"It is very important for us Poles to take care of our ancestors." The declaration of the Polish ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, Bartlomiej Zdaniuk, was made at the closing event of the fifth year of the renovation project of funeral stones belonging to Poles that lived on the present territory of the Republic of Moldova at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, whose tombs are placed in the Roman Catholic Cemetery in the capital.
"Our ancestors' funeral stones and the way they are cared for are proof not only of our effort, but also of our credibility. If we do not look after their funeral stones, we are not worthy to consider ourselves free and patriotic Poles", said the Polish official.
Bartlomiej Zdaniuk said that the renovation of funeral stones is a custom of the Polish state. "We have already renovated eight or nine stones in this cemetery alone. Our wish is that all Polish funeral stones are renovated in order to prove that we have not forgotten them", said Bartlomiej Zdaniuk.
The Polish official said that on November 1 and 2, according to the Roman-Catholic tradition, The Commemoration of All Faithful Departed and All Saints Day take place. "We celebrate our ancestors over the course of these days. We are glad that the Poles established in Moldova are cleaning the graveyard, so that it is beautiful during the holidays", said Bartlomiej, who expressed his conviction that the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage will continue its collaboration with Chișinău City Hall.
Ludmila Boțan, the director of the Municipal Enterprise "Funeral Services" said that there are more than 1500 Polish graves in the Chișinău Catholic Cemetery. "It is our shared past, it is our history, it is our tradition. We are very grateful for the support provided by the Polish Government over the last 5 years, since this agreement was signed", said Ludmila Boțan.
The director added that renovation works for the Ohanovich chapel and for other Polish tombs in the Catholic cemetery are planned. "We are engaged in talks, because these works involve large investments. I am sure that, together with the Polish government, we will be able to finish the restoration of the chapel, which is a unique architectural monument in the Republic of Moldova", said Ludmila Boțan.
The Roman-Catholic cemetery in Chișinău covers an area of two hectares, while about 50% of those buried in the cemetery are Polish.
