VIDEO // Romanian cobza proposed for UNESCO List; Moldovan culture minister describes move as important moment for Moldova's culture
The cobza, a traditional Romanian musical instrument, and the craftsmanship of making it might be included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, Culture Minister Cristian Jardan has said. The file is a joint effort of Moldova and Romania, and the inclusion of the cobza in the UNESCO list would follow the one of the traditional embroidered blouse, already internationally recognized.
“It is a joint file of Moldova and Romania, which we very much hope will be approved. It is an extraordinary achievement. We already have the traditional embroidered blouse included in this list, and now we are about to have the Romanian cobza. This is a very important moment for our culture. We are pleased and hope that this recognition will contribute to the popularization of an old, traditional instrument and a symbol of our unity,” Cristian Jardan said.
The decision on the inclusion of the cobza and its craftsmanship in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List is to be approved at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in New Delhi, India, on December 8-13, 2025.
The file, The Art of the traditional embroidered blouse – an element of cultural identity in Romania and Moldova, was submitted by both states in 2021.
The cobza is a traditional plucked-string musical instrument, part of the lute family, with origins in the Arab world (aud, kopuz). It circulated in Muntenia and Moldova and was frequently used by musicians at weddings, baptisms and celebrations. Its presence is attested in old mural paintings (the monasteries of Humor, Voroneț, Sucevița, Horezu) and in written documents from the 16th-19th centuries, such as Dosoftei's Psalter or memoirs of foreign travelers.
Ministry of Culture requests authorities be informed before inviting foreign artists
“Porcelain War” screened in Chișinău
PHOTO GALLERY // Exhibition dedicated to Constantin Brâncuși inaugurated in Chișinău
PHOTO GALLERY // Generations united by traditions: how anniversary of Ialoveni city started
February 16, 1898: BTA Releases its First Bulletin
PHOTO GALLERY // Winners of first edition of National Contest of Book Trailers awarded prizes in Chisinau
PHOTO GALLERY // Well-known departed poet of Moldova honored with flower-laying ceremony on Alley of Classics in Chisinau
Moldovan president invites people to rediscover book as space of inner peace on National Reading Day
PHOTO GALLERY // ''THE BORDER'' movie presented in packed house in Moldova
Moldova attends TTR 2026, Romania’s largest tourism fair
Spring Festival celebrated in Moldovan capital: Chinese show on stage of Mihai Eminescu Theatre dedicated to Year of Fire Horse
Spring starts with International Martisor Music Festival in Moldova; 60th edition to bring concerts, opera, ballet, musical premieres
Spring Festival to be celebrated in Chișinău with artistic performance
Bulgarian-language radio station could be opened in south of country
PHOTO // Government investments in Căușeni and better conditions for citizens
Prime Minister in talks with mayors from Căușeni district
EcoContact relaunches measures program to protect natural areas
Defense Minister: Institutions analyze every military death case with utmost seriousness, and I have personally committed to closely overseeing intensification of psychological support and monitoring activities
Speaker about situation in agriculture: We acted in time to prevent complications
MIA Instant Payments, two years after launch
Air defense - strategic priority for Moldova, Defense Minister says
Defense Minister reports to Parliament: Defense investments important for security of Moldova
Moldovan Speaker about fuel market situation: We have larger stocks than before war
Crisis Cell: Several Moldovan citizens evacuated from Dubai via route organized by Romanian authorities
Parliament appoints new deputy ombudsperson
Anniversary exhibition inaugurated at National Art Museum of Moldova
PHOTO // Deputy Prime Minister at EU Ambassadors’ Conference: Moldova - responsible partner and continues to implement committed reforms
Authorities in Moldova and Ukraine coordinate actions to manage incident on Dniester River
New rules in eCherha electronic system at border with Ukraine
Moldovan government invests 25 million lei in tourism infrastructure in Valeni village
