Six outstanding personalities and a group of four researchers were awarded the National Prize on Monday, August 26, during a festive ceremony. The distinctions were handed over by Prime Minister Maia Sandu, IPN reports.

Lică Sainciuc, painter and book illustrator, was awarded the prize for his artistic work, originality and exceptional contribution to cultivating aesthetic values in the new generations through visual art. Asked by journalists what was the road to this award like, the painter characterised it as "through hardships to the stars." He also mentioned that if young people strive they will get where they want.

Tatiana Ţîbuleac, writer, residing in Paris, was awarded the prize for the outstanding value of literary work and for promoting the image of the country on a European level. "For me it is a signal that people at the beginning of their career are also noticed and this can only make me happy. I think it is important for young people to feel such an encouragement at the beginning of the path”, said Tatiana Tibuleac.

"With great love and pride I carry the fame of my country to every corner of the world where my violin art takes me," said Elena Conunova, mother of Alexandra Conunova-Dumortier, violinist, awarded for her performance in world violin music and the promotion of the country's image.

Liliana Urschi, daughter of humourist Gheorghe Urschi, awarded for Omnia Opera, said that "the king of humour Gheorghe Urschi is now deprived of his only weapon - speech, but he knows that he is loved". Liliana Urschi mentioned that radio and television programs were needed, "for the public to know the renowned personalities of this people."

Val Butnaru, writer, playwright, was awarded for his original artistic approach and contribution to the development of theatrical art in the Republic of Moldova.

Iurii Canașin, sculptor, university professor, received the National Award for his outstanding contribution to the development of the art of sculpture in the Republic of Moldova and the promotion of universal values.

The group of researchers consisting of Galina Lupașcu, doctor in biological sciences, Nadejda Mihnea, doctor in biological sciences, Larisa Andronic, doctor in biological sciences, Svetlana Smerea, doctor in biological sciences, was awarded the prize for research and innovation activity in the field of increasing the productivity and resistance of crop plants through modern and conventional biotechnologies

Prime Minister Maia Sandu said during the ceremony that the awarded prizes represented the gratitude of the citizens of the Republic of Moldova for the contribution of the ten winners to development of culture and science and to the promotion of the image of the Republic of Moldova. “You, as intellectual elite, are role models for the entire society. You teach the citizens of Moldova how to think freely, to create, work, live modestly and hold on”, said Maia Sandu.

33 files have been submitted for the contest. The National Award comes with a cash prize of 100,000 lei.