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Monica Babuc: Lack of an efficient management of cultural institutions causes burdens for state budget /INTERVIEW

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Moldova.ORG got to talk with the Minister of Culture, Monica Babuc, about the problems from the sectors she is managing, the situation of the architecture monuments, the state of the Moldovan villages, the self-financing of cultural institutions, but also about how the rapprochement of Moldova to the EU can help the culture in our country.

Does the Government offer enough financial support to the Ministry you lead? What would the Ministry of Culture need to be more visible and involved in the society?

First of all, I would like to underline that the culture domain is not anymore the one that begs money from the state budget. It can do self-finance and even produce income for the budget, keeping culture’s role of spiritual and social product. You can create new techniques and technologies and make a lot of money in business, but if you don’t take care of your soul and culture, a nation risks to become anonymous, because the culture is the business card of a nation. The culture is the only product that, once assimilated, grows and multiplies.
Sadly, the under-financing is a known thing, that I hardly accept and for which I try to find solutions. You know, without doubt, that the Ministry of Culture is reduced, while in other European countries, it is over 1% of the GDP and is increasing steadily. Apart from that, we can find multiple problems in the culture institutions that lead to weak financing.

Secondly, I would like to emphasize that during my mandate as Minister of Culture, I promoted the objective to regain a strategic place among other ministries, so that public policies based on developing and supporting the cultural products and the culture people. It is very important to manage to apply a policy regarding first-priority projects: restoration and promotion of the cultural legacy, development of the creative industry, but also the way funds are allocated for public cultural institutions.

So, we will continue to promote a strong relation between the reform objectives stated in the National Strategy of Culture Development “Culture 2020” and the resources we have, insisting on financing the programs for modernizing the culture institutions and supporting the creative sector. We will deepen the dialogue with the independent sector, with the civil society and will continue to modify the national legislation. Adapting the legislation regarding the protection of national patrimony remains to be a priority for the Ministry of Culture.

What is the situation of the historical and architectural monuments? How can we stop their ruining?

If we talk about the situation of the historical monument in the Republic of Moldova, it is known by everybody- unacceptable. In conditions of profound social-political and economical crisis, the accumulated problems cannot be solved during the night, especially taking in account the lack of legal tools and adequate financial resources.

Nevertheless, progress has been made about saving the cultural patrimony.

It is remarkable that the Ministry formed the necessary legislative tool for saving the historical monuments and the national cultural patrimony, as a whole. The new code contains 5 patrimony laws for the protection of archaeological, immaterial, mobile, public spaces, graves and war commemorative monuments and the historical monuments. The Penal and Contravention Codes were also modified at the cultural patrimony section, in order to get the juridical tool to stop the deterioration and destroying of monuments.
We appreciate the founding of an institutional tool for saving the archaeological patrimony- National Archaeological Agency, that during three years of existence managed to save dozens of archaeological sites and to bring some cultural values back in the cultural patrimony.

Remarkable is the activity of the Cultural Patrimony Department of the Ministry and the Agency of Historical Monuments, that stopped the demolishing of architectural monuments, as the pace before 2009 was 4 monuments annually, now at zero. On the other side, the problem of putting the monuments in danger by unauthorized constructions is still actual.

A real instrument to protect the heritage built in Moldova is the National Monuments Council, which keeps under control professional intervention activities within historic monuments, annually about 250 projects of intervention and restoration being coordinated.

In lack of financial resources in recent years, due to the consistent policy of the Ministry of Culture and the involvement of civil society, there was a fundamental change in the approach to the cultural heritage from the behalf of authorities of different levels and the public. For the first time, through the direct involvement of Local Authorities with the Ministry of Culture, a number of projects of restoration and rehabilitation of historic monuments have been promoted, out of which the most visible were the work of Fortress Soroca, Mansion Manuc Bey Hânceşti and Pommer mansion – Taul. In the same context, it can be mentioned about the restoration projects of the headquarters of the National Agency for Food Safety and National Olympic Committee.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture, with the support of Government, is now implementing two major projects of restoration financed by funds provided by the Government of Romania (building of the National Museum of Arts and Organ Hall with a budget by 1 million euros).
National funds have been directed to the restoration of Grigore Vieru House and Museum in Pererâta village.
Thus, it appears that, through activities in recent years, halting destructive processes cultural heritage is in full swing, some segments having significant positive movements.
At the same time, a definitive halt to destructive processes of cultural heritage link to the sustainability of the policies to safeguard monuments and the full involvement in this process at all levels of authorities, especially local and society as a whole.

How can you characterize the situation in Moldovan villages culture? Who are its promoters there?

The activity of a cultural house is divided in two parts: the cultural-artistic one involving traditions research and their preservation and permanent education side. In recent years, we have placed great emphasis on the decentralization of cultural activities, such as series of events organized in the regions: Potters Fair from Iurceni, Potters Fair from Hogineşti or National Constumes Day, instituted by decision of the Parliament in 2015; National Carpet Fair, whose extent we want to expand in the regions. In fact, people who have kept this tradition worked exactly there, people in the capital did research and submitted the monographs of these traditions in the archives , which is, again, extremely important. There is a lot of very interesting local festivals, which have sparked an incredible interest: The Nistru in Mărgioară, Anenii Noi, Carpet Festival Rîșcani and Ocnița, festivals dedicated to personalities from the localities where they were born and more.
When it comes to houses of culture, according to the National Strategy for the Development of Culture “Culture 2020”, we can talk about their transformation into multifunctional cultural centers. I have to say that in recent years many of the houses of culture have turned into ruins, a fact we couldn’t cope with. And this phenomenon doesn’t make us happy, when we know there are no cultural places for country people, young children, older people, where they can satisfy their consumption of cultural products. Beyond the fact that we have a financial failure, more than 500 houses of culture in Moldova requires a major overhaul. That means investing billions of lei, which currently the state budget can not provide. However, we are in ongoing projects, including international ones, who come to invest in our centers multifunctional, as those houses of culture to become a place where country people are able to see a show, they can spend a creative evening. The cultural houses and rooms can be provided for sports, including certain necessary social centers in a village. All together, in a beautiful and healthy concept, can bring these institutions to a situation where they can support themselves.

Can some cultural institutions manage to finance themselves? If so, which ones?

Yes, we can say that in the last two years we have a positive trend for some cultural institutions, which through effective management went to increased profits, but it’s early to say that these institutions can support themselves only in their own activities. The cultural sector is unique, purely economic elements can stand at its base, even if in Europe there is such a trend. The state must support this sector. In this regard, I would like to mention two important challenges of the cultural sector – the first is the way in which resources are allocated within the cultural sector, and the second challenge is the management and administration of the cultural sector.
Based on public policy “Enhancing the efficiency of institutions concert and theater based on performance”, it was concluded that the main problem that are faced by cultural institutions is inefficient mechanism of management of theatrical institutions and a precarious financial situation. The causes that are causing the problem both administrative as well as financial (unified funding mechanism, the inability to generate income, massive and expensive infrastructure, human resource scarcity and lack quality theatrical marketing). Based on the same analysis, we can mention that there are some institutions that work effectively, generate profits and other sums which are unfortunately means received from the state.
Cultural institutions face various difficulties generated by weak management and lack of vision in modernization.
First, the management of the public cultural institutions does not have a strategy for reporting on cultural consumption market and specific customers. Managers of cultural institutions are hardly coping with new trends in the development of entrepreneurship and cultural audience. There is little dialogue with the European cultural networks, which could lead to opening of the local market and accumulation of new practices for developing cultural products of value that actually make the difference in relation to competitors.

Another important issue is the weak cooperation with the private sector and creative communities to develop cultural products complementary to further innovation.

What are the chances of Romania and Moldova submitting a joint UNESCO demand to introduce IA in the World Heritage list?

Undoubtedly, are firmly convinced that we have great chances to succeed IA include UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Experts from the two Committees for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Culture, and Heritage in Moldova and Romania are currently working on this file, which I hope to be filed in 2017.

A success is that we have registered an element of intangible heritage – men carols – at the end of 2013 the UNESCO representative list. The Mărțișor file is pending, along with the folder of Bessarabian bark. We also make colossal efforts to promote Old Orhei file.
I must point out that in recent years a successful project initiated by the Ministry of Culture is promoting our popular costume. The latest events organized by the Ministry of Culture and Festival You take, parade costumes, clothing parade Winter and initiatives received from civil society, the media and state institutions to wear the suit to national holidays, constituted events a major impact on society. As a result, the rehabilitation of traditional clothing traditional costume honoring culminated in national events organized on the occasion of Independence Day, when representatives from all districts presented their traditional costumes in the Parade costumes. Recently, at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture, the Moldovan Parliament approved a decision under which every fourth Sunday of June will be celebrated Popular Port Day, which aims to promote the authentic values ​​of the intangible cultural heritage, traditional costume behave.

How can we measure the outcomes of the ministry you are leading?

After 3 years of activity as Minister of Culture begin to perceive the changes taking place at the society on cultural phenomenon, the role of culture as a factor of development and cohesion. On the basis of new cultural programs, there is a growing interest for institutions of theater people, too, we note an increased interest of people for events related to the promotion of intangible cultural heritage, especially in rural areas.
I think people are beginning to crop in Moldova felt a different attitude to culture. I have to say that a constant preoccupation is linked to the need to improve working conditions and increase salaries of cultural workers. Together with colleagues from the ministry, we finalized a draft law which involves increasing the salaries of workers in the field.
Coming in as Minister of Culture, I wanted to galvanize the issue of accessing external funds. And I would like to mention here that it’s not just accessing external funds, but also the quality of such websites so that money can come from donors to be used in stable targets, convincing on quality projects.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Culture has no fund restoration of historical monuments, but during my mandate I received the first grant national culture from the Romanian government worth 2 mil. 800 euros for the restoration of the Organ Hall, the National Art Museum of Moldova and the construction of a theater. Another project currently conducted and demonstrate their viability is restored part of a functional halls with 300 seats in Moldova’s Circus, which literally lay in ruins.

Annually, the Ministry of Culture organizes the contest for cultural projects undertaken by public associations which financially support the best projects. We will put further emphasis on the development of cultural industries (visual arts, literary and musical, film and video, music, books, cultural heritage, design, architecture, crafts, etc.), the role of young people with new visions, projects and desire work to be decisive and to create jobs. Following this goal, I have signed in March 2015 Agreement on Moldova’s participation in EU’s Creative Europe Programme to facilitate access to all Moldovan citizens in this program and further development of ideas and projects in the field of culture.

Another project of which I am proud is Novateca program. This flagship program is helping to transform public libraries into active community centers where citizens will benefit from free access to modern technology and library services, under the guidance of trained librarians. Implementation Programme worth 12 million dollars, and in total, it will be upgraded through about 1000 public libraries in the country. By the end of 2016 Novateca network will consist of more than 750 libraries upgraded, which represents a firm step in transforming public library system in the country as a platform for active and fundamental institutions for development of communities in Moldova.

Currently, the restoration project of Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church is initiated in partnership with the US Embassy in Moldova in its the first phase (October 2016-April 2017) with a grant of $150000.

Also in 2014, the Ministry of Culture asked for the support of the EU Delegation to implement a structural project on the protection of national cultural heritage. Thus, starting from 2017 we will implement the first project on heritage TWINING culturral. In this area, technical cooperation and exchange of experience between a Member State of the European Union and cultural institutions in Moldova is the best and safest way to get results.


What we can borrow from European countries in the development of culture to Moldova?

There are several aspects to be taken into account. First development of culture is inextricably linked to achieving a balanced approach between the specific needs of cultural heritage and equally stringent on supporting contemporary creation, the creative process, and especially innovation, experiment artistically and culturally in the second, taking good European practices is inadmissible linked to quality measures that lead to the implementation of these practices. There are quite a few areas that can be improved thanks to European expertise. Given the low level of training of professionals of culture, it is necessary to create an institutional framework for training and development of specialists in this domeniu.Consider that program Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity would allow organizing and conducting a series of training modules, which would include exchange of best practices.
It is also necessary to conduct several studies, both quantitative and qualitative Culture. Even at this stage has not been developed in Moldova a representative survey on cultural consumption or cultural market. This study would be necessary to develop policies, would provide more efficient solutions for the fields of cultural management.
To meet the challenges of the cultural sector, it is necessary to reform public institutions and promoting performance management in cultural institutions. To implement this entails conducting a research on the current situation of public cultural institutions. The lack of an effective mechanism for management of cultural institutions minimizes the burden on the state budget and their ability to promote quality cultural services.

All these priorities / needs we believe can be achieved by exchanging experiences, dissemination of best practices and to strengthen joint efforts of all member states of the Partnership, and supported by the EU, so that the culture of Moldova to become a competitive that interest to the wider public, but also of government forces.

What would you wish to Moldovans now?

On the occasion of 25 years since Moldova’s declaration of independence, I wish health and happiness. Let us be proud of the fact that we are an independent and sovereign state. Let us have faith in our own forces to build a future for generations to come. Let’s keep our traditions and values ​​for which our ancestors fought.

Long live our dear Moldova!

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“They are not needy, but they need help”. How Moldovan volunteers try to create a safe environment for the Ukrainian refugees

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At the Government’s ground floor, the phones ring constantly, the laptop screens never reach standby. In one corner of the room there is a logistics planning meeting, someone has a call on Zoom with partners and donors, someone else finally managed to take a cookie and make some coffee. Everyone is exhausted and have sleepy red eyes, but the volunteers still have a lot of energy and dedication to help in creating a safe place for the Ukrainian refugees.

“It’s like a continuous bustle just so you won’t read the news. You get home sometimes and you don’t have time for news, and that somehow helps. It’s a kind of solidarity and mutual support,” says Vlada Ciobanu, volunteer responsible for communication and fundraising.

The volunteers group was formed from the very first day of war. A Facebook page was created, where all types of messages immediately started to flow: “I offer accommodation”, “I want to help”, “I want to get involved”, “Where can I bring the products?”, “I have a car and I can go to the customs”. Soon, the authorities also started asking for volunteers’ support. Now they all work together, coordinate activities and try to find solutions to the most difficult problems.

Is accommodation needed for 10, 200 or 800 people? Do you need transportation to the customs? Does anyone want to deliver 3 tons of apples and does not know where? Do you need medicine or mobile toilets? All these questions require prompt answers and actions. Blankets, sheets, diapers, hygiene products, food, clothes – people bring everything, and someone needs to quickly find ways of delivering them to those who need them.

Sometimes this collaboration is difficult, involves a lot of bureaucracy, and it can be difficult to get answers on time. “Republic of Moldova has never faced such a large influx of refugees and, probably because nobody thought this could happen, a mechanism of this kind of crisis has not been developed. Due to the absence of such a mechanism that the state should have created, we, the volunteers, intervened and tried to help in a practical way for the spontaneous and on the sport solutions of the problems,” mentions Ecaterina Luțișina, volunteer responsible for the refugees’ accommodation.

Ana Maria Popa, one of the founders of the group “Help Ukrainians in Moldova/SOS Українці Молдовa” says that the toughest thing is to find time and have a clear mind in managing different procedures, although things still happen somehow naturally. Everyone is ready to intervene and help, to take on more responsibilities and to act immediately when needed. The biggest challenges arise when it is necessary to accommodate large families, people with special needs, for which alternative solutions must be identified.

Goods and donations

The volunteers try to cope with the high flow of requests for both accommodation and products of all kinds. “It came to me as a shock and a panic when I found out that both mothers who are now in Ukraine, as well as those who found refuge in our country are losing their milk because of stress. We are trying to fill an enormous need for milk powder, for which the demand is high and the stocks are decreasing”, says Steliana, the volunteer responsible for the distribution of goods from the donation centers.

Several centers have been set up to collect donations in all regions of Chisinau, and volunteers are redirecting the goods to where the refugees are. A system for processing and monitoring donations has already been established, while the volunteer drivers take over the order only according to a unique code.

Volunteers from the collection centers also do the inventory – the donated goods and the distributed goods. The rest is transported to Vatra deposit, from where it is distributed to the placement centers where more than 50 refugees are housed.

When they want to donate goods, but they don’t know what would be needed, people are urged to put themselves in the position of refugees and ask themselves what would they need most if they wake up overnight and have to hurriedly pack their bags and run away. Steliana wants to emphasise that “these people are not needy, but these people need help. They did not choose to end up in this situation.”

Furthermore, the volunteer Cristina Sîrbu seeks to identify producers and negotiate prices for products needed by refugees, thus mediating the procurement process for NGOs with which she collaborates, such as Caritas, World Children’s Fund, Polish Solidarity Fund, Lifting hands, Peace Corps and others.

One of the challenges she is facing now is the identifying a mattress manufacturer in the West, because the Moldovan mattress manufacturer that has been helping so far no longer has polyurethane, a raw material usually imported from Russia and Ukraine.

Cristina also needs to find solutions for the needs of the volunteer groups – phones, laptops, gsm connection and internet for a good carrying out of activities.

Hate messages

The most difficult thing for the communication team is to manage the hate messages on the social networks, which started to appear more often. “Even if there is some sort of dissatisfaction from the Ukrainian refugees and those who offer help, we live now in a very diverse society, there are different kind of people, and we act very differently under stress,” said Vlada Ciobanu.

Translation by Cătălina Bîrsanu

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#WorldForUkraine – a map that shows the magnitude of the world’s actions against Russian aggression

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The international community and volunteers from all over te world have launched #WorldForUkraine as a platform that shows the magnitude of the world’s actions against the Russian aggression. In a digital world – it is an interactive map of public support of Ukrainians under the hashtag #WorldForUkraine – rallies, flash mobs, protests around the world. In the physical dimension – it is your opportunity to take to the streets and declare: “No to Putin’s aggression, no to war.”

„Today, along with the political and military support, emotional connection with the civilized world and truthful information are extremely important for Ukraine. The power to do it is in your hands. Join the #WorldForUkraine project and contribute to the victorious battle against the bloodshed inflicted on Ukraine by the aggression of the Russian Federation”, says the „about the project” section of the platform.

Go to the streets — Tell people — Connect and Unite — Become POWERFUL

Volunteers have launched #WorldForUkraine as a platform that shows the magnitude of the world’s actions against Russian aggression. In digital world – it is an INTERACTIVE MAP of public support of Ukrainians worldforukraine.net under the hashtag #WorldForUkraine – rallies, flash mobs, protests around the world. In the physical dimension – it is your opportunity to take to the streets and declare: “No to Putin’s aggression, no to war.” There you may find information about past and future rallies in your city in support of Ukraine. This is a permanent platform for Ukrainian diaspora and people all over the world concerned about the situation in Ukraine.

So here’s a couple of things you could do yourself to help:

* if there is a political rally in your city, then participate in it and write about it on social media with geolocation and the hashtag #WorldForUkraine

* if there are no rallies nearby, organize one in support of Ukraine yourself, write about it on social media with geolocation adding the hashtag #WorldForUkraine

The map will add information about gathering by #WorldForUkraine AUTOMATICALLY

Your voice now stronger THAN ever

All rallies are already here: https://worldforukraine.net

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How is Moldova managing the big influx of Ukrainian refugees? The authorities’ plan, explained 

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From 24th to 28th of February, 71 359 Ukrainian citizens entered the territory of Republic of Moldova. 33 173 of them left the country. As of this moment, there are 38 186 Ukrainian citizens in Moldova, who have arrived over the past 100 hours. 

The Moldovan people and authorities have organized themselves quickly from the first day of war between Russia and Ukraine. However, in the event of a prolonged armed conflict and a continuous influx of Ukrainian refugees, the efforts and donations need to be efficiently managed. Thus, we inquired about Moldova’s long-term plan and the state’s capacity to receive, host, and treat a bigger number of refugees. 

On February 26th, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Moldova approved the Regulation of organization and functioning of the temporary Placement Center for refugees and the staffing and expenditure rules. According to the Regulation, the Centers will have the capacity of temporary hosting and feeding at least 20 persons, for a maximum of 3 months, with the possibility of extending this period. The Centers will also offer legal, social, psychological, and primary medical consultations to the refugees. The Center’s activity will be financed from budget allocations, under Article 19 of Provision no. 1 of the Exceptional Situations Commission from February 24th, 2022, and from other sources of funding that do not contravene applicable law.

The Ministry of Inner Affairs and the Government of Moldova facilitated the organization of the volunteers’ group “Moldova for Peace”.  Its purpose is to receive, offer assistance and accommodation to the Ukrainian refugees. The group is still working on creating a structure, registering and contacting volunteers, etc. It does not activate under a legal umbrella. 

Lilia Nenescu, one of the “Moldova for Peace” volunteers, said that the group consists of over 20 people. Other 1700 registered to volunteer by filling in this form, which is still available. The group consists of several departments: 

The volunteers’ department. Its members act as fixers: they’re responsible for connecting the people in need of assistance with the appropriate department. Some of the volunteers are located in the customs points. “The Ministry of Inner Affairs sends us every day the list of the customs points where our assistance is needed, and we mobilize the volunteers”, says Lilia Nenescu. 

The Goods Department manages all the goods donated by the Moldavian citizens. The donations are separated into categories: non-perishable foods and non-food supplies. The volunteers of this department sort the goods into packages to be distributed. 

The Government intends to collect all the donations in four locations. The National Agency for Food Safety and the National Agency for Public Health will ensure mechanisms to confirm that all the deposited goods comply with safety and quality regulations. 

The Service Department operates in 4 directions and needs the volunteer involvement of specialists in psychology, legal assistance (the majority of the refugees only have Ukrainian ID and birth certificates of their children); medical assistance; translation (a part of the refugees are not Ukrainian citizens). 

According to Elena Mudrîi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, so far there is no data about the number of  Covid-19 positive refugees. She only mentioned two cases that needed outpatient medical assistance: a pregnant woman and the mother of a 4-day-old child. 

The Accommodation Department. The volunteers are waiting for the centralized and updated information from the Ministry of Labor about the institutions offering accommodation, besides the houses offered by individuals. 

The Transport Department consists of drivers organized in groups. They receive notifications about the number of people who need transportation from the customs points to the asylum centers for refugees.

The municipal authorities of Chișinău announced that the Ukrainian children refugees from the capital city will be enrolled in educational institutions. The authorities also intend to create Day-Care Centers for children, where they will be engaged in educational activities and will receive psychological assistance. Besides, the refugees from the municipal temporary accommodation centers receive individual and group counseling. 

In addition to this effort, a group of volunteers consisting of Ana Gurău, Ana Popapa, and Andrei Lutenco developed, with the help of Cristian Coșneanu, the UArefugees platform, synchronized with the responses from this form. On the first day, 943 people offered their help using the form, and 110 people asked for help. According to Anna Gurău, the volunteers communicate with the Government in order to update the platform with the missing data. 

Translation from Romanian by Natalia Graur

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