About 10,000 cyclists are expected to come to the Velohora festival that will take place in the Great National Assembly Square on September 22, starting at 9 00. This year the festival will be held in a new format. Every participant will be able to adorn the bicycle in an ethno-style. Handicrafts and souvenirs with bicycles will be sold in the central square of Chisinau, IPN reports.

Daniel Balaban, the representative of the organizers, said the festival is at its fifth edition. “It is a nice event. Besides the bicycle race, we have different surprises related to the Moldovan traditions and the country’s history that imply the presence of the national costume and the Moldovan dance,” she stated.

Attending the conference held to announce the event, May ire General of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca said he wants Velohoras with as many participants as possible to be held every year.

Cristian Malichi, dancer who will perform on the stage in the opening of the festival, said it is an original idea. “I would be very glad if such events were held more often as the young people like such races,” he stated.

The participants in the Velohora will cover a distance of about 20 km through all the city’s districts. The streets will be closed for traffic while the race will take place. The bicyclists will be accompanied by police cars and ambulances. At the end of the race, there wall be held the traditional draw where the participants will be able to win bicycles.

The Velohora is organized by an economic entity. The festival is supported by the Ministry of the Environment of Moldova and the State Ecological Inspectorate. It will end with a recital by the band “Gandul Mitei”.

Last year the festival involved about 8,000 cyclists.