Thousands came to the Central Cemetery in Chisinau today to say their good-byes to the great poet Grigore Vieru. A corridor of wreaths held by children flanks the path of the coffin to the burial place. The crowds that didn't manage to enter the cemetery watch the culmination of the funerals at a TV screen mounted on the gates. “Sorrow and pain have overtaken us. Such a dramatic and irrecoverable loss. Words won't listen to us. They known they've lost a nobleman. The grass weeps in his yard... the grass weeps on his grave”, declared Moldovan Academy president Gheorghe Duca. “He was a national teacher, because he educated many generations. It was our consciousness. Grigore Vieru preached respect for sacrosanct values: mother, motherland, word ”, said Mihai Cimpoi, Writers' Union chairman. Mihai Cimpoi read a message from the Romanian Academy, which is now holding a commemorative festivity to honor the poet. “Grigore Vieru was a Romanian poet, who tackled very sensitive topics. His life was a never-ending battle”, the message from the Romanian Academy reads. “Grigore Vieru's golden mouth will never speak again. But his poetry will. His poems are not just words but music, too. He was an artist that chanted poetry. We thank you for everything! ” said composer Eugen Doga, who was a close friend of the poet. Romanian poet Adrian Paunescu said, his voice trembling with emotion: “Grigore Vieru's life was the work of his genius, and his death will be a stone at the future foundation of brotherhood. He was the best of us. Though so frail, he was mustering huge inner strengths to help us all. He departed absurdly, unfairly. Please forgive us, Grigore!”. The mourning meeting was attended by numerous cultural and political figures from Moldova and Romania.