Over one hundred guests, including both officials and migrants, attended the first Diaspora Biennial in Chisinau, on December 26. Olga Coptu, head of the Bureau for Diaspora Relations said the event was a nice opportunity to bring people home for the holidays, to socialize and exchange good practices, IPN reports.
“We came up with this event in order to meet people living abroad that we haven’t met yet”, said Coptu.
Government secretary general Lilia Palii was glad to attend such an event that promotes and encourages the diaspora. According to her, every Moldovan citizen living abroad contributes to the social and economic development of Moldova via their hard work, the remittances they send home and the good reputation they spread.
Five awards have been presented: “Journalists in Diaspora” to Bianna Golodryga, “Medics without Frontiers” to Dorina Donici, “Back Home” to Valentina Geamana, “Longing with Talent” to Corina Diaconul, “With Love for Home” to Aura Vition.
Dorina Donici spoke about her pride of being part of such a hardworking people like the Moldova, who do beautiful things wherever they go. “I’m proud to be from Moldova. I meet fellow medical professionals from all over the world and everyone asks me where did I get such excellent training. And I tell them about Moldova, that we have a strong school here”, said the award-winner.
Journalist Ala Mindicanu, head of the Moldovan Community of Quebec, said that in her work she tries to approach things critically and analytically, to show that people are leaving Moldova. “It’s an alarming trend, but not a disaster. Many other societies have passed through such historical stages and I think a time will come when the diaspora will return home and find its place”, said Mindicanu.
Award-winner Viorica Mamaliga, head of the Association of Immigrants from Vorniceni Village, thinks the awards is a recognition of all the things the Association has done for its home village. “In one and a half years since the creation of the Association, we have offered bursaries, book donations, material aid to needy families, we have held the Diaspora Day in Vorniceni for a second year in a row”, said Mamaliga. The Association has over 800 members. About 26% of the people in Vorniceni have taken the path of immigration, mostly to England, the US, Canada, Italy, UAE and Russia.
The Diaspora Biennial will be organized every two years, in flexible format and with varying award categories.
