Great National Dictation brought together 3,500 people from across country on Romanian Language Day

Today, 3,500 people took part in the 4th edition of the Great National Dictation, held in Chișinău and in at least 16 districts of the country, on Romanian Language Day. Organized by the Ministry of Education and Research under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova, the Great National Dictation brought together students, teachers, parents, grandparents and people of different ages, who came to celebrate the Romanian language and to test their knowledge.

Prime Minister Vasile Tofan spoke about the role of the Romanian language in preserving identity and regaining national dignity. The Prime Minister recalled that the return to the Latin alphabet and the restoration of the Romanian language at the center of public life were among the great victories of the national revival.

“The language that people fought for back then is today the language in which we can live freely. Our language has carried us through much harder times than today’s, it preserved our identity when others tried to change it, and it helped us regain our dignity. Today, it accompanies us on our path forward, as a free and European country,” said the Prime Minister.

Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun emphasized the responsibility of the current generation to preserve and pass on the Romanian language: “Nothing of what we are celebrating today came by itself. Neither the independence of the Republic of Moldova, nor the restoration of the Romanian language to its rightful status, nor the return to the Latin alphabet. They were won. That is why today, when we celebrate the Romanian language, we are first and foremost celebrating all those who believed in this ideal and had the courage and determination to fight for it.”

A new feature of this year’s edition is the broader inclusive character of the event. For the first time, students with visual impairments also took part in the Great National Dictation. The Ministry of Education and Research ensured the necessary conditions for their participation, including the space and materials required for the dictation.

Participants wrote a fragment from “The Testament” by Gheorghe Urschi. To ensure equal conditions for participation, the dictation text was announced on the morning of the competition.

The texts written by participants will be checked by a special committee set up by the Ministry of Education and Research. Those who stand out with excellent results will be invited to a festive event, where they will receive awards from the event’s sponsors.

The Great National Dictation was launched by the Ministry of Education and Research in 2023, as part of efforts to promote the Romanian language and encourage its correct use. In the three previous editions, the initiative brought together thousands of participants.