PHOTO // European Museum Night 2026: cultural institutions of Moldova filled to capacity, thousands of visitors discovered art, history, traditions

European Museum Night 2026 has brought thousands of visitors to museums across Moldova, turning cultural venues into lively spaces filled with art and history. The National Museum of History, the National Art Museum and the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History were among the most visited cultural institutions of the capital.

At the National Museum of History of Moldova, over 16,000 visitors took part in the programme dedicated to International Museum Day and European Museum Night. The event included exhibitions, artistic performances, medieval re-enactments and interactive activities for the public.

“This year, we had a very large flow of visitors. The museum prepared a programme that brought together two major events: International Museum Day and European Museum Night. From early in the morning, the first groups of children from Ocnita arrived. At the same time, the museum courtyard was opened, where the public could discover medieval reconstructions,” the museum’s deputy director for public relations, Olga Andranovici, has told MOLDPRES.

According to the museum representative, among the most appreciated attractions were the photo zone with medieval costumes and the exhibition dedicated to cultural diversity, which brought together representative costumes and objects donated by 11 embassies.

“In every hall of the museum, visitors had the opportunity to admire choreographic and artistic moments. A special highlight of the evening is the opening of an exhibition that brings together, in a single space, 11 cultures,” added Olga Andranovici.

An impressive number of visitors was also recorded at the National Art Museum of Moldova, where more than 10,000 people crossed the threshold of the institution. Visitors appreciated the atmosphere of the event and the opportunity to discover cultural heritage in an accessible and interactive way.

“It is impressive to see so many people coming to discover art in a single day. Such events bring us closer to cultural heritage and make us see museums as living places where the past and present meet,” noted one of the participants.

Other visitors said that taking part in Museum Night has already become a family tradition.

“This is not my first time at the Museum Night; this has already become a family tradition for us. Every year we rediscover the history and cultural values of Moldova. It is encouraging to see more and more visitors over time,” said one participant.

A diverse programme was also prepared at the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, where fairs of folk craftsmen, crochet, weaving, embroidery and woodcarving workshops took place, as well as concerts and folk performances.

Visitors enjoyed fashion shows, exhibition openings and the screening of the film “The Flower of Life,” dedicated to cultural heritage and folk traditions. The artistic programme culminated with musical recitals and interactive activities held until almost midnight.

The event attracted over 10,000 visitors to the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, confirming the public’s interest in cultural heritage and folk traditions.

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