Moldova marks International Children’s Day: diverse schedule of activities for whole family

Moldova is celebrating the International Children’s Day today. The event is marked with a diverse schedule of activities organized in the capital and in localities across the country, and the authorities are inviting families to take part. June 1 is a public holiday for employees.

According to the Culture Ministry, the International Children’s Day will be celebrated in cultural institutions throughout the country with interactive performances, creative workshops, topic-related excursions, concerts and recreational activities.

More specifically, the “Alexie Mateevici” Theatre will present the performance “The Miller’s Daughter,” while the Russian State Drama Theatre A.P. Chekhov will hold a participatory dance programme dedicated to children and parents.

A masterclass in stage movement and dance for children and young people will be held at the At the National Theatre Vasile Alecsandri from Balti and the Republican Puppet Theatre Licurici is inviting children to two interactive performances, prepared especially to bring beloved stories to the stage and offer entertainment for the whole family.

The Organ Hall will host the traditional concert “Children for Children,” performed by students of the Republican Music Lyceum Sergei Rachmaninov, starting from 16:00.

The National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History is preparing exhibitions, excursions and creative workshops for the whole family for June 1 and 2. At the same time, the institution will host the opening of the International Visual Arts Salon of Students and the opening of the International Visual Arts Salon of Teachers, 16th edition.

The Cultural-Natural Reserve Old Orhei invites children and parents, during June 1- 7, to interactive activities, creative workshops, face painting sessions, and topic-related guided tours.

The schedule also includes numerous activities organized by theatres, cultural centers and institutions in more regions of the country. Most events take place between 10:00 and 18:00.

In the capital, activities dedicated to Children’s Day began on May 30, continued on May 31, and will conclude today, June 1. The schedule includes performances, games and special artistic moments organized in all sectors of the city.

Thus, on Columna Street, on the stretch between Metropolitan G. Banulescu-Bodoni Street and Alexandr Pușkin Street, and in the square of the Birth of God Metropolitan Cathedral, the cultural-artistic event “The World of Childhood,” 4th edition, is taking place. It includes educational, artistic, and recreational activities that promote the values of friendship and solidarity and create a social space for the entire community: painting workshops, face painting, a photo area, topic-related drawing contests with raffles and prizes, a relaxation area for parents, sports activities, educational games and puzzles, cartoons, etc.

At the same time, residents and guests of the capital will be able to admire the artistic ensembles of the art schools in Chișinău.

Likewise, at Moldexpo, the Kid’s Expo exhibition is taking place these days, with a diverse schedule of activities for children.

Also, on the occasion of International Children’s Day, today free access will be provided to the Botanical Garden of the Moldova State University for children and their accompanying parents. All children up to the age of 18, as well as their parents or legal representatives, will benefit from full exemption from the entrance fee. Free access will be offered for the entire duration of the Botanical Garden’s operating hours on June 1.

According to data by the National Statistics Bureau (BNS), as of January 1, 2025, the number of children aged 0–17 in Moldova amounted to 553,000, or 23.2 per cent of the total usually resident population. The number of live births was 22,100, down by 6.6 per cent compared to 2024. As many as 51.2 per cent of live-born were boys, with a sex ratio of 105 boys per 100 girls.

In Moldova, June 1 is a non-working holiday. The decision was taken by the authorities in 2023, giving parents the opportunity to spend time with their families and children.

The International Children’s Day is annually marked in Moldova on June 1. The event is celebrated in accordance with the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959.