17,000 Cantus Mundi Children Sing for Earth Hour Across Romania and the Republic of Moldova

On Saturday, March 22, between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM, over 17,000 children and young people from the choirs and ensembles of the Cantus Mundi National Program will come together simultaneously in Romania and the Republic of Moldova to celebrate Earth Hour through concerts, recitals, and musical events, sending a message of solidarity and harmony with the planet.

The program includes events in all regions of Romania, in each of the 41 counties and Bucharest, as well as in the Republic of Moldova.

At 8:30 PM, electrical appliances will be turned off, and lights will go out for an hour, while children, alongside conductors, music teachers, parents, and friends, will sing in public spaces, schools, parks, squares, and gardens—for the health of the Earth and the environment and against the wastefulness that harms our planet.

“We are delighted that this event, which we have been organizing for 9 years, brings together more and more Cantus Mundi choirs and ensembles. This year, in essence, the entire Romania sings in unison for a better world. Moreover, we are thrilled by the participation of choirs from the Republic of Moldova, who share our values and love for choral singing. We invite everyone to join us on the evening of March 22!”, said Leila Popovici, Director of the Cantus Mundi National Program.

For the first time ever, this year’s music will also be accessible to hearing-impaired children, as song lyrics will be translated into Romanian Sign Language, thanks to the CODA – The Charm of Silence Foundation.

In Bucharest, Cantus Mundi will celebrate Earth Hour through two major events:

• At the Comic Opera for Children (Calea Giulești No. 16) – over 250 children and young people, along with conductors, parents, and friends, will gather to sing.
• At Casa Eliad (Bulevardul Mircea Vodă No. 5) – more than 500 children will unite their voices to bring positive change through music, involvement, and responsibility for nature.

Record Participation in Maramureș and Other Highlights

Maramureș holds the record for the largest number of participants, with over 3,500 children taking part.
In Baia Mare, over 2,900 children will sing at multiple locations, including:

• Piața Cetății (next to Stephen’s Tower)
• Câmpia Tineretului (at the Romanian Soldier’s Statue)
• The courtyard of “Dimitrie Cantemir” Gymnasium School
• The courtyard of the Sports High School of Baia Mare

In Oradea, over 800 children will sing on the plateau of the Orthodox Cathedral.
In Galați, over 700 children will perform in front of the “Dunărea de Jos” University.
In Brăila, more than 600 children will sing for the planet on the City Hall plateau.

The largest Earth Hour event featuring Cantus Mundi in a rural area will take place in Brănești, Ilfov County, where 450 children will sing at Gymnasium School No. 1 and in the Central Park.

Choir registrations for the project are ongoing, and the list of Cantus Mundi Earth Hour events across the country will be updated on the Cantus Mundi website and on Cantus Mundi Romania’s Facebook page.

This Earth Hour, WWF-Romania Advocates for the Preservation of a Recently Flooded Area

On March 22, 2025, millions of people around the world will come together to mark the 19th edition of Earth Hour, the largest global movement dedicated to the environment. The event, organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), is more than just a symbolic gesture – it is an urgent call for awareness and action to protect our planet’s natural resources. This year, Earth Hour has a special meaning, being celebrated on the same day as World Water Day, highlighting the importance of protecting and regenerating this vital resource.

This year, for Earth Hour, WWF-Romania is advocating for the preservation of a recently flooded area, which expands the 1,000 hectares already restored to nature through the ecological reconstruction project implemented in 2016.

Located in the Carasuhat area of Mahmudia, this region has become a biodiversity refuge, supporting the local economy through ecotourism and sustainable fishing, proving that sustainable solutions can create a real positive impact.

However, this achievement is under threat, as the approximately 2,000-hectare area could be drained again for agriculture and grazing.

Following a petition signed by 10,000 people, authorities have adopted a temporary solution, but WWF-Romania, alongside the local community, is calling for the permanent protection of this essential ecosystem.

On Earth Hour, we invite all nature lovers to sign the petition to keep the water in Mahmudia.