The traditional Festival of Ethnicities will be staged on Sunday, September 15, in the central park of Chisinau. For the first time during the festival, visitors will be able to get acquainted with Hindi traditions and culture and enjoy a performance of music entitled “My Love is Moldova”. The concert will involve 20 folklore groups and dance ensembles from all over the country.
Contacted by IPN for details, the head of the Interethnic Relations Agency’s Department for Strengthening Interethnic Relations Ludmila Burlaca said the Republic of Moldova is a multiethnic and multicultural country. This festival brings together the citizens of the Republic of Moldova representing national minorities, strengthens interethnic relations, offers the opportunity for communication and dialogue, the opportunity to hear the languages of ethnic minorities, to see their folk costumes, culture, traditions.
In the Public Garden “Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt”, there will be set up 31 ethnic courts with specific decorations that illustrate the culture, traditions, customs of ethnic minorities in the Republic of Moldova. Traditional dishes could be tasted.
On a LED screen, there will be presented the most interesting topics concerning the national ethnic groups. They will talk about successes, projects, illustrious people. A special area dedicated to children will be available.
Ludmila Burlaca said the festival will be inaugurated for the first time under the sign of the national program “CRIn - strengthening interethnic relations in the context of European integration”, which was launched at the beginning of August. Casa Mare (Big House) is the main area from which the festival starts. “We are all citizens of the Republic of Moldova and for us the Republic of Moldova is like a Big House, with towels, carpets, baked bread, with our mother waiting for us in the doorway, with songs, with customs, and everyone will first dance a big round dance in front of the Big House, taste dishes and then we go to the official opening on the stage of “Ștefan cel Mare și Sfânt” Public Garden,” related Ludmila Burlaca.
The event will start at 10:00 a.m. with the ceremony to lay flowers at the monument of Stephen the Great and Holy and a parade of folk costumes. For the first time, during this year’s edition, on Stefan cel Mare si Sfânt Blvd., at the corner with Maria Cebotari St, there will be placed the stage for the concert “My Love is Moldova”, which is part of the national program “CRIn – strengthening interethnic relations in the Republic of Moldova in the context of European integration”. The Festival of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity will be staged in other localities as well and in some cases will be merged with local holidays.
In connection with the festival, between September 14, 08:00 a.m. and September 15, 11:59 p.m., Stefan cel Mare si Sfânt Blvd, the section between Mitropolit G. Bănulescu - Bodoni St and Sfatul Țării St, Tricolor Street, the section between Stefan cel Mare si Sfânt Boulevard and Mitropolit Dosoftei Street, Maria Cebotari St, the section between Anatol Coropceanu St and Mitropolit Dosoftei St, will be inaccessible to vehicle traffic.
