Art Lea

About

Lea Chirinciuc, known as Lea Art, is an entrepreneur from the Republic of Moldova who founded Galerie Moldave à Paris, a space dedicated to promoting traditional Moldovan art and crafts in the heart of Paris. Located in the Marais district at 15 rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, the gallery exhibits an impressive variety of artisanal products, such as hand-molded pottery, embroidered "ii" (traditional blouses), silk jewelry, illustrated books, knitted toys, and national clothing, gathered from all regions of Moldova. Through participation in prestigious fairs, such as the Christmas Market at La Défense, Lea has succeeded in bringing Moldovan culture to the attention of a diverse international audience, ranging from the French and Germans to Americans, Japanese, and members of the diaspora. The success of the gallery is due to an extensive network of collaborators in Moldova, including artisans from the north and south of the country, as well as from Chișinău, such as Ludmila Cirpala for towels, Victoria Cojocaru for "ii" blouses and dresses, or Irina Madan for paintings. Lea collaborates with organizations such as Artizana Grup and the Raquette Fashion House, importing authentic products on a weekly basis that attract both tourists in search of unique objects and compatriots settled in France, nostalgic for their traditions back home. Her initiative, launched in 2014 after years of experience in France, transformed the gallery into a cultural ambassador, participating in festivals such as the Festival of Europe or that of French-speaking countries, and promoting values such as manual embroidery and traditional ceramics on the Parisian market. Having settled in France for over 12 years, initially arriving through the "Jeune fille au pair" program from the Ungheni district, Lea Chirinciuc combines her passion for Moldovan roots with an entrepreneurial vision. She emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural identity for the diaspora, urging young people to create without fear of challenges. Although her family has links to similar businesses in Italy, Lea dedicates her energy to expanding Moldovan influence in Europe, turning homesickness into sustainable business opportunities and promoting authentic crafts as a living heritage of the Republic of Moldova.