site.btaTaraclia Puts Up Art Installation Symbolizing Friendship between Nations

The residents of the Moldovan city of Taraclia, whose population is mostly of Bulgarian origin, have another place to make memories. As part of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) campaign, they installed an art installation, entitled "True Friends Are Always Together," in front of the town hall.

It was created by Moldovan artist Karen Grigoryan.

According to the Agency, the installation symbolizes the value of friendly relationships between people in communities large and small. Such qualities as support, mutual aid, and a willingness to share joy and hardship are defining characteristics of successful and strong communities and countries.

"Such art installations will be placed in other cities of Moldova. We will be glad to see your selfies with friends in the background of these installations," the organizers said.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova, as of 1 January 2020, there were 2,640, 438 people (excluding the population of the areas on the left bank of the Dniester and the municipality of Bender) of more than 50 nationalities living in the country. Moldovans account for more than 75% of the population. They are followed by Ukrainians (280,000) and Russians (200,000). As of 2020, about 51,867 Bulgarians and about 126,010 Gagauz live in the country. Fewer are Jews, Poles, Czechs, Gypsies and Romanians.