Veronica Bors, Deputy Director, The National Library of the Republic of Moldova
On August 22, 2022, the National Library of the Republic of Moldova registered 190 years since its foundation and three decades since it was granted the status of a national library. Approaching to the the anniversary hour, the National Library of the Republic of Moldova was rightfully called the Lighthouse Keeper of the nation’s memory, because it was and it is the temple of the nation, and only here the greatest personalities nourished their souls and minds with the most diverse knowledge; it is the place in which were promoted the books and the reading, with which all generations of personalities were raised.
On this occasion, from August 22-26, 2022, the institution organized a series of scientific and socio-cultural activities.
The National Library of the Republic of Moldova is a cultural institution, which secure and valorizes the national documentary heritage of the country, an institution where the values are and will remain based on: the satisfaction of the information needs of the users; the professionalism, quality and creativity of the employees; and collaboration and respect while relating with all the partners.
The series of anniversary events started with the proceedings of the International Conference “Reading as a basis for culture, knowledge and development”, August 22-23, 2022 (the 4th edition) – a scientific event that has become traditional within the LecturaCentral National Program. The conference was held in hybrid mode with live transmission on the official YouTube channel of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, being a solid platform for the promotion of reading, exchange of experience and quality practices.
There were a range of topics addressed: the relevant projects and programs carried out by the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, including those promoting reading; the national campaigns to promote the culture of reading; the dissemination of good practices for promoting the reading and developing reading culture from France, Japan, the USA, Ukraine, Romania and the Republic of Moldova; unique experiences; the impact of the activities for the purpose of promoting the reading and developing the culture of reading.
During the anniversary event celebration “The National Library of the Republic of Moldova – 190 years since its foundation” the representatives from the culture field, writers, historians, colleagues from other libraries came with the messages of congratulating the institution and the employees.
The Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, Mr. Sergiu Prodan, mentioned that: “…The National Library of the Republic of Moldova is the only institution that managed to keep in touch, in its field of activity, with all the institutions in the country, following the territorial-administrative reform. We value this approach and note, with regret, that in other important for culture fields, the connection has been somewhat lost. We appreciate what has been done in terms of continuous training, collaboration, new activities and services, implemented for the benefit of the community. The library has demonstrated flexibility and prompt reaction to the crises – either the Covid-19 pandemic or the wave of refugees; the services have been adjusted and as well the people have found the informational and emotional support within the libraries.”
Another event for the librarian guild, and as well as for other specialists from the adjacent fields was the launch of the anniversary editions under the generic title: “The National Library of the Republic of Moldova – an identity institution of the state”, from August 24, 2022. During this event there was celebrated the professional journal “Magazin Bibliologic”, conceptualized in 1991, which has a memorable significance for the history of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova. The special edition dedicated to this anniversary inserts specialized articles that reflect the most important achievements during the five years of activity of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova. Available in traditional and electronic format, indexed in the National Register of Scientific Journals “National Bibliometric Instrument”, the journal represents a platform for professional connections in terms of researches in the field, exchange of ideas, experiences and quality practices.
The anniversary monograph “The National Library of the Republic of Moldova – identity dimension of the country: 190 years since its foundation and three decades since the award of the status of a national library” (the 2nd edition), reflects the dynamics of activities and services, documentary resources, staff, spaces, relationships, collaboration, etc.
These two works launched on August 24, 2022 represent important identity elements of the NLRM, which have been affirming during these three decades and which have strengthen the status of the national library.
On August 24, 2022 there were organized the launch of the DVD collection “The Archive of Voices: interviews with the personalities from the field of culture” (vol. 21-40), Chisinau, 2021 and the anniversary volume “The National Library of the Republic of Moldova – 190 years since its foundation”, Chisinau, 2022, in collaboration with the Institute of Romanian Philology “Bogdan Petriceicu-Hasdeu”.
The collection represents an archive of voices of personalities from the field of the national culture (Iulian Filip, Elena Pintilei, Serghei Ciuhrii, Filimon Dimcea, Eufrosinia Sofronovici, Ștefan Sofronovici, Nicolae Gribincea, Veta Ghimpu Munteanu, Gheorghe Mustea, Svetlana Badrajan, Maria Mocanu, Aurelian Danila, Valeriu Doicov, Ianos Turcanu, Aurelian Silvestru, Ion Moraru, Larisa Turea, Ion Diviza, Valeriu Turea, Eugen Mamot, Mamot Eugen, Andrei Mudrea, Nicolae Dabija, Ion Daghi); it is a project of cultural memory, of preserving the voices and the spoken word, which aims to safeguard the non-material national heritage.
The anniversary program continued with a heartwarming event organized by the Music Salon called “Mihai Dolgan – an artist is singing: 80 years since his birth”, dedicated to the performer, composer, and founder of the legendary musical band “Noroc” – Mihai Dolgan.
The event was attended by scientists, writers, composers, performers, directors, journalists, representatives of the field of culture, artists from all times of existing of the band “Noroc” (Lidia Botezatu, Radu Dolgan, Alexandru Cazacu, Constantin Rusnac, Anatol Bivol, Ion Suruceanu, Ricu Vodă, Liviu Știrbu and many others). In a warm atmosphere, the guests had the opportunity to visit the exhibition “This moment is unique… Mihai Dolgan – 80 years since his birth”, as well as to hum together the songs performed by the artist.
The cultural activities culminated with a festive event “The Team of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova at the anniversary hour”, dedicated to the employees, but also to the retired staff who have worked in the institution over the years, organized in partnership with the Trade Union Committee of the NLRM and the Public Association “The League of Librarians from the Republic of Moldova “Alexe Rau”. During the activity, the former and current employees of the National Library of Moldova were given the diplomas of excellence, gratitude, and merit.
A series of exhibitions have been displayed for all of the guests and visitors of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova, which can be visited between the months of September and October 2022.
Among them are the following:
The events had a special impact for the entire professional community as well as for the entire field of art and culture of Moldova. The scientific and sociocultural activities, organized in connection of the celebrating 190 years since its foundation and three decades since the awarding of the status of a national library, aimed to capitalize the role of the cultural institution, the documentary heritage that the institution owns and promotes, but also the human potential of the National Library of the Republic of Moldova.
Happy birthday, the National Library of the Republic of Moldova!