FERM 2025 | “Man sanctifies the place” – Debate within Panel 10 on heritage conservation and sustainable tourism in the Moldova Region
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
Speakers:
Petru Leucă – Mayor of Milești Commune, Nisporeni District (Republic of Moldova)
Claudia Stravositu – Producer of the film “Soarele Moldovei”
Carmen Nastasă – Moderator of Panel 10 – Culture and Regional Identity – Tradition, Innovation, and Social Cohesion
Discussion Topic:
“The state of restoration of noble estates in the Republic of Moldova and opportunities for their valorization through cultural tourism for sustainable development and social cohesion”
During Panel 10 – “Culture and Regional Identity – Tradition, Innovation, and Social Cohesion” – Petru Leucă, Mayor of Milești Commune, Nisporeni District (Republic of Moldova), Claudia Stravositu, producer of the film “Soarele Moldovei”, and Carmen Nastasă, former Director of the Carmen Saeculare Center for Culture and Arts in Piatra Neamț, discussed the state of historical heritage, the role of culture in tourism, and the impact of these factors on community cohesion.
Petru Leucă: “We have 42 estates in Moldova, but only four are usable”
The Mayor of Milești, Nisporeni District, Republic of Moldova, Petru Leucă, raised a pressing issue: the state of noble estates in the region.
“In Moldova, we have 42 estates. Of these, only 4 are usable, while the remaining 38 are in satisfactory or worse condition. In central Moldova, across 6–7 districts, there is huge potential. If we could attract investments for restoration and preservation, we could develop cultural and historical tourism. It is not just a matter of image but a necessity to preserve our heritage.”
The mayor mentioned discussions held with the Ministry of Culture and the Government of the Republic of Moldova, expressing hope that a state program dedicated to restoration of these objectives would be created, including access to European funds.
“If the project costs two million lei, for a resource-lacking mayoralty, it is difficult. But with European support and cross-border collaboration, the investment can become attractive.”
Claudia Stravositu: “Heritage deserves to be preserved and integrated into cultural projects”
The producer of “Soarele Moldovei”, Claudia Stravositu, spoke about the documentation carried out in the Republic of Moldova and the logistical difficulties encountered during the film production.
“We wanted to film in Moldova because we knew there were very well-preserved locations. At one point, we even considered Suceava and Chișinău. Unfortunately, the costs of travel and logistics – bringing 150 people – were very high. Restoring estates and integrating them into the cultural circuit would create opportunities not only for tourism but also for film production.”
Claudia Stravositu also talked about the reactions of young audiences to the film screening:
“Some children cried, others were fascinated. What was important to me was that they connected with the characters. Even though they knew how the story ended, they hoped until the very end that the hero would be saved. This shows that the film succeeded in creating an emotional connection.”
Carmen Nastasă: “Without culture, sustainable development has no foundation”
Former Director of the Carmen Saeculare Center for Culture and Arts in Piatra Neamț, Carmen Nastasă, offered a strategic perspective on the connection between culture and economic development.
“Today, at the forum opening, there was much talk about roads, bridges, statistics, and European funds, but very little about culture. Culture cannot be sidelined because any sustainable development needs a foundation, and that foundation is culture. This is the first time, or among the few times, that a development forum includes a cultural panel directly related to tourism – a very important step.”
She emphasized that cultural and historical tourism can become an economic engine, but for that, integrated strategies are needed, where infrastructure and heritage are developed simultaneously.
From Heritage to Tourism and Film
The discussion shifted from the state of architectural heritage to historical tourism, community involvement, and even opportunities for the film industry. Petru Leucă highlighted that his locality has numerous tourist attractions – nature reserves, museums, monuments, and churches – which can be valorized.
Carmen Nastasă stressed the need for Moldova to have a stronger voice in development discussions.
“Moldovans need to be more vocal. We have heritage, we have traditions, but we need to step forward and showcase this in the forums where decisions are made.”
Conclusion
Panel 10 highlighted that cultural heritage, tourism, and regional identity are fundamental components of sustainable development. Discussions emphasized the need for an integrated approach, where conservation and valorization of historical objectives are aligned with tourism development strategies and active local community involvement.
Participants stressed that restoring noble estates and including them in cultural and tourist circuits can generate economic, social, and reputational benefits for the entire region. At the same time, culture must be treated as a strategic factor capable of supporting social cohesion and stimulating investments.
The direction outlined during the panel points to a clear opportunity for collaboration between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, through joint projects aimed at protecting heritage, developing tourism, and strengthening regional identity.
