Rare Grigore Vieru archive donated to Moldovan parliament library
The Moldovan parliament's library in Chisinau received a rare archive of works and personal memorabilia of the late national poet Grigore Vieru on Monday, donated by his son to mark Romanian Language Day.
The donation, presented by Călin Vieru, includes rare bibliophile editions, collector postcards, and original audio recordings of the poet reciting his own verse. The handover coincides with the 35th anniversary of Moldova's proclamation of independence and was organized with support from Romania's “Regal d'Art” Cultural Association.
Masterpiece editions and archival recordings
Among the centerpiece items is the homage anthology “Grigore Vieru: Simple as Grass, Simple as Bread, Simple as the Bible,” conceived as an imaginary dialogue with the author through his poetry, essays, and public testimonies. Bound in velvet and printed on watermarked paper with gold foil accents, the edition features a porcelain relief portrait of Vieru crafted by artist Iurie Matei.
A second bibliophile edition, “Grigore Vieru: Treatise for the Humanization of the Wilderness,” compiles aphorisms, manuscripts, and art reproductions, accented by a velvet binding and a handcrafted decorative key symbolising wisdom. The archive also features “The Man of Sunday,” a volume of memoirs compiled with the support of the poet's late wife, Raisa Vieru, alongside recollections from close contemporaries.
The multimedia collection includes the pocket volume “Whispered Shout” alongside an audio disc of Vieru's own readings, a compact disc containing 50 poems recited by stage actor Nicolae Jelescu, and postcards depicting the poet's childhood home in Pererîta.
Preserving national cultural memory
“These precious items will find their rightful place in the Parliamentary Library's permanent collection,” said Tamara Gheorghița, Deputy Secretary General of the Moldovan Parliament. “This is an essential way to keep the memory of Grigore Vieru alive and pass it on to future generations. We are deeply grateful for this generosity and this contribution to preserving our national cultural heritage.”
Vieru, who died in 2009, remains a seminal figure of Moldova's late-Soviet national awakening and the revival of the Latin script, celebrated across both Moldova and Romania as an enduring moral and cultural voice.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
