Patricia Kopatchinskaja: I feel obliged to help children in Moldova

Moldova-born Swiss violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja came to Chisinau to tell children here that there are good people in this world who can help them overcome their problems. The musician, who emigrated 20 years ago, returned to Moldova for three days in her capacity of Goodwill Ambassador of the Swiss foundation Terre des hommes (Tdh), Info-Prim Neo reports. Patricia Kopatchinskaja's visit in Moldova started Thursday, June 25, with a trip to Soroca where the Tdh Foundation implements a program titled FACT, which is an abbreviation in Romanian for “Be of Help to the Children of the Country”. “My talent is to play the violin. I left Moldova because my parents understood that you can't be successful if you live in a country that you cant' exit. A musician is like a free bird that knows no boundaries. I was lucky to have been supported by my parents, by the schools and by all the angels. Now, I feel obliged to help the children in Moldova”, she told reporters in Chisinau on Friday. “In Moldova, the country I was born in, many children are not in school. They are forced to work. They live alone or with their grandparents, because their parents are working abroad. Some become victims of trafficking. To help these children I decided to become a Goodwill Ambassador of the Foundation Terres des hommes. This foundation offers children a happier childhood”, said the violinist. “I emigrated from Moldova at the age of 13 and I never thought that children here could come to such a situation. I was in Soroca and I saw children with their eyes full of happiness just for the simple fact that someone was playing with them, helping them. I'm glad I can make these children smile. I'm happy that I had the occasion to see talented children in Moldova like Livia Stribu-Socolov, Ionel Manciu”, she added. Kopatchinskaja's visit to Moldova will finalize on Saturday, June 27, with the participation in a festivity in Chisinau's central park “Stefan cel Mare” bringing together more than 600 children and members of child's protection units from Soroca, Ungheni and Chisinau. Patricia Kopatchinskaja will entertain the audience with a recital.