Edited by Anna Popper
On 11 December 2025, during the second week of Advent, the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Budapest hosted a festive evening dedicated to Moldovan winter holidays and traditions, in a warm and joyful Christmas spirit.
The event brought together representatives from the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Hungary, members of international organizations, as well as friends and partners of the Republic of Moldova.
The celebration began with the welcoming remarks by His Excellency Mihail Barbulat, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to Hungary, who greeted the guests and reflected on the meaning of the season and the power of tradition. He highlighted the special role that winter customs play in bringing people together beyond languages and borders.
In keeping with the invitation, guests were encouraged to bring a small Christmas decoration to contribute to the embassy’s holiday tree. Upon arrival, they decorated the tree in the salon with their various ornaments, creating a collective symbol of friendship. With each additional decoration, the tree became a shared gesture of goodwill from the international community present.
Following the Ambassador’s opening address, the festive atmosphere continued with a lively musical program. Young Moldovan students, dressed in traditional folkloric costumes, performed carols and seasonal songs that filled the embassy with the sounds of the approaching Christmas. Attendees were particularly impressed by the richness and diversity of Moldovan carols – many of which they heard for the first time – alongside well-known melodies familiar across Europe. The performances also included moments of dance, adding colour, energy, and authenticity to the celebration.
A particularly memorable highlight was the Ambassador’s own participation in the musical moment. He accompanied the young performers on guitar, sang Christmas carols with them, and revealed a remarkable musical talent honed by his professional education as a musician and conductor. Beyond his leading diplomatic role, his confident and heartfelt performance resonated warmly with the audience and added a personal dimension to the evening.
To bring everyone further into the spirit of the celebration, the hosts provided printed lyrics of a well-known Christmas carol. The guests joined in with genuine pleasure, and the salon turned into a shared chorus of people from different countries and cultures.
After the performances, the guests were invited to a lavish reception, featuring a wide selection of specialties from Moldovan gastronomy. Prepared “by the house”, the delicious dishes and original fine desserts – especially one of the favourites Cușma lui Guguță – reflected the high quality of Moldovan cuisine and generous hospitality, offering invitees a delightful way to experience the holiday spirit in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
At the close of the evening, the Ambassador expressed his sincere gratitude to all those present. The event offered a wonderful opportunity to share the charm of the winter holidays and to highlight the depth of Moldovan traditions – through music, community, and authentic tastes – thereby strengthening ties with friends and partners of the Republic of Moldova in Hungary as part of cultural diplomacy.
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Budapest
Photos from the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Budapest and Diplomatic Press Agency
