With highs and lows, 2017 is nearing its end. It is a good time for conclusions. On this occasion, IPN has gathered good thought from all over the globe, this time only good thoughts, from decision-makers and from those on the receiving end of these decisions. What good has come of 2017? This is the question we posed to the people who have accepted to join us in our pursuit of the good in our surroundings and in the events that affect us. Although many things do not follow our wishes, winners are the people and societies that learn to see challenges and lesser things as extra opportunities to get involved and make things better. For each of the topics we approach, we provide rankings that reflect the opinions of those who developed them. Read further for the good things 2017 has brought to the field of cultural heritage and landmark preservation.
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Top-6 from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research:
1. Launch of the Twinning Project
“It provides for the conservation and reevaluation of cultural heritage, as well as the capacitation of civil society organizations in culture, co-funded by the European Union, with a budget of 1 million euro. The project spans over two years, September 2017 to September 2019. The project will involve around 30 experts from Italy, who will work with local experts. The beneficiary is the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research and its cultural organizations and institutions, along with other actors involved in the implementation of cultural heritage preservation policies.”
2. Organ Hall renovation
“The Organ Hall building was erected in 1901 and is a national historical landmark. Renovating it is one of the Ministry’s priorities. The Government of Romania offered funds for the project. This donation will cover the renovation of the entire building. A major part of the renovation project happened throughout 2017.”
3. Commencement of renovation works at the Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Căușeni
“The renovation project is part of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and is implemented by the Center for Archaeological Research of Moldova. The project will foster conditions for returning the site back into the public circuit, putting to use the cultural, educational, tourism and economic value of an important South-East European heritage site. Hence, the Căușeni church will overcome its symbol status and turn into a genuine museum, striving to spur the interest of all national and international activities.”
4. Development of the National Registry of Public Monuments
“It will keep records and help preserve monuments, accounting for the provisions of the regulations on land allotment for public monuments, elaborating plans for monuments’ protected areas, recording them into the Cadaster database.”
5. Development and approval of the Law on gravesites and war memorials
“The Law aims to offer a legal framework for gravesites and war memorials, as a part of the policy on preserving and perpetuating historical awareness, fostering patriotism among the citizens of Moldova.”
6. Approval of the Law on Museums
“This Law addresses challenges and issues concerning the museums of Moldova.”
Top-5 from the Agency for Inspection and Restoration of Monuments (AIRM):
1. Organ Hall
“The restoration project is funded by the Romanian Government. The former City Bank, which crumbling, is currently undergoing restoration, approaching the conclusion of the first phase of the project.”
2. Commencing restoration of the Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Căușeni
“It is a monument of national history and architecture. The project is funded by the AFCP.”
3. Support to several local initiatives
“A sketch of the Water Tower, an historical monument in Drochia, has been developed. The project was conducted in cooperation with Urban Life Project. In another project, architects from Greece, Germany, and Romania have developed the blueprint of the Cernoleuca village Windmill, in cooperation with the International Molinological Society. Another project deals with the Sfatul Țării-Șciusev-M. Cebotari-Kogălniceanu quadrant of the historical district of Chisinau.”
4. Launching of the Chisinau City of Lights brand
“The launch of the Chisinau City of Lights brand was possible due to the involvement of French architects from Alain Guilhot Lumiere and the Renaissance de Vieux Lyon Association. These cooperation efforts aim at raising social awareness and promoting responsible attitudes towards the conservation and restoration of cultural and historic heritages of Moldova, following the good practices of France.”
5. No records of monument demolitions in 2017
“Another highlight in the field is the good functioning of the preservation mechanism. AIRM experts haven’t identified any monument demolitions in 2017, ceasing the formerly massive wave of demolitions.”
Top-4 from the SITe Center:
1. Renovation of the central wing of the National Museum of Art
2. Ongoing Organ Hall renovation, projected for completion in 2018.
3. Restoration of the Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Căușeni, commencing with the restoration of church interior medieval paintings and building structure.
4. Renovation of the Second Block of the State University of Moldova. The work on this project commenced in 2016.
Other articles in the “Goods of 2017” series:
What good things did 2017 bring in Transnistrian settlement process. IPN Campaign
What good things did 2017 bring in education. IPN Campaign
What are the accomplishments of 2017 in tourism! IPN campaign
What good things did 2017 bring in environmental sector. IPN Campaign
What good things did 2017 bring in cinematography. IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Rights for People with Disabilities. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Organ and Tissue Transplants. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Literature. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Volunteering. An IPN Campaign
The Goods of 2017 in Support for Children without Parental Care. An IPN Campaign
