The step-by-step transformation of Suceava’s most modern auditorium

It all started with a dream. "For us, the students of the Ciprian Porumbescu Art College in Suceava, the greatest gift would be a renovated hall where our dreams of performing on the big stages could take shape. A hall with perfect acoustics, new seats, and a solid floor," said one of the students last year, before the renovation project of the auditorium officially began.

This is how the most ambitious project of the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation was born.

We knew the road would be long and full of unexpected challenges, but the support of our partners and donors helped us move forward step by step. This is how our dream of creating a modern auditorium at the "Ciprian Porumbescu" Art College in Suceava started to become a reality.

Step 1. Design

Thanks to the first funds raised during the 2024 Christmas Charity Concert, we were able to officially launch the initiative to modernize this hall, which had not been renovated in decades.

Local companies and more than 250 members of the Suceava community joined our cause, making it possible for us to create the architectural and design plan in the spring of 2025.

German architect Dipl.-Ing. Peter Eickholt personally came to Suceava to offer his voluntary consultancy, drawing on his extensive experience in designing performance halls across Europe. His international perspective contributed to shaping a modern, high-quality architectural plan.

The designer Cezar Ciornei completed this vision by giving the space a new visual identity where aesthetics and functionality harmoniously blend.

Step 2. Reset

The summer vacation provided the perfect time to begin the renovation, allowing the works to take place without disrupting classes and student rehearsals.

During this phase, the old furniture, flooring, doors, windows, electronic equipment, and wall paint were removed, bringing the hall to a "gray" base state. Once all these elements were cleared out, the space became a blank canvas ready to be transformed into its full potential.

An important figure in contemporary Romanian art, Virgiliu Parghel, made a unique gesture of solidarity by donating 103 of his original artworks to the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation to support the fundraising campaign.

Three of his pieces will adorn the walls of the Art College, while the remaining one hundred are being offered as gifts to those who choose to support this ambitious initiative.

This valuable collection of original works, comprising sketches, drawings, and pastels, captures the stages of Virgiliu Parghel's artistic evolution. Having started his career as an art teacher in Suceava between 1979 and 1990, he remains a devoted supporter of local art and culture.

The fundraising campaign is currently ongoing on the ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation's website, where anyone can select their favorite artwork and contribute to this remarkable project.

How to receive an original artwork by Virgiliu Parghel

1. Check out the collection's webpage.
2. Choose your favorite artwork from the available collection.
3. Fill in the donation form with your details.
4. Donate to support the auditorium renovation at the Art College.

The ASSIST Humanitarian Foundation will deliver your artwork with a Donor Certificate, attesting to your extraordinary gesture of generosity, and a legal contract confirming your ownership of the artwork.

Step 3. Reconstruction

A blank canvas means endless possibilities. But from the start, we had the clear vision to offer the young students of the "Ciprian Porumbescu" Art College the most modern auditorium, one that reflects their talent and dedication to art.

The first new elements installed in the hall included doors and windows designed to provide optimal sound insulation. Electrical and heating systems were also upgraded to optimize lighting, airflow, and acoustics, ensuring a high level of comfort and performance quality.

The new seating layout and wall reconstruction plan were designed to enhance acoustic performance, alongside the creation of a volumetric ceiling for sound dispersion. The renovation continued with wall restoration and installation of a new high-quality floor, provided by our partners at EGGER Romania.

During this stage, renowned Romanian actor Marius Manole joined our fundraising efforts after learning about the project during a visit to the Suceava theater. Deeply impressed, he publicly stated, "Building a performance hall is an extraordinary act. It gives teenagers a place where they can express themselves and let their emotions exist. […] I promised I would lend a hand."

Step 4. Refinement

We are proud to have reached this stage through small, steady steps and with the strong support of our community. The works are still ongoing.

The walls have started to take on color, bringing to life not just a former gray space, but a new cultural place for the Suceava community. The walls have been painted, LED lighting installed, and we are now preparing to set up the electronic systems, air conditioning, and video projector.

The final step will be installing new rows of premium seating, made from materials designed specifically for performance halls to ensure excellent sound dispersion from any point in the audience.

Alongside the work progress, we continue to raise the remaining funds necessary to complete this complex and ambitious project.

Now is the time to get involved

The auditorium modernization at the "Ciprian Porumbescu" Art College is more than a renovation project. This initiative will give Suceava the most modern auditorium, designed and built according to the highest European quality standards.

It represents a new beginning for the young artists stepping on stage for the first time, filled with hope and determination. It is a gesture of support for every student who dreams of performing on the world's great stages and sharing their talent with audiences around the world.