The State Circus in Chisinau - the first socialist modernist architectural object included in the Register of state protected monuments of the Republic of Moldova

Modernism represents one of the most global styles in the history of world culture, dominating almost the entire 20th century. In this context, the Republic of Moldova is no exception having a significant modernist heritage. Numerous projects, materialized in imposing public buildings, are important landmarks in the perception of the identity of our country’s capital during the soviet period. Their research leads to the revelation of the spirit of modernism and of the whole impression of the architectural objects of that period, and last but not least, to the awareness of their real value. Thus, the State Circus attracts the public attention through its artistic qualities: the proportions, the rigorous rhythm of the pillars on the facade, the plastic decorations, as well as through the particularity of representing the historical era in which it was built. The authors of the project, architects S. Şoihet and A. Kiricenko, introduce an expressive volumetric composition into the urban structure, whereas the plastic artists V. Rotari, P. Obuh, L. Yantsen and E. Saakov are preoccupied with emphasizing the playful character of the edifice. Legally unprotected until recently, the architecture of the edifice was in danger of being seriously altered by inappropriate and irreversible interventions. The first step in saving the socialist modernist architectural object is made by the B.A.C.U. Association, which, arguing about the importance of the edifice in the urban context succeeds in including it in the Register of State-protected monuments.