Cultural Heritage is extremely precious and fragile

Tourism, by definition, involves a journey, a passage through time, space and through a diversity of cultures, peoples and pasts. As such tourism has a critical role to play in generating knowledge, dialogue and understanding across and between cultures. It also has a critical role in the development process. At one level, the journeys of tourists may be individual, but at another level the journeys of tourism as forms of exchange and development, and, inextricably linked, the on-going journey of humanity, is common to all peoples and should be made possible to all peoples. This common journey needs research, reflection, mediation, and coordination to ensure that it functions as a creative and positive force that works in harmony and balance with the cultures that shape it.

Article no.1 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity stresses that “culture takes diverse forms across time and space. This diversity is embodied in the uniqueness and plurality of the identities of the groups and societies making up humankind. As a source of exchange, innovation and creativity, cultural diversity is as necessary for humankind as biodiversity is for nature. In this sense, it is the common heritage of humanity and should be recognized and affirmed for the benefit of present and future generations” (UNESCO, 2001).

As stated in the “EU Sustainable Development Strategy”, sustainable development acknowledges the major importance of preserving cultural heritage and maintaining cultural diversity as a prerequisite for obtaining European cohesion and solidarity. The strategy also emphasizes the intrinsic and perennial value of cultural diversity. Sustainable development, as a fundamental strategic objective, involves creating and widely disseminating into the public consciousness of diverse practices and instruments to access and get to know closer the cultural treasure of one’s nation and humanity as a whole.

The world’s cultural heritage is like a big puzzle. Each monument, each object, is an irreplaceable part of the overall picture which gives us insight into our origins, our development and our lives today. It helps us to understand and appreciate other cultures. Each discovery, each new interpretation adds to the puzzle and makes the picture clearer. We must ensure the protection of every single piece today, so that future generations may have the opportunities to enjoy the puzzle.

Many people are not aware that our cultural heritage is under stress from natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, and from slower acting processes such as pollution or human actions. Even the most innocent gestures such as collecting ancient pieces of pottery or mosaics as souvenirs have a destructive impact if repeated by thousands. There are numerous ways in which one can unknowingly cause the destruction of cultural heritage. Thus, we have to raise the awareness of the issue and preserve the precious cultural heritage for the future.

Neamţ County Council is acting as the promoter and supporter of the regional development strategies, among which the social-economic development and tourist promotion of Neamţ region is one of the main priorities. In this sense, the General Development Strategy of Neamţ County, time frame 2014-2020, defines the general objective no.5: “A competitive tourism sector, pillar for the development of the county economy”.

Given the fact the tourism development both encourages and triggers the economic development of the region, in the medium and long term, the inclusion of the tourism sector among the general county development objectives is well-grounded.

The current strategic orientation in tourism development, together with the investments projects initiated so far, including several projects financed by the European Union, aim to generate a series of profound changes in the county’s economic development. The general objective no.5: “A competitive tourism sector, pillar for the development of the county economy” focuses on developing new tourist products, ensuring a higher degree of accessibility, and at the same time increasing the attractiveness of the tourist attractions in the county. Also, increasing the number and diversifying the functionalities of the exhibition spaces, as well as implementing “education for history and art” programs for the benefit of all citizens.

As owner and administrator of the main cultural monuments in the county, the rehabilitation of the cultural heritage on the territory of Neamţ County is a strategic priority for Neamţ County Council. By means of preserving and transmitting the cultural legacy to future generations, protecting and capitalizing on the cultural heritage of Neamţ County, the history and culture of Neamţ County will be highlighted and made accessible to wide audiences.

The 2014-2020 Regional Operational Programme (ROP 2014-2020), Priority axis 5: Sustainable development and promotion of tourism, 5.1. Key area of intervention: Sustainable restoration and valuing of the cultural heritage, as well as establishing/modernizing the related infrastructures, aims mainly to sustainably value and promote the cultural patrimony and the natural resources with tourism potential, as well as to improve the quality of the accommodation and leisure tourism infrastructure with the view to increase the attractiveness of the regions, the development of local economies and the creation of new jobs.

Between Neamţ County Council – as Beneficiary, and the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Business Environment (on the one hand) and North-East Regional Development (on the other hand) – as Authorities responsible for management and control of ROP 2014-2020, three financing contracts have been signed, as follows:          

• Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of the History and Archeology Museum in Piatra Neamţ, SMIS code 116527;
• Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of “Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humuleşti, SMIS code 116524;
• Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of “Calistrat Hogaş” Memorial House in Piatra Neamţ, SMIS code 116528.

Within each of the three above mentioned projects, construction works of restoration, conservation, and protection of the historical monuments will be carried out. Also, after the completion of the works, the accessibility of the tourist objectives will increase, due to the 3D digitization of the monuments.

The opportunity of carrying out the activities of the three above mentioned projects is supported by the continuous increase of tourists, both Romanians and foreigners, in Neamţ County, as well as the increase of the tourists’ demands regarding the immediate knowledge of the local, authentic cultural heritage.

Direct beneficiaries:

• tourists worldwide, who will directly experience the beneficial effects of the restoration of cultural heritage objectives in Neamţ County and the modernization of the related infrastructure;
• all the members of the local communities in Piatra Neamt and Târgu Neamţ and also of the neighboring communities, who will benefit because of the economic-social development of the areas, driven by the growth of cultural tourism;
• Neamţ County Council – as manager of Neamţ County Museum Complex and of other patrimony objectives within the county.

Indirect beneficiaries:

• local public administrations, because of the development of the tourism infrastructure in the area;
• regional, national and local cultural entities who cooperate with the History and Archeology Museum in Piatra Neamt, “Ion Creangă” Memorial Hause in Humuleşti and “Calistrat Hogaş” Memorial House in Piatra Neamt for initiating and implementing common projects;
• the accommodation units in the area, irrespective of their welcoming capacity and their classification;
• travel agencies and tour operators;
• various economic agents from Neamţ County, whose activity is supported and encouraged by the increase in the number of tourists, the latter constituting potential customers.

The results obtained at the end of the implementation period of the projects comply with the objectives of the policies and programs of the European Union, aiming at improving the quality, competitiveness, sustainable development and protecting the interests of tourists.

You can read a brief description of each of these projects* below:

Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of the History and Archeology Museum in Piatra Neamţ, SMIS code 116527, Financing contract no.767 / 11.28.2017:

Total budget: 24.434.494,02 lei
Total eligible expenditure: 20.663.049,71 lei
Financial contribution of Neamţ County Council (2% of total eligible expenditure): 413.261,00 lei
Implementation period: 29.11.2017 – 31.12.2025

! To view the 3D Digitization of the History and Archeology Museum in Piatra Neamţ please click the following link: https://3dvirtual.ro/muzeul-de-istorie-si-arheologie-neamt/  

Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of “Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humuleşti, SMIS code 116524, Financing contract no. 867 / 12.19.2017:

Total budget: 1.824.969,38 lei
Total eligible expenditure: 447,255.47 lei
Financial contribution of Neamţ County Council (ineligible costs + 2% of total eligible expenditure): 1.386.659,02 lei
Implementation period: 20.12.2017 – 24.07.2024

Neamț County, through the Neamț County Council, completed the implementation of the project Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of “Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humuleşti, SMIS code 116524, on July 24, 2024.

”Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humulești is a memorial museum established in the house where Romanian storyteller Ion Creangă (1837-1889) was born and raised, in the village of Humulești (now part of the town of Târgu-Neamț) in Neamț County. The house was built in 1830 by his paternal grandfather (Petrea Ciubotariul) and stands as an authentic testimony of traditional architecture. The museum is a major attraction of the Humulești district in Târgu-Neamț, appealing to people of all ages, particularly children, who rediscover here the mischievous character from “Childhood Memories”.

 This historically and ethnographically valuable house vividly illustrates, along with many household items and tools, an entire rural universe of mid-19th century life. The picturesque atmosphere of the era envelops visitors from the very first steps into the courtyard. Here, one can rediscover the lifestyle of people from two centuries ago, impressing through the simple order of things and the perfect harmony between proportion and utility, form and color, man and nature. The exhibits on display here, in one of the most visited memorial museums in Romania, are imbued with the aura of Ion Creangă’s stories, a prominent figure from a region rich in historical and spiritual traditions.

 The meticulous restoration involved using the construction techniques and materials from Creangă’s time, reconstructing the stone foundations and oak wood sills, the clay floors and plaster, as well as the painting and interior details. Additionally, the project involved reconstructing the woven hazel fence and the entrance gate, replacing all installations, constructing a wooden exhibition space, an office for museum curators, and installing visitor sanitary facilities. The new construction was connected to the natural gas network, and thermal, sanitary, electrical, video surveillance, and data-voice installations were implemented, along with fire detection, signaling, and alarm systems and lightning protection. The green space within the museum grounds was re-landscaped, and bleachers were built for visitor groups and events focused on Creangă’s life and works.

To highlight the monument, a nighttime lighting system was installed, featuring outdoor lighting poles and reflector-type fixtures equipped with LED lamps. The museum has been equipped with display cases for exhibiting Ion Creangă’s books and manuscripts, mobile exhibit panels, a laptop, and an info kiosk. Additionally, Braille signs and information plaques were installed to assist visually impaired visitors who wish to visit the memorial house.

The digitization of ”Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humulești not only helps inform and attract tourists but also facilitates online accessibility to the national cultural heritage, as well as its digital preservation.

! To view the 3D Digitization of “Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humuleşti please click the following link: https://3dvirtual.ro/muzeul-memorial-ion-creanga/  

360° Virtual Tour of “Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humuleşti 

Video: “Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humuleşti reopens its doors after restoration

”Ion Creangă” Memorial House in Humulești was reintroduced into the tourist circuit on June 2, 2024, when it was reopened to the public. We heartily invite you to cross its threshold!

Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of “Calistrat Hogaş” Memorial House in Piatra Neamţ, SMIS code 116528, Financing contract no. 1047 / 01.02.2018:

Total budget: 3.144.499,44 lei
Total eligible expenditure: 1,333,093.28 lei
Ineligible costs (39,69%): 877.310,33 lei
Financial contribution of Neamţ County Council (ineligible costs + 2% of total eligible expenditure): 1.260.302,96 lei
Implementation period: 02.02.2018 – 31.12.2025

! To view the 3D Digitization of “Calistrat Hogaş” Memorial House in Piatra Neamţ please click the following link: https://3dvirtual.ro/muzeul-memorial-calistrat-hogas/

360° Virtual Tour of “Calistrat Hogaş” Memorial House in Piatra Neamţ

            Two other projects submitted within the call of proposals under ROP 2014-2020, Priority axis 5, 5.1. Key area of intervention, are currently on the reserve list, after successfully completing the evaluation stage. These projects are:

Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of the History Museum in Bicaz

Total budget: 3,117,457.80 lei
Total eligible expenditure: 3,117,457.80 lei
Ineligible costs: 0,00 lei
Financial contribution of Neamţ County Council (2%): 62,349.16 lei

Conservation, preservation, valorization and promotion of the History Museum in Roman

Total budget: 5,355,784.40 lei
Total eligible expenditure: 5,355,784.40 lei
Ineligible costs: 0,00 lei
Financial contribution of Neamţ County Council (2%): 107,115.69 lei

*Projects selected within the 2014-2020 Regional Operational Programme and co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
Contact details: Neamt County Council, 27 Alexandru cel Bun Street, Piatra Neamţ, phone: +40 233.212.890, fax: +40 233.211.569, e-mail: [email protected].
For detailed information about the 2014-2020 Regional Operational Program, please visit www.inforegio.ro, https://www.facebook.com/inforegio.ro or http://www.adrnordest.ro.
For detailed information about other programs co-financed by the European Union, please visit www.fonduri-ue.ro.

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