“Ion Druță’s testament is full of suggestions and hard to challenge truths, but this farewell document also holds extraordinary symbolic weight. The point is the “Candle of Gratitude”, which was conceived as a monument to commemorate those who kept the Romanian language and culture, close to which Ion Druță was buried, was lit on March 27 – the day of Bessarabia’s union with Romania. That’s why we cannot exclude the fact that March 27 will become a day of pilgrimage to the “Candle of Gratitude”...
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Suggestive will of Ion Druță

The death of writer Ion Druță served as an occasion for discussions about the impressive inheritance he left. This is normal when all those who study or graduated from school in the Republic of Mold over the past 60-70 years had the possibility of becoming fond of his works. In this regard, it is enough to consult any more recent or older school curriculum on the teaching of the Romanian language and literature to convince ourselves that Ion Druță’s works occupied an honorable place in the national educational programs.

In his testament, the writer himself emphasized the works he considered the most important ones and that enjoyed the general public’s high appreciation. This highlighting is suggestive for all those who want to restore in memory the angular stones of his works or to familiarize themselves with them. In the Internet age, when the time devoted to reading and theater becomes more deficient, it is important to designate the minimum required reading for better understanding the writer. It is also important that the writer in his will – document that takes one to eternity – mentioned that he wrote his works in two languages – Russian and Romania.

The testaments usually contain also the last, parting wishes. In the case of Ion Druță, his last wish was, if it was possible, to be buried close to the monument “Candle of Gratitude” that was lit on March 27, 2004, on the outskirts of Soroca town. The given monument was erected on the writer’s initiative and represents homage rendered to all the anonymous heroes who kept the culture, language and history of Moldova in the polychrome palete of human civilization. It symbolizes our hope, illuminates our path to the future, which can be covered only by creative work, through the power of good.

In gratitude for his merits, this last wish of the writer was fulfilled, making an exception from the tradition and legal norm. Respectively, the anonymous heroes will be rendered homage and commemorated together with the author of the idea of the monument that glorifies him.

Nuanced messages on departure

To public opinion, the farewell message of personalities from the public and cultural life of the Republic of Moldova were of great interest. Ion Druță’s writing mates in a sober way expressed appreciation for the writer’s work and talent, in exactly the way he wanted.

The attitude of former minister of justice and ex-president of the Constitutional Court (CC) Alexandru Tănase, which was stated in an article entitled Holy Plank and Druță’s Testament, became yet more conspicuous. Appreciating the writing talent of Ion Druță, who marked his childhood, Alexandru Tănase also referred to another talent of the writer – the capacity to launch highly resonant social and political initiatives. In this regard, the general public was familiarized with a kind of journal of Druță’s civic activism, which was full of theses with which he disagrees.

Ion Druță’s works were multilateral. Therefore, it is worth noting the disagreements with his civic initiatives. It is important that the disagreement was expressed respectfully, being accompanied by the traditional May your soul rest in peace! Time will put everything in its place. Ultimately, Ion Druță’s testament assertion that he wrote his work in the Romanian language incontestably legalize what Alexandru Tănase did by legal ways while serving as president of the CC – restored the status of the Romanian language as the official language of the Republic of Moldova. This way, Ion Druță’s capacity to influence decisively public opinion, which was challenged by Alexandru Tănase, can have beneficial effects for those who challenge it. Respectively, we cannot deny the fact that Ion Druță’s testament could be very useful as holy plank in fighting the endless attacks on the status of the Romanian language. From this angle, is the fact that the article was entitled “Holy Plank and Druță’s Testament” accidental or not? I don’t think so!

Asking for forgiveness is not enough...

It was surely expected that particular politicians will profit from the occasion to assert themselves against the background of the ceremonies to bid farewell to Ion Druță. It is the case of ex-President of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon, who wrote an emotional farewell messages: “Forgive us, brother Ion, for offering you not enough time, not enough attention and not enough appreciation during your lifetime, much less than you deserved. As readers, as a Country, we will always remember you. Personally, I will never forget your pieces of advice and the soft voice with which you talked to me.  You were and will remain a foundation pillar of our Moldovan literature. I’m sure that we will erect a monument to you in Chisinau, now or later. The fact that you died in autumn, at year sunset, when it rains with “longing leaves”, is probably symbolic. May your soul rest in peace, your Majesty!”

We will soon have multiple occasions of seeing to what extent Igor Dodon abides by Ion Druță’s pieces of advice. You senselessly ask for forgiveness from someone you say you respect if you don’t take into account the truths stated on the brink of eternity. Moreover, the assertions in a testament have a bigger weight than the usual pieces of advice. That’s why the best proof of the respect for Ion Druță would be for Igor Dodon to bring to an end the crusade that he and the party he has managed for tens of years have waged against the Romanian language in which the writer wrote his works.

Conclusions

“Ion Druță’s testament is full of suggestions and hard to challenge truths, but this farewell document also holds extraordinary symbolic weight. The point is the “Candle of Gratitude”, which was conceived as a monument to commemorate those who kept the Romanian language and culture, close to which Ion Druță was buried, was lit on March 27 – the day of Bessarabia’s union with Romania. That’s why we cannot exclude the fact that March 27 will become a day of pilgrimage to the “Candle of Gratitude”.