Poet Grigore Vieru was commemorated in Chisinau on February 14, when he would have turned 83. Members of his family, colleagues, students and teachers came to the bard’s bust on the Alley of Classical Writers in the central park of Chisinau to lay flowers and recite poems written by Grigore Vieru, IPN reports.
The poet’s wife Raisa Vieru reminded that Grigore Vieru died nine years ago, noting that since his death the day of February 14 has been sadder and sadder. She said it is yet gladdening that the people didn’t forget Grigore Vieru and come to his bust in the central park of Chisinau to render homage to him.
“I continue to hear that my father’s works remain fresh and are topical. A lot of people draw parallels between Grigore Vieru’s works and the present time,” said the poet’s son Calin Vieru.
Writer Nicolae Dabija said that Grigore Vieru was more than a teacher. The generation of the 1975 was raised by Grigore Vieru. He was a hero of the nation. He revered the Prut, even if this was forbidden at that time, and wrote about the Romanian language and the drama of Bessarabia. He was a defender of the national values.
“The day of February 14 is the birthday of a great bard: Grigore Vieru. It is our holy and historical duty to defend this land. Bessarabia should unite with the motherland Romania about which the poet continuously wrote in his verses,” stated Vlad Biletski, head of the public association UNIREA ODIP.
Grigore Vieru was born in Pererita village of Briceni district on February 14, 1935. He is loved and known by people of all ages. He wrote multiple poems for children and was given the most prestigious international children’s literature award – Andersen Diploma of Honor. He was also conferred the honorific title of People’s Writer and the Order of the Republic. Alongside Doina and Ion Aldea-Teodorovici, he created real anthems, such as “At Capriana Monastery”, “Eminescu” and “Tear of Our Language”. A boulevard in Chisinau and a number of national education institutions bear the name of Grigore Vieru.
The poet died on January 18, 2009 as a result of a serious road accident not far from Chisinau that occurred on January 16.
