Gheorghe MÎNDRU, Director of the “B.P. Hașdeu” Theatre, Cahul, Republic of Moldova, at FERM 2025: “For us, the spectator is king”
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:
Gheorghe Mîndru – Director of the “Bogdan Petriceicu-Hașdeu” Theatre in Cahul
Topic of the Intervention:
“Four Decades of Art, Cultural Dialogue, and Openness to the World”
Present at the Regional Economic Forum Moldova 2025, Gheorghe Mîndru, director of the “Bogdan Petriceicu-Hașdeu” Theatre in Cahul, shared with participants a story of cultural resilience, continuity, and audience engagement. During the Panel 10 – Culture and Regional Identity, he presented the journey of the only professional theater institution in southern Moldova and its role in promoting the Romanian language and universal artistic values.
Four Decades of Culture at the Southern Border
Founded in 1987, the “B.P. Hașdeu” Theatre has traversed four decades full of challenges and achievements. Gheorghe Mîndru emphasizes that the institution has remained a cultural citadel at Moldova’s southern border, enduring crises and contextual changes through effort, dedication, love for theater, and respect for values.
Over time, the theater has evolved into a cultural complex with sections dedicated to audiences of all ages: drama, comedy, skits, children’s theater, and experimental performances. Continuous collaboration with schools, high schools, and youth groups in the region has fostered a generation of loyal spectators.
“From the beginning, we understood that a theater cannot survive without an audience, and the spectator must be educated by us.”
International Collaborations and Tours in Major Capitals
Over the years, the Cahul theater has built a solid network of partnerships with cultural institutions in Moldova, Romania, and the diaspora. Since autumn 2024, within the Ministry of Culture’s “Cultural Diplomacy” program, the troupe has conducted a successful international tour, performing in Vienna, Paris, Brussels, Bucharest, and Istanbul.
This spring, the actors returned to the French and Austrian capitals, and performances are already scheduled in Italy and Spain for the autumn.
Partnerships with theaters in Brăila, Bârlad, Iași and with sister cities of Cahul have enabled joint performances, exchange of experience, and impactful cultural initiatives, such as the International Festival “Theater Without Borders”, held annually in Cahul.
Festivals, Symposia, and Social Projects
The “B.P. Hașdeu” Theatre does not limit itself to the classical stage. It regularly participates in national and international festivals – from Istanbul to Alba Iulia – and is involved in the National Reunion of Romanian Theaters in Chișinău. Academically, the troupe collaborates with specialized events such as the National Symposium of Aesthetics or cultural circles in Bacău.
Socially, the theater organizes performances for disadvantaged communities, including in Căușeni and Ștefan Vodă, in partnership with NGOs. The repertoire includes both children’s plays and adult performances, covering a diverse aesthetic range: folklore, comedy, social theater, psychological, and experimental theater.
A New Venue, a New Beginning
A historic moment for the institution is the completion of the new theater building – a project made possible thanks to an 800,000-euro non-reimbursable grant from the Romanian Government, complemented by the contribution of the Moldovan authorities. The inauguration is planned for the end of this year, with the director promising a professional, modern stage open to all forms of artistic expression.
“Our biggest challenge today is to open the season on a professional stage that meets all theatrical standards.”
The Audience – The Heart of the Theater
In Gheorghe Mîndru’s vision, the audience is the essential partner of the artistic act. From kindergarten to adulthood, spectators are encouraged to participate actively, being rewarded with diplomas and honorary titles such as “most loyal spectator” or “youngest spectator.”
Southern Moldova is a multicultural and diverse region, and the theater has opened its doors to everyone, promoting intercultural dialogue and social cohesion.
Looking Ahead
In addition to strengthening projects for adult audiences, the institution plans to resume the festival dedicated to children, thus complementing the cultural offer. The theater director invites the public from across the region to attend upcoming events.
“For us, the spectator is king. We live on stage for them, and respect is mutual.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gheorghe Mîndru’s intervention at FERM 2025 highlighted not only the history and achievements of the “B.P. Hașdeu” Theatre in Cahul but also his vision for the future. With nearly four decades of activity, the institution has successfully combined tradition with innovation, preserving cultural identity and constantly adapting to the needs of the audience. Through international partnerships, participation in prestigious festivals, tours in major European capitals, and projects dedicated to local communities and the diaspora, the Cahul theater has established itself as a cultural ambassador of Moldova.
The inauguration of the new venue, realized with the support of Romania and Moldovan authorities, marks a milestone, preparing the stage for new productions and large-scale initiatives. At the same time, devotion to the audience – considered “king” by the director – remains the core of the theatrical activity. In a multicultural and diverse region, the “B.P. Hașdeu” Theatre continues to be a space of dialogue, creativity, and social cohesion, demonstrating that art can unite people, generations, and communities beyond any borders.
