We will soon make a tour of ruins, Ion Stefanita

The director general of the Culture Ministry’s Agency for Monument Inspection and Restoration Ion Stefanita, in the public conference “Identities of Chisinau”, said more than 30% of the historical monuments are either destroyed or in an advanced state of ruin and in over 20 years we will be able to organize only tours of the ruins for tourists, Info-Prim Neo reports. “80% of the 49 mansions existing in the country are in ruins. We will soon have a tour of the ruins, not of the historical monuments. In Chisinau, we have 17 lordly houses that are severely damaged. We made an approach to the Cadastre Agency to find out the owners of these monuments, but we were told that under the law we must pay for such information. I do not want this information for me. The owners should have the possibility of taking out preferential loans and restore the monuments,” said Ion Stefanita. In another development, he said that the Agency for Monument Inspection and Restoration does not have enough specialists for restoring monuments. Sergiu Musteata, chairman of the National Association of Young Historians of Moldova, said the historical monuments of national and local importance are in need of restoration and the competent bodies should supervise them and not allow their destruction. “We are glad that Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca protested together with us, but we want that he take steps to stop the demolition of monuments and prevent wrongdoings. Moldova is a country of godparents, while Chisinau is a city of relations. When somebody breaks the law, they make use of their relationships to avoid punishment. But the law must be respected,” said Sergiu Musteata. According to the organizers, the aim of the conference is to initiate discussions on how to protect the historical Chisinau. The event brought together specialists from abroad who will share their experience and contribute to drafting a strategic plan for protecting the cultural patrimony.