”OPEN CHURCH MALCOCI” – SAVING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE ”DOBRUDJA GERMANS”

Sebastian SZAKTILLA

The church of St. George in Malcoci was erected in 1870 and is one of the most important examples of the history and culture left by german colonists in Dubrudja. This ethnic group has first been settling in the 18th century in Russia, but later moved to the region south of the danube delta. In that multi-ethnic region they remained until 1940. Today, only few germans live in the area. They are old and thus not capable to maintain their heritage, which is going lost. As many other remains, also the Malcoci church – to be found on the frequented way from the nearby Tulcea into the delta – is not in function, after its roof collapsed. But despite many problems ist is not too late to save this monument.

A project has been initiated by a german architect to beware the building from further decaying. It is obvous that the St. Georg´s church should again serve as a location for religious services. The local small, but still existing and engaged roman-catholic community shall again be able to celebrate their services in their own church! But it should also be discussed whether this place, situated very favourably on a frequented touristic route, could be opened towards other purposes.

Actors from Germany and Romania, working together in the „Malcoci work group” elaborated a stringent concept: under the slogan „Open Church Malcoci” they propose to repair the church and to offer it as....

- ...a place for religious activities: the local community, who is currently serving in a nearby flat, should regain their house of prayers

- ...a commemorative place: The site should serve as a place to present the dobrudja germans and their cultural heritage as well as for locals, visitors, as well as for the descendants of the dobrudja germans who come to the home of their ancestors.

- ...a touristic destination: the site shall not only be an eye-catcher for drive-through tourists, but rather a place inviting visitors to make a stop and have a visit to both the church and its courtyard.

- ...a meeting point: the church and as well the courtyard should allow civil activities – an open space without social ethnical, religious and other frontiers.

- As the local parish does not have own money to repair the church, the project initiators intend to gain funds from german institutions, via crowd founding and private donations. A project has been prepared in order to ask for the building permit. In parallel, the statical solutions to consolidate the structure are to be dicussed in order to reach interventions which are adequate to the buildings artistic composition.