Transforming the Moldovan Museum

‶CMB” Training Center implemented the two phases of the “Transforming the Moldovan Museum into a Cultural and Educational Center of the Rural Community” project, supported by Arts and Culture Program of the Moldova Soros Foundation during years 2004-2005.
Background: The need for implementing such project in Moldova was based on the lack of trainings and other educational/Life-long programs that would help representatives of the rural museums develop new skills and in turn, make the rural museum a much more attractive place both for the local community as well as for the outside visitors.

During the program 16 representatives of the rural museums from Moldova have participated in two summer schools and were trained in the following issues/topics:

The most important impact that this program has made was on the capacity building and increase of knowledge and competences of the program participants. Several of them have developed programs within their own organizations, others have started their local NGOs and started providing services, etc.

Good Practices:

Mrs. Tatiana Popa, one of the program participants, head of “Casa parinteasca”, which is located almost 60 km far from the capital city, in village Palance, Calarasi district. The name of the museum means ” parents’ house” because the current director of the museum, Tatiana Popa, has worked hard to obtain the house of her grandfather (which was taken by the Communists during the Communist times – and which was gotten back after almost 50 years).

Mrs. Tatiana has worked hard to transform the place into an active and attractive place, which would host many visitors from all over Moldova and abroad, interested in Moldovan traditions, customs, moldovan food, etc. Mrs. Tatiana has also managed to register an NGO with the same name, which allows her participate and apply in several tenders and projects/grants related to the development of the rural tourism. It is also important to note that she managed to attract many young women from the community and the nearest villages in many activities implemented by the museum and its NGO: carpet hand making, carving in wood, clothes making, toys making – everything that is made by hand.

This is very important, as in the nowadays conditions, the young generation gets to learn to do something new – improves and develops new skills, as well as has the possibility to earn some money – as all the objects they make are being sold during various cultural events as well as to the tourists who visit the place.

The museum has a tradition, which has been already there for several years: every second Sunday of September, Mrs. Popa organizes the inter ethnic festival – during which there are several activities implemented at the same time: workshops during which youth and adults exchange knowledge and skills, folk song contest, dance contest, etc. During the Festival more than 100 people from various regions from Romania, Ukraine, Poland and Moldova participate.

And the most important thing is that Mrs. Popa, at her almost 60 years old, communicates with everyone via email – she does complain about the dial-up connection, but as she says ” it is better than not having it”:)!