The program of activities that will be organized to mark 20 years since Moldova proclaimed its independence will start as usual with laying of flowers at 9.30. Afterward, there will be staged a military parade, for the first time after many years. There will held competitions, marches and races. The band “Zdob si Zdup” will give a concert in the evening. It will be followed by fireworks. The program was presented in the July 20 meeting of the state commission for the celebration of 20 years of the proclamation of independence that is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Moldovanu. He said that 80% of the planned activities have been prepared, Info-Prim Neo reports. National Army Commander and General Staff Chief Iurie Dominic said the parade will involve 1,200 soldiers and 65 units of transport. The preparations for the parade are to be finished by August 16. The Ministry of Youth and Sport will mount three events. It will screen a documentary themed “20 Years of Moldova’s Professional Sport”. All the TV channels that want will be able to broadcast this film that will be ready at the end of July. “We will also organize a cycling race Chisinau-Ungheni-Chisinau. As Ungheni is the capital of youth, we want to join the two capital cities by a race that will bring together more than 100 cyclists, 20 of whom from the Transnistrian region. The traditional wrestling competitions will also take place,” said Minister of Youth and Sport Ion Cebanu. The Ministry of Education will make sure that the first lesson in education institutions on September 1 be dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the proclamation of Moldova’s independence. Minister of the Interior Alexei Roibu assured that the public order will be maintained and the guard ensured at the highest level. This time the police will not set up the protection fence around the Great National Assembly Square, as on other occasions. According to Mihai Moldovanu, the budget for organizing the August 27 festivities has not been yet specified. The necessary amounts of money will be allotted by the ministries involved. A sum of 10 million lei was allocated from the Government’s reserve fund for staging the parade. The Ministry of Culture submitted an estimate of almost 1 million lei for the festive part.