Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova

The Independence Day (Romanian: Ziua Independenței) is the national day of Moldova commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union on 27 August 1991.[1]

Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova
Fireworks in Chișinău on Independence Day in 2003
Observed byMoldova
TypeNational
SignificanceThe day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova
CelebrationsFireworks, Concerts, Parades
Begins1991
Date27 August
Frequencyannual
Related toDeclaration of Independence

Background edit

 
Independence Day in 1989
 
Independence Day in 2016

The Supreme Soviet of Moldova held independent elections between February and June 1990.[2] The elections resulted in Mircea Snegur being elected as speaker of the parliament (the effective head of state), with Mircea Druc as prime minister.[3] On 23 June 1990, the parliament adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic, which, mainly stipulated the supremacy of Moldovan laws over those of the Soviet Union.[4]

On 27 August 1991, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova voted to adopt the Moldovan Declaration of Independence from the Soviet Union.[5][6] That same day, the Popular Front of Moldova (FPM) organized a mass demonstration in Chișinău, that later became known as the Great National Assembly, which pressured Soviet authorities to adopt a language law on 31 August 1989, which proclaimed the Romanian language to be the state language of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.[7] On 21 December 1991, Moldova, along with 10 other Soviet republics, signed the act that formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).[8]

Holiday celebrations edit

Being a public holiday it is a free day for most of the people and employees, and in common with some other holidays, most companies do not open on 27 August each year.[9] On this day, the President of the Republic gives a public speech, and officials lay flowers at the Stephen the Great Monument.[10] A concert is also organized at the Great National Assembly Square.[11] In 2001, 2011, 2016 and 2021, military parades have been held in the center of Chișinău, commemorating significant anniversaries of independence.[12][13][14][15]

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Moldova, a national ceremony closed to the public was held in the Historical Hall of the Presidential Palace.[16] That same year, in honor of the 29th anniversary of independence, a Turkish delegation, led by Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, inaugurated the consulate general of Turkey in Gagauzia, the first consulate opened in the region. He was accompanied by his Moldovan counterpart Oleg Țulea and Gagauzia Governor Irina Vlah.[17]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Moldova celebrates Independence Day". Retrieved 26 August 2021.Moldova celebrates Independence Day
  2. ^ Olson & Norton 1996, p. 160.
  3. ^ Derbyshire, J. Denis; Derbyshire, Ian (2016). Encyclopedia of World Political Systems. Routledge. p. 407. ISBN 9781317471561.
  4. ^ D. Raič (2002). Statehood and the Law of Self-Determination. Developments in International Law Series. Vol. 43. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. ISBN 9789041118905.
  5. ^ "День независимости Республики Молдова". Calend.ru. Retrieved 26 August 2021.День независимости Республики Молдова
  6. ^ "Декларация о независимости — фальшивый и безграмотный акт". Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  7. ^ Legea cu privire la functionarea limbilor vorbite pe teritoriul RSS Moldovenesti Nr.3465-XI din 01.09.89 Vestile nr.9/217, 1989 Archived 19 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine (Law regarding the usage of languages spoken on the territory of the Republic of Moldova): "Moldavian SSR supports the desire of the Moldovans that live across the borders of the Republic, and considering the existing linguistic Moldo-Romanian identity — of the Romanians that live on the territory of the USSR, of doing their studies and satisfying their cultural needs in their native language."
  8. ^ "Agreements establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States". Council of Europe. 8 September 1994. p. 138.
  9. ^ "Business Practices in Moldova: Opening hours and bank holidays". Lloyds Bank.
  10. ^ "Moldovan Police Clash With Protesters On Independence Day". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Interfax and AP. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Independence Day 2021 | Chisinau". Fest.md. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Moldova Independence Day". TheFreeDictionary.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Ministry of Defense of Republic of Moldova". Ministry of Defense (Moldova). 17 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Российские военные приглашены на парад в честь 25-летия независимости Молдовы" [Russian military are invited to the parade in honor of the 25th anniversary of Moldova's independence]. Новости Приднестровья (in Russian). 19 July 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  15. ^ Loredana, Buzdugan (27 July 2021). "Pregătiri pentru Ziua Independenței R. Moldova. Militarii Armatei Naționale desfășoară antrenamente" [Preparations for the Independence Day of the Republic of Moldova. The soldiers of the National Army carry out trainings]. Ziarul de Gardă (in Romanian). Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Глава государства принял участие в торжественной церемонии открытия Национального праздника "День Независимости Республики Молдова"". president.md. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Turkey inaugurates new consulate general in Moldova's Gagauzia". Daily Sabah. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkey-inaugurates-new-consulate-general-in-moldovasgagauzia/amp

References edit

External links edit