This memorial is dedicated to WWII, which had a dramatic impact on Moldova, then a part of the Soviet Union, and on Chisinau. According to statistics, over 80% of the buildings were destroyed by the end of the war, and even now there is literally no family here who wasn’t affected.

The central sculpture of the memorial represents 5 rifles put together as a symbol of the 5 years of war, and an eternal fire in the center burns in memory of the fallen soldiers. The surrounding park is also marked with monuments and engraved names of the soldiers who died during the liberation of Chisinau.

For me, it’s a personal place, because like a big part of Chisinau citizens each year on May 9th, me and my family come here to honor the big sacrifice our ancestors made. And it’s a good time to rethink these hard pages of history without state pathos, but with calm and delicacy.