The first musical inclusion project in Moldova

Chisinau, 21 July 2018 La La Play Voices - a secular choir of 20 children and adolescents from 12 districts of Moldova held a concert at the Organ Hall together with Moldovan National Youth Orchestra, uniting young musicians from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan and Germany, and led by the young conductor Cristian Spataru.

Zinaida Marison, from Ciocâlteni, Orhei, saw her dream of singing on the stage of the Organ Hall come true through her daughters Elizaveta, 12 years, and Adriana, 9 years. Zinaida graduated from a music school, but did not have the opportunity to build a career herself. In the Roma community she grew up in young girls rarely pursued further education.

 "I was married at age 20, then my four children were born and I did not have time for music. I have encouraged my girls to sing since they were in kindergarten," says Zinaida.

Eliza, the first of the four children in the Marison family have never left the Orhei district. Thanks to the La La Play Voices initiative, she had the opportunity to perform solo on stage, accompanied by a national orchestra.

"In our country, children's education is based on values ​​such as democracy, solidarity, empowerment of each child, gender equality, respect for all human beings and the environment," noted Signe Burgstaller, Ambassador of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova. "I am very happy that Sweden contributes to the promotion of these universal values ​​in the Republic of Moldova as well."

Music can help stop intolerance and harassment, so that all children feel safe - at home, in school, and in the community. In the autumn of 2018, UNICEF in Moldova will join a broader global initiative to end violence in schools and in communities.

"La La Play Voices project has demonstrated that children can contribute to a better society through music," said Desiree Jongsma, UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova. "In a chorus, they are all united. Music is inclusive, and it is also a model of the society we want for our children. "

The concert took place on the eve of International Friendship Day recognizing friendship as a noble and valuable feeling in the lives of human beings. One of the objectives of International friendship Day is to inspire children, young people and future leaders to become involved in community mobilization activities aimed at accepting social and cultural differences.

"We hope to bring the Moldovan public an example of how our future can look: diversity, tolerance and a community with common noble goals. That's what La La Play Voices project is and that's what our 20 heroes have proven," said project manager Adriano Marian.

The initiative was implemented by Moldovan National Youth Orchestra with support from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, East European Foundation, the Embassy of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova and UNICEF.