Romanian Cultural Institute starts work in Chisinau

The Romanian Cultural Institute was inaugurated in Chisinau on September 29 in the evening. The Institute's 17th branch will bear the name of Mihai Eminescu, Info-Prim Neo reports. Petre Guran, the head of the Romanian Cultural Institute “Mihai Eminescu”, said the Institute will host exhibitions, seminars, handicrafts workshops and roundtable meetings that will aim to promote the Romanian culture and art. “Culture in the relations between two countries is a method of doing politics. A community cannot be built without culture. This Institute represents a sincere, open and enthusiastic partnership between two neighboring countries and two friendly states with the same language and history,” Petre Guran said. “The Romanian Cultural Institute promotes the Romanian culture abroad. But in Moldova, this culture exists and we want to improve it,” said the head of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Bucharest Horia Roman Patapievich. Attending the inauguration, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Bakonski said the wish to open the Romanian Cultural Institute in Chisinau appeared long ago. “This Institute is not an ordinary one. We came to a European capital and are sure the programs that will be implemented in Chisinau will help prove that the Romanian cliches in the Moldovan society are unfounded and obsolete,” he said, adding culture will be the best messenger of the changes that will take place. The opening of the Romanian Cultural Institute in Chisinau represents a new stage in the Moldovan-Romanian relations, said Moldova's Foreign Minister Iurie Leanca. He stressed that the Institute will become a spiritual bridge between Chisinau and Bucharest. Minister of Culture of Moldova Boris Focsa voiced hope the Institute will join the European cultures. “We want to integrate our culture into the European culture. I hope there will appear new, interesting projects and new opportunities for our artists,” he said. The Romanian Cultural Institute was founded in 2005. It has 17 branches all over Europa.