PHOTO // Gala of Ethnic Communities awards prizes to winners in Moldova

Chisinau, 4 December /MOLDPRES/ - The Gala of Ethnic Communities from Moldova was held at the headquarters of the Palace of the Republic on 3 December. The event brought together about 600 participants, representatives of the ethnic groups coexisting in Moldova, representatives of the central and local public authorities. The MOLDPRES News Agency was mentioned at the Publicizing of the interethnic dialogue category.  

President Maia Sandu: „We celebrate the beauty and diversity of the ethnic groups and traditions from our country’’

The participants in the event were welcomed by President Maia Sandu, who stressed the importance of the unity in the society before the attempts of division. ‘’We today celebrate the beauty and diversity of the ethnic diversities and traditions from our country – a great wealth which we have the duty to preserve and value it in continuation. We today celebrate our unity, more necessary than ever, before the attempts to divide us, to trigger artificial conflicts and to spread distrust.   

This is Moldova which all of us want: a Moldova of everybody, where each citizen, no matter his/her ethnic origin, the language he/she speaks at home or in the street, the religion he/she shares, is respected and benefits from the opportunities of development, according to the personal and professional aspirations,’’ Maia Sandu said in her speech at the opening of the event.

The director general of the Interethnic Relations Agency (ARI), Veaceslav Reabcinschi, emphasized the importance attached by Moldova’s leadership to the interethnic relations. Attending the event were the head of state and Deputy Parliament Speaker Doina Gherman attended the event. ‘’This is a strong message of support for the ethnic communities and of recognizing their contribution to the development and cohesion of our society,’’ Reabcinschi said.  

The ethnic communities want a European future in Moldova

The number of ethnic and cultural organizations accredited at ARI, according to Reabcinschi, increased by over ten associations this year.  

The head of the Agency referred to the wish of the co-inhabiting ethnic groups to contribute to the development of a European future in Moldova and highlighted the initiative of the Ukrainian, Gagauz, Bulgarian communities and of the Belarusian Cultural Centre on the signing of an Addressing to the ethnic and cultural associations about the support of Moldova’s European integration way, backed by over 40 organizations.  

„This is a proof of the fact that the ethnic and cultural diversity from Moldova not only enriches the society, but also strengthens the unity and determination for the achievement of common goals. We thank the organizations and the leaders who supported this initiative, proving that, through cooperation and mutual respect, we can build a prosperous and democratic future for all Moldova’s citizens.’’   

„Dear friends, this evening is about you – about your achievements, dreams and hopes. It is about the force of the ethnic communities to transform the diversity into an engine of development, to transform the differences in points of meeting and cooperation. But we should not forget that these achievements are due to the Moldovan people, which through hospitability, openness and spirit of solidarity, created a friendly environment for the harmonious coexistence of different ethnic communities,’’ Reabcinschi added.