VIDEO, PHOTO // Ethnicities' Festival, at its 25th edition, brings together more than 45 ethno-cultural organizations in Chisinau

The 25th edition of the Ethnicities’ Festival, held under the motto, Unity in Diversity, today takes place in the Stephen the Great and Holy Public Garden of Chisinau, bringing together 45 ethnocultural organizations representing 24 ethnic groups. The event, organized by the Agency for Interethnic Relations and the Chisinau City Hall, provides communities with a space to present their traditions, heritage and cultural values, as well as to engage in dialogue and participation.

At the opening of the festival, the director of the Agency for Interethnic Relations, Veaceslav Reabcinski, stressed that the event goes beyond being a cultural gathering, becoming over the years a national platform for meetings and cooperation between ethnic communities.

„But for us, this is not just a cultural event, because we are going through a very important period for Moldova’s path. The war at our borders continues and increasingly affects us, the country Republic of Moldova. At the same time, we have assumed the European path and certain commitments that we must fulfill along the way,” Veaceslav Reabcinski said.

According to the head of the Agency for Interethnic Relations, in the context ,it is important to consolidate a society in which people from different communities know one another, communicate and participate together in public life.

„To achieve all this, we need unity; we need a united country, a country in which every person can feel the support of their neighbor,” the official said.

Reabcinski noted that, for the Agency for Interethnic Relations, the Ethnicities’ Festival was part of a broader process of involving ethnic communities in public life. In this regard, he referred to the national „Dialog 29” programme, through which the authorities aim to create a national system enabling ethnic communities to be involved in and participate in decision-making processes.

„For the Agency for Interethnic Relations, this is not merely a cultural event; it is much more, because it is part of the national Dialog 29 programme, through which we have set ourselves the goal of creating a national system that will involve ethnic communities in and enable them to participate in decision-making processes in Moldova,” Veaceslav Reabcinski said.

The anniversary edition brings together 45 ethno-cultural organizations, which present their culture and values in 30 ethnic courtyards. According to the organizers, 24 ethnic groups are represented at the festival, while the activities give the public the opportunity to interact directly with community representatives.

The director of the Agency for Interethnic Relations thanked the Coordinating Council of Ethnocultural Associations of Moldova, the participating organizations, the Youth Council attached to the Agency for Interethnic Relations and the regional ethnic councils from the country’s districts.

„Your effort and everything we have achieved together have made it possible for this festival to grow from a local event into a national one,” Reabcinski said.

The festival’s official programme started with the laying of flowers at the monument to Stephen the Great and Holy, followed at 10:30 by the opening ceremony on the stage in the Public Garden. The inaugural moment was followed by performances of the Camerata Chisinau Orchestra and the Doina Choral Chapel.





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Starting from 11:00, the public was invited to visit the 30 ethnic courtyards, where communities present traditional clothing, handicrafts, cuisine, music, dances, literature and other elements of their cultural heritage.

In addition to performances and exhibitions, the organizers are offering workshops, interactive activities, quizzes and tastings of traditional dishes. Thus, the festival is built not only around the central stage, but also around direct encounters between visitors and community representatives.

„The Ethnicities’ Festival is built together with the ethnic communities. At its 25th edition, we want every visitor to discover not only the traditions of different ethnic groups, but also the people who preserve and pass them on. Direct interaction, communication and joint participation help us reduce stereotypes and better understand the diversity that defines our society,” the organizers said.

Among this year’s themed spaces, there are the Greek Courtyard, Belarusian Courtyard, Ukrainian Courtyard, Refugees’ and Asylum Seekers’ Community Courtyard, Indian Courtyard and Polish Courtyard.

At the Greek Courtyard, visitors can learn about traditional costumes from different regions of Greece, Greek-language courses and the community’s cuisine. The Belarusian Courtyard features Belarusian clothing and traditions, including a straw-weaving workshop and culinary activities.

The Ukrainian Courtyard presents traditional costumes, handicrafts, music and cuisine, as well as activities for children and young people. The Refugees’ and Asylum Seekers’ Community Courtyard includes creative activities for families, an exhibition of national costumes and objects made during art therapy workshops.

The Indian Courtyard presents elements of Hindi culture and language, the tradition of wearing the sari, the preparation of masala tea and the art of mehndi. The Polish Courtyard features folk costumes, traditional dances, literature and cuisine, as well as a quiz dedicated to Polish culture and history.

The programme is complemented by ethno-folkloric performances featuring artists and groups from different communities, exhibitions and themed activities.

A special component of the anniversary edition is the MOSAIC COURTYARD, hosted by Moldova for Peace, where the fourth edition of the ethnocultural event titled, MOSAIC – Cultures for Positive Peace, is taking place. The space brings together traditions, art, handicrafts and interactive activities and is dedicated to intercultural dialogue and participation.

The Ethnicities’ Festival is taking place during this period not only in Chisinau. Throughout September, festivals, performances, exhibitions, workshops and educational activities dedicated to ethnic and cultural diversity are organized in more localities across the country.

These include the „ETNO FEST – Taraclia 2026” Festival, as well as the Unity in Diversity festivals organized in Soroca, Ocnita, Edinet and Orhei. Cultural and educational activities are also held in Falesti and Tudora, Stefan Voda district.

According to the Agency for Interethnic Relations, holding events in different regions allows communities to promote their identity and cultural heritage in their own localities and to participate in public life.

The Ethnicities’ Festival is organized by the Agency for Interethnic Relations and Chisinau City Hall, in partnership with the Coordinating Council of Ethnocultural Organizations accredited by the Agency for Interethnic Relations, with the support of partners Moldova for Peace, the Youth Council attached to the Agency for Interethnic Relations and Dopomoha.

At its 25th edition, the Ethnicities’ Festival brings together the traditions, languages, costumes, music, dance, cuisine and handicrafts of the communities that make up the Moldovan society, continuing an event whose participation has expanded from the local to the national level from one edition to the next.