More than 400 beneficiaries of Edelweiss Foundation, personalities from the fields of culture and arts, politicians and representatives of civil society took part in the Edelweiss Performance Awards Gala, organized by the foundation sponsored by businessman Vlad Plahotniuc for the first time, in the evening of December 12. The prizes were handed over by representatives of the political and cultural elite of Moldova, IPN reports, quoting a communiqué from the Foundation.
President Nicolae Timofti presented the special prize of the Gala to a group of ten students for results achieved at international Olympiads. Every student received by 5,000 lei from Edelweiss Foundation, which wanted thus to reward and encourage the young people.
In his speech, the head of state congratulated Edelweiss Foundation for its national charity projects. “We want to build a society where to promote talented persons, based on merits. Only by such an approach can we make progress in implementing reforms. The Edelweiss Foundation Gala is a first step in this direction as it devotes appropriate attention to people with merits,” stated Nicolae Timofti.
Another five trophies were each accompanied by a certificate to the value of 50,000 lei, offered by Edelweiss to institutions managed by laureates of the Gala. The trophy “Harvest of Hopes” was given to Gheorghe Avornic, director and founder of the orphanage “Hope of Children”; “Guide for Young Talents” – to Vlad Negruzzi, chairman of the Cultural Society “Vatra”; “Devotion to Culture” – to Elena Marian, head of the Musical - Choral Association of Moldova; “Life in the Life’s Service” – to Stefan Gascan, director general of the Mother and Child Center; “My Mission: Performance” – to Petru Gozun, president of the Dance Sports Federation of Moldova.
“The representatives of Edelweiss Foundation enjoyed every moment when you smiled and applauded. We are grateful for the good things that you allow us to do daily!” the Foundation’s executive director Lara Moraru said at the end of the Gala.
The program included performances given by young talents, whom the Foundation helped in time: Chisinau Youth Orchestra, the Children’s Choir “Lia Ciocarlia”, athlete Alexandria Ghetoi, the choir “Cantabile” and dancers of the Dance Sports Club “Codreanca”. The evening closed with a surprise – a concert by Romanian singer Smiley.
According to the communiqué, Edelweiss is a charity foundation founded three years and a half ago by Vlad Plahotniuc. The Foundation helped over 310,000 beneficiaries from all over the country. The donations exceeded 20 million lei and went to support cultural and educational projects and social cases, to help children in need.
