Artists of the "Joc" folk dance ensemble have demanded that the Moldovan authorities revoke the order to suspend their leader, Alena Strymbianu, reports TASS. She was punished because the ensemble performed in Russia during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The petition, addressed to the Ministry of Culture, notes that the suspension of the leader will negatively affect the ensemble's activities, damaging the established creative processes. Alena Strymbianu was suspended during an investigation into the ensemble's activities following their performance at SPIEF. In the Moldovan Parliament, the performance of Moldovan artists in St. Petersburg was deemed "unacceptable" due to the conflict in Ukraine. Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan promised to conduct an internal investigation and punish the artists. The leader of the Moldovan opposition bloc "Victory," Ilan Shor, said that the ensemble's performance was a great success. According to him, if Chisinau dismisses the artists, his associates will open choreography schools for them in the Moldovan cities of Orhei and Comrat.