Fighting for the Right to Party... In Moldova

The “right to party” is not about indulgence. It is about the right to gather, to express identity, and to build culture without arbitrary fear. In any democratic society, peaceful cultural assembly should be protected, even when it is loud, unconventional, or youth-driven.

Moldova, one of Europe’s most migration-affected countries, has struggled to retain young people amid limited cultural infrastructure and economic opportunity.

On the night of February 13, 2026, a Sound of Olandeep electronic music event in Chișinău, Moldova was shut down by police. Organizers state that officers entered the venue, stopped the music, and conducted searches inside what they describe as private property. Some attendees later characterized the searches as aggressive and degrading.

The incident raises broader questions: What are the cultural and civic implications when artistic gatherings are interrupted by force? Where is the line between legitimate enforcement and the right to cultural assembly?

Under European human rights standards, freedom of assembly and expression are protected but not absolute. States may intervene when pursuing legitimate aims such as public safety or crime prevention. The central question in this case is whether the intervention met the standards of legality and proportionality required in a democratic society.

We speak with Sound of Olandeep about their experience.

Q: How do you think Moldova compares to neighboring countries like Romania or Serbia in terms of nightlife enforcement?

Moldova is still significantly behind neighboring countries like Romania or Serbia when it comes to nightlife culture and its regulation. The gap is visible both in infrastructure and in institutional understanding of the scene.

Part of this is due to scale, Moldova is a much smaller country, but the difference also reflects slower cultural and regulatory development overall.

Q: What would need to change for underground culture to feel secure?

At the moment, we are taking steps toward building a more constructive relationship with the state.

One of the most urgent needs in Moldova is dedicated venues for cultural and nightlife events. In Chișinău especially, we face serious challenges, suitable locations are either in poor condition or financially inaccessible, which makes sustainable activity very difficult for promoters working within limited budgets.

We are also encouraging a constructive dialogue between the electronic music community and public institutions, particularly the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Our goal is to help establish official cultural recognition for electronic music, alongside transparent event regulations, a clear legal framework, and proportionate inspection protocols, so organizers and audiences can feel safe and secure.

Q: Many young Moldovans leave for Romania, Germany, or Western Europe. How does cultural life influence that decision? Do you believe nightlife can actually retain young people in the country?

This is actually one of the primary reasons behind youth migration. The lack of a developed entertainment industry and overall cultural scarcity significantly lowers quality of life for young people.

In Moldova, there is a strong institutional focus on children and family oriented initiatives, which is of course important, but the needs of the 18–30 age group are often overlooked. This creates a gap where young adults don’t feel culturally engaged or socially stimulated.

Nightlife and contemporary cultural spaces can play a real role in retention. They offer not just entertainment, but community, creative expression, and a sense that modern youth culture has a place within the country’s future.

Q: What happens to a society when creative spaces disappear?

Probably all the young people would just stay home, or leave the country immediately? Or, more likely, people will end up drinking in courtyards, like in the neighboring conflict territory of Transnistria.

But speaking seriously, when creative spaces disappear, electronic music culture doesn’t vanish, it goes deeper underground.

Promoter groups start moving into forests, abandoned buildings, and unregulated locations. Events begin to take on riskier and more precarious forms, where it becomes much harder to ensure safety standards, crowd management, medical access, or any kind of quality service.

Q: Do you feel policymakers understand the link between culture and migration?

We can’t really speak for what policymakers think. It’s possible they have other priorities that feel more urgent from their perspective.

However, from our point of view, the link between culture and migration is very real, and often underestimated.

Q: In your view, where is the line between regulation and suppression?

The events of February 13–14 showed us that, at the moment, this line doesn’t really exist.

That’s why we are committed to doing everything we can to help ensure that it does, through dialogue, clear regulation, and mutual understanding between the scene and public institutions.

Q: When is a music event considered a cultural gathering? 

In our view, any music event is inherently a cultural gathering, it brings people together around artistic expression, shared values, and contemporary cultural dialogue.

Q: Did you have the necessary permits or was this considered a peaceful assembly?

Our events are commercial in nature, among other things - therefore we organize them in full compliance with the Law on Event Organization in the Republic of Moldova. Our priority is the safety and comfort of our visitors, and our language is music.

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Sound of Olandeep's next events are scheduled for: March 21 and April 3, but since dealing with these matters they will most likely cancel. They plan to continue their organization as they have always done.

Organizers say international attention and open dialogue are essential to ensuring greater transparency and stability for independent cultural initiatives in Moldova. Spreading awareness already makes a real difference.