Natalia Barbu

Ana Barbu

When we were discussing the events for the day we started to think of who the children might like to see – remembering that the children range in ages from 4 – women in their 50’s. Of course Santa and his elves are a must for the little ones, but the teenagers and young adults just love music so we did a little survey of who they listened to and what music they liked and decided to contact these musicians to see if they would be prepared to travel to Hincesti and put on a concert for the children.

They each sang for about half an hour and the children sang along to every song, knew all the words and danced their little hearts out. It was a

Ana Barbu sings a duet with Felicia

pleasure to watch stars that usually grace the stages of large concert halls join the children of Hincesti orphanage on their Christmas day. When Ana Barbu asked one of the girls to join her on stage for a duet, it was a special moment, the pride and joy in her young eyes was visable, now no longer nervous instead a little star struck as she took the hand of Ana Barbu and gave it her all. It was a special moment that we will all remember and we are very grateful to Mrs Barbu.

Natalia Barbu has such an incredible range to her voice that it took less than a minute to have all the audience up on their feet dancing. She had sung for the children at the start of her career in 2003 and to have her return to the small hall was very nostalgic – albeit to come back to a place with very different conditions and the children in such good health. Even the first heavy snowfall of the winter had started the night before didn’t deter her arrival from the capital. Of course all the children wanted to be photographed with the singers and they stayed on for this despite their Tv and radio commitments later in the day.

Gheorghe Topa with his biggest fans Aliona and Vera

As they bid the children goodbye they introduced Mr Gheorghe Topa who quite literally rocked the house. He was such a professional with a wonderful sense of humour. Of course all the girls wanted their photo taken with him! And then it was the big moment – Santa had arrived from the north pole and he brought all his little helpers with him to carry all the presents. He arrived with snow white, Babilica the clown, the wicked witch from the west who had stolen Christmas and the newest upcoming star in Moldova – Seroja the winner of the Moldovan version of the x-Factor.

They put on a superb show and the children relaxed, watched and took part in all the fun and games. 2 hours later a hungry bunch took off to have their real Christmas dinner and continue in the festivities of the day.