Transnistrian table sparks heated debates

(Photo from bbc.co.uk)

(Updated March 23, 2009) Several AUBG alumni complained about the culinary presentation of Transnistria, an unrecognized self-proclaimed state within the Republic of Moldova, during the International Taste Fest on February 21. AUBG Administration said student Maria Droganova, who led the Transnistrian cooking team, applied for funding as part of the Russian delegation.

Vice-President for Institutional Development William Kirschke said AUBG alumnus Andrei Rusanovschi, together with two other alumni, brought this issue to his attention during an alumni and admissions reception in Chisinau, Moldova on March 6. "His [Rusanovschi's] question was why had AUBG accepted this separatist gesture?" Kirschke said.

"They came in, they had their table, and they put up their stuff and then announced themselves as Transnistria. I found it somewhat distressing," said Dean of Students Lydia Krise.

Head of the Office of International Student Services Pavlina Pavlova, who received applications for funding, refused to comment on Transnistria's participation. Krise and Kirschke said they did not know about Droganova's plans to represent Transnistria. "I think I would have noticed [...] if there was a group that said Transnistria, I would have said, ‘No, it's not a country,'" Krise said.

"I represent a minority at AUBG, I exist, I am from a de facto country," Droganova said.

SG President and Moldovan national Vasile Valcov said "the University wouldn't have allowed this to happen [if they knew]." "She cheated her way to the Taste Fest," he added.

The Taste Fest table designated for Transnistria sat opposite from the tables of Russia and Moldova, which were next to each other. "I didn't apply as part of the Russian team. I applied as a non-existent country," Droganova said.

"Political stuff belongs in a political arena, and not in a celebration of food," Krise said. Krise said she had already discussed the issue of Transnistria with Droganova when she asked Krise to put her country's flag in the Main Building foyer after Kosovo declared its independence in February 2008. Krise added that she told Droganova that a country can get a flag in the foyer only if it is recognized by both the United States and Bulgaria.

Kosovar and Albanian students planned to present the two countries using "one common table," said Olesia Zonja, who was in charge of the Albanian cooking team. The Taste Fest organization team advised Kosovars to apply for funds together with Albania, Zonja said. "In the end, we received 90 leva [same as every other individual team], although we ended up spending more. That additional money came out of our own pockets."

"I got some money from the University," Droganova said. "I didn't use the maximum amount of money that is allowed to every team."

Transnistria is a secessionist state officially known as Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic (PMR), which is located in eastern Moldova.

"I think she was trying to show her opinion on the conflict and to tell people more about the conflict, which is not a bad thing at all," student Iulia Belous said. "But when you're doing it, you have to show both sides of the issue, and just showing that ‘here I am, I'm from Transnistria' is not the way." Belous said she doesn't support PMR as a country.

"I think it would be a lovely idea if we had a panel discussion about [Transnistria]," Krise said. Kirschke said AUBG's duty is to "provide environment for open and free discussion."