Publicist and linguist Alexandru Bantoș, director of "Nikita Stănescu" Romanian Language House and editor-in-chief of the "Romanian Language" magazine, died on Friday, March 28, at the age of 74. Throughout his career, he had been an important voice in promoting and defending the Romanian language in the Republic of Moldova, contributing to the development of extensive educational and cultural initiatives, IPN reports.

Born on June 23, 1950 in Hiliuți village of Râșcani district, Alexandru Bantoș graduated from the Faculty of Philology of the Moldova State University in 1973.

In 1991, Alexandru Bantoș, together with Nicolae Mătcaș and Ion Dumeniuc, founded the magazine "Limba Română" (“Romanian Language”), one of the main cultural platforms dedicated to the Romanian identity and language in the Republic of Moldova.

Since 1998, he had led the "Nikita Stănescu" Romanian Language House - an institution created to promote the study and correct use of the Romanian language. Under his leadership, the institution organized numerous courses, conferences and cultural events, aimed at supporting the development and heightening of linguistic awareness in society.

He worked in print media, cooperating with the publications "Tinerimea Moldovei" and "Moldova", at Radio Moldova and at the National Television. He also signed and coordinated numerous volumes dedicated to the Romanian language, history and national identity.

Alexandru Bantoș's activity as a journalist, editor and civil servant had a significant impact on the expansion of the use of the Romanian language and the promotion of Romanian cultural values.

For his activity, Alexandru Bantoș was awarded Romania’s National Order "For Merit", the "Labor Glory" Order of the Republic of Moldova and Romania’s "Cultural Merit" Order, in the rank of Grand Officer, "Literature" category.