“We live a nice moment when we celebrate Europe Day in Soroca. By the contribution of some people, by their kindness and work, combined with the financial support of the EU, there was renovated the Soroca Fortress, which is the fortress of our nation and a jewel of the historical heritage,” Head of Parliament Andrian Candu said in the ceremony held to open the fortress, IPN reports.

According to the Government’s press service, Andrian Candu, together with President Nicolae Timofti, Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici and the Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola, made an official tour of the European Town opened in Soroca on May 16. The officials discussed with the EU ambassadors attending the event and informed the population about the assistance projects of the EU.

The visitors could also take part in public debates involving European and local officials, taste traditional dishes of the EU member states within gastronomic fairs and participate in a series of cultural activities. The Speaker, accompanied by his family, visited the exhibitions of flags, firearms, working tools and icons mounted in the fortress.

During two days, on May 16 and 17, the Soroca Fortress hosted the Medieval Festival “Days of the Fortress – revival of a legend.” The program included chivalry competitions, exhibitions of medieval objects, fairs staged by craftsmen and a concert.

The Soroca Fortress was reconstructed with European funds within the transfrontier project “Medieval Jewels: Hotin, Soroca, Suceava Fortresses” that is financed by the EU through the Joint Operational Program Romania – Ukraine – Republic of Moldova 2007-2013. The restoration process lasted for almost two years.