Actors, poets, writers, musicians, and other cultural figures who distinguished themselves through their creations over the past year were honored today at the Ministry of Culture Awards Gala, held at the State Residence to mark National Culture Day, IPN reports.
Attending the gala, President Maia Sandu stated that the event is a wonderful opportunity to recognize those who have enriched the cultural heritage through their creativity and to show appreciation for those who inspire daily through painting, literature, sculpture, and music. "Culture is the most precious bridge between the past, present, and future. It is the living expression of our soul and traditions," noted the president.
The “Valeriu Cupcea” Award for theatrical arts was presented to actor and director Anatol Durbala and actress Vitalia Grigoriu, in high recognition of their efforts to promote the field of theatrical arts.
The “Constantin Stere” Award for literature was granted to prose writer Iulian Ciocan, a publicist and critic, for his outstanding contributions to promoting national culture abroad through his literary work and dedication to cultural values. A similar award was given to Maria Sleahtitchi, director of the National Museum of Romanian Literature in Chisinau, for her monograph “Generatia 80” published in 2024.
The “Gavriil Musicescu” Award for music was awarded to soprano Diana Axentii for her remarkable performances, dedication, and significant contributions to promoting music and musical culture. The award was also presented to university professor Aurelia Simio, a doctor at the Department of Wind Instruments, Percussion, and Vocal Performance at the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iasi.
The “Vladimir Curbet” Award for dance was given to the Nufarul Folk Dance Ensemble for excellence and outstanding achievements in promoting traditional dance, as well as to choreographer Iurie Bivol of the Fluieras Ensemble.
The “Stefan Ciobanu” Award for cultural heritage conservation and museology was presented to Petru Vicol, manager of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, for his significant contributions to developing and promoting national cultural heritage.
The “Ion Madan” Award for librarianship and bibliographic work was awarded to Lilia Tcaci, deputy director of the Ion Creanga Library for Children, and Ludmila Corghenci, head of the Continuous Professional Training Center in Librarianship and Information Sciences at the National Library of the Republic of Moldova.
The “Isidor Burdin” Award for intangible heritage was granted to folk craftsman Nicolae Dron and ethnographer Corina Rezneac from the National Center for Conservation and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The “Gheorghe Cincilei” Award for promoting cultural image in the media was awarded to journalists Victoria Cusnir of Radio Chisinau and Doina Simpovschii of TRM.
The “Mihail Grecu” Award for visual arts was presented to painters Iurie Platon and Violeta Zabulica-Diordiev.
Several state distinctions were also awarded during the gala through presidential decrees, recognizing prolific cultural activity, substantial contributions to promoting spiritual values, and remarkable achievements in creativity and professionalism.
The “Order of the Republic” was bestowed upon visual artist Elena Bontea, director of the National Opera and Ballet Theater Maria Biesu, Nicolae Dohotaru, and poet Emilian Galaicu.
The “Order of Honor” was granted to Evghenia Bejan, director of the National Library for Children Ion Creanga, literary critic and historian Alexandru Burlacu, writer Fiodor Zanet, and poets Dumitru Crudu and Evghenii Lungu.
The “Civic Merit” Medal was awarded to Moldovan National Youth Orchestra conductor Andriano Marian. The honorary title “Master of Arts” was granted to Elena Frunze-Hatman, director of the Alexei Mateevici Theater, while the title “Emeritus Artist” was given to instrumental artist and musicologist Violeta Botezatu.
The ceremony will conclude with the performance “Numai poetul” at the Mihai Eminescu National Theater.