Constantin Cheles [Kelesh] is a person with dedication. He was born in 1960, in Ceadir-Lunga, and after finishing school he served in the army. Constantin Cheles was a paratrooper, and then he graduated from the Odessa Agricultural Institute before returning back to his native collective farm. His father was sick and there was no one to work, so Constantin decided to take over the household. His farther dissuaded him, saying it was unrewarding and difficult task – day and night, in winter and in summer –, but Constantin had been fond of animals since his childhood. This is how he became the successor of his father’s work and a real keeper of the Gagauzian culture.
Having overcome severities of the 1990-s, when there was literally nothing to feed horses with, Constantin Cheles managed to preserve a unique enterprise “At-Prolin”, where there are currently 65 horses. Constantin refers to himself as a fourth-generation horseman – his father, grandfather and great grandfather also took care of horses. Moreover, his great-grandfather was known, respected and feared not only across Bessarabia, but in Romania as well.
“Now we are living in the age of technologies and innovations. Less human, less soul remaining in a human being. He is rather a kind of a motor. Maybe I am an old-fashioned man, but for me real communication with a person is more valuable than talking on a phone with the same person. They are right when they say that friendship is measured by distance and time, but it is possible to respect a person who is far away and to forget about the one who is close by. I believe that our farm is a social facility of its kind. People come [here] on excursions: they rest, they interact with the animals, and that makes them kinder. A human being is awakened in them – they touched a cat, patted a puppy, stroked a horse”.
He spends a lot of time at the farm, and one can feel it in the atmosphere – it is home environment, as if you are visiting someone. A cat named Chubais sits on the lawn in front of the house-museum. He has a signature trick – when Constantin tells him “die”, he falls on his back and pretends he is dead. Horses graze in a meadow not far from the main gate. Constantin whistles and your ears feel clogged, but the horses hear and headlong rush to their paddock without anyone else’s instructions. All the animals obey him – they are on the same wavelength.
Many years ago our ancestors settled here, and this place is our second motherland. I love my Gagauzia. I know that it is our land, and these very people who live and work here made it fertile. Our wealth is our people and our land. I like the fact that we have Eastern origins and respect for elders; respect for women; respect for fathers. I believe that is just right that when a senior enters you have to stand up. When a senior is speaking while standing, one should not sit. It is necessary to give place to a woman. It is necessary to treat every older woman as a mother, and every young girl as a sister, and if it is a guy – then it is necessary to treat him as a brother
I never forget that we live in Moldova, in the territory of which the Gagauz Autonomy is located, and we would like to have equal rights for all citizens irrespective of their religion, language and even party affiliation. When I go abroad, I represent our country – Moldova. But many know that I am a Gagauz. It is wrong to be ashamed of your nationality. “I am from Moldova, and I am Gagauz. I am from Moldova and I am Moldovan. I am from Moldova and I am Roma. I am from Moldova and I am Ukrainian
When there is no work, Constantin loves to go to his house-museum. His paintings and the artefacts of his life are preserved there. Once he was waiting for one mare to deliver. It was night, and in order to fill the time, he took a brush and paints and started painting. All his work is dedicated to horses and the culture of Gagauzia. For him the word “homeland” is not an empty word.
I have received offers to leave, to get certain positions, but I stayed here. People started recognizing us, and we are known not as a commercial enterprise. We are known as just a social facility. People come on excursions to us, and because of that people have learned about Ceadir-Lunga, about Gagauzia and about Moldova. Many people say that that is the only enterprise of such kind. Yes, we succeeded in preserving it. But I did not do it alone. I lived here all my life and we believe that we did something good, for the city, for Gagauzia, for Moldova. I am proud of that
In the suburbs of Ceadir-Lunga there is a farm where Orlov trotters are bred, the only such farm in Gagauzia and in the whole Moldova. The name of the farm is “At-Prolin”, and currently, there are 65 Orlov trotters and two heavy draft horses. The unique character of the farm attracts tourists from different countries – from Europe, Asia, and North America. Constantin is available for his guests free of charge. He really likes that in such a way people feel better and also get to know his land.
A horse holds a valuable place in the Gagauzian culture. It is not just an animal that helps in farming and can be used for transporting. It is also a matter of pride for every family that owns a horse. In the old days, a horse was an indicator of high-status. Even the capital of Gagauzia – the city of Comrat – got its name in honor of a horse – Kara At.
Nowadays, horses have given way to new technologies. It is more convenient to cultivate land using a tractor, and to visit neighboring towns using a car. In spite of that, a stallion can never be replaced by its iron successor in the cultural code of the Gagauz identity.
