On February 14, poet Grigore Vieru would have celebrated his 76th birthday. Writers, plastic artists, poets, politicians and ordinary people today have laid flowers at the bard’s bust set up on the Alley of Classical Writers in Chisinau. Those attending expressed their regret at the poet’s demise, recited poems and sang songs under Vieru’s poems. ”He attended the festivities and enjoyed meeting people. He will always be alive in our memory and we will wish him Happy Birthday! on February 14 each year,” said Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca. Writer Nicolae Dabija stated for Info-Prim Neo that Grigore Vieru’s birthday turned into a day of poetry because the poet was a symbol of poetry. He was a great poet who brought estheticism into poetry and wrote real poems. Painter Tudor Botin said February 14 is a holiday, but also a sad day because the poet is no longer alive. He expressed his confidence that the bard was guiding the people from heaven. Actor Sandu Cupcea stressed that Grigore Vieru should be remembered and read every day, not only on his birthday. The poet promoted the national consciousness and dignity as essential elements, he stated. Prime Minister Vlad Filat, who also laid flowers at the poet’s bust, said that Grigore Vieru was born on the Day of Love and wrote wonderful poems about the love for mother, language and country. Children brought the poet flowers and recited poems. The poet passed away two days after he had been involved in a car accident, on January 18, 2009.