Twenty second edition of Festival of Ethnic Minorities organized in Moldova

Chisinau, 17 September /MOLDPRES/ - Unity through Diversity is the title of the 22nd edition of the Festival of Ethnic Minorities, which takes place in Chisinau and in Moldova’s districts today.   
The event started with a parade of national costumes of various ethnic minorities which live in Moldova, layings of flowers at the monument to Stephen the Great, followed by a visit to an improvised Casa Mare (Adourned Room), symbol of the Moldovan traditional culture.   
„The true wealth of Moldova is in unity, in being able to respect each other. Only by being united, only by being able to edify friendships, we have a future, we will be able to develop and consolidate our cultural heritage and live together peacefully in our society,’’ Deputy Parliament Speaker Mihai Popsoi said at the inauguration ceremony.  
During the day, citizens interested in Moldova’s cultural diversity are able to visit 20 ethnic yards, which present the specific character and the ethnic and cultural values, the fair of workmanship objects and can know the culture of other peoples in the Lectorium area. The public is able to see master-classes in the gastronomic area, where skillful cooks present a variety of culinary delights of different ethnic groups. The festival includes traditional dance and music, presented by over 20 bands of ethnic groups, which perform on the principal stage. Small children also have an area dedicated to them – Children’s Town, where they are met by animators who propose them an entertainment programme, contests, etc.      
„This festival has got to be a safe platform for turning to good account and perpetuation of the traditions of the national minorities, as well as the development of the intercultural dialogue, consolidation of the friendship relations between representatives of various ethnic groups who live in Moldova,’’ the director general of the Interethnic Relations Agency, Dmitri Moruz, said.   
The event is organized by the Interethnic Relations Agency and the Chisinau city hall, in partnership with the coordination council of the ethnic and cultural organizations. The action is held in line with the Decree by Moldova’s president from 2000 on the carrying out of ethnic and folk festivals and the Decision by Moldova’s government from 2002 on the festival of ethnic minorities.