Children and students from 12 countries presented their cultural traditions through dances and songs at the 15th International Language and Culture Festival that took place in Chisinau. The festival was held in an international format for the second consecutive year and tends to promote tolerance and respect for the languages and culture of different countries, IPN reports.

Yasin Özdil, director of the Communication and PR Department of the Lyceums “Orizont”, said that peace is promoted as a value through the diversity of songs, people and culture and this festival shows that everyone, regardless of culture, can build peace and live in peace.

Viorica Negrei, vice director of the General Division of Education, Youth and Sport, said that despite the events that take place in the world, the children managed to unite and to bring everyone together. “Unity through diversity is a tendency that we try to cultivate in our children,” she stated.

Fatimah Hashifah came to Moldova for the first time. She said the festival is a wonderful opportunity for people of different nationalities to interact and to establish new friendships.

Cipriana Tabacaru from Moldova said the participants of all the states were very friendly and the communication in English brought them closer. The festival contributes to the modification of people’s perception and to the elimination of discrimination.

Artur Svirskii sang a song in his native language, Ukrainian. He has taken part in three editions of the festival and in the period managed to make many new friends, including from Kazakhstan, Albania, Romania or Moldova.

The spectators included parents and children of the Theoretical Lyceums “Orizont”. The groups of children go on a tour and will perform in seven countries, namely Australia, France, Romania, Moldova, the U.S., Germany, and Belgium.