Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: Home of Tatiana Popa, woman who resisted communist repression and revived tradition

This week, Moldpres team invites you to discover the true atmosphere of the Bessarabian village of the past and the impressive story of Tatiana Popa, who at the age of 81 still manages to promote national culture and values. It is about the "Parental House" Museum, in Palanca village, Călărași district - the place where tradition comes to life and the heart fills with longing.

"Dad was deported and mom gave birth in the fields"

The house was turned into a museum in 2000, when Tatiana Popa finally obtained the right to return the property of the repressed, after the post-mortem rehabilitation of her father.

The ordeal did not end even after the father's return. According to the woman, her whole family had to change their place of residence every two years.

"We walked from village to village, from district to district. I also lived in Orhei district, and in Rezina, Nisporeni, Călăraşi. Dad was looking for the house alone. There had to be a stamp in the passport to prove that he changed his residence," explained the founder of the museum.

The house waited for its owners for 55 years

Between the years 1945-2000, the house was NKVD center, the town hall, the management of the collective farm, the state farm, and in the last period it served as a warehouse.

On November 23, we opened the museum. It was poor, but I had things collected from my parents. Now I already have no more room", the woman told us.

The Handicraft Center was immediately inaugurated, and the number of visitors "thirsty for culture" was constantly increasing.

"Parental House" Museum

The house is over 100 years old, but the owner does not know the exact year in which it was built.

The dwelling has four rooms. Here you can see old objects created by Tatiana Popa's parents and more. Next to the house is the workshop where summer schools are organized.

"We have summer schools for weavers, embroiderers, carvers. You can also see their results. In 2004, during a summer school of wood carvers, 10 folk craftsmen from the Republic of Moldova and Romania restored the columns of the house", Tatiana Popa said.

Before the pandemic, various culinary activities were organized here, during which forgotten peasant dishes were cooked.

Currently, the host of the house wants to implement a new approach. She doesn't think she will organize any more culinary events, but she would like to meet the visitors with a traditional snack, prepared by her.

Tatiana Popa does everything by herself, except for things that require a man's hand. Being almost always involved in household activities, it would be better if tourists schedule their visit by phone.

In summer, the woman makes jams and juices, which can be bought by tourists. 

In winter, the main activity is the daily heating of the stoves, and the rest of the time is dedicated to creation.

Tatiana Popa continues the tradition of weaving the carpet in balls, which would have a therapeutic effect due to its shape. In the past, the woman worked at a spa where she did art therapy, and in 2021 she was awarded the Order of the Republic for the contribution to the preservation and promotion of the national heritage.

If there was an entrance fee to the museum before the pandemic, now Tatiana Popa has given it up.

In the yard there is another house, recently built, which could be rented out to visitors in the future.