Moldovan historians review victories and defeats, 20 years after founding association

Moldovan historians marked Saturday, June 20, the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Association of Historians of Moldova, at a conference, Info-Prim Neo reports. The event has been attended by the founders, former presidents, historians, writers, scientists, professors and teachers. “We want stability, we want the politicians not to interfere into our work. It’s probably the most important wish we have: to be allowed to do our job professionally,” said Sergiu Musteata, the president of the Association, after he reviewed the ONG’s work for the last 20 years. The first president of the association was academician Alexandru Mosanu. He was elected on June 18, 1989. He says the association had a most important role during the movement for national liberation. “The historians unveiled the truth that the Moldovans living on the left bank of the Prut are Romanians, they are part of the Romanian people, speak the same language, share the same culture and values,” Mosanu said. He says the Association has always worked in a tense situation. “We have fought and we have resisted, defending the values we won during the first years – manuals of the Romanians’ history in schools, but as the Communist reached power, the political factor has grossly interfered into the process of studying history. It’s a big defeat of ours, because they do not respect science and scientists’ opinions,” the first president said. “Only if democratic forces come to power, respecting the Independence Declaration of 27 August 1991, the situation may change,” the academician opined. Anatol Petrencu, a former president of the Historians Association, has reiterated that the historians did a lot to promote the historical truth in harsh circumstances. “We fought for the truth, organizing strikes all over the country, we did our best to preserve the Romanians’ history as a subject in schools, next to universal history,” Petrencu said. Speaking about the work of young Moldovan historians, Professor Anton Moraru has said “they are happy to have the opportunity to choose between science and anti-scientific illiteracy, which is promoted by the present Moldovan government.” Moraru opines it’s necessary to re-enliven the History Institute of the Moldovan Science Academy, which was closed a couple of years ago. The association joins over 500 members. This year, they re-activated branches in Cahul, Soroca, Balti and Anenii Noi.