Slavic Writing and Culture Days open in Moldova

The 20th Slavic Writing and Culture Days will take place in Moldova during May 21-28. This event is one of the oldest cultural traditions of the Slavic people that contributes to the development of the intercultural dialogue and strengthening of the relations of friendship between the representatives of different nationalities, Info-Prim Neo reports, quoting a communique from the Interethnic Relations Bureau, which organizes the event. The Slavic Writing and Culture Days will be opened on May 21 with laying of flowers to the monument to Stefan the Great at 10.00, to the monument to A.S. Pushkin in Chisinau's central garden at 10.30, to Hristo Botev's bust on Hristo Botev St at 11.00, and to Taras Shevchenko's bust on Miron Costin St at 11.30. The events will continue with a scientific-practical conference themed “The Cause of Cyril and Methodius – the great historical preoccupation” at the Interethnic Relations Bureau at 12.00. The conference was organized by the Bulgarian community in Moldova. It will bring together historians, academicians, writers, etc. The Slavic Writing and Culture Days will be officially opened with a festive concert at the National Operat House at 18.00. The concert will involve Mihai Munteanu, Margareta Ivanus, Nelly Ciobanu, Victoria Nichitchenko, Serghei Varsanov, the dance group of the National College of Choreography and dance and singing groups of Slavic ethnocultural organizations working under the Bureau. A religious ceremony to commemorate brothers Cyril and Methodius will take place at the Saint Prince Vladimir and Saint George Churches on May 24, starting at 9.00. Festivals, concerts, poetry evenings, conferences, roundtable meetings, contests, meetings with writers and poets, exhibitions, book launches and other events will take place in all Moldova's towns and villages as part of the Slavic Writing and Culture Days. Saints Cyril and Methodius influenced the cultural development of all Slavs, for which they received the title "Apostles to the Slavs". They are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe the Old Church Slavonic language in 863.