CHRISTMAS FAIR IN CHISINAU TO BE HELD UNDER GOVERNMENT'S AUSPICES - PREMIER FILIP

Prime Minister Pavel Filip stated that all the Christmas events, including the Christmas fair in the 31 August Street [behind the Government building], will be conducted under the auspices of the Government.

According to him, a 20-meter Christmas tree, which will arrive from Carpathians in a week, will be installed in the fair.

"This tree is a gift to Moldova from the Romanian leadership. The BrioSonores music band will perform at the fair opening. Just as last year, the visitors will have the possibility to taste traditional dishes, mulled wine and buy souvenirs by local craftsmen", Filip said.

According to him, over 5 thousand children from unfavorable families, including from the Transnistrian region, will visit the fair for free this year.

The fair will open next week. The Government allocated 8 million lei for this purpose.

At the same time, the Chisinau Primaria will organize events in the Chisinau Main Square. The Christmas tree is already being installed there. This year the country's main tree will be artificial for the first time ever. The ceremony of official starting of Christmas events will take place in the Main Square on Wednesday, December 5.

Many experts criticized the Government, which intends to engage in organizing Christmas fair in the midst of the election campaign. They say that traditionally this is the prerogative of local authorities.