PR96743

CHISINAU, Moldova, June 29, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

This summer, the newly released documentary film "A Small Country with a Big

Heart''

[https://moldova.travel/en/documentary-film-a-small-country-with-a-big-heart/]

explores the true meaning of hospitality through a little known story from

Moldova.

Moldova, one of the smallest countries in Europe, welcomed over 450,000

Ukrainian refugees, known locally as "guests," into their homes and hearts this

year. This documentary explores how and why Moldova, including its small

tourism sector, immediately united and responded with open doors.

The film documents this story through the eyes of eight hosts from five rural

guest houses throughout Moldova: Sergiu (Hanul lui Hanganu

[https://hanulhanganu.md/]), Liuba (Vila Roz [https://www.vilaroz.com/]), Dan,

Zaharia and Tatiana (Casa Veche [https://www.facebook.com/casavechepalanca/]),

Ana (Gagauz Sofrasi [https://www.gagauzsofrasi.com/]), Olesea and Anatol

(Eco-Resort Butuceni [https://www.butuceni.md/]). On the unexpected front line

of this humanitarian crisis, they immediately decided to open their guest

houses, normally used for hosting tourists, to provide safe refuge and a

welcoming smile to their Ukrainian guests.

Another important message: the viewer understands from this complex and

dramatic context the nature of Moldovan hospitality. Genuine, even in times of

crisis.

The film also tells the story of how a small tourism sector immediately united

and acted in response to a humanitarian emergency, as seen through the Moldova

for Peace campaign [https://moldova.travel/en/moldova-pentru-pace/]. This

highlights tourism's potential strength and positive impact.

Finally, the documentary takes the viewer across Moldova to see some

undiscovered places in this little known country. What you will see may

surprise you, and the film invites viewers to visit and experience this

hospitality for themselves.

The documentary gets its name from how the international press and United

Nations began to refer to Moldova because of its heartfelt response to the

refugee crisis, despite the country's small size of 2.6 million people and

limited resources.

For more information about "A Small Country with a Big Heart" and how to host

screenings of the documentary, please get in touch at: info@moldova.travel.

The documentary is directed by Daniela Donici and Lucia Lupu with production by

ANTRIM / Lulu Creative. Film image by Lucian Spataru. It is supported by the

National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova (ANTRIM)

[https://antrim.md/] and Moldova Travel [https://moldova.travel/] with the

support of the EDGE Buy-in Moldova Competitiveness Transition Activity funded

by USAID.

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Orrpzu202c

Source: National Inbound and Domestic Tourism Association of Moldova (ANTRIM)