Two wineries of Moldova potential objects of UNESCO World heritage; Moldovan culture minister says country has chances to be listed till 2030

The Cricova and Milestii Mici wineries might become the first objects constructed from Moldova listed in the World Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan, at the Pe față (Openly) programme at the Moldova TV station, informed that Moldova was set to promote these unique wineries till 2030, along with other cultural initiatives under preparation. Contacted by MOLDPRES, the minister said that Moldova intended to list these objects in the heritage until 2030.    

„First of all, we talk about the listing in the World Heritage of the first project of monuments constructed or materials. So far, we have had only elements of intangible heritage and only together with other countries. So, we are set to register the Cricova winery and the Milestii Mici one in the list of World Heritage. These two wineries are unique and people are really impressed by this phenomenon.     



At the same time, the minister emphasized a cooperation with the Monaco Principality on the conservation of the native non-grafted vine varieties.   

„The native vines must be preserved, so that we always know where we started from. As from the agricultural viewpoint, performance means, in fact, parent plant, culture. But where this culture started from – we should preserve this. Monaco is interested in having a common file with Moldova, so that we register these authentic vines, which stayed at the basis of the wine-making in Moldova.’’   

Another important project mentioned by Sergiu Prodan is the common file with Ukraine on the Cucuteni-Tripolie culture. 

„We have an agreement with Ukraine and Romania as regards the Cucuteni-Tripolie file. This is an extremely difficult file, but quite important one. The most valuable vestiges are in Ukraine and Romania; yet, a significant number of them are in Moldova as well. Ukraine’s proposal is that Moldova becomes a leader country in this file. A first step will be the meeting of the three culture ministers in Chisinau in next September, at the European Heritage Days, when we will decide to officially launch the common file. I hope that Mrs. Minister Lina Mendoni of Greece will also participate in this meeting, who showed her interest and willingness to back us in the efforts of heritage conservation.’’    



A file on the inclusion of the traditional sweets „baba neagră’’ in the UNESCO intangible heritage is also in the list of cultural projects.     

„We have a lot of work to do to register, including in the intangible heritage. We talk about ‘’ baba neagră,’’ but there is much to be studied here, as in fact, the roots go, in a way, to the Slav culture. Here, scientists should make an analysis, but it would be a pretty great achievement.’’    

Moldova ratified the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 2002 and has registered a single monument in the World Heritage List: Geodesy Point of Rudi, element of the Struve Arch, northern Soroca district. It is part of an international system of geodesic points and is appreciated for its scientific and cultural value.  Besides, Moldova has two objects in the examination list: the black soils from the Balti steppe, a valuable natural ecosystem, and the historical and archaeological complex Orheiul Vechi (Old Orhei), an important historical and cultural site.