President Maia Sandu's speech at Great National Dictation 2025

Honorable President of Romania, Nicusor Dan,

Dear friends, lovers of the Romanian language,

Thank you for being present at the third edition of the Great National Dictation – an event that has become an increasingly appreciated tradition. The fact that the number of participants grows from year to year proves that the Romanian language gathers us, unites us and inspires us.

Mr. President, your presence here in Chisinau is a sign of friendship and solidarity, but above all, a proof that the Romanian language stays the strongest bridge between the two banks of the Prut River. It carries our history, preserves our culture and connects us to our values and traditions.

Nevertheless, the Romanian language should not be celebrated only one day a year, but must be honored and cherished every day – when we choose to speak correctly, write neatly and lovingly use its expressions and rich vocabulary. Thus, we keep it alive and pass it on to future generations.

The Romanian language is our connection to the past – with writers, singers and teachers who fought for it – but also to the future, with the children who will use it to build the science, culture and art of tomorrow.

The word is a great power. It is not a given. There were times when just by uttering the name of the Romanian language, you risked being mocked or persecuted. Today, we can speak freely – and we must defend and cherish this fundamental right for us and for future generations.

Moreover, the Romanian language is not only an official language of the European Union, but is spread across the continent and beyond. It is not unusual to hear it on the streets of Rome, Paris or London, on the squares of Berlin and Madrid, but also across the Ocean – in the United States, Canada or even in distant Australia. It is both a reason for joy and pride. Wherever we go, the Romanian language remains the compass of our identity and the living link to our roots.

I am also pleased that, in recent years, better conditions have been created for citizens belonging to ethnic minorities of Moldova to learn the Romanian language. This is an important step, because the Romanian language can bring us closer to each other, regardless of the community we come from. It has the power to unite us and help us build a more united and stronger society together.

Dear friends,

Thank you all for your love and care for our language, for the Romanian language.

I wish you all success at the Great National Dictation. Regardless of the results you achieve, you are all winners – because you care about how you write and because you chose to take part in this celebration.

Thank you once again – and let us all wish the Romanian language a warm "Happy Birthday!".