and makes the new year prosperous and fertile.

The members of an artistic group in Drochia decided to present this custom not only to local houses but also on the stage, during performances dedicated to the winter holidays.

"The traditional aspect is a stereotypical one, but the man comes to celebrate first of all to make him feel good, he desires to participate in such activities,"a member said.

Victor Cemortan admits that his folk ensemble was inspired by the shows in Romania. 

"Dance was more specific in Romania. In Moldova, we have more masks that i saw in festivals from Rădăuți, Botoșani, Iași where we were inspired and can take them as examples", said Victor Cemortan, the director of the House of Culture in Drochia.

The Masks game is practiced each year in the villages of Colicuti and Larga in Briceni district.