People’s artist and knight of the Order of the Republic Ștefan Petrache passed away in the evening of January 13. The announcement was made by his daughter Ștefania Petrache. A number of officials transmitted messages of condolence, IPN reports.

“We lost Ștefan Petrache, an unmistakable voice with which generations grew up. It is said when we lose a personality, but he will remain alive through his songs that are loved by a nation,” Mayor of Chisinau Ion Ceban posted on Facebook.

Former head of the municipal Culture Division Lucia Kulev wrote that a troubled soul left us. “The one who sang about Eminescu and lived on Eminescu St departed this life close to Eminescu’s birthday. Forgive us, Master, for not being able to protect you from hypocritical ‘butchers’ and perfidious sycophants.”

“This night, Bessarabian singer Ștefan Petrache rose to the sky! God rest his soul,” wrote former MP Ștefan Secăreanu.

The senior state officials also offered their condolences to the grieving family. “Ștefan Petrache leaves behind a black void in the national artistic world. Ștefan Petrache was a Man, an example of nobleness and decency whose art will have an echo in our souls during many years to come,” says a message signed by President Igor Dodon, Parliament Speaker Zinaida Grechanyi and Premier Ion Chicu.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Research in a message of condolence noted that “the artistic treasure left by Ștefan Petrache is a veritable value. His name will be on the first pages of the nation’s book of honor. The world of music was a sine qua non vocation for Ștefan Petrache, whose inimitable voice was emblematic at national and foreign levels”.

“This world was departed by Ștefan Petrache, who promoted the Romanian language and revived the verses of Mihai Eminescu. A matchless voice was lost. I grew up with his songs and admired him for his dignity. He was a model worth being followed,” wrote ex-Premier and current president of the Action and Solidarity Party Maia Sandu.

Pop music singer Ștefan Petrache, a people’s artist and knight of the Order of the Republic, was born in Vânători village of Nisporeni district in 1949. He was the vocalist of the bands “Noroc”, “Orizont”, “Contemporanul” and “Plai”. Among his most famous songs are “I’m coming”, “The truth”, “In August” and “Parental home’s call”.