For centuries, on the eve of St. Basil the Great, people sing carols and celebrate the Old New Year. In Grebleşti village, Străşeni  district the traditions are kept every year. Children dressed up, took bags filled with corn and started singing carols in every house, wishing people good health and prosperity.

In Chircu family, this day has two meanings, as the owner is called Vasile. After carols were sung to him, the host invited his guests to the table. The man claims that his name brings him good fortune.

"I am proud of my name" Vasile Chircu said.

"It is the day when he is respected and honored. We prepared jellied meat, borscht, stew and a cake" wife Maria Chircu said.

People who sung carol received sweets, wine, knot-shaped bread and money.

"We await carollers every 1st and 14th January" villager Leova Ianoviţchi said.

"I prepared some pastry, waited, purchased some chocolate and waited for all those who will come to singing carols" villager Iulia Ianoviţchi said.

Children claim to have prepared long for this day:

"We learned this carol at school with our friends. Now we go to sing it to our relatives."

"I learned of this tradition from my parents. When I will grow up I will make sure to pass them on."

"We try to keep those traditions so that children in their turn, can pass them on" Mayor of Grebleşti village, Străşeni, Aliona Chircu said.

In the morning, Christians went to the Church to pray for health, while the priest blessed everyone.

"It is a Saint who came when the church was in danger" priest of Saint Trinity church, Grebleşti said.

"We came to pray for the health of our children, our grandchildren."

Moldova celebrates New Year's on 31st December, as well as on the night of 13th January, the Old New Year.