THE SHEPHERD'S LIFTThe national wrestling style called "trînta" is practised in all villages of the Republic of Moldova during local celebrations. The community gathers around an improvised mattress, where men's naked muscles are on display and the stronger and faster wins. A rich symbolic background based on traditions, land and frame of beliefs composes the essence of the Moldovan wrestling style within the family of the Greco-Roman's.
Moldova is an agricultural country, surviving on what the fertile ground produces: these boys learned from their fathers that the "trînta" competition is their chance to empower in the community, and their bodies know how those movements and rules perfectly fit their short stature and extreme strength, built on hard work in the Moldovan countryside.
Year after year, the number of inhabitants and participants drops dramatically as the emigration rate from the country rises. "Trînta" and celebrating traditions is an unique chance when the locals and the visiting diaspora reunite, while supporting the fight for the survival of their identity.