Historical monuments in danger

The Agency for Monument Inspection and Restoration, together with an initiative group, demand that the municipal divisions stop issuing authorizations for the demolition of buildings with the status of historical monuments that are situated in the center of Chisinau, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Ion Stefanita, director general of the Agency for Monument Inspection and Restoration, on May 29 specialists of the Agency established that an architectural monument was demolished on Shchusev St. “Any work to modify a protected historical architectural monument is done with the consent of the Culture Ministry’s National Council of Historical Monuments. This project was approved by the Ministry only as a sketch-conception and its implementation wasn’t authorized. Thus, the demolition actions are illegal. Also, the neighbor’s consent wasn’t authenticated by a notary,” Ion Stefanita told a news conference on June 1. He said that no municipal authority has more powers than the Parliament of Moldova, which granted the status of historical monument to this building. Effort should be made to combat corruption in the municipal divisions that issue related authorizations. During 30 months, the Agency for Monument Inspection and Restoration filed 32 complaints over 16 cases. The Prosecutor’s Office refused to take steps, arguing there were no elements of an offense. “Only yesterday did I receive a letter from the Prosecutor General’s Office, which started investigations into the demolition of historical monuments. On June 5, I will meet with delegates of the Council of Europe and will discuss the issue of historical monuments with them. It is for the first time that such experts come to our country to examine the situation,” stated Ion Stefanita. Seventy-eight of the 977 architectural buildings that formed the historical center of Chisinau and that in 1993 were included in the National Register of Monuments were demolished. One fourth of the historical buildings were partially destroyed or mutilated as a result of reconstruction works that affected their authenticity.