In early April, the National Library of Moldova became the focal point of Austrian cultural diplomacy, hosting a series of events that honoured outstanding contributions to intercultural cooperation and explored the future of language education through the lens of artificial intelligence.
On 4 April, as part of the Austrian Days 2025, the Austrian Embassy in Chisinau honoured representatives of the National Library of Moldova with the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria. The awards were presented to Elena Pintilei, Director General of the National Library of Moldova, and Elina Bolgarina, Head of Department, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to fostering intercultural dialogue and bilateral cultural cooperation.
These decorations symbolise the strength and depth of the intercultural ties between Austria and Moldova and are the result of a long-standing and fruitful partnership between the Austrian Embassy and the National Library of Moldova. Over the past six years, this collaboration has led to numerous significant cultural initiatives and events. Notable among them are the international scientific conference “2018 – European Year of Cultural Heritage: Multiculturalism and the Tradition of Austria”, followed by the publication of the collection “Common Heritage = Общее наследие” (2019); the recurring celebration of the European Day of Languages; and the commemorative exhibition “30 Years Since the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Austria” (2022), among others.
The Decorations of Honour were presented by H.E. Stella Avallone, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to the Republic of Moldova, in the presence of distinguished guests, including Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the Republic of Moldova, and Matthias Leichtfried, Professor of German Studies and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Vienna.
Following the ceremony, the honoured librarians of the National Library and the German language teachers from Moldova were cordially invited to a festive reception at the Ambassador’s Residence.
Continuing the series of cultural events within Austrian Days 2025, the National Library of Moldova hosted Austria Day in Chisinau on April 5, organised in close collaboration with the Austrian Embassy in Chisinau. This year’s edition, titled “Artificial Intelligence and Literature in German as a Foreign Language Lessons,” brought together German language teachers from across the country, as well as members of the public interested in the intersection of technology, language, and culture.
The event paid tribute to two major literary figures: Rainer Maria Rilke, the Czech-Austrian-Swiss poet whose 150th birth anniversary is being marked this year, and Ernst Jandl, the influential Austrian poet, translator, and essayist, whose centenary is also celebrated in 2025.
Opening remarks were delivered by Elena Pintilei, Director General of the National Library; H.E. Stella Avallone, Ambassador of Austria to Moldova; Guido Beltrani, Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Moldova; and Matthias Leichtfried, Professor at the University of Vienna. A special moment of the event was the screening of the Swiss documentary “A Voice, Almost Mine: Rainer Maria Rilke in the Canton of Wallis,” which was followed by a discussion on the poet’s later works and his enduring legacy.
The central theme of the day revolved around the role of artificial intelligence in the teaching of German as a foreign language, raising profound questions such as: Can AI generate literature? The audience was engaged and inspired by lectures and hands-on workshops led by Professor Leichtfried, an expert in the field.
This marked the second edition of Austria Day in Chisinau, a special event dedicated to German language professionals. As part of the program, the National Library also presented a curated exhibition featuring original works by Rainer Maria Rilke—in German, French, and various European translations—providing yet another dimension to this rich cultural celebration.
For more photos and highlights from Austrian Days 2025 at the National Library of Moldova, visit:
Original text by: Elina Bolgarina
Photo credit: Adriana Bizgu
Translated by: Mariana Kiriakov