In Ungheni, about 3000 people celebrated family values and the European journey

Children, young people, parents, and grandparents from Ungheni municipality and neighboring localities gathered on 26 May, in Independence Square at the Family Festival, to celebrate European values and unity. The event, attended by around 3000 people, was organized by Ungheni Municipality in partnership with UNICEF, around Family Day, celebrated annually on 15 May. 

At the official opening, Vitalie Vrabie, the mayor of Ungheni, congratulated the families of Ungheni and appreciated the European Union’s contribution to the region’s development. “Family means much more than relationships. It means love and respect, diversity and beauty, support and gratitude. No matter who we are or where we are, it is family that is always with us, and the Family Festival, which we are organizing in Ungheni with the support of UNICEF and European Union, celebrates all that family means. I am convinced that through this Festival, which is a good opportunity to strengthen the bonds between us, we give a clear message that we need to be more united, more understanding, more kind, which will finally allow us to achieve many more beautiful things for the benefit of the community,” said Vitalie Vrabie, mayor of Ungheni municipality.

The Family Festival took place within the framework of the “EU4Moldova: Focal Regions”, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Moldova and UNICEF. The event is also part of the national cultural program celebrating Europe Day 2024.

“It is my honor and privilege to welcome you to this extraordinary Family Festival celebrating the values that are at the core of UNICEF’s mission: promoting the rights and well-being of every child, family unity, and diversity. I want to remind you about the importance of celebrating not only the diversity of families but also reaffirming our commitment to the fundamental principle that every child has the right to grow up in a loving and supportive family environment, to be protected and supported, as defined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child which Moldova ratified more than 30 years ago. It is of utmost importance to acknowledge that every family here today plays a vital role in shaping the future of our children and our communities,” said Ilija Talev, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Moldova.

The celebration included ten zones with activities for all ages. In the “Creative Family” area, guests participated in the contest for the most inspiring drawing about family. They painted plaster figurines, and the youngest painted their faces, and contributed to the great masterpiece “Pomul Vietii” (Tree of Life).

Dozens of people attended the “Family is all that’s left of Paradise” art workshop, music therapy, and board games in the “Family Together” area. In the “Informed Family” area, were held parenting sessions and educational games.

One of the festival’s most popular attractions was “Fantasy in the Kitchen,” where visitors from young to old participated in masterclasses and cooking competitions with surprises and prizes. While someone was cooking, others lined up on the playing pitch – alongside family members, children, and teenagers tested their sports skills and physical performance in mini-tournaments, friendly matches, and short “Happy Start” competitions. After a good dose of adrenaline, their refuge was in the “Relaxation and Meditation” area, with pilates sessions.

The “When I grow up” area was also very crowded. Here, the little ones and the older ones explored the jobs of firefighter, policeman, and lifeguard – a first step in career guidance for many young people who are about to choose a path in life. 

In the “Family Album” space, everyone has created printed and digital memories to enjoy for years. In the same area, guests visited an exhibition with historical photos of families from Ungheni and an exhibition showing the development of the Ungheni region over the last five years within the framework of projects funded by the European Union. 

Famous names such as the Concertino Orchestra, the Ungheni Palace of Culture, the Regina Maria Multifunctional Cultural Centre, the Ungheni School of Music, and artists Alexandru Galiț, Dana Marchitan, Valeria Marcu, Silvia Zagoreanu, Nicolae Paliț, Akord, and Vanotek took the stage at the festival.