On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the twinning of the municipalities of Chisinau and Iasi and of the 159th anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities (1859), the municipal authorities of Chisinau on January 24 staged an evening of patriotic songs performed by ethno-folkloric groups and young artists. In the event, there was launched a cultural project that will be soon implemented by the municipality, IPN reports.

Culture Division head Lucia Culev reminded that the 100th anniversary of the Great Union will be celebrated soon. On this occasion, the Chisinau City Hall will organize a number of book collection events to distribute books where these are needed. The first event of the kind will be launched on February 14, when it is celebrated the birthday of poet Grigore Vieru. Those who will come to the City Hall and will bring books to donate them will be able to recommend who to give these to. Those who want to benefit from books will have to make short films about the necessity of the consignment of books.

In the evening, historian Ion Negrei spoke about the significance of the 159th anniversary of the Union of the Romanian Principalities, which is known as the Small Union. On January 24, 159 years ago, there was formed the Romanian state. After almost 60 years of that event, on March 27, 1818, there was made the Great Union, which was awaited by all Romanians everywhere.

Chairman of the Writers Union Arcadie Suceveanu said that January 24 is associated with the Union Round Dance of Iasi. “The ideal of the union is alive. The union cannot become a museum item. The union works in us,” he stated.

The cultural project to collect books is implemented by the Culture Division in cooperation with the General Division of Education, Youth and Sport, the Writers Union and the Municipal Library “B.P. Hasdeu”.