Moldovan cabinet declares 2013 as Spiridon Vangheli's year

The year 2013 will be declared the Year of Spiridon Vangheli, a well-known Moldovan writer. The cabinet on October 31 approved a draft decision on the matter.

Culture Minister Boris Focsa said at a government meeting that the decision was taken due to the writer's contribution to the development of the literature for children in the country and abroad, as a sign of high appreciation of the artistic and educative values of the master's works.

Prime Minister Vlad Filat noted that «we have to take care of our values when they are alive». «All activities and actions that are going to be organized should lift to the value of the writer and his works,» Filat added.

Thus, a national programme of cultural events dedicated to the Year of Spiridon Vangheli shall be drafted and approved within a month.

Writer Spiridon Vangheli turned 80 this year. Vangheli became well-known in many countries due to his books for children, which were translated into 40 languages and printed in over 8 million copies. Together with departed Moldovan poet Grigore Vieru, Vangheli co-authored an ABC that has been used by many generations of children. Vangheli holds a diploma of honour «Andersen» and is a laureate of the State Award of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova.

Adapted from Moldpres