The new cupola built on the Organ Hall of Chisinau will be ready by the end of this year. The restoration works have lasted for almost four years. The investments totaled about 2 million lei and covered also the works to repair the ventilation and air-conditioning systems of the building.

Contacted by IPN, the institution’s director Larisa Zubcu said the repair works on the building and the piping system started in 2008 and were to be completed in 5-6 years. But, owing to the scarce financial resources, they will be finished in 2015. The scaffolding on the cupola of the Organ Hall will be removed at the end of this year. The copula was fully covered in copper. The raw material was brought from abroad as Moldova does not have such metal.

Since 2008 until present, the state invested 4 million lei in the repair works. Another 2 million lei was to be transferred this year. Owing to unplanned works, the amount that is needed to cover the costs this year is not known.

The pipes will be replaced next year, while the external works will be performed in 2015. The Organ Hall’s administration asked for financing from the UNESCO, but, as the building is a historical monument protected by the state, foreign investment cannot be used to repair it.

Larisa Zubcu said a number of foreign companies offered to invest money in the extensive repair of the building, based on a public-private partnership, on condition that it is leased out to them for a period of 40-50 years. The director believes that it’s yet better to repair the Organ Hall for a longer period, than to finish the works quickly, but to cede the building to foreigners.