On November 1, 2014 there was held a historic event for the Gagauz Region: the House of Culture of the village Vinogradovka of Bolgrad District, Odessa Region was inaugurated as the Gagauz Culture Center. Initiators and sponsors of the Center is Ukrainian public organization “Union of Gagauz of Ukraine”, Odessa Regional Gagauz-cultural society “Birlik” and a member of the Odessa Regional Council Dimchoglo Yuri Dmitrievich. The idea of creating the Gagauz center originated long ago, but was brought to life only now. The purpose of the Center is to maintain and preserve the identity of the Gagauz people, teaching the younger generation the Gagauz language, history and culture of their ancestors.
The opening ceremony was attended by many guests, representatives of the Odessa Regional Administration and Regional Council, Department of Culture, the newly elected deputies of the Verkhovna Rada, deputies of the Odessa Regional Council, representatives of Gagauzia (Republic of Moldova), as well as the heads of village councils, school principals and houses of culture of Gagauz villages of Odessa region.
In honor of the opening of the Gagauz Culture Center in the foyer of the House of Culture of the village Vinogradovka there was held an exhibition of masters of applied arts, exhibition of carpets and agricultural products, as well as a concert featuring the creative team of the village Vinogradovka, rising star of Ukrainian pop Natalie Denise and People’s Artist of the Republic of Moldova Peter Petkovic. And at the end of the festive evening the troupe of Comrat Municipal Music and Drama Theater named after Savely Keiya gave villagers and invited guests the theater performance in the Gagauz language.
The event was held in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Villagers of Vinogradovka and guests expressed their deep gratitude to the organizers of this project and hope for future prosperity and development of the Gagauz Culture Center.