Ethnic festival held in Moldova

Chisinau, 15 September /MOLDPRES/ – Fifty – five ethno – cultural organisations, representing 20 ethnic groups, as well as multiple artistic formations, participate in 18th issue of the Republican Festival of Ethnicity with generic: Unity through diversity, which takes place on Sunday, 15 September, in Public Garden Stefan cel Mare si Sfant in Chisinau municipality.

In the morning, the representatives of central and local public administration, diplomatic corps accredited to Chisinau and ethnocultural organisations laid flowers at the monument of Stefan cel Mare si Sfant, after which, on the central stage of the Public Garden, it was held the event inauguration ceremony.

The event was opened with song: Moldova is my heart, performed by Natalia Proca and choir Albinuta from the Ialoveni School of Arts, and pupils from the National College of Choreography presented composition: Unity through diversity.

At her turn, acting director general of the Agency for Interethnic Relations, Vera Petuhov, mentioned that slogan: Unity through diversity, corresponds to aspirations of Moldova to integrate into a single European community, and ethnocultural festival has become one of the most illustrative events of achievements in state policy in the field of strengthening interethnic relations.

"Today, the field of interethnic relations in Moldova reaches a new qualitative level, which is characterised by promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, by developing the process of integration and participation of ethnic minorities in various fields of activity of state. The main purpose of festival, from its first years of accomplishment, is to harmonise the interethnic relations, as to preserve culture, traditions and customs of ethnic groups living together in the same state – Moldova", said Vera Petuhov.

In turn, the leaders of ethnocultural organisations greeted the participants of festival in different languages.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Research, Liliana Nicolaescu – Onofrei, addressed to assistance with a congratulatory message from Prime Minister of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and the Presidential Advisor for interethnic issues, Serghei Misin, sent a congratulatory message from President Igor Dodon.

At his turn, acting general mayor of Chisinau, Adrian Talmaci, said that the Republican Festival of Ethnicities is becoming more attractive, more interesting and more varied. "Year by year, this event creates and strengthens in the capital of Moldova a warm atmosphere of civic harmony, inseparable from close unity of all inhabitants of Chisinau municipality, aimed at development and prosperity of our beloved city. Chisinau was and is populated by representatives of many ethnic groups, which have contributed substantially to economic and cultural development of the city. There have always prevailed peace and good understanding here”, said acting city mayor.

Attending the event, the head of the European Delegation to Moldova, Peter Michalko, specified that the rights of minorities will always be the key part in promoting human rights in EU foreign policy. "The European Union supports the partnership in ensuring high standards in the field of human rights, including in Moldova vis – à – vis national minorities. I congratulate the organisers of festival, through which we can see how rich Moldova is, with people living here and belonging to various ethnic communities. It is a potential that can bring happiness to all”, said Peter Michalko.

Afterwards, the guests visited the ethnic courts and book exhibitions in the native language of the ethnicities of Moldova, exhibitions of decorative – applied art, plastic arts and crafts and tasted national dishes cooked on it.

On 18 – 22 September, the festival will continue in Balti, Briceni, Edineț, Glodeni, Orhei, Rascani, Taraclia and in other localities of Moldova.

The XVIIIth issue of the Republican Festival of Ethnicities is organised by the Interethnic Relations Agency in partnership with the Chisinau City Hall, the Coordinating Council of ethnocultural organisations and the local public administration in territory.