Former Culture Minister Sergiu Prodan renounces state merit allowance
Nine personalities, including singer Maria Iliuț and ethnographer Silvia Șaranuța, will receive merit allowances from the state. On April 10, the National Commission for Granting Merit Allowances approved this list of new beneficiaries during a meeting chaired by Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan.
The decision was made through a secret individual vote, based on the files submitted by the seven Creation Unions of the Republic of Moldova.
A total of 54 files were submitted, from which individuals deemed representative for their contributions to the development and promotion of national culture were selected.
Initially, the Commission chose ten individuals; however, Sergiu Prodan, the former Minister of Culture, announced that he would not accept the allowance and expressed gratitude to the Union of Filmmakers and the Commission members for their recognition.
The nine individuals who will receive merit allowances are:
Nicolae Leahu - poet, publicist, literary critic, and professor (Union of Writers);
Ghenadie Postolachi - poet, prose writer, and screenwriter (Union of Writers);
Iurie Platon - plastic artist, painter, ceramist, and sculptor (Union of Plastic Artists of the Republic of Moldova);
Tamara Grecu - plastic artist and ceramist (Union of Plastic Artists of the Republic of Moldova);
Valeriu Cojocaru - People's Artist, Master of Arts, soloist at the National Opera and Ballet Theater "Maria Biesu" (Union of Musicians of Moldova);
Maria Iliuț - People's Artist, folk music performer, and founder and leader of the ethno-folk ensemble "Crenguța de iederă" (Union of Musicians of Moldova);
Vladimir Andries - Doctor of Arts and Culturology, university professor, Master of Arts, violinist, conductor, and musicologist (Union of Composers and Musicologists of the Republic of Moldova);
Valentina Calestru - Emeritus Artist, soloist at the National Opera and Ballet Theater "Maria Biesu" (Theatre Union of Moldova);
Silvia Șaranuța - ethnographer, museographer, and Emeritus (National Commission of Museums and Collections).
According to the Ministry of Culture, this year the list of beneficiaries of merit allowances was expanded by 15 additional slots, bringing the total to 260 funded by the state budget, following the passing of several notable personalities.
According to the law, the merit allowance is granted for life to individuals over 60 years of age who have excelled in the field of culture and achieved significant accomplishments.
The monthly allowance is equivalent to the previous year's average salary and is non-taxable (16,100 lei in 2025).
To fill the remaining available positions, the Commission will reconvene to select additional beneficiaries in a meeting scheduled for early June.
Author: Gabriela Melnic, intern
