Poems and prose works of Mihai Eminescu, illustrations from books and photos of the poet were exhibited in the square before the monument to Stefan the Great on the occasion of 124 years of the bard’s death. The exhibits will be there until June 28, IPN reports.

On the same occasion, academician Mihai Cimpoi launched an encyclopedic dictionary themed “Mihai Eminescu”. The dictionary was written during two years. A part of the issued copies will be donated to the national libraries.

Attending the opening of the exhibit, Romanian Ambassador in Chisinau Marius Lazurca said that Mihai Eminescu is the poet of the Romanians everywhere. “We must be loyal to Mihai Eminescu. We can be loyal to him by appropriately speaking his language. This is the greatest proof of patriotism and loyalty,” he stated.

Valeriu Matei, director of the Romanian Cultural Institute “Mihai Eminescu”, said that the Public Garden “Stephan the Great” must see more exhibitions of the kind as they promote the cultural values. He considers that the encyclopedic dictionary “Mihai Eminescu” is an unprecedented work. “This dictionary includes everything – from biographic data to criticism and translations. Everyone should have such a dictionary. We hope that in the future we will have encyclopedic dictionaries about Ion Luca Caragiale, Ion Creanga, Vasile Alecsandri and other writers,” he stated.

Academician Nicolae Dabija said that Mihai Eminescu is for us more than a poet. “He is a symbol and should be in everyone’s homes and souls,” he added.  

The exhibition “Mihai Eminescu - 124 years of the poet’s death” was organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute “Mihai Eminescu” of Chisinau. The organizers said they will ask the authorities to make the event a permanent one.