Refugees at the Ethnic Festival

Every year, refugees and asylum seekers in Moldova are present at the Ethnic Festival organized in Chisinau. In this year edition, the team of the Charity Center for Refugees attracted the attention through oriental music, which woke up a great interest among visitors.  They have shown interest in the objects from clay, and especially in the traditional food prepared by a group of refugee women in Moldova.

Mr. Djavid Pahnehad, project coordinator of the Charity Center for Refugees, present at the Festival, said:  We are glad that Moldovans are much more receptive to the refugees’ problems and that they became friendlier with them. We are honored with the presence not just of the locals and guest of the capital, but also of the dignitaries of this country. Although it is still morning, people do not hesitate to come and enjoy the beautiful traditions characteristic to different ethnic. 

Demonstrating to visitors the music and the traditional dances, Djavid, reveals that the purpose of the Festival is not only to present some nuances of traditions, but to encourage the spirit of tolerance and intercultural dialogue, inter-ethnic. We want to show to the public our traditions and customs, and to strengthen friendly relations between representatives of different nationalities, which are living on the Moldovan territory. 

Referring to the refugees’ situation in republic of Moldova, Mr. Paknehad told us that among the major problems faced by beneficiaries of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, is the lack of jobs and housing:  It is difficult and expensive to live in Chisinau. Needs for a decent living are high, and refugees, as other locals are unable to face this situation. In addition to the lack of employing, we need food and clothing, which also require expenses.

Ştefan cel Mare şi Sfânt Central Park hosted again the national culture, customs and traditions of Moldovans and Ukrainians, Russians and Belarusians, Gagauzians and Bulgarians, Gypsies and Jews, Poles, Lithuanians, Estonians, Armenians and many other ethnic groups living in Moldova.  

The Ethnic Festival themed Unity through diversity, which is held annually, in the third Sunday of September, it is supported and organized by the Bureau of Inter-ethnic Relations (BIR) together with the Ministry of Culture, local public authorities, mayoralties of Chisinau and Balti, Executive Committee of Gagauzia , ethno-cultural organizations in the country.

This year, the event itself was in the eleventh edition and was in the program of actions dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of Independence of Republic of Moldova and from the founding of the Bureau of Inter-ethnic Relations

Ariadna URSACHI,

Student-journalist,

Third year, ULIM

Photo:

Alexandru BORDIAN