Thirteen talented young people who are laurates of the national French songs contest and festival “Chantons, amis!” performed at a concert staged at the National Library on June 21. The young people sang songs from the repertoires of great French and Moldovan singers, IPN reports.

Svetlana Manoil, founder and organizer of the festival, said the recital is dedicated to the holiday of music where they sing not only in French, but also in English, Serbian or the native tongue. “Being a francophone country, it is normal for us to know the civilization of France. We, as teachers, should cultivate the interest in foreign languages in young people,” she stated.

Cristina Enikov, president of the French Language Teachers’ Association of Moldova, said the contest “Chantons, amis!” became in time a launch pad for the career in music for many national singers who already became famous. Among these are Ana Chernikova, Eva Timus, Nicoleta Nuca and El Radu. During 15 years of its launch, the festival involved almost 700 young people, children and teens. “This festival is organized out of pure love for the French language and then out of love for songs,” stated the teacher.

Cristina Katerev, head of the Audiovisual Equipment Division of the National Library, noted the event is held to promote the International Music Day that is officially celebrated in France on June 21. The major objective of the event is to promote the national and international values by music.

Alina Samanate, laureate of the festival’s Grand Prix this year, said her participation in the festival was a challenge mounted by her French language teacher. She chose to sing Patricia Kaas’ song “Mademoiselle chante le blues”, which she considers advantaged her. The young woman said she conquered the jury because she has attitude and showed on stage the results of her intense work.

Valeria Marcu won the Grand Prix of “Chantons, amis!” in 2016. In the concert, she sang the national folkloric song “Lie, ciocarlie”, combining a number of musical styles. She said music is the key that opens all the possible doors, of all the hearts. Music units not only the talents, but also the people, ensuring a balance between creation and beauty.