From local stories to national assets: 400 students document Moldova’s hidden history
Over 400 students across Moldova have combined modern drone technology with historical research to document their hometowns. The initiative aims to transform local perspectives into a professional digital infrastructure.
The national video essay contest, "Discover my community," challenged teenagers to film historical landmarks and rural landscapes. Out of the total entries, 39 winning videos will serve as the foundation for an ambitious interactive map titled "Discover Moldova."
Artiom Pisari, an 18-year-old from Pârâta, spent weeks scripting and filming key landmarks in the Dubăsari district. His work highlights the historical "Suvorov’s Oak" and streets named after heroes of the 1992 Dniester War.
"The script took a week, but the filming was completed in a single day under freezing snow," Pisari explained. He spent several additional days editing the drone footage to showcase the village's monuments from a high-altitude perspective.
For 16-year-old Daniela Ilescu from Telenești, the project was an opportunity to explore her passion for film directing. She noted that the contest allowed young people to express how they uniquely perceive their origins.
Liliana Palihovici, President of "Institutum Virtutes Civilis," stated that a professional production company will now use these student perspectives to finalize the digital map. The project seeks to highlight lesser-known tourist sites across the country.
The "Discover my community" contest is a key component of the "Moldova - a home for everyone" program. The initiative is implemented by Institutum Virtutes Civilis with the strategic support of the Soros Foundation Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
