Dănuț HUȚU (DJC Botoșani & INP Botoșani Branch), at FERM 2025: “Culture must become a cornerstone of economic development”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Culture and Regional Identity – Tradition, Innovation, and Social Cohesion
Speaker:
Dănuț Huțu – Director of the County Directorate for Culture Botoșani and representative of the Botoșani Branch of the National Heritage Institute
Topic of the intervention:
“Coordinating Heritage in Multiannual Cultural Strategies – Realities and Challenges”
Present at the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025, Dănuț Huțu, Director of the County Directorate for Culture Botoșani and representative of the Botoșani Branch of the National Heritage Institute, brought to the attention of Panel 10 – Culture and Regional Identity – Tradition, Innovation, and Social Cohesion an ambitious strategic vision: transforming culture into a real pillar of the region’s economic and social development.
From a Cross-Border Project to a Regional Vision
His intervention began with a reference to a successful project carried out together with Bălți Municipality and Botoșani Municipality – Eminescu Culture – part of a broader effort to promote the shared cultural heritage. In this direction, Huțu also mentioned the tourism strategy of Botoșani Municipality and the Eminescu route Botoșani–Iași–Bălți, examples of initiatives that can be expanded and replicated.
“Unfortunately, since 1851, Moldova has often remained on the periphery of Romania’s development plans,” he underlined, pointing out that a strategic framework, such as the one created by FERM, is essential for setting clear priorities and attracting investment, including in the cultural sector.
A Cultural Strategy for Botoșani County
Dănuț Huțu announced that, together with county authorities, the Directorate of Culture is working on a cultural strategy for Botoșani County, a document that will involve all relevant institutions and benefit from the collaboration of specialists in cultural marketing and management.
The long-term objective, with a horizon of 2035, is to valorize the local heritage – from memorial houses and boyar mansions to archaeological sites – and to use it as a foundation for a joint Botoșani–Iași–Suceava candidacy for the title of European Capital of Culture.
“We have seen the benefits that Sibiu gained from this title. I don’t know if we will succeed, but it’s worth trying.”
Partnerships and Creative Energy
The proposed strategy will also include collaboration with dynamic NGOs, such as the team that organizes the Festival of the North – an event born from the initiative of the Tereșanu brothers, attracting thousands of participants to Darabani, the northernmost city of Romania.
“We work with passionate people who have proven they can mobilize communities and resources. Culture is not only an element of identity but also a driver of local development.”
Culture as an Economic Engine
The central message of the intervention was clear: culture must be integrated into the region’s economic development strategies. In Dănuț Huțu’s view, heritage, traditions, and cultural initiatives can generate tourism, investment, and social cohesion, becoming a catalyst for progress.
“I advocate for long-term thinking, for perspective. Culture must become a foundation of economic development.”
Conclusion
The intervention of Dănuț Huțu at FERM 2025 showed that a strategic vision in culture can become a real catalyst for the economic and social development of a region. Through cross-border projects, such as Eminescu Culture, through local tourism promotion initiatives, and through ambitious plans such as the candidacy of Botoșani, together with Iași and Suceava, for the title of European Capital of Culture, culture is shaping up as a field with direct impact on investment, tourism, and community cohesion.
The example of collaboration with dynamic organizations, such as those organizing the Festival of the North, shows that creative energy and well-thought-out partnerships can transform heritage and traditions into a true engine of progress for the entire Moldova region. Thus, culture is no longer just an expression of identity but becomes a strategic resource for the future.
