Twenty-five winners of the second national students’ contest “Our language is a treasure” were awarded in a festive gala on April 12. The young people presented over 300 essays and short films about different curricular and extracurricular activities that include practices to develop and promote correct speaking in school and the community, IPN reports.

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, this year’s edition of the contest was held under the theme “We are a language” and was devoted to poet Iulian Filip. The contest involved first-twelfth graders of education institutions teaching in Romanian and in the languages of national minorities.

The winners received money awards of 2,000 lei, 1,000 lei, 800 lei and 500 lei and diplomas from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, sets of books and a certificate to take part in the camps program ARC 2018 in Romania.

Minister of Education Monica Babuc called on the young people not to give up keeping and cultivating the Romanian language as an expression of culture and spirituality. She noted that the recently introduced module “Patriotic education” will enable each student, starting from the primary classes, to know not only how beautiful “Our language” is, but also who composed the lyrics of the state anthem.

Attending the event, Romania’s Ambassador to Moldova Daniel Ionita said the Romanian language was the one that united us despite the borders. “Through the Romanian language we managed to survive as a nation and to further promote our ideals. I’m convinced that such moments as this one will represent fundamental benchmarks for the winners of the contest to go on and to look with confidence into the future,” he stated.