Romanian culture minister in Chisinau says solidarity essential to save Ukraine's culture

Moldova and Romania are joining efforts to support Ukraine in restoring its cultural heritage, severely affected by Russian bombings. The subject has been recently discussed in the Romanian Parliament. Romania’s Culture Minister András István Demeter made statements to this effect, who was in Chisinau on the occasion of the tenth edition of the Meeting of Romanian Theaters. The official emphasized that "regional solidarity is essential" for the protection and reconstruction of cultural values.

“Culture plays a central role in rebuilding trust and resilience. I can confirm that this concern already has tangible evidence. On September 9, a public debate took place in the Romanian Parliament, and the Alliance of Eastern European Europarliamentarians for Ukraine's reconstruction held a meeting attended by numerous representatives of public institutions and civil society from Romania and  Moldova,” said the Romanian minister.





Demeter specified that, although there is not yet a formal bilateral mechanism, the intentions to help Ukraine protect its cultural heritage are discussed in major international organizations.

“Discussions on protecting Ukrainian heritage are already taking place in international organizations, such as UNESCO or the European Network of Remembrance and Solidarity. Romania and Moldova, not only because we are neighboring countries, but also because we have complementary expertise and experience, can play a significant role in the reconstruction of cultural heritage,” Demeter said.

Numerous monuments and cultural sites of Ukraine have been affected or destroyed, including historic cathedrals, museums, libraries and representative buildings of urban and rural heritage, including sites in Lviv, Kharkiv and Mariupol. The restoration of these cultural objects is a component of Ukraine's reconstruction and the preservation of the collective memory of the Ukrainian people.

In an exclusive interview given with MOLDPRES, András István Demeter provided more details about the cooperation between Moldova and Romania in the field of culture, particularly starting procedures to include the Cucuteni-Tripolie culture in UNESCO's heritage.