The first Congress of People of Culture held at the Palace of the Republic on December 12 brought together about 700 delegates from all over the country. The Congress elected the Coordination Council, which is composed of 15 members of Creation Unions, Info-Prim Neo reports. The Congress discussed the most acute problems faced in the field of culture, the role of culture in the Moldovan society today, the relations between the power and culture, the revitalization of the cultural movement at the local level, the reform of the system for financing culture, the status of the person of culture and other issues. Painter and scenographer Vlad Bulat said the Congers will lay the basis of a renewed culture. “Culture remained only with creation souls. This Congress is a desperate call from the previous years. It will lay the foundation of a new era,” he said. Some of the participants expressed their indignation at the fact that Minister of Culture Boris Focsa recommended many people not to take part in the Congress. Journalist Constantin Cheianu said that after a meeting with presidents of district Creation Unions, the minister promised support, but then changed his attitude. “He probably thought we will start an action against the Ministry of Culture or against him,” he said. Attending the Congress, Boris Focsa replied that the Ministry of Culture is open for cooperation with the civil society and hopes for a fruitful collaboration. The Forum of People of Culture that will be formed after the Congress will ensure the continuity of its work and of all the ideas, decisions and proposals that are to be implemented by the Forum. The Coordination Council elected at the Congress consists of 15 persons representing Creation Unions, national NGOs and houses of culture. The Congress unanimously adopted a resolution to create a culture fund and will submit it to the Parliament.