2009 was declared as the Year of the 650h Anniversary of the Foundation of the Moldovan State by presidential decree. “In connection with the celebration of 650 years of the creation of the independent Moldovan State in 2009 and given the necessity of cultivating the patriotic spirit and strengthening Moldova’s statehood, the President of the Republic of Moldova signed a decree whereby the year 2009 was declared as Year of the 650h Anniversary of the Foundation of the Moldovan State,” the presidential press service informs. A State Commission for organizing the activities dedicated to the event will be set up under the decree. The Commission will be composed of President Vladimir Voronin (the Commission’s chair), Prime Minister Vasile Tarlev and president of the Academy of Science Gheorghe Duca (the Commission’s vice chairmen). The former heads of state Mircea Snegur and Petru Lucinschi, Speaker Marian Lupu, chairman of the parliamentary commission for culture Victor Stepaniuc, MP Ivan Calin, Minister of Culture and Tourism Artur Cozma, Minister of Education and Youth Victor Tvircun, presidential adviser on domestic policy matters Marc Tkaciuk, Metropolitan Bishop of Chisinau and All Moldova, His Holiness Vladimir, rector of the Academy of Public Administration Alexandru Roman, head of the Institute of Cultural Patrimony of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova Valentin Dergaciov, president of Teleradio-Moldova Company Valentin Todercan, academicians Ion Druta and Constantin Popovici, the prima donna of the national opera Maria Biesu and editor of the magazine “Moldova” Boris Marian will be members of the Commission. The State Commission will work out and implement a plan of actions dedicated to the 650th anniversary of the appearance of the Moldovan State, as stipulated in the presidential decree.