On June 15, 2025, the picturesque village of Rashkov hosted the second edition of the festival “Uniting the Culture of Both Banks of the Dniester” — an event that brought together people, stories, crafts and music.
The festival gathered over 500 guests and participants of all ages from both banks of the Dniester, becoming a space for dialogue, mutual respect and cultural exchange. The festival served as a reminder that culture is not merely a memory of the past, but a living thread that connects generations and communities. The meeting place was once again Rashkov — a village with a rich Jewish history, once a commercial and cultural crossroads, today a symbol of intercultural dialogue.
The festival programme was rich and diverse: everyone could find something close to their heart — from historical tours through Jewish Rashkov, lectures and workshops on Jewish traditions, embroidery, ecology and applied arts, to dancing, art sessions, active games and activities for children.
A particularly memorable atmosphere was created by the musicians’ performance on the banks of the Dniester — warm, heartfelt, like a final chord of a grand celebration.
The festival was made possible through the initiative of the Jewish Community of the Republic of Moldova and the support of numerous partners — local and international organisations, cultural initiatives, civic associations and volunteers. We express our gratitude to the Trust-Building Programme funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, the Jewish Communities of the cities of Bender and Rybnitsa, the Public Organisation “Platform Culture”, the Culture Department of Camenca District, the Camenca FEST initiative, the NGO “Rashkov-grad”, the Village Council of Rashkov, the Jewish youth initiative “Moishe House — Moldova”, and the Ecological Society “Biotica”.
The Rashkov Festival is not merely a cultural event. It is a living platform for communication, where history is reflected, ideas are born and bridges between people are built.
The celebration has ended, but its spirit will endure — in the smiles of the participants, in the new connections formed, in the hope that such gatherings will only grow in number.
