European Night of Museums marked in Moldova: all museum institutions open doors with free entrance

All museum institutions of Moldova today are opening their doors with free entrance, as part of marking the European Night of Museums 2026. Visitors will enjoy a wide-ranging programme of cultural, educational and interactive activities across the country, including exhibitions, concerts, book launches and creative workshops.

According to the Culture Ministry, the programme brings together more than 110 cultural, educational and interactive activities organized by national museums, local museum institutions, house-museums and cultural-natural reserves in Chisinau and more districts of the country. Most activities will take place on 23 May 2026, while some programmes are scheduled for May 15-31, depending on each institution’s agenda.

The public will be able to take part in permanent and temporary exhibitions, guided tours, creative workshops for all ages, artistic programmes, historical reenactments, film screenings, book launches, fairs of folk artisans and other activities dedicated to cultural heritage.

Events will be hosted by the main museum institutions from Chisinau, such as the National Museum of History of Moldova, the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, the National Art Museum of Moldova, the National Museum of Romanian Literature, the A.S. Pushkin House-Museum and the Museum of the History of the Jews of Moldova. Museums and cultural centers from Balti, Cahul, Calarasi, Causeni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Ialoveni, Glodeni, Ungheni, Sangerei, Straseni, Stefan Voda, Soldanesti and Telenesti, as well as the Old Orhei cultural-natural reserve are also part of the programme.

At the National Museum of Romanian Literature, the schedule will run from 16:00 to 23:00 and will include the launch of the book “Voices from the Besieged Citadel” by Veronica Boldișor, as well as cultural dialogues with Maria Șleahtițchi, Arcadie Suceveanu, Emilian Galaicu-Păun, Ioan Grecu, Virgil Botnaru, and Nicolae Jelescu.

The National Museum of History of Moldova offers an extensive programme from 10:00 to 24:00, with free access to permanent and temporary exhibitions. Visitors will be able to participate in origami, textile creation and painting workshops; medieval activities organized by the “Bastion” Association; musical and choreographic programs; exhibition openings; and activities dedicated to cultural diversity. There will also be interactive exhibitions, workshops inspired by Chinese, Polish and Indian cultures, and a musical-choreographic show featuring artistic ensembles from Chisinau.

At the National Art Museum of Moldova, visitors will be able to attend piano, accordion, guitar, flute and saxophone recitals performed by students and artistic groups from music education institutions. The program also includes workshops for children, teenagers, and adults: origami, abstract painting on water, ikebana, experimental calligraphy, linocut and photography. The evening will conclude with recitals and activities for all ages, including henna tattoos.

The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History has prepared a varied programme featuring fairs of folk artisans; crochet, weaving, embroidery, and woodcarving workshops; as well as folk concerts and performances. Visitors will be able to watch fashion shows, exhibition openings and the screening of the film “Flower of Life,” dedicated to cultural heritage and folk traditions. The artistic programme will culminate with musical recitals and interactive activities held almost until midnight.

The European Night of Museums is one of the most important cultural events organized annually in Europe and takes place around International Museum Day, celebrated on May 18. The event was initiated by the French Ministry of Culture and Communication in 2005 and is currently held under the patronage of the Council of Europe, UNESCO and the International Council of Museums (ICOM).