If we live in a free country today, it is thanks to those who, 35 years ago, did not remain silent, did not give in to fear, and did not back down. And we have no right to back down either—this was the message conveyed by the country’s president, Maia Sandu, in the courtyard of the Presidency, the place where, in 1990, the Declaration of Sovereignty was adopted and which was chosen today as the final destination of the Solidarity March, organized to mark this historic moment and to praise the people who worked hard to make Moldova free and independent, IPN reports.
Maia Sandu noted that the declaration of sovereignty was one of the first major victories of the National Liberation Movement—a historic decision that made it possible to declare independence a year later, an act of affirming national identity.
With gratitude to her predecessors who fought for sovereignty and freedom, Maia Sandu said that we have a duty to protect these rights. “Sovereignty is not something you shout about, but something you build every day.” Sovereignty means defending against any foreign intervention. Sovereignty means that Moldovans decide for Moldova, wherever they are—at home or abroad, Maia Sandu added.
According to the president, “in those years we began to build and move towards the light” – “we said that our language is Romanian, we returned to the Latin alphabet, we adopted the Constitution, we clearly stated that we want to be free, and on August 27, 1991, we told the world that we are independent”.
Maia Sandu called for unity for “real and protected sovereignty,” adding that “Moldova has the power to decide its own fate. And that is what we must do.“ ”Moldova in the European Union means guaranteeing sovereignty, because the EU respects our right to destiny and helps us maintain peace,” the head of state emphasized.
“A sovereign, fair, and free Moldova is in the European Union”, concluded Maia Sandu.
The president of the “Parliament ’90” Association, Ion Hadarca, the first president of the Popular Front, addressed the crowd with the appeal: “Peace in our hearts and unity in our country, dear compatriots!” just as he had done at the Great National Assembly, noting that he felt the same emotions and that “what is happening here” resembled that historic event.
Expressing his gratitude for the invitation, Hadarca evoked those who fought for sovereignty, recalling Doina and Ion Aldea-Teodorovici, as well as individuals less known to the general public but equally valuable, highlighting the fighter and poet Grigore Vartosu.
“Glory to the heroes!” said Ion Hadarca, calling for unity. “Let us increase our vigilance, let us be united and loyal to our friends: Romania and the European Union,” added the president of the “Parliament ’90” Association, concluding with the statement that “Moldova is Europe.”
Dozens of people, led by President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, and other officials, along with citizens who responded to the authorities’ call, set off on Monday in a Solidarity March from the monument to artists Doina and Ion Aldea-Teodorovici on Mateevici Street to the Presidency. The atmosphere was enhanced by performances by artists Cristofor Aldea-Teodorovici, Vali Boghean, Simona and Radu Dolgan, together with the band “Noroc”.
