President's message at Ethnicities Festival

Dear friends from all communities in Moldova,

Dear citizens,

Ethnicities Festival is an event that showcases how beautiful and strong our country is when each community contributes.

For centuries, people of different origins have come and stayed on this land: Bulgarians, Gagauzians, Jews, Ukrainians, Romani, Russians, Armenians, Azeris and many others. Each brought their language, dances, and songs, food, and crafts.

We find them in the architecture of villages, on festive tables, in family traditions, in traditional attire, and songs at weddings. All these things have become part of our daily life, our common identity.

But history has also taught us harsh lessons. When we were united, we could build and live in peace. When we were divided, we all lost, and some communities paid with lives and sufferings that should not be forgotten.

That is why peace begins in our hearts. Without it, we cannot build anything sustainable. It means respecting each other, not letting hatred and lies divide us. And when threatened, peace is defended by wise decisions, solidarity, and the courage to speak the truth.

Dear citizens,

War is near us today. And at home, we see attempts to sow discord. There are people and forces sowing hatred, telling us that Moldovans cannot live with Gagauzians and vice versa, that the Russian language is being suppressed, that some have more rights than others.

All these are lies. Our people have lived together for centuries, work, and help each other. Moldovan people want peace, not conflict. Moldova has been and must remain a peaceful country. We cannot side with the aggressor. We are on the side of peace.

That's why we have opened our homes and hearts to Ukrainians fleeing bombs and atrocities. I am glad they have found a second home here in Moldova. I am grateful to all who have shown solidarity and humanity. This is how we became known as a small country with a big heart. A country firmly on the side of peace. And that's how we must remain.

And there's something else: Peace does not belong to individual communities or regions – it belongs to everyone or not at all. Moldova will be strong only if every citizen feels safe and respected.

Dear friends,

Mutual respect also means respect for the languages we speak. The Romanian language helps us communicate with each other, to be informed, to have more opportunities. At the same time, the languages spoken by our communities – Ukrainian, Russian, Gagauz, Bulgarian, and others – are part of Moldova's richness. Preserving and passing them on means respecting the roots of our people.

But beyond language, beyond ethnicity, what binds us together is love and respect for this land. For our Moldova. Let us take care of it and protect it. This is our common home.