VIDEO // Moldovan government approves list of 2025 National Prize laureates

The government has approved the list of 2025 National Prize laureates, thus marking the recognition of achievements by individuals in science, culture, art and sports, who contributed to the development and promotion of Moldova's image internationally.

The list of National Prize laureates includes ten individuals:

• Radu Rățoi, accordionist, Master of Arts, soloist of the National Chamber Orchestra – for exceptional contribution to the development of musical art in  Moldova and the promotion of national culture internationally;

• Varvara Buzilă, PhD in Philology, head of the Ethnography Section of the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History – for undeniable merits in the sector of intangible cultural heritage protection and valorization;

• Marcela Vieru (Benea), poet – for her entire literary oeuvre;

• Timofei Bătrânu, visual artist, Master of Arts, People's Artist – for his entire creative activity and the promotion of national visual arts;

• Ignat Cazmalî, founder of the History Museum in Avdarma – for exceptional contribution to the promotion of historical memory and the valorization of cultural heritage;

• Dumitru Erhan and Ștefan Rusu, researchers at the Zoology Institute of Moldova State University – for the cycle of works titled, Associated Parasitic Diseases of Domestic and Wild Animals – Prevention and Treatment;

• Mihail Agafița, People's Artist, principal conductor and artistic director of the Serghei Lunchevici National Symphony Orchestra – for outstanding artistic contribution in the field of symphonic conducting;

• Denis Vieru, International Master of Sports in judo – for outstanding  performances in world tournaments and for the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics;

• Valeriu Duminică, main coach of the National Olympic Judo Team – for essential contribution to the training of athletes and the results achieved at the Olympics;

• Ion Anton, writer and journalist, director of the weekly “Florile Dalbe” – for his entire literary and journalistic work dedicated to children and youth.

“It is the most prestigious prize in the state, which comes as a recognition of remarkable achievements in fields of national importance. This year, we have a very honorable list of laureates,” said Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan.

For his part, Prime Minister Dorin Recean emphasized the importance of supporting excellence.

“Moldova has many extraordinary talents and we must find ways to highlight them. Congratulations to the laureates and all those who supported them in their work.”

The National Prize represents an appreciation of achievements that promote the country's image internationally and contribute to scientific, technical, social and economic progress. The distinction is made up of a diploma, a medal and a monetary reward of 100,000 lei.