Moldova for the first time hosted the International Festival of Language and Culture entitled “Colors of the world”. Students from Romania, Ukraine, the United States, Lithuania and Kazakhstan performed traditional songs and dances on the stage of the National Palace “Nicolae Sulac” in Chisinau. This way the participants from 14 countries, including Moldova, presented the culture and language of their countries of origin. The event was organized by the administration of the International Festival of Language and Culture and the private Theoretical Lyceum “Orizont” in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, IPN reports.

Attending the event, Deputy Minister of Education Elena Cernei said the Festival represents a nice occasion for establishing sustainable relations of friendship and solidarity between the participants. It is also a method of inclusion in different cultural universes. “In a society rocked by conflicts and manifestations of intolerance, our task is not to allow prejudices and stereotypes to throw the real human values into the shadow,” she stated, noting that one of the key priorities of the Ministry is to promote education for tolerance and respect for diversity.

Moldova’s second President Petru Lucinschi said the International Festival of Language and Culture is one of the most beautiful events ever hosted by the National Palace “Nicolae Sulac”. Given that the situation in the whole world has worsened, an attitude of tolerance to other cultures and nationalities is needed to overcome the problems.

The Festival was to involve students from 15 counties. The director of “Orizont” branch in Ciocana district of Chisinau Ümit Öz said the representatives of Bulgaria could not come owing to the terrorist attacks in Brussels.

In another development, the principal said that this festival is a method of promoting different cultures. “Each country represents the culture, traditions and language and promotes these values. This event brings together children of different religions and ethnic group and the goal is to show that we can live in a peaceful world regardless of values and religion,” stated Ümit Öz.

The International Festival of Language and Culture has been staged since 2003. According to the organizers, the event is an example of performance that lays emphasis on the diversity of linguistic talents from all over the world.