Poet, translator and scientist Ion Vatamanu, who was a member of Moldova’s first Parliament, was commemorated through a Romanian music concert in the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau on May 1. The event was organized by the public association “Unirea ODIP” on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the birth of Ion Vatamanu, IPN reports.

The event brought together several dozen people who said that they feel they are Romanians and that they loved Ion Vatamanu, including his work. “We came to honor a hero of the Romanian nation and to listen to patriotic music alongside those who feel they are Romanians,” said Anatolie Caraman, chairman of the 1992 Nistru War Veterans Association “Tiras-Tighina”.

“In Chisinau, there is national resistance. We will never fear to go out with the tricolor in the street and to defend out national dignity, as Ion Vatamanu did himself. We are Romanians and punctum. Let’s enjoy the day Ion Vatamanu was born,” stated Vlad Biletski, head of “Unirea ODIP”.

As many as 450 small Romanian flags were distributed within the event. Also, those attending could relish warm pies in an atmosphere dominated by Romanian songs.

Ion Vatamanu was born in Costiceni village of the former county Hotin on May 1, 1937. He was a poet, publicist and politician, scientist, doctor of chemistry and a member of Moldova’s first Parliament in 1990–1994. He died on August 9, 1993.