People who knew pop music singer Ștefan Petrache and who appreciated his work on January 16 went to the National Palace “Nicolae Sulac” to render the last homage to the artist. In the morning, a service was held at the Saint Theodora of Sihla Church in Chisinau, where the body was laid. Later, the coffin was taken to the National Palace for several hours, IPN reports.
Pop music singer Adrian Ursu said he considers himself lucky because Ștefan Petrache had confidence in him and allowed him to sing his very famous song “In August”, which only he could sing so nicely. “No long ago, I watched an interview with him where he says that an artist dies when he is forgotten, not when God decides he should leave. I would like this artist not to be forgotten and his songs to be further sung and revived so that they are eternal,” stated Adrian Ursu.
“Ștefan Petrache was, like most of the Romanians, a tenderhearted man. His torch burned to awaken the nation, the national culture. He is an example for others to remember and follow,” said pop music singer Ion Paulencu.
Iurie Moldovanu from Chisinau said Ștefan Petrache’s death left an enormous gap. “His entire work is based on our Moldovan culture. His songs make us kinder and more tolerant,” he noted.
“Ștefan Petrache had a nice word for everyone. He was humble and genial. It is regrettable that we start to speak about a person after this passed away. This is sad and it has always been so. But things should be changed,” said Steluța Mitriuc, acting head of the Culture Division of the Chisinau City Hall.
At 1pm, the coffin with the singer’s body will be taken to the Central Cemetery on Armenească St.
Ștefan Petrache, a people’s artist and knight of the Order of the Republic, died in the evening of January 13. He was born in Vânători village of Nisporeni district in 1949. On May 8, he would have turned 71. He was the vocalist of the bands “Noroc”, “Orizont”, “Contemporanul” and “Plai”. Among his most famous songs are “I’m coming”, “The truth”, “In August” and “Parental home’s call”.