Discursurile Ambasadorului Pamela Hyde Smith

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith's Remarks at the ceremony celebrating the opening of the Visitors’ Center at the Orheiul Vechi Museum Center.

September 13, 2003

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

In July 2001, the United States Congress established a grant program called the "Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation." Our Congress believes, as I do, that cultural preservation offers us an opportunity to show a different face of America to other countries, one that is non-commercial, non-political, and non-military. The Splendid Visitor’s Center you see before you today is the result of our Embassy’s first project under this program, and we hope that it will help many more people to learn from and enjoy the unique historical, cultural, and geological characteristics of Orheiul Vechi. As citizens of the world, we share a common responsibility to preserve artistic, cultural, historic, and natural wonders for future generations, and for me, helping to celebrate the cultural treasures of Moldova has been one of the most rewarding parts of my job here.

The first time I visited Orheiul Vechi, I was struck by the fascinating meeting of so many points of interest - archaeological, historic, cultural, and natural – that coexist here, but I felt that more was needed to help the visitors who did come to understand and appreciate how special this area is, and to reach out and draw in more visitors. The center we are opening today is designed to do just that. It should help increase awareness of Moldova’s rich history among Moldovans, and attract more tourists from outside Moldova. History and culture are treasures that become more valuable when they are shared; Moldova has become richer today

I am proud of the work we have been able to accomplish together in bringing to light these pieces of Moldovan culture and history. It has always been possible to interpret something of the past from the unique geology of this area, and from its monastery and church. The new Visitors’ Center, I hope and believe, will make the book of history legible to all, and allow guests to leave not just awed, but educated. The Center demonstrates our shared respect for the past, pride in the present, and generosity to the future. I hope Moldovans of all ethnic backgrounds will come and enjoy the treasure that exists here. It is not just Moldovans of Romanian origin who can take pride in this place, but also Moldovans of other origins - Ukrainian-Moldovans, Russian-Moldovans, Gagauz-Moldovans, and all the others. The love and patriotism that made this Center possible – that made those who built it so eager to share their knowledge with others, is happening today, in modern Moldova, and it will be handed down by all of you to all future Moldovans. You are creating history today. Every day in this country, Moldovans are creating their own common history - the history of a young, multi-cultural country with a rich heritage linked to many places and peoples.

Moldovans, in many ways, have more history than we do. When Tatars were enjoying the baths here, and monks were living in the cliff, no one in Europe knew that America existed. When Stefan cel Mare was winning great battles, America had only recently been discovered by Columbus. Moldovans should be proud of the history that has woven them together. Like America, though, you are a young country. This means that with the benefits of a rich history, you have the advantages of a fresh start, as well. Like America, yours is a multi-cultural state. Orheiul Vechi combines many different elements to become more interesting and compelling. So, too, does Moldova. History, food, and nations are all bland without the variety that is the spice of life. No one can say that Moldovan cuisine, history or people are bland!

I hope that through assisting in building this Visitors’ Center we have also helped to highlight the common threads that run through the cultural diversity that is the Republic of Moldova. I hope also that it will attract others from around the world to come and to learn about Moldova’s past – glorious and interesting and varied – its vigorous and determined present, and its promising future.

Thank you.