On the wings of classical music, children have painted a perfect portrait of social inclusion
At the sixth edition of the "DescOpera" Open Air Classical Music Festival, UNICEF and the Ministry of Culture highlighted the symbol of solidarity and social inclusion for Moldovan and Ukrainian children and their families.
Whether in times of tranquillity or crises, art serves as a timeless bridge, uniting people and nations to celebrate the beauty of culture and transform challenges into opportunities. This summer, the "DescOpera" Open Air Classical Music Festival served as a harmonious link for classical musicians from Chisinau, Odesa, and Iasi. Performing together in the heart of the Orheiul Vechi nature reserve, they created a triangle of solidarity. Their performance thrilled 2000 people from across the country, including refugee families.
Beyond the celebration of solidarity and culture, children of all ages found a world designed specifically for them. They made new friends, painted together, and learned how to protect themselves in risky situations, receiving guidance directly from the psychologists and protection specialists at” Child’s Phone 116111” - a free helpline for children and teenagers in need of support.
"What could be more beautiful than children learning about the services dedicated to their safety in such an atmosphere? We were thrilled to introduce ourselves to children who weren't aware of us and saw the excitement in their eager eyes upon discovering that a service like ours exists for their needs. We also met children who have utilized our services before, and they were equally delighted to meet us in person. We hope they value the informational materials and apply the knowledge when needed,” says Gabriela Tudureanu, coordinator of the "Child's Phone 116111" service and psychologist.” Today, we witnessed a heartwarming scene of social inclusion as Moldovan and Ukrainian children, including those from protective services, painted together, spending their time in a fulfilling and productive manner."
Indeed, the impact of the educational and counselling activities would not have been as enthusiastic or effective without the presence of art. The classical music echoed in harmony with the splendour of nature and was complemented by the splashes of colour that filled the area. This special space was created by UNICEF and the Ministry of Culture, with the support of the European Union Humanitarian Aid, for every child.
The educational and creative activities brought Moldovan and Ukrainian children and youth together. They shared knowledge, ideas, and revealed in the joy of collective creativity. Parents captured priceless moments with their children, added their own strokes of colour to the canvas, snapped memorable photos, and learned about child protection services. The purest joy was evident on the faces of the 40 children and teenagers, who are beneficiaries of the foster care programme, assisted social housing, and the social services for street children — programmes developed under the Memorandum of Understanding between UNICEF and the Chisinau Municipality. The "DescOperă" Festival offered these children a unique foray into the world of culture, emphasizing their right to feel safe, informed, and joyful, as well as their integral role in a community with healthy values.
"The UNICEF team is committed to enhancing children's access to protection services and fostering social cohesion, particularly among children and youth in vulnerable situations," says Flore Rossi, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Moldova. "We are proud that, together with the Ministry of Culture, we managed to achieve these objectives through art by organizing the “DescOperă” festival. We are also pleased that this partnership enabled artists from the Odesa Opera and Ballet Theatre to come to Moldova and perform on stage alongside artists from Chisinau and Iasi, presenting a symbol of solidarity amidst the refugee crisis."
The sixth edition of the "DescOpera" Open Air Classical Music Festival took place from 16 - 18 June. It was organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners. This joint activity was carried out under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by UNICEF and the Ministry of Culture.
UNICEF thanks the European Union Humanitarian Aid for its support in organizing the "DescOperă" festival, which included activities dedicated to children and young people from Moldova and Ukraine.
