National Wine Day 2020 to take place in Moldova mostly in online regime on 3-4 October

Chisinau, 22 September /MOLDPRES/ - The 2020 issue of the National Wine Day will be marked on 3-4 October, with the slogan, „Eu deVIN sărbătoare” (I Become Holiday).

„With the observance of all safety measures, more in the virtual environment, we will make a review of the achievements recorded in those 19 years during which Moldova was marking this event,’’ the director of the National Office of Vine and Wine (ONVV), Gheorghe Arpentin, said at a today’s news conference dedicated to this holiday.

„This year, while taking into account the new context triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, no public actions, which used to bring together tens of thousands of visitors, including foreign tourists, will be organized in the centre of the capital. Initially, we were thinking about giving up the Wine Holiday this year; yet, afterwards we thought that it would be incorrect towards producers, all those fond of the Moldovan wine and we adapted the programme to reality, but we did not give up,’’ Gheorghe Arpentin said.

According to the ONVV head, anyone, no matter where he/she is, will be able to participate in this event, ‘’which is ours, joint’’ and we can celebrate together with millions of people the day when we will say each other, I Become Holiday! ‘’The slogan is meant to stress the importance of this event for all of us and bears in it the initiative to continue the celebration of the National Wine Day, in safety, with the family and friends,’’ the official noted.   

Thus, in the new context, in the first week-end of next October, the National Wine Day will be marked according to a topic-related schedule, which will include: the official ceremony of the National Wine Day, which will comprise the traditional awarding of Gratitude Medals and prizes dedicated to representatives of the vine and wine sector; exhibition- retrospective which will illustrate the most important moments from those 19 years; exhibition of labels for wine bottles; special TV and radio programmes dedicated to millennium-long wine-making traditions and in the online environment, various topic-related contests; special programmes at all wineries from Moldova, which are waiting for their guests with more surprises.     

At the same time, the event will continue to be marked abroad as well. More famous journalists, bloggers specialized in the vine and wine sector will participate in an online tasting of the Wine of Moldova, thus replacing traditional press visits, specific to the holiday.    

„The National Wine Day is an event which has been embellished Moldova for 19 years with a holiday which gives possibility not only to enjoy the best Moldovan wines, but also to promote them far outside Moldova. Also, we showed how important is to be by the side of our producers, appreciate their progress, nice results and to open or facilitate their way to international markets,’’ the state secretary at the Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment Ministry, Mihai Machidon, said.   

The Wine Festival of Moldova, subsequently named National Wine Day, was held for the first time ever in 2002, at an initiative by the then Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin. Traditionally, the event takes place on the Chisinau-based Great National Assembly Square and in wineries of Moldova, in the first week-end of October, after the grapes are harvested. The festival celebrates the rich traditions of wine-making in Moldova, which date back from the 15th century. The event’s goal is to promote and strengthen the country’s image as an important vine-growing and wine-making state, provide support for the sector’s development, know wine products, facilitate the process of Moldova’s inclusion on international wine routes, attract investors and tourists, increase the domestic consumption of high-quality drinks, familiarize with the national customs, culture and traditions.