In its now nearly 50 years of existence, the EUYO has performed in more than 50 countries. Nonetheless, this event has been the Orchestra’s Moldovan debut: Europe Day in the beautiful setting of Castel Mimi, Bulboaca, on the invitation of our Romanian National Partners, the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR).

As Romania and the Republic of Moldova share a common cultural, historical, and linguistic heritage, the ICR has implemented over 300 cultural projects in Moldova in the past five years, promoting the values of the European Union and focusing on the integrative and developmental power of culture. Our Europe Day concert was a natural continuation of this endeavour: Moldova is part of our shared European cultural space, and our music aims to highlight support for the country’s European aspirations and integration.

For our programme of Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 7, Enescu’s Suite d’Orchestre No. 1, Op. 9: I. Prélude à l’unison, and Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, we were conducted by EUYO alumnus Jakub Przybycień, currently a finalist in the Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award. The Orchestra was welcomed with speeches from Sir John Tusa, Chair of the IYF Trust overseeing all EUYO activities; Moldova’s Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan; H.E. Cristian Țurcanu, Ambassador of Romania to Moldova; Liviu Jicman, Director of the ICR; and the Director of the ICR’s Chișinău offices Monica Babuc.