February 28 declared National Mourning Day in Moldova, in memory of writer Vladimir Besleaga

President Maia Sandu today signed a decree declaring February 28 as National  Mourning Day, in the memory of writer Vladimir Besleaga. At 12:00 PM, his memory will be honored with a moment of silence.

On this day, the State Flag of Moldova will be flown at half-mast in all settlements across the country, as well as in diplomatic and consular missions of Moldova abroad.

At the same time, the public authorities, enterprises and organizations are advised to refrain from organizing mass entertainment activities, while media institutions are encouraged to consider the nature of the day when editing publications and making programmes.

On February 28, the national public media service provider Teleradio-Moldova will broadcast programmes from the company's archive based on works by writer Vladimir Besleaga.

The presidential decree comes into force upon signing.

Writer and former lawmaker Vladimir Besleaga passed away on 25 February at the age of 93. He was a prominent figure in Romanian culture and literature, significantly contributing to the promotion of national values and the Romanian language in Bessarabia.

Vladimir Besleaga was awarded the State Prize of the Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic (RSSM) (1978). He was named People's Writer (1991) and was awarded the Order of the Republic (1996) (a distinction he renounced). In 1990s, Vladimir Besleaga got involved in the national revival movement and was MP in the first parliament of independent Moldova.