Moldova celebrates Independence Day; President Maia Sandu: 'We Have a Duty to Preserve Freedom'

The Republic of Moldova today marks the 34th anniversary of the proclamation of Independence, voted by the parliament on August 27, 1991. On this occasion, more festive events will be organized in Chisinau and other settlements of the country, and the country's leadership has issued congratulatory messages.

In an exclusive interview with the MOLDPRES Agency, President Maia Sandu congratulated the citizens, noting that, while 34 years ago our parents gained Independence and sovereignty, today it is the duty of the present generation to preserve independence.

‘’We have a duty to our parents, but also to our children, to preserve independence, to maintain freedom and to transform this freedom into more security and prosperity. And the best and safest way we can do this is by bringing the day of joining the European Union nearer. This is our national project and it is our responsibility towards our predecessors, as well as towards future generations,’’ the president said.





The Independence That Unites Us

Independence unites destinies and hearts of citizens, noted for MOLDPRES Ludmila Varta, a Romanian Language and Literature teacher at the Theoretical Lyceum from the Larga village, northern Briceni district.

‘’Independence is not just a page of history, but a daily commitment—to defend the values we believe in, to build a fair, dignified and united society. The Independence of the Republic of Moldova means the people's freedom to decide their own destiny without external constraints. It is the right to preserve and develop our language, culture and traditions, as well as the responsibility to build a society based on respect, dignity and solidarity,’’ the teacher emphasized.

Independence is not just a word, but opened new horizons for young people, claims Cristina Cheptea, born from Falesti, economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington.

‘’The independence of the Republic of Moldova opened the doors to a bigger world than I could have imagined. It gave me the freedom to choose where and how to study, to have access to better universities and to broaden my horizons,’’ Cristina states.

He defended the Independence of the Republic of Moldova with weapon in hand, and today keeps alive the memory of comrades who fell on the battlefield. Reserve colonel Mihail Dereneu, marked by a sense of duty and responsibility throughout his life and career in the Police, now experiences the joy of seeing his daughter following in his footsteps. At 34 years since the proclamation of Independence, the former policeman looks confidently into the future and urges young people to honor the past by edifying the country on solid foundations.

‘’For me, independence means more than a declaration or an annual celebration. It is the essence of the struggle for dignity, for the right to decide in our own home, to defend our values, language, traditions, and future. Independence means freedom, dignity and responsibility. I carried the weapon not out of obligation, but out of conviction. I defended it with my own life and will never forget the colleagues who fell, so that we can have a country today,’’ the reserve colonel said.

The opinions of citizens were published by MOLDPRES as part of the 'Moldova is ME' campaign, an initiative aimed at promoting the citizens of the Republic of Moldova, their visions, concerns, and aspirations.





Independence Day will be marked in Chisinau and in all localities of the country under the motto 'Independence Unites Us'

Prime Minister Dorin Recean invited citizens to participate in the events dedicated to marking 34 years of the proclamation of Independence.

‘’I want to invite everyone to come with their families, children, friends, in order to celebrate the independence that unites us, here, on the Great National Assembly Square. We will have a concert with good music, pieces performed by our beloved artists. Happy Independence Day, Republic of Moldova!’’ said the prime minister.





The Holiday’s schedule 

The day's schedule began at 09:00, with the ceremony of laying flowers by the country's top leadership at the Grieving Mother monument at the Eternity Memorial Complex.

At 10:00, flowers will also be laid at the monument to Ruler Stephen the Great and Holy.

In the afternoon, between 15:00 and 15:30, a welcoming ceremony will take place for the three European leaders: President of France Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk. The official welcoming ceremony will take place at 16:00.

In the evening, after 20:00, President Maia Sandu, along with the high-ranking guests will take the stage on the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN) to address the citizens.

The events dedicated to Independence Day will culminate with a concert organized on the PMAN. More artists will perform on stage.

 







34 Years Since the Signing of the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was the product of major geopolitical changes in the world at the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s. The implosion of the USSR and the break-up of the socialist bloc created favorable conditions for the free self-determination of peoples.

The national liberation movement in Bessarabia (1988–1991) brought the reformist forces to power, which constituted the majority in the first democratically elected parliament (1990–1994). This was followed by the adoption of the Tricolor as the State Flag, the condemnation of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Declaration of Sovereignty (June 23, 1990), culminating in the Declaration of Independence.

In August 1991, after the failure of the conservative forces' coup, the parliament convened on August 27 to decide Moldova's fate. The voting was preceded by the largest Grand National Assembly, during which citizens expressed their support for independence. With an absolute majority of 278 votes, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Shortly thereafter, the Republic of Moldova was recognized by almost all the nations of the world, and on March 2, 1992, it became a full-fledged member of the United Nations.

During the anti-communist riots of April 7, 2009, following the destruction of the parliament building, the original Declaration of Independence, with the deputies' signatures, was destroyed by burning. In 2010, at a joint festive session, the parliament, along with MPs of the first legislative body restored the Declaration of Independence. Three original copies are stored today, under maximum security conditions, in parliament and the National Bank.