Music of Moldova
Moldovan music is closely related to that of its neighbour and cultural kin, Romania. Moldovan folk is known for swift, complex rhythms (a characteristic shared with many Eastern European traditions), musical improvisation, syncopation and much melodic ornamentation. Pop, hip hop, rock and other modern genres have their own fans in Moldova as well. Modern pop stars include O-Zone, a Romanian and Moldovan band whose "Dragostea din tei" was a major 2004 European hit, guitarist and songwriter Vladimir Pogrebniuc, Natalia Barbu, who is well known in Germany, Romania and Ukraine, and Nelly Ciobanu. The band Flacai became  well known in the 1970s across Moldova, turning their hometown of Cahul into an important center of music. Folk music. During the Soviet era, Moldovan folk culture flourished, and was strongly promoted by the government. However, many elements were altered to obscure the shared history of Romania and Moldova, because the Soviet Union wanted to discourage secession. The "Mioriţa" is ancient ballad that is a very important part of Moldovan folk culture. Musical institutions. Moldova's folk music and dance companies, troupes and orchestras are well known, especially Joc, an academic dance company; a "joc" is a celebration that includes  dances, as well as the part of a town where the dancing takes place. The Orchestra of Moldovan Folk Music and Dance was founded in 1949; the orchestra plays Romanian, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, German music. Music festivals in Moldova include The Faces of Friends, held in the town of Cahul; this festival was founded in 1996.