Imagological Dominants of the Chisinau from the Soviet Period

The article focuses on the image of Chișinău in the writings of the tourists who visited
the city in the Soviet period, especially during the ‘60s and the ‘70s, when the development of
tourism in the Soviet Union was allowed. The description of impressions and the notes of tourists
take place in two planes: on one hand, the analyzed impressions of Chișinău that were accepted and
published by the press of the city, and on the other hand, the uncomfortable impressions found in
the hidden informative notes from secret folders or in the Western press, more specifically on Radio
Free Europe. It will be shown that the texts that passed the censorship were influenced by the theses
of propaganda and ideology promoted by the Kremlin leaders of the time. However, there are some
dominant imagologies about Chișinău that are found in both categories of texts such as: achievements
in the field of city construction, industry and culture; the friendly attitude; hospitality, good
mood and the radiant faces of the people, the abundance of parks, the white city etc., some of them
continuing to form the perception of our city up to this day.