GOVERNMENT TO OPEN SPECIAL ACCOUNT TO COLLECT FUNDS FOR RESTORATION OF BURNT PHILHARMONIC BUILDING

The Government of Moldova will open a special account to raise funds for the restoration of the burnt-out building of the National Philharmonic named by Serghei Lunchevici, - said the mayor of Chisinau Ion Ceban. He wrote on Facebook that he visited the Philharmonic with President Igor Dodon and Prime Minister Ion Chicu on Friday morning.

"What we saw there was painful: the ceiling collapsed, the building was in a deplorable condition, tears in the eyes of the employees. Firefighters are still working to deal with the aftermath of the blaze. The government will open a fundraising bill, I urge everyone to put their shoulder up," the mayor said.

He said that a suitable room would be found for the artists so that they could continue their work.

"This is a historic building of the RM, and we will do everything to restore it," Ceban said.

For his part, President Dodon said on Friday that the building, most likely cannot be restored.

"Apparently, we are talking about the construction of a new building. The government is preparing to announce a competition of projects for the construction of a new Philharmonic building. We need to construct a building that remains for the next generations," Dodon said.

The National Philharmonic building is a cultural heritage site. The building was erected in the second half of the 19th century. The Philharmonic was opened there in 1940. The building has two halls with 773 and 214 seats, respectively, as well as many ancillary facilities.