Moldova/ 8.2 Cultural consumption and participation  

8.2.1 Trends and figures

Table 5 below indicates that the rates of participation have steadily decreased from 1991 to 2000, the main reason being the severe decline in personal income (over 90% of the total population has focused their interests on basic survival). In the same period, most of the cultural institutions have shifted from full state-funding to partial self-funding. This means they had to concentrate more on fundraising (by leasing their premises), while performances and audiences were only second priorities.

Since 2001, audience figures have slightly increased. This can be explained by the increase in the number of institutions, e.g. in the case of museums (from 66 in 2000 to 80 in 2003) and libraries (from 1 372 in 2001 to 1 380 in 2003) as well as by the diversification and improvement of their cultural services.

In 2006, the rates of participation have clearly decreased again. In spite of some economic stabilisation within the Republic of Moldova, the earning potential of the population remains relatively low. The majority of audiences are not able to pay for tickets, which sometimes are equal to their monthly salary (e.g. The salary of a professor from the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts is MDL 780 (EUR 48.00), but a ticket to the famous Russian Vladimir Spivakov chamber orchestra, which had concerts in Chisinau, cost MDL 1 200 (EUR 75) in April 2007 and MDL 2 000 (EUR 125) in 2009.

During 2011, national libraries have conducted scientific activities, edited a number of publications: bibliographies, promotional editions, specialised periodicals, analyses, more than 20 titles. The national library has circa 20 000 users.

The activity of National Libraries covered both their direct responsibilities, as well as organising more than 100 national and international activities, such as the International Book Fair for Children and Youth organised by the National Library for Children "Ion Creanga", where 15 000 publications by 130 publishers from 13 countries were presented; the International Book Fair of the National Library with the presentation of over 500 books by 300 publishers from 14 countries. These events were visited by about 12 000 people.

The National Book Chamber organised various cultural and scientific activities, and registered 2 366 titles; the archive reached 10 069 pieces. Also, 6 issues of the national bibliography of Moldova were published.

Annually, there are over 20 national and international festivals, contests, fairs and about 65 329 local cultural activities in the Republic of Moldova with an audience of over 9 000 000 people.

Table 5:     Cultural participation rates, 2000, 2004-2009

Source:     Ministry of Culture, 2010.

No data available for 2010.

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