A series of books by national renowned authors has been published by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. More than 3 thousand educational establishments and libraries across Moldova will each receive a set of books by 1 September 2008. Half of the 44-title series, published by “Cartea Moldovei”, was launched Friday, September 14. Among the authors one can find such names as Emilian Bucov, Liviu Deleanu, Arhip Cibotaru, Vladimir Besleaga, Victor Teleuca, Anatol Ciocanu, Pavel Botu, Elena Damian, Ana Lupan, Petru Zadnipru, Ariadna Salari, and others. Attending the launch ceremony, Education Minister Victor Tvircun said that the republishing of the works by national authors has been made at the initiative of President Voronin, with the goal to promote national values among the youth. According to Academician Harlambie Corbu, also a writer, this collection has been conceived to close a big gap between the readers and some of the national authors who seemed to have been doomed to oblivion. Exceptionally gifted people, like Emilian Bucov or Andrei Lupan, have to be brought back to the readers’ attention, said Haralambie Corbu. Raisa Suveica, director of the publishing house “Cartea Moldovei” (“Moldova’s Book”), says that the works that were included in this collection have been carefully selected according to artistic and aesthetic criteria, with help from the Academy of Sciences. Illustrated by painter Eudochia Zavtur, the books comprise critical and bibliographic comments, accompanied by photos from personal archives of the authors. A true masterpiece of the collection is “The Chronicles of the Moldovan Nation”, which required over half a year to complete. In the future, the collection will feature books for children in full colour illustrations.