GALEX National Awards handed out to most active promoters of reading and libraries

GALEX National Awards Gala, now in its 15th edition, took place today at the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, bringing together librarians, writers, publishers and reading promoters on Librarians’ Day. The event was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and the Librarians’ League of the Republic of Moldova Alexe Rău.

The event aims to promote and encourage the work of librarians, as well as to recognize the merits of individuals and legal entities who, through their actions, contribute to the development of the library as a documentary institution of strategic importance.

Director of the National Library Elena Pintilei highlighted the importance of the event for the librarians’ profession.


“I am glad that the National Library, through this event, can bring the librarian into the spotlight. My thoughts turn toward the path of the book, from where the book begins its journey in a library, the services that are the roots of our library, and then I rise upward to the stem, to those who stand over the book, who publish it, who manage the situation. I am glad that today I can also mention those who are involved in the digitization of the book, something so important in our times.”




This year, the Librarians’ League and the National Library designated the laureates of the GALEX National Awards for 2026 in several categories.

In the category “Best Politician Supporting Libraries” the award went to Giuseppe Maria Perricone, Ambassador of Italy to Chișinău. The prize for “Best Founder of Libraries” was given to Alic Rudei.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organizers for this event that harmoniously combines the librarian and the book. This trophy is a motivation to continue doing beautiful and important things for our society. This diploma makes us more responsible and gives us an impulse to strive for more,” said Alic Rudei.

The title of “Best Writer Promoting Books and Reading” was awarded to poet Claudia Partole.

“Writers write in order to reach the reader’s heart. I feel honored and I think that nothing in this life is accidental. I wanted to become a librarian because I thought a librarian is the wisest being in the world; being surrounded by books and historical characters, you cannot help but gather wisdom inside yourself,” the poet declared.

The distinction for “Best Publisher Supporting Libraries” was offered to the Publishing House of the University of Bucharest, coordinated by Alexandru Nicolae. The prize for “Most Generous Patron of Libraries” was won by Veaceslav Doina.

In the category “Best Promoter in Mass Media” the winners were Moldova 1 and Andrei Zapșa. The title of “Best Philanthropic Friend of the National Library” was granted to Constantin Rusnac.

The prize for “Best Supporter of Policies and Programs for harnessing Cultural and Historical Heritage in Libraries” went to the Association of Historians of the Republic of Moldova “Alexandru Moșanu”, led by Anatol Petrencu.

Within the gala, the best librarians of the year were also nominated: Elena Balinschi, from the National Library, and Tatiana Darii, from the District Public Library Antonie Plămădeală in Hîncești.

The award for “Best Library Science Project” was granted to the National Program “Access to Culture”.

In the category “Best Work in Library Science” the awarded works were those signed by Tudor Zbârnea and by Lilia Povestca.

Additionally, the “Alexe Rău” Prize was offered to Olga Cheianu and Nina Navrotschi.

The GALEX Award was established in 2010, its name being formed from the initials of Gavriil Bilevici and Alexe Rău, prominent figures who contributed to the development of the National Library and the field of library science in the Republic of Moldova.