The 12th edition of the festival “Unity through Diversity” brought together representatives of over 40 ethnic groups in the Public Garden “Stephen the Great and the Holy”. The event took place on Saturday, September 15. The festivity began with laying flowers at the monument of Stephen the Great. Afterwards, the festival was inaugurated in the Europe Square, Info-Prim Neo reports. President Nicolae Timofti stated at the opening ceremony that Moldova was a country with many ethnicities and this was one of its riches. “History wanted us to live together in this country, on this land: Moldovans, Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians, Gagauz, Bulgarians, Roma, Jews, Polish, Lithuanians, Estonians, Azeri, Armenians – we all found a sense here, we raise our children here. Our future plans and hopes are linked to this land, it is here where we live our joys and sorrows. It’s important to show reciprocal respect and tolerance. Only then we will be able to build thing together”, said the President. “Regardless of the fact that we have people who identify themselves ethnically as Romanians, Moldovans, Gagauz, Bulgarians, we are all, according to European norms and standards, Moldovans as citizens of this country”, stated Speaker Marian Lupu. Prime Minister Vlad Filat said that over the years the Moldovan citizens showed they had the necessary tolerance to live in peace. “Today, we are mark the 12th edition of the Ethnicities’ Festival. I think that after 12 years, we proved our capacity to live together”, said the Prime Minister. The officials walked through the park, visiting the stands of various ethnic groups, tasting their traditional foods and drinks. A stage occupied the center of the garden, where music and dance ensembles performed. The festival is organized by the Inter-ethnic Relations Bureau and the Chisinau City Hall.