For the Republic of Moldova, World War II isn’t over. As long as a foreign army is present on the left side of the Nistru River and a part of the country’s territory is controlled by someone else, we cannot say that the war is over and the recent decision of the Constitutional Court confirmed this. The opinions were stated by Liberal MP Valerian Bejan in the public debate “May 9 – holiday that unites and divides” that was organized by IPN News Agency and Radio Moldova.
The MP said those who monopolized the day of May 9 and called it “Victory Day” consider another holiday cannot be observed the same day. But one should admit that a holiday, having a fixed date, can symbolize something different for each society apart.
“I do not say that we should all celebrate the same holiday that is celebrated by us. I want to say that we, the Liberals, are tolerant of the viewpoint of each citizen. If someone thinks that they should celebrate “Victory Day”, they should realize what victory is it and over who was it. Also, Europe Day was celebrated earlier too, as one wanted, but not in an official way. The fact that Europe Day was officially instituted on May 9 bothered a lot those who monopolized this holiday, calling it “Victory Day”,” stated Valerian Bejan.
He also said that the Liberals are not against those who celebrate “Victory Day” on May 9 and commemorate those killed in World War II on this day, no matter on whose side they fought because most of these didn’t fight voluntarily, especially those between the Prut and Nistru, who were deployed along the front line and used as cannon fodder.
Valerian Bejan noted not the celebration of the day of May 9 divides Moldovan society, but concrete actions by the politicians. He referred to the fact that President Igor Dodon laid flowers at the monument to Kazaks who killed Moldovans during the armed conflict of 1992. He also took part in the May 9 parade in Moscow. While the Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu held the post of President on an interim basis, he refused to take part in this event.
“These elements divide society, not the holiday. Someone choses to celebrate, while others choose to commemorate. It is up to everyone to decide. Some people support the Communist ideology, but we should ask those who experienced famine if they approve of this ideology as well as those who went through gulags or those who were under occupation and were sent to jail for 25 years. The fascist ideology was also supported by many German people, but these were misled and manipulated, as in the case of the Communist philosophy,” stated the Liberal MP.
The public debate “May 9 – holiday that unites and divides” is the 72nd installment of the series of debates “Developing political culture by public debates” that are staged with assistance from the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany..
