PHOTO// Forests Festival brings together thousands of visitors in central Moldova

The Presidential Residence in Condrita, Chisinau municipality, today hosted the second edition of the Forests Festival, an event dedicated to environmental protection, promoting a sustainable lifestyle and involving citizens in the National Afforestation Programme.

According to the organizers, thousands of people of all ages today afternoon  participated in workshops, interactive exhibitions, debates, educational activities and a fair with organic products. The atmosphere was completed by musical programmes and children's games, turning the event into a true celebration of nature.

The organizers reminded the main goal of the programme - afforesting 145,000 hectares over the next 10 years.

“With each tree planted, we contribute to a greener and healthier future for all. With more forests, we have a healthier country,” Grigore Stratulat, State Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, said at the event.

Present at the festival, Lilia Curchi, the executive director of the Environmental Journalists Association, urged citizens to participate in the 'One Ticket = One Sapling' campaign.

“All the trees you buy with a ticket will be planted in the Molovatet river area, near the villages of Suhuluceni, Coropceni, and Ghermanesti.”

Support for the initiative also came from Slovenia.

“It is essential to understand how important a healthy environment is — not only for the present, but also for future generations. The responsibility to protect nature belongs to all of us,” emphasized Natalia Tesler, representative of Slovenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The festival is organized by the Ministry of Environment and Ecopresa, with support from the Office of the President of Moldova, the Interior Ministry and Lafarge Moldova. The event is part of the National Afforestation Programme, conducted under the aegis of President Maia Sandu. It is the largest action of its kind in the country's history, aiming to afforest about 145,000 hectares in ten years.