Senior state officials, politicians and people of art laid flowers at Mihai Eminescu’s bust on the Alley of Classical Writers in Chisinau on the occasion of the 166th anniversary of the poet’s birth, IPN reports.

The leader of the Party of Socialists Igor Dodon came the first to lay flowers. He told the press that Mihai Eminescu is a personality that made the history, the past and the future of Moldova. At journalists’ request, the Socialist recited the poem “To my critics” by Mihai Eminescu, saying this poem shows the best the current situation in the Republic of Moldova.

The government officials laid flowers in a group. Asked by the press, President Nicolae Timofti recited several verses of the poem “Emperor and proletarian” by Eminescu. The head of state said this day is a good occasion for reading and reciting Eminescu’s poems.

Acting Prime Minister Gheorghe Brega and Head of Parliament Andrian Candualso laid flowers together with the President. “Eminescu, who knew the best to describe life, love, time and space, described very well the humans and even politics. The politicians and the people in general should read Eminescu’s works more often so as to understand things, including the daily life and even the current political processes,” stated the Speaker.

The chairman of the Liberal Party Mihai Ghimpu, who came accompanied by party colleagues, was booed by a group of people who shouted “Judas” near the great bard’s bust. Asked by the journalists to comment on the situation, the Liberals’ leader said a person can be given a hat, but cannot be given mind. “It is yet important that we have the great poet Mihai Eminescu and we are Romanians and full stop,” he stated.

The acting chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party Valeriu Strelet was also accompanied by party colleagues. He recited several lines from “Emperor and proletarian”, saying these verses show reality the best.

The poet, writer, publicist, philosopher and member of the Romanian Academy Mihai Eminescu is commemorated every year on January 15. On this occasion, the National Culture Day is celebrated in Moldova the fourth consecutive year.