Chisinau needs policy to protect historical landmarks, report

The historical and cultural landmarks of Chisinau is in a critical state. Therefore, a proactive policy should be inevitably implemented so as to protect it and emphasize its significance. Director general of the Agency for Monument Inspection and Restoration Ion Stefanita has told Info-Prim Neo that such conclusions were reached by a group of European experts. The experts established that over 30% of the landmarks of Chisinau are in danger and may disappear during a decade if a protection policy is not implemented. “The experts said that the Republic of Moldova possesses considerable urban and rural landmarks that deserves being appropriately promoted. The analysis centered especially on the situation in the capital city, which can be considered critical. If the problems identified in Chisinau are not solved rapidly, the same destructive mechanisms will be triggered in the rest of the country. They will thus endanger the national cultural heritage,” Ion Stefanita quoted the report. The European experts said that the urban landscape of the historical center of Chisinau is already seriously affected by numerous modern architectural constructions that hold not much interest. Also, many landmark constructions are used inappropriately, while others are let to fall into dilapidation and ruin. The experts also pointed to the lack of efficient cooperation between different governmental institutions and to economic and realty pressure that encourages corruption. This enables the private investors to implement projects of a poor quality that have disastrous consequences for the heritage. Those who break the law are not held accountable owing to the authorizations and other documents that they get illegally. Ion Stefanita said that he came to manage the Agency for Monument Inspection and Restoration with the idea that he will solve the problems faced in the field, but he cannot handle many things as immediately after he informs the media about certain violations and abuses that lead to the degradation of the monuments, the Agency is being subjected to all kinds of inspections. According to him, in Moldova there are 977 buildings with the status of historical monument. Over 80 historical monuments have been taken down during the 20 years of independence. In their report, the experts say that only by realizing the value of the landmarks and the areas around them, will the Moldovans become guardians of the environment where they live, will understand why they should protect it and will be proud to receive visitors.