Reconstruction of National Philharmonic's building priority for Moldova's Culture Ministry

Chisinau, 24 September /MOLDPRES/ - One year after a devastating fire, which destroyed the building of the Serghei Lunchevici National Philharmonic, the Culture Ministry today assembled journalists at the institution’s ruins, in order to inform about what had been made so far and what the ministry would do on the immediately next period.    

At a news conference, Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan said that the reconstruction of the building of the Serghei Lunchevici National Philharmonic on the same place represented a priority for the Culture Ministry. ‘’An architecture monument shows, first of all, the history of a nation; therefore, in the restoration or reconstruction process, it is important that we do not lose its cultural value. We are set to preserve those old elements, especially the façade ones, which will not endanger the resistance of the new building. The Philharmonic must have a new, modern building, with a perfect acoustics and should be endowed with technical installations and stage devices, which would fit the requirements for such a building,’’ the culture minister stressed.   

According to the official, in this respect, on the immediately next period, the Culture Ministry, along with the Philharmonic’s administration, will compile a tender book which will contain all requirements, on the basis of which the project sketch will be worked out; will initiate an international contest of sketches of architectural and technical solutions to reconstruct the Philharmonic’s building; the author of the idea due to win the contest will elaborate the project. Simultaneously with these actions, the financing resources for the building’s reconstructions will be identified.    

At present, there are 2.5 million lei on the National Philharmonic’s accounts from resources gained from donations and about two million lei - in Finance Ministry’s accounts. This money will be used in the process of starting the works for the building’s reconstruction.   

All contests and procurements, as well as the working out of the tender book will be made openly, following public consultations, fully ensuring the transparency of taking decisions at any stage, as well as the transparency of the procedures of public procurement.  

On 24 September 2020, a devastating fire burned up over 3,500 square metres from the building of the Serghei Lunchevici National Philharmonic. The fire destroyed almost fully the building; both concert halls were devastated and more musical instruments burned, some of them unique ones. The National Philharmonic’s building was constructed in 1912.