AGP Executive Report

Community Heritage: Bessarabian Bulgarians mark their day on October 29, honoring a community whose traditions span Moldova and Ukraine. The observance recalls the 1838 consecration of Bolhrad’s Transfiguration Cathedral, built by Bulgarian settlers; concerts and cultural events are taking place across the region. Children’s Books: A new collection of Ukrainian children’s literature has reached Taras Shevchenko Gymnasium in Chișinău, where most pupils are refugees from Ukraine, helping them study in their native language and stay connected to their culture. National Prizes: Moldova’s 2026 laureates include writer Claudia Partole, artist Veaceslav Fisticanu and filmmaker Valeriu Jereghi, recognized for contributions to literature, art and cinema. Study Abroad: Moldovan students in grades 9–12 can apply for scholarships at private high schools in the US and UK; applications close December 1. Eurovision: Moldova’s broadcaster is among 36 confirmed participants for the 2027 contest in Burgas, Bulgaria, scheduled for May 11–15.

National Arts: Moldova has named its 2026 National Prize laureates for achievements across literature, fine arts, cinema, medicine, science and sport. Poet and writer Claudia Partole was recognized for her literary work and promotion of reading among young people. Education: Moldovan students can apply for scholarships at private high schools in the US and UK; applications close December 1. Cultural Heritage: Ahead of Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day on October 29, a concert in Tvardita celebrated Bulgarian songs, dances and poetry. In Odesa, community representatives also highlighted Bolhrad Cathedral’s role in preserving Bulgarian identity; the 1838 landmark is planning further restoration work. Screen and Stage: Moldova’s broadcaster TRM is among 36 confirmed participants for Eurovision 2027 in Bulgaria. At Romania’s Astra Film Festival, Moldovan-Romanian documentary Lenin’s Pawn won best director for Dragoș Turea. Travel: International arrivals to Moldova rose 25% in the first half of 2026, the strongest increase in Europe, with wine, rural and cultural tourism among the country’s draws.

Tourism: Moldova recorded Europe’s biggest rise in international arrivals in the first half of 2026, up 25%. Its wine heritage and cultural, rural and experiential tours will feature at London’s World Travel Market next month. Film: At Romania’s Astra Film Festival, Moldovan filmmaker Dragoș Turea won Best Director for Lenin’s Pawn, a documentary exploring memory and how the past shapes different generations. Traditions: Old-calendar Orthodox Christians marked Saint Paraskeva’s feast on October 27, with celebrations in 80 localities. Community Culture: Tvardita hosted a concert of Bulgarian songs, dances and poetry ahead of Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day, celebrating the community’s language and heritage.

Film: At Sibiu’s Astra Film Festival, Moldovan-Romanian filmmaker Dragoș Turea won Best Director for Lenin’s Pawn, a film about memory and the legacy of Lenin’s monuments. The festival’s online programme runs through November 8. Faith & Tradition: Old-calendar Orthodox Christians marked Saint Paraskeva’s feast on October 27, with celebrations in 80 localities across Moldova. Tourism: Moldova will showcase wine, rural and cultural travel at London’s World Travel Market on November 3–5, its first appearance at the event. Heritage: A concert in Tvardita celebrated Bessarabian Bulgarian culture with songs, dances and poetry, as part of a national seminar on the community’s language, history and traditions.

Film & Memory: Vlad Petri’s A Train Passes Every Day and It Never Stops won Best Documentary at Astra Film Festival 2026. Moldovan-Romanian filmmaker Dragoș Turea took Best Director for Lenin’s Pawn, a humorous look at how generations relate to history. Moldovan Bulgarian Heritage: A concert in Tvardita celebrated Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day with songs, dances and poetry, as part of a national seminar on Bulgarian language, history and culture. Historian Ivan Duminica was honoured for his work preserving the community’s heritage. Tourism: Moldova will promote cultural, wine, rural and experiential travel at London’s World Travel Market on November 3–5, with tourism businesses and organisations joining the country’s first presence at the event. Education & Culture: Moldova plans to close EU accession negotiation chapters on science and research, and education and culture, in early 2027, with commitments including better access to education and stronger research funding.

Tourism: Moldova will promote cultural, wine, rural and experiential travel at the WTM London exhibition on November 3–5, its first appearance at the major tourism event. The national stand will feature local tour operators, wineries and destinations. Cultural Heritage: Tvardita marked Bessarabian Bulgarians’ Day with a concert of Bulgarian songs, dances and poetry, alongside a seminar on the community’s language, history and traditions. Historian Ivan Duminica was honored for preserving its heritage. Higher Education: About 18,000 first-year university students will take a mandatory academic integrity course designed to prevent plagiarism, fraud and corruption; passing it is required before exams. Education and Culture: Moldova aims to close EU negotiation chapters on science and research, and education and culture, in early 2027. Youth and Europe: YUFest has launched a free online guide explaining EU accession, reforms, citizens’ rights and opportunities for young people and students.

Faith and Society: Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Metropolitan Vladimir discussed the Church’s relationship with state institutions, spiritual values and building a more united society. Higher Education: Around 18,000 first-year students will take a mandatory academic integrity course aimed at preventing plagiarism, fraud and corruption; passing it is required before sitting exams. EU for Young People: YUFest has launched a free online guide explaining Moldova’s EU accession process, citizens’ rights and opportunities, and common misinformation. Women’s Safety: UN Women’s Moldova representative warns that threats, isolation and coercive control can signal escalating abuse, urging early support and coordinated intervention. Culture in Chișinău: Italian Language Week opened with events celebrating cultural ties, while a presentation explored the Dracula legend and a 1931 film.

Arts & Events: Chisinau marked Austria’s National Day with a reception and a musical programme by the Carabinieri Orchestra. The Khatai Arts Center is also set to open the exhibition Summer Dreams. Education: Moldova’s robotics team won one gold and two silver medals at a world competition, including silver for a project designed to detect forest fires. A Romanian-language lyceum displaced from Grigoriopol marked its 30th anniversary; 314 students now study there. Culture & Identity: Chisinau recently hosted a presentation on the Dracula legend and a 1931 film, while the Week of Italian Language opened with events highlighting cultural ties. Women’s Safety: UN Women’s Moldova representative urged women to seek help early, noting that threats, controlling behaviour and isolation can signal escalating abuse.

Women’s Safety: UN Women’s Moldova representative says threats, coercive control and isolation can signal escalating abuse. Early intervention and coordinated support are vital to preventing femicide. Education & Identity: A Romanian-language lyceum marking 30 years continues to serve 314 students after being forced out of Grigoriopol; officials pledged to help it return. Young Innovators: Moldova’s robotics team won one gold and two silver medals at a world competition in South Korea. Its silver-winning project uses autonomous sensors to detect forest fires early. Culture: Chișinău’s Week of Italian Language opened with the ambassador highlighting ties rooted in cultural sensitivity. A separate event presented the Dracula legend through a 1931 film.

Women’s Safety: UN Women’s Moldova representative warns that threats, controlling behaviour and isolation can signal escalating abuse, and urges victims to seek help early. Education & Identity: A Romanian-language lyceum serving 314 students marked 30 years since its founding; it was forced out of Grigoriopol and now operates in Dorotcaia. Young Innovators: Moldova’s robotics team won one gold and two silver medals at a world competition, including silver for a sensor network designed to detect forest fires early. Culture in Chișinău: Italian Language Week opened with a celebration of cultural ties, while a university exhibition offered a glimpse into the lives of people with Down syndrome.

Historical Memory: President Maia Sandu joined Hungary’s commemoration of the 1956 anti-communist revolution, saying its struggle for freedom resonates with Moldova’s own experience under Moscow’s rule. Young Innovators: Moldova’s “Enigma” robotics team won one gold and two silver medals at the world championship; its fire-detection sensor project also earned silver. Education: A Romanian-language lyceum displaced from Grigoriopol marked its 30th anniversary in Dorotcaia, where 314 students continue studying in their mother tongue. Women’s Safety: UN Women’s Moldova representative says early intervention, accessible protection and stronger institutional cooperation are vital to prevent violence and femicide. Arts & Culture: A Chișinău event explored Irish writer Bram Stoker’s links to the Dracula legend and screened the 1931 film, connecting Irish Gothic literature with Moldova’s history and Halloween traditions.

Young Innovators: Moldova’s “Enigma” robotics team from Boscana won one gold and two silver medals at the world championship in South Korea. Its silver-winning project uses sensors to detect forest fires early. Education and Identity: A Romanian-language lyceum displaced from Grigoriopol marked 30 years in Dorotcaia; 314 students now study there, and officials pledged to keep working for its return. Women’s Safety: UN Women’s Moldova representative says survivors of abuse need accessible protection and support, stressing that violence is never their fault. Student Exchange: Applications are open for fully funded year-long U.S. high-school scholarships for Moldovan students in grades 9–11; the deadline is October 27. Music and Heritage: Parliament approved tax exemptions for 24 instruments for Moldova’s national collection and Chamber Orchestra. At the Library: A screening of the 1931 “Dracula” film explored Irish writer Bram Stoker’s links to the legend and its ties to Moldova’s history.

Women’s Safety: UN Women’s Moldova representative says abuse is never a victim’s fault and women do not have to face it alone, stressing the need for early intervention and accessible support. Moldovan Music: Parliament approved tax and customs exemptions for 24 string instruments bought for the National Collection and the National Chamber Orchestra, saving €54,000. Dracula’s Roots: A screening of the 1931 film at Chișinău’s National Library explored Irish writer Bram Stoker’s role in creating the legend and its links to Vlad the Impaler. Study Abroad: Moldovan students in grades 9–11 can apply for a fully funded year at a U.S. high school; applications close October 27. On Stage: Chișinău is represented by two productions at Bucharest’s National Theatre Festival, which features 88 performances through October 25.

Film & Heritage: Chișinău’s National Library screened the 1931 Dracula as part of an event exploring Irish writer Bram Stoker’s influence, Halloween traditions and the legend’s ties to Vlad the Impaler. Music: Parliament approved tax and customs exemptions for 24 instruments bought for Moldova’s national collection and the National Chamber Orchestra, saving €54,000. Education: More than €12 million will modernize four vocational schools and a college in southern Moldova. Students in grades 9–11 can also apply by October 27 for a fully funded year at a U.S. high school. Women’s Empowerment: A new project will offer training and mentoring to 100 survivors of violence; 20 will receive 40,000 lei vouchers to start income-generating activities.

Theatre: Bucharest’s 36th National Theatre Festival runs through Oct. 25, bringing 88 performances to 24 venues. Chișinău is represented by two productions in a programme exploring what it means to be “[…] perfectly human.” Women’s Opportunity: 100 survivors of violence in Moldova will receive entrepreneurship training and mentoring; 20 can also get 40,000 lei vouchers to start a business. Arts & Inclusion: A Chișinău exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of people with Down syndrome, while the Week of Italian Language has opened in the capital. Food & Heritage: A Moldovan shepherd family set a national record with a 30.7-kilogram cheese.

Public Health: Moldova has approved a 2026–2032 strategy on drugs and addiction after registered new cases rose to 704 in 2025, from 545 the year before. The plan aims to strengthen prevention, treatment and support for families. Women’s Empowerment: One hundred survivors of violence will receive mentoring and business training; 20 can also apply for 40,000-lei start-up vouchers to help build financial independence. Faith and Heritage: Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Metropolitan Antonie discussed preserving cultural heritage, religious freedom and a new law for victims of political repression, while warning against exploiting faith for political ends. Gagauz Identity: The November 15 regional elections are set to test how Moldova counters outside interference without deepening fears that EU integration threatens Gagauz autonomy and identity. Cultural Exchange: Chișinău has opened the Week of Italian Language in the World, with Italy’s ambassador highlighting cultural ties between the two countries.