U.S. Embassy launched cultural preservation project in Chisinau

Chisinau, 12 Sep. /MOLDPRES/- U.S. Embassy in Chisinau and Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova announced today a grant of 200 thousand dollars, through the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, for the purpose of restoring the beit kaddishim (funeral hall) within the Jewish Cemetery in Chisinau on Milano Street.

"It is a concrete example of the respect of the American people for the history and culture of the Republic of Moldova. You have a beautiful country rich in traditions, with a vast cultural heritage, which must be protected, and the US contributes in this regard", U.S. Ambassador to our country Kent D. Logsdon said.

The project, which represents a partnership between the governments of the United States and the Republic of Moldova, will carry out an archaeological survey of the site, a historical survey and possibly a restoration of the mortuary. The Museum of the History of the Jews of the Republic of Moldova will be in charge of the preservation project.

"It is a project to restore, preserve and safeguard the heritage of the Jewish community in Moldova. History is known through research, however, this project will be primarily a scientific one, and for truthfulness a working group of the Jewish community will be created that will offer expertise and consultancy. We are grateful to the United States for both financial and moral support, which have been and are reliable partners in many cultural projects", Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture said.

The Jewish cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. It is a historical and art monument of national category, located on Milano street, in the Buiucani sector. The Monuments Inspection and Restoration Agency assessed the cemetery as being in an advanced state of decay.

In recent years, the US Embassy has invested over 1.5 million dollars in the restoration of destinations that represent valuable historical heritage.