The role of Bessarabian Zemstva in opening the school of viticulture and winemaking from Saharna

The activity of the Bessarabian Zemstva included a wide range of issues and tasks. An important place among them was hold by issues regarding education. The subject of this article focuses on education as well. It reflects zemstva's contribution to the development of agrarian education in Bessarabia at the beginning of the 20th century. The article's purpose is to illustrate the role of provincial Zemstva in opening the school of viticulture and winemaking at the estate from Saharna which was donated to the Zemstva by engineer N. C. Apostolopulo. The proposal to open a school of viticulture and winemaking in Saharna was for the first time put forward for examination at the 35th session of the Assembly of the provincial Zemstva (1903). This issue was also on the agenda at the meetings from 11th May and 18th December 1904. Yet, the Zemstva did not rush in opening the school, as it was opened only on 18th may 1905. Although the Zemstva delayed the inauguration of the school, the role of the provincial Council was significant. The council succeeded in obtaining the approval of the so-called establishment „principles” of the school, although they did not correspond to regulation from 26th may 1904. However, Eugenia Apostolopulo, the tutor of the school, played the most important role in this process.