Locations7 schools hosted reading clubs with writers “Bridges of books”
December 9, 2024
The visit of the writer Ianoș Țurcanu to the "Constantin Sucitu" High School, village Corjova, Dubăsari district
Cultural events entitled "Bridges of Books. Dialogue through Literature" brought together at a book club writers and pupils from several schools from both banks of Nistru river. Meetings with the writers were organised in seven schools in Găgăuzia region and in localities of the security zone on both banks of the Nistru River. The events were organised by the Writers' Union with the financial support provided by the European Union through the EU Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP.
For many of the children this was their first encounter with a book’s author. Poetry recitals, short skits, questions to the author - the students prepared thoroughly for these visits. The primary school pupils experienced deep emotions after the discussion with the writer Maria Pilchin, who presented to them the book Doggy.
Nadejda Pitel, a student of the 11th grade at the "Mihai Eminescu" Theoretical High School in Comrat, finds herself in the writer's stories: "Meeting the writer, who has something in common with my hometown, gave me the opportunity not only to explore her ideas and creations, but also to find myself in the book Doggy. It was a meeting full of warmth and reflection! Thank you!"
Gheorghe Budeanu, Dumitru Crudu, Maria Pilchin, Irina Nechit, Irina Nechit, Iulian Filip, Ianoș Țurcanu and Arcadie Suceveanu are among the writers taking part in the project.
"The traditional meetings with readers continue to be effective in promoting reading, particularly given the importance of education in Moldova's development," says Iulian Filip.
Irina Nechit visited the pupils of the "Mihai Eminescu" High School in Dubăsari (based in Corjova): "I believe that literature is the most accessible, lively and healthy means of communication. By telling them about books, about the destiny of characters, about the way we understand poetry, theater, prose, I was actually talking to students and teachers. There are rare moments when we can talk to each other face to face. That's why the meeting was, for me, particularly valuable and meaningful."
In addition to meetings with writers, book donations were also made, to promote literary dialogue and reading among young people. These books have not only enriched the school libraries' catalogue, but have also facilitated students' access to contemporary literature, giving them the opportunity to discover local authors and connect more deeply with their language and culture.
"Meeting writers can be very inspiring. It was a profound experience. Literature can really be a form of therapy and a way to cope with grief. Writing can be a great way to release thoughts and emotions. It is fascinating how Mr. Crudu has turned a difficulty like insomnia into a source of creativity. Today's meeting has left an emotional imprint on me," says Cristina Costev, a teacher at the "Luceafărul" High School in Vulcănești.
"I would like to sincerely thank the European Union and the UNDP for their support to this project. I would also like to thank the fellow-writers for their openness, involvement, and support for the project's main goal: to promote human dialog and rapprochement through art and literature," concludes Ivan Pilchin, Vice-President of the Moldovan Writers' Union.
With the support of the European Union and UNDP, the Culture Platform was created to promote cultural dialog through good cooperation between CSOs and cultural professionals from both sides of the Nistru river. The platform brings together about 380 managers of cultural institutions, artists, writers, and cultural professionals from both banks.
