The cultural heritage is the major link between the past and the present, between old and new generations. It is precisely this common heritage that is the main basis on which Europe was built. At the same time, the common heritage on both banks of the Prut River is inseparable from the European destiny, because it best reflects who we were, who we are and what we aspire to become, the Ambassador of Romania to Moldova Cristian-Leon Țurcanu stated in an international conference entitled “Romania-Republic of Moldova: Cultural heritage and common European destiny”, which was hosted by the Moldova State University on April 25-26, IPN reports.
Attending the inaugural event, Ambassador Cristian-Leon Țurcanu said that today the Republic of Moldova is rediscovered and admired by the European countries with which it shares the same values and aspirations. The European integration is precisely the guarantee for protecting the identity and diversity, because each member brings added value through its history, its creation, its people. “And we know well that there are voices trying to tell us who we are without understanding who we were and, surely, without ever having understood what we want to become. That’s why we are all responsible for protecting this precious but fragile heritage – our cultural heritage and our common European destiny,” noted the ambassador.
Moldova State University rector Igor Sharov said that today a struggle is now being given between the two worlds: the world in which the people here lived, grew up, a world that brings war after itself, totalitarian regimes, and the prosperous world. And the people here don’t want to go back to that world. The people here want a world that brings prosperity and in this regard Romania’s contribution is constant. “We are talking about a common heritage and I think that today we should say: Thank you, Romania, for the constant contribution to promoting the national values and unconditional support of our European path!” said the rector.
Marian Preda, rector of the University of Bucharest, said that this event, along with others, somehow goes beyond the extremely important analysis part, the analysis of common history, cultural heritage, common heritage. The latest developments in the political, social context of the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Europe have created the possibility of full integration of the Republic of Moldova as a whole into the European economic, political and cultural space. “In this endeavor, we, the Romanian side, are happy because something that was missing from the Romanian cultural space is completed. And through integration into Europe, we will come together - the Romanians from both banks of the Prut River. It is a way in which the two parts of Romania will also find themselves in an element of identity that should not be ignored, that of the political-administrative structures through integration into the European Union. This process started a long time ago and now it is only accelerated,” stated Marian Preda.
Deputy Prime Minister Mihai Popșoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, said that cultural diplomacy and scientific diplomacy are an essential part of diplomacy in general. “Through this conference we seek to highlight the common cultural and scientific heritage, which is the foundation of our people and the foundation of our European future, because that is where we want to be, to reunite with our brothers and sisters within the big European family. And this opportunity is a very tangible one. Until now we only dreamed of European integration, but now things are happening at an accelerated pace and our hope and goal is to complete the negotiation process by 2030. It is an achievable term when we have such friends, such allies, first of all Romania, which is our main advocate in Brussels and all over the world,” stated the official.
Sergiu Nistor, adviser to the President of Romania, said that this event comes once again to highlight the historical, cultural and linguistic foundation underlying the common future of the Republic of Moldova and Romania in the European Union. “There were few moments in our history when we had not only hope, but also the realistic perspective of a future in which the Romanians will live in freedom and prosperity. An objective look at this moment in our history and the process we are going through from the angle of historical analysis and scientific dialogue between the great universities of our capitals is justified,” noted the presidential adviser.
The event was organized by the Moldova State University, with the support of the Romanian Cultural Institute “Mihai Eminescu” in Chisinau, under the high patronage of President Maia Sandu and the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis. The conference brought together researchers from both banks of the Prut River to discuss and analyze issues related to history, art, traditions and other fields relevant to the common cultural heritage and to the European evolution of both states.
