Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a place that no one officially recognizes? Transnistria, formally the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic, is a narrow strip of territory sandwiched between the Dniester River and the Ukrainian border. Unilaterally declared independent from Moldova in 1990, this self-proclaimed republic is one of Europe's most intriguing secessionist territories, a true "country that doesn't exist" in the eyes of most of the international community.

With its own borders, currency, army, and government, Transnistria is like a Soviet time capsule, where statues of Lenin and communist symbols can still be found. Its existence raises complex questions about sovereignty, the right to self-determination, and post-Soviet geopolitics. But how has this enclave managed to survive for decades without recognition, and what is the daily reality for its inhabitants in this forgotten corner of the map?

To other platforms: https://linktr.ee/elgatopodcast