._(30232384881).jpg) Fireworks inChișinău on Independence Day in 2003 | |
| Observed by | Moldova |
|---|---|
| Type | National |
| Significance | The day theMoldovan Declaration of Independence was adopted by theParliament of the Republic of Moldova |
| Celebrations | Fireworks,concerts,parades |
| Date | 27 August |
| Frequency | annual |
| First time | 1991; 34 years ago (1991) |
| Related to | Declaration of Independence |
Independence Day (Romanian:Ziua Independenței) is thenational day ofMoldova, commemorating the adoption of theMoldovan Declaration of Independence from theSoviet Union on 27 August 1991.[1]
TheSupreme Soviet of theMoldavian Soviet Socialist Republic heldindependent elections between February and June 1990.[2] The elections resulted inMircea Snegur being elected as speaker of the parliament (the effective head of state), withMircea Druc as prime minister.[3] On 23 June 1990, the parliament adopted the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, which, mainly stipulated the supremacy of Moldovan laws over those of the Soviet Union.[4]
On 27 August 1991, theParliament of the Republic of Moldova voted to adopt theMoldovan Declaration of Independence from theSoviet Union.[5][6] Two years earlier that same day, thePopular Front of Moldova (FPM) organized a mass demonstration in Chișinău that later became known as the Great National Assembly, which pressured Soviet authorities to adopt a language law on 31 August 1989, which proclaimed the Romanian language to be the state language of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.[7] On 21 December 1991, Moldova, along with ten other Soviet republics, signed the act that formed theCommonwealth of Independent States (CIS).[8]
As a public holiday, it is a free day for most of the people and employees, and in common with some other holidays, most businesses are not open on 27 August.[9] On this day, thePresident of the Republic gives a public speech, and officials lay flowers at theStephen the Great Monument.[10] A concert is also organized at theGreat National Assembly Square.[11] In 2001, 2011, 2016 and 2021,military parades have been held in the center of Chișinău, commemorating significant anniversaries of independence.[12][13][14][15]
In 2020, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Moldova, a national ceremony closed to the public was held in the Historical Hall of thePresidential Palace.[16] That same year, in honor of the 29th anniversary of independence, aTurkish delegation led by Foreign MinisterMevlüt Çavuşoğlu inaugurated the consulate general of Turkey inGagauzia, the first consulate opened in the region. He was accompanied by his Moldovan counterpartOleg Țulea and Gagauzia GovernorIrina Vlah.[17]
