Chisinau celebrates its patron saint day. The cloudy weather didn't keep many people at home. They came to see the holiday platforms set up along the main artery of Chisinau, to watch the artistic program in the central square of the capital city and to taste dishes prepared on the occasion of the holiday. This year the capital city celebrates 581 years of the first documentary attestation, IPN reports.
After flowers were laid at the monument to ruler Stephan the Great and a liturgical service was held at the Metropolitan Cathedral „God's Birth”, in the absence of the mayor general who was suspended, the festivities were officially opened by acting mayor Nistor Grozavu. „Let this feast day, Protection of the Mother of God, be an occasion for acquiring respect, wisdom and patience for all the projects proposed for Chisinau. I wish you welfare, peace, benevolence and hope in your homes,” he stated.
The opening ceremony involved President Igor Dodon, who congratulated the Christians of Moldova on the occasion of the feast day. „There will be important events today, but the fact that the celebrations started with the Liturgy is the most important thing. Without our Orthodox faith, the people will not be able to survive. I'm firmly convinced that Chisinau will always shine as we know it,” noted Igor Dodon.
This year the festivities will involve delegations from five states, namely Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Armenia and Lithuania. The foreign delegations will arive in Chisinau in the course of the day.
The stage in central Chisinau will feature the Orchestra of the National Philarmonic „Sergei Lunkevich", conducted by Dumitru Carciumaru, Master Mihai Munteanu, Mariana Bulicanu, Ana Chernikova, Dara, Tania Cerga, Lilian Severin, Cristina Scarlat, Dumitru Matu, Andrei Glavan, the Orchestra of the Advahov Brothers, Zinaida Julea, Mihai Ciobanu, Igor Rusu, Igor Cuciuc, Mihai Ciobanu, Nica Dudca; Stela Botez, Eva Timus, Diana Brescan, Iuliana Beregoi, Angelina Corjan, Ricu Voda, Radu Dolgan and Lidia Botezatu, the Osoianu Sisters etc.
The concert dedicated to the Day of Chisinau will last until close to midnight. Romanian singer Stephan Banica Jr is the special invitee of the evening.
Downtown is closed to traffic until 6am on October 15.
