The European Heritage Days will be celebrated in Moldova between September 22 and 27. Unlike the previous years, this year the event will be held in different settlements of the country, including the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, IPN reports.

Minister of Culture Monica Babuc told a news conference that the European Heritage Days this year will be held under the theme “Cultural heritage and local communities” and are aimed at promoting the people’s access to the cultural heritage, regardless of the place of residence.

Among the major events that will take place are the opening of an exhibition of photographs and the launch of the catalogue “Archeological Vestiges on the Sarateni-Soroca Road” on September 22. On September 23, there will be held a public presentation of the project to restore the Assumption of the Virgin Church in Causeni and launched the Council of Europe project “Comus”. The project aims to stimulate the social-economic development by developing the cultural heritage in 12 historical towns.

On September 24, the memorial house “A. Schiusev” in Chisinau will be inaugurated after renovation, while the National Museum of History will launch the monograph “Ottoman coin in Moldova in 1512-1603”. There will be also opened an exhibition of restored parts of the museum’s collection.

On September 25, there will be mounted an exhibition of rare European books and launched the “Archeological Repertoires of Moldovan Settlements” at the museum in Mereni village of Anenii Noi district. A visit to the Soroca Fortress that is under restoration will be organized on September 26.

On September 27, cultural events will take place in Avdarma village of Comrat district, where museographers and researchers in the field of heritage will stage an exhibition centering on the European Experience and Heritage Days and an exhibit of traditional carpets. The same day, the Well of the Odalisque will be opened after renovation in Lipnic, Ocnita.

Launched in 1985, the European Heritage Days have been organised since 1999 as a joint initiative of the European Commission and the Council of Europe. Similar events are staged in the other 49 countries that signed the European Cultural Convention. On this occasion, different monuments and sights are open to visitors. Access to the exhibitions is free.