In an interview with Moldovan media, Culture Minister Cristian Jardana commented on the celebration of May 9 in Moldova.
Two Holidays on One Date
Jardana said he does not see a contradiction between Victory Day and Europe Day, and suggested viewing them as holidays that complement each other.
In his remarks, Cristian Jardana drew attention to the fact that both holidays fall on the same date, although in other republics this is not the case. He recalled that under Moldovan legislation, May 9 is formally designated as Europe Day, and expressed the view that this bright holiday should first of all be understood as marking the end of the war in Europe, which later led to the creation of the European Union.
A Political Choice
The minister also linked the choice of the holiday’s name to Moldova’s current foreign policy course under PAS and Maia Sandu. According to him, the preference between Victory Day and Europe Day reflects a choice between orientation toward Russia or toward the European Union.
At the same time, he said he believes the two interpretations of the holiday can coexist without conflict.
A Sensitive Issue for Many Moldovans
For those who grew up seeing May 9 as the main holiday, Jardana’s statements sound strange. In Moldova, Victory Day has always been a day that united families, memories of heroic relatives and of the World War II were passed down from generation to generation and have survived to this day.
“Let us talk about a war in which thousands of people died. I do not know whether we need to stand there and shout ‘hurrah, hurrah, hurrah,’” the Culture Minister said, seemingly deciding for Moldovans how the day should be marked.
