Two years after his death, poet Grigore Vieru remains living poetry for the Romanian people. Those who were close to him will never forget him. On the contrary, the wish to have him near increases every day. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, the poet’s friends said Grigore Vieru is built in verses and is the pride of our people. [Writer Nicolae Dabija] said the living memory of Grigore Vieru allows rediscovering this great poet, while his earthy presence is substituted by his cultural presence, his presence as a culture phenomenon, a stimulus of spirituality, an element of brotherhood and of the respect for the cultural values. “I can name these two years “Longing for Grigore Vieru” as we feel his absence, his words, his courage and his presence. Grigore Vieru is a moral institution and if he had attended the events that have taken place during the last two years, they would have been marked by his word and wisdom,” Nicolae Dabija said. Grigore Vieru is present in schools, libraries, at cultural events and his presence is even more vivid than when he took part in them, Nicolae Dabija stressed. [Arcadie Suceveanu, chairman of the Writers Union of Moldova,] said that Grigore Vieru became a national emblem. A general interest in his work appeared after his death. “We can say without fear that he is now even more famous than when he lived. Few poets enjoy such fame and glory after death. There were set up his busts. Streets, cultural organizations, kindergartens and libraries were named Grigore Vieru. His work is studied in kindergartens, schools, colleges and universities,” Arcadie Suceveanu said. Arcadie Suceveanu also said that Grigore Vieru’s work is known in Romania as well. His poems became national masterpieces that are known and loved by different groups of readers. “We regret the physical disappearance of the poet, but this regret is diminished by his work that continues to be part of the system of values in Bessarabia and Romania. We continue to honor him,” Arcadie Suceveanu added. [Poet Teo Chiriac, deputy chairman of the Writers Union] who was a good friend of the bard, said that he knew not only the writer Grigore Vieru, but also the man Grigore Vieru, who influenced him and his work as a personality. “Grigore Vieru continues to live as he was something important, spiritual for me,” Teo Chiriac stated. [Gheorghe Duca, president of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova,] said that Grigore Vieru’s decease left an aching emptiness in people’s hearts. “His image remained in his philosophical poems. He was able to render deep thoughts with plain words, which turned into songs. That’s why the people loved him,” said the academician. He stated that Grigore Vieru’s works are elements of national identity and pride, adding that such poets are born seldom, once in 100 years. On the night of January 16, 2009, Grigore Vieru was seriously injured in a road accident and was admitted to the Chisinau Emergency Hospital, where he died 48 hours later. The poet was returning from a concert in memory of Mihai Eminescu held in Cahul. On the R-3 Chisinau-Hancesti-Cimislia-Basarabeasca road, not far from Danceni village of Ialoveni district, the vice director of the national folk dances group “Joc” who was driving the Opel Astra lost control of the car and crashed it into a curbstone. Grigore Vieru went into a coma. On the night of January 18, he died as a result of a cardiac arrest. Gheorghe Munteanu escaped death, but was given five years’ probation.