FILIT: Moldova's Literature Festival opens in Chișinău
The FILIT International Literature and Translation Festival opened in Chișinău, Moldova, on Thursday, September 25.
The event, which highlights the importance of literature and cultural ties with Romania, takes place just days before the country's parliamentary elections, a fact acknowledged by cultural figures at the opening.
The opening conference, FILIT Chișinău – CHILL Edition, brought together prominent figures from the cultural, diplomatic, and institutional spheres, all highlighting the importance of literature and intercultural dialogue.
Sergiu Prodan, the Culture Minister, said that in its three years, FILIT Chișinău has covered significant ground. The festival, which started as an attempt to bring the Iași event to the capital of the Republic of Moldova, has developed its own identity, distinct content, and significant societal impact.
Adriana Cazacu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Research, highlighted that over half of the global population is bilingual or multilingual. She encouraged students and young people to value international languages and to be open to linguistic and cultural diversity. Special attention, she noted, must be paid to the Romanian language, which is among the 24 official languages spoken in Europe.
For the second consecutive year, FILIT Chișinău is financially supported by the Government of Romania, through the Department for Relation with the Republic of Moldova (DRRM). Constantin-Valentin Răducanu, Director-General with the rank of State Secretary, designated September the "Month of the Romanian Book."
"We started the month by funding the Bookfest International Book Festival for the fourth time in a row. We continued by equipping public libraries in the Republic of Moldova. Today, the International Festival of Literature and Translation begins. We are also continuing with a program focused on: 'School Supplies and Stationery for Students and Kindergarten Children in the Republic of Moldova.' We are pleased to be present at these events and to fund cultural initiatives that promote Romanian identity and language," the DRRM Director noted.
The first day of FILIT is dedicated to the European Day of Languages, with ten European countries participating. September 26 will feature the "Train of Literature"—the mobile extension of FILIT Chișinău—which will culminate with the "Literature at the Castle" event in Bulboaca, at Mimi Castle. This will be followed by the White Night of Poetry, featuring the band TEIU and dozens of invited poets and performers.
Culture Minister Prodan stressed that this year's festival is taking place against a distinct backdrop related to the upcoming parliamentary elections.
"Today, we speak freely about programmes, we invite renowned writers, we discuss the translation of Moldovan authors into European languages, and books are sold on European bookstore shelves. We have the freedom to travel and the freedom of expression. Today in the Republic of Moldova, the state or any political party does not dictate to authors what or how to write. The train that was mentioned is circulating throughout the Republic of Moldova to spread books, knowledge, and culture. But we remember very well the times when the trains leaving Moldova took people on a long journey from which they would never return," the official stated.
The organisation of this year’s edition was made possible by the support of European and international partners, including the European Union Delegation, the Government and Presidency of Romania, the Council of Europe Office in the Republic of Moldova, the embassies of Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, France, and Italy, the French Alliance, the Danish Cultural Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, and the "Mihai Eminescu" Romanian Cultural Institute in Chișinău.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
