Spring starts with International Martisor Music Festival in Moldova; 60th edition to bring concerts, opera, ballet, musical premieres

The 2026 Martisor International Music Festival, which will take place during March 1–10, promises the public a rich cultural experience with artistic events in Chisinau and across the country, including symphonic and chamber concerts, opera and ballet performances, choreographic programmes and special productions dedicated to this jubilee edition. Audiences will be able to watch the premiere of the local musical Maria Mirabela, a tribute to composer Eugen Doga and poet Grigore Vieru.

According to the Culture Ministry, the festival will include 25 artistic events held in Chisinau, at the Organ Hall, the National Philharmonic and the Maria Biesu National Opera and Ballet Theatre, organized by the Joc National Ballet and Moldova-Concert. Among the highlights of this edition, there are the premiere of the local musical Maria Mirabela, a homage to composer Eugen Doga and poet Grigore Vieru, as well as Tchaikovsky’s opera Iolanta at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre.

“The symbol of spring is, of course, the Martisor. It is our symbol of rebirth, hope and solidarity. But for our culture, Martisor means something more. This year, I am pleased to announce the jubilee 60th edition of the Martisor International Music Festival. It is one of the oldest, best-known and most popular festivals of its kind in the entire region, a true source of pride and richness for our country. For our culture, this is a landmark moment, and the Martisor has the extraordinary quality of bringing people together in the same place, at the same time, to share an authentic emotion. This year’s slogan is, The Joy of Being Together. Performance halls become spaces of encounter between artists and audiences, between people who may not know each other, but who, for a few hours, breathe in the same rhythm, listen to the same music and share the same mood,” said Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan at a news conference today.





As every year, Moldova-Concert comes before the public with a diverse and spectacular programme at the Martisor Festival, promising concerts for all tastes and ages.

On March 1 and 2, Moldova-Concert will present the multimedia musical Maria Mirabela, The Story Continues. The production, directed by Alla Dontu, brings to the stage well-known and talented artists, accompanied by the National Orchestra of Teleradio Moldova, conducted by maestro George Mustea.

On March 3, at the National Palace, Alex Calancea Band and the Osoianu Sisters will perform in a special programme for the festival. On March 4, the National Orchestra Lăutarii (The Fiddlers) will celebrate 55 years since its foundation with an anniversary show, together with some of the most beloved artists from Moldova and Romania, under the baton of Corneliu Botgros and maestro Nicolae Botgros.

On March 5, the Interethnica project will bring to the stage the folklore and traditions of all ethnic communities that make up Moldova – Poles, Bulgarians, Gagauz, Roma, Ukrainians and others. On March 6, the public will enjoy a concert prepared by Catalin Josan and friends, with the support of the Moldova-Concert team and the Culture Ministry.

On March 7, Dumitru Carciumaru will present Epic Symphonic, an innovative project that combines classical music with international DJs, suitable both for concert halls and open-air events. On March 8, The Urs will offer the most beautiful gift for International Women’s Day – a concert featuring the hottest hits of the moment, at the Nicolae Sulac National Palace.

The festival will end with a performance by the folk song and dance ensemble “Fluieraș”, which this year celebrates 80 years of activity.

“We will showcase the entire history of the ensemble, from maestro Banaruc to the present day, with great artists and iconic voices of folk music,” added Locoman.







The National Philharmonic is offering, within the Martisor Festival, a diverse programme that combines classical music, vocal-symphonic repertoire and modern projects.

On March 2, at the Palace of the Republic, the festival will open with the concert for two pianos Adagio, a tribute to pianist Iurie Mahovici.

On March 3, the public is invited to a vocal-symphonic concert dedicated to composer Vasile Zagorski, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth, with the participation of the academic choral chapel Doina and the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic.

The programme continues with recitals by young Moldovan musicians, concerts dedicated to International Women’s Day, a recital by countertenor Cezar Ouatu and original chamber projects.

A highlight will take place on March 11, when the Philharmonic will present, for the first time, Astor Piazzolla’s opera Maria de Buenos Aires. The festival will close on March 12 with a special concert given by Marin Gheras and Tatiana Cosmin.

The Organ Hall is once again joining the Martisor International Music Festival this year, and for the 60th jubilee edition, it is offering a varied programme of concerts and recitals by artists of Moldova and abroad.

The programme opens on March 2 with a symphonic concert, followed on March 4 by a chamber recital. On March 6, the public is invited to a vocal-symphonic concert, and on March 8 an instrumental recital will take place.

The festival will conclude with a special concert dedicated to the encounter between classical music and modern sonorities. Throughout the festival, the Organ Hall will also host an art exhibition.

The JOC National Ballet aims to bring to the stage the most valuable dances from its repertoire, assembled into representative choreographic suites. Rehearsals are taking place at an intense pace, and the public will have the chance to discover, in almost all the suites, new young soloists at the beginning of their artistic careers.

The realization of the two large-scale shows is possible thanks to the support of the government and the Culture Ministry. Also, between March 10 and April 1, the JOC National Ballet will tour more settlements across the country, performing on the stages of theatres and community centres, where it will present major productions to audiences throughout Moldova.



The National Opera and Ballet Theatre, after several years without premieres and new productions, returns with a major staging: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s opera Iolanta. The new production marks a significant moment for the theatre, being the first major premiere in recent years.

Iolanta, the last opera by the Russian composer, is a one-act work with a radiant message and an optimistic ending. The performance represents a double premiere: in addition to staging Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece, the public will also discover the vision of director Slava Sambriș, who comes from the world of dramatic theatre.

The Martisor Festival is one of the most important cultural events of Moldova. It takes place each year on March 1–10 and is dedicated to the arrival of spring and to promoting national and international musical and artistic values. The festival was inaugurated in Chisinau in 1966, at an initiative of cultural figures and musical institutions of that time. Since then, Martisor has become a prestigious cultural tradition, bringing to the country’s stages renowned artists, orchestras, dance ensembles, folk and classical music performers, as well as guests from abroad. Over time, the festival has expanded beyond the capital, reaching numerous cities and localities across Moldova, turning into a true celebration of music, dance and the performing arts.