The sixteenth Silver Chrysanthemum (Crizantema de Argint) Ballad Song Festival will be held during February 21-23 at “Mihai Eminescu” National Theatre, Info-Prim Neo reports. Leonid Gorceac, the Festival’s director, says this year’s edition is very promising, judging by the great number of gifted young persons that took part in the pre-selection stage. On February 21, starting 6:00 pm, 14 ballad authors, of them three from the Romanian towns of Iasi, Ploiesti and Targoviste, will compete at the section “Creation”. In premiere, the ballad singers will be accompanied by the “Caruta” Orchestra, conducted by Gheorghe Cretu, a well-known ballad author. On 22 February, participants will compete at the section “Performance”. The 15 singers, including two from Targoviste, will be accompanied by the “Folclor” Orchestra of the “Serghei Lunchevici” National Philharmonics, conducted by Petre Neamtu. Mihai Munteanu, people’s artist and soloist of the Opera and Ballet National Theatre will chair the jury of the Performance section, while Constantin Rusnac, master and State Award winner, will preside over the jury at the Creation section. The Festival will feature two recitals. The winners of the previous editions of the Festival will perform on 21 February. The Winners’ Gala will be held on 23 February. It will also feature Romanian guests: Traian Jurchelea and Silviana Lungeanu, and Moldovan renowned performers: Mihai Munteanu, Margareta Ivanus, Cristina Pintilie, Cristina Scarlat and Viorica Moraru. The winner of the last year’s Grand Prix, Silvia Goncear, will also perform at the Gala.