On the initiative of Moldovan citizens in Portugal, there was established the brotherhood of Moldovan Enology and Gastronomy. The event was held at the Marques de Pombal Palace in the Portuguese town of Oeiras and was organized with the aim of promoting the Moldovan wines and gastronomy in Portugal at the highest level, IPN reports.

According to the Bureau for Diaspora Relations, the idea of constituting the brotherhood was put forward by Simion and Viorica Croitoru, who are representatives of the diaspora and promoters of the Moldovan wines in Portugal. The Moldovan brotherhood was formed based on Confraria de Carcavelos, which is an important association that promotes and implements the economic wine promotion policy in Portugal.

The event was attended by Moldova’s Ambassador to Portugal Dumitru Socolan, Moldova’s delegation led by MP Valentina Buliga, representatives of Moldovan cultural associations in Portugal “Miorita”, “Tezaur” and “Centrul Cultural Moldav”, the Women’s League and the Leuca Family.

The twinning document between the two nations was signed in the presence of the mayor of Oeiras Paulo Vistas. The ten members of the brotherhood were enthroned according to the traditional ritual of brotherhoods. The ceremony was followed by a concert given by Moldovans who settled in Portugal.

Such brotherhoods in Europe have existed for hundreds of years, but “Confraria da enologia e gastronomia da Moldova” is the first of the kind established by Portuguese citizens and citizens of Moldova who are in the country or abroad. After the official ceremony, all the invitees could taste Moldovan wines and traditional dishes.