Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: Toba Fest in Văleni

Văleni  village, Cahul district, became on 11 May the epicenter of traditional culture within the cultural project Toba Fest, an event dedicated to region's drummers and the preservation of national identity.

'Longing for Roots and Ancestral Traditions'

The festival paid homage to the grandmother with the drum from Eurovision 2005 and encouraged the drummer dynasties from Văleni and the entire Cahul region. Under the motto 'Longing for Roots and Ancestral Traditions', the event represented a day full of rhythm, color, and authentic emotion.

The festival was organized with the support of Cahul region, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, GAL 'Lunca Prutului de Jos', RePatriot, ANTRIM and other partners.

An Unusual Event in a Village with International Fame

Toba Fest, the first drummers' festival in Moldova, is an unusual event that brought together in the southern location of the country, designated in 2023 by the World Tourism Organization as one of the best tourist destinations in the world, drum enthusiasts of all ages.

The festival was opened by 'the grandmother from Văleni' - famous Lidia Bejenaru who, due to her participation alongside 'Zdob și Zdup' at Eurovision, brought fame to the country and her native village on all continents. Together with 'grandfather Tudor', they led the parade of drummers, who impressed with rhythm and virtuosity.

Andrei Chistol, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture: It is noteworthy the importance of organizing cultural events in the villages of the Prut meadow, including in the context of local tourism development. The region has enormous tourist potential, which is why the authorities are open to supporting development and promotion initiatives.

Văleni authorities welcomed the participants and the audience, appreciating their passion for the drum - one of the oldest musical instruments in the world, indispensable for our folk music as well.

Festival Edition Honored by European Union Officials

This year's edition of the festival was graced by the presence of the European Union delegation, composed of Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, Janis Mazeiks, Head of the European Union Delegation to Moldova, Cristina Gherasimov, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, central and local officials.

European Commissioner Marta Kos was honored to arrive in Eco-Village Văleni - designated 'The Best Tourist Village' in 2023 by the World Tourism Organization and chosen as 'Destination of the Year 2024 in the Republic of Moldova'. 

Eco-Village Văleni is one of the beneficiaries of European Union support: 100,000 euros were allocated for rural tourism development, and another 283,000 euros for rehabilitating the access road to the village, facilitating visits to this authentic corner of culture and hospitality in the southern part of the country.

Lower Prut Reserve, the Green Jewel of the South

Lower Prut Reserve was established in 1991, on April 23, by the Government of the Republic of Moldova, covering an area of 1755.4 hectares.

It is located in the southwestern part of the Republic of Moldova, along the lower course of the Prut River, the last major tributary of the Danube. It is flanked by the localities Slobozia Mare and Văleni, Cahul district. 20 km to the north is Manta Lake, and 25 km to the south - Brateș Lake (Romania).

The purpose of its creation: protection, preservation, and study of the wetland and floodplain ecosystem, and creating favorable conditions for the reproduction of rare species, endangered species, and other species of plants and animals.

The universal value of its natural heritage has been recognized by declaring it a wetland of international importance, especially as a habitat for water birds - Ramsar Convention, 'Lower Prut Lakes' (1029).

With the impressive diversity of habitats and life forms it hosts in a relatively narrow space, the Lower Prut represents a true museum of biodiversity, a natural gene bank of inestimable value for universal natural heritage.

Reporter - Lilia Grubîi

Photo - Mihai Vengher