DescOperă Festival 2026, 10th Anniversary Edition

Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) proudly supported the 10th anniversary edition of the DescOperă Festival, held June 18–21, 2026, in Butuceni, within the Orheiul Vechi Cultural-Natural Reserve. This marks the third consecutive year of UMAEF’s support for Moldova’s premier open-air classical music festival.

The opening ceremony brought together senior representatives of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the diplomatic community, and the cultural sector, including Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Elizabeth Lawrence, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chișinău, Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan, Stella Jemna, UMAEF Country Representative for Moldova, as well as other government officials and development partners.

Recognized as Moldova’s leading open-air classical music festival, DescOperă transforms the spectacular natural amphitheater of Orheiul Vechi into a world-class cultural venue, combining outstanding performances with the promotion of the country’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

Beyond its artistic significance, the festival serves as an important driver of cultural tourism and regional economic development. By attracting thousands of visitors, supporting local tourism businesses and service providers, and showcasing one of Moldova’s most iconic destinations, DescOperă generates tangible economic opportunities for the Orheiul Vechi region and surrounding communities while strengthening Moldova’s profile as a cultural tourism destination.