Turning a New Page: Ukrainians in Moldova Celebrate Culture, Create Community

“Before the war, Eva was a happy, carefree little girl, a first-grader full of joy who loved going to school, practicing taekwondo and drawing,” Olga recalls. Determined for her six-year-old daughter to have a joyful, stable childhood, Olga did all she could to help Eva thrive.

That all changed when Russian forces entered their hometown of Kharkiv, in northeastern Ukraine. As the war escalated in early 2022, deafening explosions became the soundtrack to their lives and soon after, little Eva developed a stutter from living in constant fear. It was then that Olga realized it was time to leave home in search of safety.

Accompanied by her elderly mother, together they packed up what they could and drove across Ukraine, stopping in Moldova.

“I didn't think of Moldova as a final destination, I just drove in one direction, as fast as possible, to leave the bombs behind,” Olga explains. “I never imagined that my very old car could travel so many kilometers,” she adds with a smile.

Exhausted from the long drive, they decided to stop in Donduseni, a city of over 7,000 people in northern Moldova, close to the Ukrainian border. The first days there were difficult, but the local government and people from the community quickly stepped up to offer support. Olga fondly recalls that “there were always Moldovans ready to give us their last piece of bread.”

Adding to her relief, Olga found a job at a Refugee Accommodation Centre, enabling her to earn an income to provide for her family. She then turned her attention to helping her daughter, Eva, integrate into the community and meet other children facing a similar situation. Olga heard about the activities taking place at the Ion Druta municipal library, a sanctuary for children that often hosts events to provide comfort to the young arrivals. The next day, they both went to check it out, and from that moment on the library became an integral part of their lives.

Established in 1972, the Donduseni library has long been a social hub for cultural activities for both Moldovan and migrant children alike. In 2022, it was renamed “Ion Druta” to commemorate the well-known Moldovan poet who had passed away the year before. Despite the urgent need for renovations, the library was the beating heart of the town; a safe space to meet, offering inter-cultural activities, and providing a source of contemplation for both young and old, as they peruse the wide range of books cluttering the dusty shelves.

For Olga, the library has been a place of respite for her daughter; seeing how Eva spends time with her new friends and is quickly learning Romanian is a great source of comfort. After leaving Ukraine more than two years ago, the family finally feels that they have turned a new page in Moldova with life becoming more and more like the life they once knew in Kharkiv.

“The goal of every library is to encourage children to continue their journey of learning as they grow,” says Olga. As a mother, Eva's education has remained a top priority, even though the family faces an uncertain future.

Since 2022, approximately 1.9 million Ukrainians have transited through Moldova, though many have since returned. Out of the almost 128,000 that remain in Moldova, close to 70,000 have received temporary protection, the majority women and children.

In 2023, the International Organization for Migration conducted a technical assessment of the Ion Druta library as part of a wider initiative supporting the inclusion of migrants in Moldova. Renovations that cost USD 125,000 were then carried out. This included providing thermal insulation and renovations to the exterior walls and roof, replacement of damaged windows, and internal repairs.

“Thanks to this support which has provided a lifeline to our beloved library, now I can proudly say that it has become one of the most popular libraries in the whole district,” said Oxana Caramîș, Director of the Ion Druta Library.

The library welcomes over 350 Ukrainian and 440 Moldovan children every month. Olga and Eva are no longer just occasional visitors – they have become an integral part of the social fabric of the library.

Olga shares her most beloved cultural traditions from Ukraine with Moldovan friends, introducing them to the Ukrainian poet, Taras Shevchenko, while also learning about some of Moldova’s greatest poets such as Grigorii Vieru.

As for Eva, she is once again thriving. She speaks Romanian much better than her mother – Olga proudly admits – and the days of stuttering, caused by the trauma of war, are now a distant memory.

Since 2022, IOM has renovated more than 35 public facilities in the Republic of Moldova as part of a broader initiative to foster the inclusion of migrants and refugees while supporting the country's development. 163 businesses run by migrants, refugees and Moldovans also received grants to improve and expand their activities, creating 259 jobs. IOM continues to revitalize community spaces and improve access to critical social services for the benefit of all.

Following these vital renovations, the library now regularly organizes workshops and activities to promote social cohesion amongst Moldovan and migrant families – even during the harsh winter months. It has become a beacon of light in the community, hosting dances, traditional pancake making, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, encouraging children to socialize and get to know one another.

A story written by IOM Moldova’s Media and Communications Unit, Riccardo Severi, Ana Gnip-Balan, and Olga Derejovschi and edited by Amber Christino.