The day of August 2 remained in history as a dramatic one and still bears negative connotations. After the declaration of independence from the USSR, the Republic of Moldova is still in the same boat as the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic. Most citizens do not know their history, and the Stalinist regime that remained standing in the Russian Federation maintains statist ideas in the Republic of Moldova too, representatives of the League of Students of Bessarabia stated in a news conference hosted by IPN in connection with the 84th anniversary of the formation of the Moldovian Soviet Socialist Republic.
“Today, on August 2, Moldovenism was institutionalized. This is a day with huge weight for the population living between the Prut and the Nistru Rivers, a day that marked an entire nation and subsequent generations, a day when we must remember who we were, who we are and who we want to be, a day that shows us how much passivity and lack of cohesion can cost us. Now we need to show much more solidarity because Moldovenism is not just an ideology. It is a tragic scenario under which we live,” said Alexandru Tetelea, a member of the League of Students of Bessarabia.
Today, at 18:00, a flashmob meeting dedicated to August 2 will be held in front of the Parliament Building. In an initiative circle, participants will be able to express their opinions on this event and on the influence it has had on the people living between the Prut and the Nistru.
According to Silviu Plopa, vice-president of the League of Students of Bessarabia, the identity crisis of the Moldovans has its roots deep in the policy of the Soviet Union, especially after August 2, 1940, when significant changes were imposed in the sociopolitical structure of the region. “Due to the identity crisis, the Soviet occupation and the propaganda carried out over time, we are currently facing various contradictory opinions about our Romanian past. In this connection, it is essential that every citizen understands the important role of Romania for the Republic of Moldova both economically and socially,” stated Silviu Plopa. He also said that the date of August 2, 1940 remains the symbol of an anti-Romanian historical experiment and, in order to overcome its negative effects, it is crucial that the young people actively promote rather Romanian identity.
Danu Verlan, a member of the League of Students of Bessarabia, noted that during half a century the USSR promoted a fierce anti-Romanian policy on the territory of the MSSR, starting with the deportations and annihilations of the Romanian elites in Bessarabia and ending with the tendencies to create a new language and a new people with a history distinct from the Romanian one. The Soviets were doing everything possible to destroy the national consciousness and the natural tendency to reunion with the motherland.
“Tighina” Association head Alexei Păluță said that the Soviet Union disseminated half-truths in our country, promoting in schools the message of liberation from fascists and overlooking the deportations to Siberia and the persecution for the word “Romanian”. Alexei Păluță invited the citizens who want to enrich their knowledge of history and all those who feel they are Romanians to tonight’s event.
Note: The press conference was held within the project “Double integration through cooperation and information. Continuity”, which is funded by the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova of the Government of Romania. The content of this conference does not represent the official position of the Department for Relations with the Republic of Moldova.
