Prose writer and publicist Mihail Gheorghe Cibotaru, ex-mister of culture, passed away. “A person who devoted his whole life to the national culture departed this life. We express our profound regret and offer our condolences to the relatives,” says an obituary signed by acting Prime Minister Aureliu Ciocoi and outgoing minister of education, culture and research Lilia Pogolșa, IPN reports.

Mihail Gheorghe Cibotaru was born in Vărvăreuca village of Florești district on June 21, 1934. In 1954, he graduated from the average school of Florești, while in 1959 – from the Faculty of Philology of the State University of Moldova.

He worked as an editor and editor-in-chief at a number of newspapers and as division head at the state information agency Moldpres. In 1994-1997, he held the post of minister of culture.

In 1986, Mihail Gheorghe Cibotaru was conferred the State Award, in 2008 – the Excellence Price, in 2013 – the “Opera Omnia” prize of the Writers Union of Moldova, in 1996 – the Labor Glory Order, while in April 2015 – the Order of the Republic.