The children that will take part in the activities that will be carried out in downtown Chisinau on June 1, between 10.00 and 14.00, will have a lot of fun, enjoy music and receive sweets and juices. “June 1 is an occasion to remember and celebrate the joy of childhood, but also to assume responsibility for our children that must be protected and raised in their own families. The children need education and protection from the country where they live,” the UNICEF representative in Moldova Alexandra Yuster said at a news conference on May 29, Info-Prim Neo reports. “Compared with other countries with the same per capita income, the death rate in the Republic of Moldova is lower, while the steps taken show that progress is made in the area of child protection. There are yet a number of problems. One of them is that 20% of the children grow up without parents as they went abroad to work,” Yuster said. “All the children as well as their parents and grandparents are invited to the June 1 celebration at the National Center for Children and Youth “Artico”. Besides music and distraction, the children will also benefit from free ice-cream, juices and sweets. All the children will have the possibility of taking part in contests. The winners will be offered “Artico” vouchers that could be exchange for what the children would like,” said the Center’s director Aurelia Hancu. “From 11.00, after a parade, the children will enter a wonderland that will include a performance by Caramelea Theater, involving groups from “Artico”, workshops (“Enchanted Notes”, “Photo Workshop”, “Sport Ring”, “Art-Maser’s Fantasy”), contests, distraction, clowns and puppets. All will be part of a Great Fairytale that will take place on June 1,” Aurelia Hancu said. A special fair for children will sell souvenirs from clay and pictures, while the “small cooks” will offer delicious food specially prepared for the event. The children will also draw on the asphalt. The “Artico” vouchers could be exchanged for pens, notebooks, souvenirs, T-shirts, toys. The group “Iedera” will give a concert at the end of the holiday. Also on June 1, about 600 children from socially-vulnerable families will take part in contests, view concerts and receive presents at the exhibitions center Moldexpo. According to statistics, in Moldova there are 842,000 children. The number of newborns in 2008 was 39,000, up 2.8% (1,045) from 2007. The birth rate was 10.9 newborns per 1 000 people. The activities are organized by “Artico” in partnership with the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child, the Ministry of Education and Youth, UNICEF and EveryChild Moldova.