April 27 – National Flag Day

CHISINAU, April 27, 2012 — A huge flag (7 meter length and 3,5 meter breath) brought by the servicemen of the Ministry’s of Defense Guard of Honor was hoisted April 27, on the National Flag Day, in Marii Adunari Nationale Square.

The Flag Ceremony brought together members of the Cabinet of Ministers, MPs of the first Moldovan Parliament that adopted the Tricolor as an official Flag of the country in 1990, the first President of State Mircea Snegur, His Excellency Vladimir, Metropolitan of Chisinau and Whole Moldova, as well as diplomats accredited to Chisinau, MPs of the acting Parliament, National Army servicemen, citizens and guests of the Capital City.

The event started with a tribute ceremony held by a group of pupils from the National Choreographic College. Then, a few officials and civil society representatives spoke. The first President of the Republic of Moldova, Mircea Snegur, spoke about the significance of the colors of the National Flag, as well as about the principles that supported the declaration of the Tricolor as a state flag.

Prime Minister Vlad Filat stated the State Flag Ceremony is both a symbolic event, as well as a new beginning for us to love our country more than before. The Head of the Cabinet of Ministers said that, in the following year, on April 27, the Republic of Moldova State Flag would be hoisted in three more areas that will be three highest places of the country.

The flag was sanctified by Metropolitan Vladimir, accompanied by a group of priests, as soon as the Tricolor was hoisted and the anthem of the Republic of Moldova played. The National Army staff attended all the ceremony held on the Square. Except the Tricolor, the NA servicemen carried about 80 state flags, as well as the copies of over 30 historic flags from different periods of time, recovered by collector Petru Costin and the representatives of the Center of Military History and Culture.

The State Flag Day was also marked in all the units and institutions of the Ministry of Defense, placed in the districts and cities of the country, where military ceremonies were held, attended both, by military men and civilians.

During the ceremony held at the Ministry of Defense, Minister Vitalie Marinuta stated the Tricolor is the symbol of statehood and independence of the Republic of Moldova. Rendering honor to the flag is sacred for the National Army servicemen.

“The National Army servicemen show great respect for the state flag that symbolizes for us the fight for freedom of our nation. I would like all citizens of the Republic of Moldova to respect the state flag, because to honor the Tricolor means honoring the country you were born in”, the Defense Minister pointed out.

The first Parliament of the Republic of Moldova declared the Tricolor as the official state flag of the country on April 27, 1990. This is the third year when the state flag is celebrated in our country since the Parliament had declared April 27 as the State Flag Day in 2010.