The documentary film festival “Why Democracy” has been launched in Chisinau. According to the organizers, the aim of the event is to generate thematic debates in order to educate the population, IPN reports.

Septimius Parvu, project manager at the Romanian Association “Expert Forum” that is the co-organizer of the festival, said that after viewing the films, the representatives of civil society, bloggers, journalists and all those who want are invited to thematic debates. “The festival was organized by the associations “Pro Democracy” and “Expert Forum” in cooperation. We came here not only to show films, but also to hold thematic debates on democracy, in Moldova and Romania as well as all over the world,” said the young man.

Attending the launch, Romanian’ Ambassador in Chisinau Marius Lazurca welcomed the intention of the Romanian civil society representatives to come to Moldova with this project. “One of the essential messages of this festival is that Moldova is a democracy and this project comes to educate democracy,” he stated.

According to the director of the Resource Center for Human Rights of Moldova Serghei Ostaf, the 18 films that will be shown within the project hold interest to everyone. “As to democracy, it is a continuous exercise of a country. Democracy is not static. It must be maintained,” he said.

The OSCE Mission to Moldova, which celebrates the 20th anniversary, opened the anniversary program by participating in “Why Democracy”. Carpenter Jacqueline, the Mission’s senior adviser on human rights, said the organization aims to solve the Transnistrian conflict and defend the human rights and the rule of law in Moldova, while the cooperation of the OSCE with “Pro Democracy” and “Expert Forum” in organizing the film festival contributes to implementing democracy in Moldovan society. “This variety of films makes the distance between society and truth shorter,” stated Carpenter Jacqueline.

The documentary film festival “Why Democracy” will take place during April 19-21 at Spalatorie Theater in Chisinau. Entrance to the 18 films, which will be shown in English, is free.