The monument to martyrs Alexei Mateevich, Simeon Murafa and Andrei Hodoroge, which was erected by the model of the monument built in 1923 and destroyed in 1940, was unveiled in the square of the Cathedral “God’s Birth” in central Chisinau, IPN reports.

Historian Iurie Colesnic said the appearance of the monument in 1923 is related to a great tragedy – the loss of the three militants of the national movement in Bessarabia during one month, in August 1917. “It was a very high price for the national movement and therefore, in 1921, Pan Halippa decided to build a monument in memory of the three great personalities in Chisinau,” he stated.

Minister of Culture Monica Babuc said the great bard and priest Alexei Mateevich offered the Romanian literature the most beautiful poem “Our Language”, which became Moldova’s national anthem in 1994. The other two defenders of the national values, Simeon Murafa and Andrei Hodorogea, were also given back their place of honor by this monument. “We witness a really historical event when we return to our roots and national values,” stated the minister.

Alexei Mateevich is one of the most representative Romanian writers born in Bessarabia. Simeon Murafa was a publicist and editor of the newspaper “Cuvantul Moldovenesc” (“Moldovan Word”), while Andrei Hodorogea was an engineer. They all three were important figures in the political and cultural life of Bessarabia.

The decision to restore the monument was taken by the Government on May 12 this year.

The monument is over 3 meters in height and is made from Cosausi stone. The images of the three Moldovans are located on the vertical plaque, in bronze bas-relief, while on the pedestal in front of them there is the figure of a bronze eagle.

When they died, Alexei Mateevich was 29, Simeon Murafa was 30, while Andrei Hodorogea was 39.