People’s Writer Spiridon Vangheli, the citizen of honor of the municipality of Chisinau and “the father of Guguță, celebrates his 89th birthday today. On this occasion, the Chisinau City Hall addressed a congratulatory message to him, IPN reports.

To eternalize the works of Spiridon Vangheli, a square named “Guguță” and a bronze monument to his most famous characters were recently inaugurated in Râșcani district of Chisinau. The monument is 1.5 meters in height and was made by sculptor Veaceslav Jiglitski.

A children’s prose writer, translator and editor, Spiridon Vangheli is one of the most famous writers in the Republic of Moldova. The series of children’s books about the adventures of a little boy called Guguţă are his most characteristic works. The books about Guguţă became widely popular and the personage became a national symbol.

Spiridon Vangheli’s works were translated into over 40 languages and appeared in 68 countries. The writer was awarded a number of national and international awards.

Spiridon Vangheli was born in Grinăuţi village of Bălţi County on June 14, 1932.