Diaspora Days at the National Library of the Republic of Moldova

CENL News

24th August 2026

The 10th edition of Diaspora Days 2026 in Moldova began on August 3 with the event “Bessarabian Authors in the World”, organised in partnership with the Diaspora Relations Office. Held under the theme “Wherever We Are, Moldova Unites Us!”, this year’s edition opened by celebrating the contribution of writers and artists originally from the Republic of Moldova who are now living abroad, and their role in promoting culture, identity and national heritage.

The event brought together authors from the diaspora, representatives of public and cultural institutions, as well as literature and art enthusiasts, providing an opportunity to reconnect through culture and promote the values that unite Moldovan communities around the world.

Dina Vrancean, who lives in France, presented her book A Vacation in Lipnic, dedicated to childhood, roots and the beauty of the Moldovan village. The author highlighted the importance of passing on values and traditions to children in the diaspora and preserving their connection with the Republic of Moldova.

Iurie Cojocaru, an entrepreneur and writer based in the United Kingdom, presented his book The World I Lived in, or When 13 Can Be Lucky, a collection of reflections, memories and stories inspired by the realities of the Republic of Moldova. The book invites readers to reflect and engage in a dialogue with themselves.

Participants also had the opportunity to discover My Vegan Farm Food, a book by Tamara Șchiopu, who lives in the United Kingdom. The book combines vegan cuisine with Moldovan culinary traditions and promotes the country’s gastronomic heritage through a contemporary interpretation.

At the same time, the exhibition of graphic works Roots of the Future – Folklore Translated into Contemporary Illustration, by Olga Chilat, an illustrator originally from the Republic of Moldova and now based in Brussels, was inaugurated. Through her creations, the artist reinterprets motifs and symbols of Moldovan folklore in a contemporary visual language, offering the public a modern perspective on the country’s cultural heritage. The exhibition was on display on the second floor of the central block from August 3 to 7, 2026.

On this occasion, the National Library also inaugurated the fifth edition of the thematic exhibition Bessarabian Authors in the World, featuring approximately 120 documents. The exhibition highlights the contribution of authors originally from the Republic of Moldova who are now living abroad, maintaining their connection with their country of origin and contributing to cultural dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and their countries of residence.

The exhibition Bessarabian Authors in the World was open to the public from August 3 to September 3, 2026.

The event highlighted the important role played by diaspora authors in promoting the image of the Republic of Moldova abroad and strengthening cultural ties between Moldovan communities and their country of origin.

Other events organised as part of Diaspora Days 2026 included:

The launch of the book Soviet Jews under Late Stalinism: A Story from the Western Borderlands, by Diana Dumitru, Professor at Georgetown University (USA), on August 13, 2026. Originally from the Republic of Moldova, Diana Dumitru is one of the leading researchers of the history of the Holocaust and Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. The book Soviet Jews under Late Stalinism (published by Cambridge University Press in February 2026) reinterprets the experiences of Soviet Jews in the post-Holocaust period, shedding light on their roles and strategies of action and adaptation under the late Stalinist regime up to 1953, through the case study of Soviet Moldova.

Art Salon, during which the artistic photography exhibition Echo of the Moment was opened on August 14, 2026. The exhibition was created by Rodica Mocanu Thiery, a visual artist, book illustrator and clothing design specialist, who was born in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, and is now based in Switzerland. The exhibition brings together a representative selection of artistic photographs that capture the beauty of nature and convey a wide range of emotions and feelings. Rodica Mocanu Thiery’s photographs explore the dialogue between nature, people and children, resulting in unique images. These poetic works bring to the forefront the sea and the mountains, the sun and the moon, childhood, birds and the sky, rain and trees, horses and shells, spanning all four seasons. Through her work, the artist invites viewers to meditation and poetry, conveying emotions, thoughts and feelings. With her artistic sensitivity and refined sense of composition, she transforms ordinary moments into compelling visual stories, inviting viewers to contemplation and introspection.

Music Salon, featuring an evening of classical music performed by pianists Anastasia Turea and Corina Lupașco, young musicians originally from the Republic of Moldova who are currently studying at the P. I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, on August 19, 2026. The Music Salon aimed to bring the public closer to the universal musical heritage and stimulate interest in Romantic music. To complement the evening of classical music, a thematic exhibition entitled The Piano Works of Robert Schumann and Franz Schubert: Heritage Documents, Scores, Musical Editions and Publications Dedicated to the Lives and Works of the Two Composers was inaugurated.

A guided tour and cultural event for approximately 130 teenagers participating in the DOR 2026 diaspora youth camp, organised by the Diaspora Relations Office, on August 20, 2026. The cultural event was led by Ana Cernicova, a pop-opera singer.

Diaspora Days 2026 took place from August 3 to 21 and featured an extensive programme of activities dedicated to Moldovan citizens living abroad, including the Diaspora Forum, meetings with young people, thematic workshops, excursions, the Diaspora Cup, as well as an Open Day organised by public institutions. Through these initiatives, the Government of the Republic of Moldova reaffirms its commitment to strengthening dialogue with Moldovans living abroad and making use of the experience and contributions of the diaspora to the country’s development.

Text by: Veronica BORȘ, Deputy Director; Ana PLAMADEALA, Head of Section

Translated by: Mariana KIRIAKOV, chief specialist

Links:

Photos, August 3, 2026:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=marketingbnrm&set=a.1738189877978131

Video on YouTube channel of NLRM:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8TFjjcfGDQ

August 13, 2026:

https://www.facebook.com/BibliotecaNationala/posts/pfbid02pjCp55BaMw5ENnCoKD12BMY43GGomzCfXwk5cpv8krjCtx9P34S5hpZu4upB3GkMl

https://www.facebook.com/clubulliterariabnrm/posts/pfbid0uurtQEsHbUMCdPw8i3GFXbRbEpBhy1MDVta4chzstRFHn8fyAh7WSHMo7hbBV8odl

August 14, 2026:

https://www.facebook.com/BibliotecaNationala/posts/pfbid0jgCFUY8QyihMZzDQVAVKa7EJDAvJppYPkzLJnwBEaFwXizvPFB6iXGAXtC1iVDEBl