Twenty personalities from the Republic of Moldova were awarded the anniversary medal “Great Union Centenary”. A decree to this effect was signed by the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, IPN reports.

According to the presidential administration of Romania, the medal was conferred on the editor-in-chief of the culture and science magazine “Limba Română” (“Romanian Language”) Alexandru Bantoș, artistic director and first conductor of the National Folk Music Orchestra “Lăutarii” Nicolae Botgros, professor, historian and writer Nicolae Bulat, who manages the Museum of History and Ethnography of Soroca, mayor of Strășeni Valentina Casian, journalist and commentator of RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service Vitalie Ciobanu, commentator of RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service Gheorghe Cojocaru, actor and director Alexandru Grecu, actor and director Petru Hadârcă, historian Vladimir Mischevca, and the executive director of “Vatra Neamului” Complex Viorica Moraru.

The list of awarded personalities also includes politician and historian Ion Negrei, political analyst Nicolae Negru, National Library director general Elena Pintilei, editor-in-chief of the Official Gazette Simion Ropot, doctor and writer Teodora Rotaru, promoter of the restoration of the historical monuments erected in 1918-1940 Iulian Rusanovschi, bibliographic researcher Maria Sargun, manager of the Ștefan Vodă ethnic and folkloric ensemble Tudor Ungureanu, CEO of the editorial group “Litera”, president of the European Cultural Institute  Anatol Vidrașcu and National Arts Museum director Tudor Zbârnea.

The presidential administration of Romania said the medal is conferred on the occasion of the celebration of the Centenary of the National Theater “Mihai Eminescu” in Chisinau and of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, in appreciation of the effort made to keep the national identity and to disseminate the Romanian cultural values.