A series of replicas by painter Nicolay Bessonov dedicated to Roma culture were unveiled at the Chisinau City History Museum. Along with the paintings, the exhibition also showcases five success stories of Roma people living in Moldova.

Ludmila Burlaca, department head at the Inter-Ethnic Relations Agency, said the exhibition is part a series of actions dedicated to the Roma Culture Week, which is traditionally marked in Moldova around the International Roma Day on April 8. “Those who want to delve deeper into the folk clothing, craftsmanship, colors, traditional dishes, places of the Roma people are invited to visit the exhibition”, said Burlaca during the inauguration event.

Valeria Suruceanu, director of the Museum, stated that for Moldova, a multicultural and multi-ethnic country, it is very important that Roma citizens are supported not only by the authorities, through various legislative initiatives, but also by being involved in cultural activities. “The History Museum of Chisinau City is a space that also promotes the history of the ethnic groups that live in this city and contribute to its growth”, said Suruceanu.

Vera Petuhov, acting head of the Municipal Directorate for Inter-ethnic Relations, said that the City Hall cooperates actively with ethno-cultural organizations, and the Roma community is not an exception. In the schools with Roma students, special attention is paid to the education of children of this ethnicity and the curriculum includes elements of culture and traditions of the Roma, added Vera Petuhov.

The Roma Culture Week will continue with the launch the volume titled “The Roma Luck  of Pavel Andreicenco” on April 8. On April 10, the Interethnic Relations Agency is organizing the round table “Strengthening the network of community mediators”. The week will culminate on April 13, at the Mihai Eminescu Theater, with a fair and a concert by the Moldovan National Youth Orchestra, featuring international guests.

In the same context, the Roma Women’s March for Equal Rights and Against Violence will take place on April 8. The march is organized by the Roma Women’s Platform Romni, in partnership with UN Women, for the second consecutive year, to combat stereotypes rooted in society, and also to encourage girls and women from the Roma community to be promoters of change. The march will celebrate Roma women who, despite discrimination and prejudice, fight for an inclusive society, without abandoning their traditions and culture. Roma women from Moldova and refugees from Ukraine will participate in the event.