A restored memorial plaque featuring a bas-relief of national poet Mihai Eminescu was unveiled in front of the Romanian Embassy in Sofia.
Attending the ceremony were Romania’s Ambassador Brandusa Predescu, Moldova’s Ambassador Emil Jacota, Sofia Deputy Mayor for Culture and Tourism Irina Dakova, Slatina Borough Mayor Georgi Iliev, diplomats and other official guests.
The Romanian Аmbassador said the event was held on the anniversary of Eminescu’s death, to honour a poet regarded as the national poet of both Romania and Moldova. Predescu recalled that the memorial plaque had been made in Romania and donated to Sofia Municipality 26 years ago. She said the restoration and refurbishment of the plaque had been carried out by Sofia Municipality and Slatina Borough administration, where the Romanian Embassy is located.
“There are several projects in Sofia dedicated to the great poet of our people, Mihai Eminescu,” Moldova’s Ambassador Jacota said, expressing hope that such initiatives would multiply. “We would like to see a bust of Mihai Eminescu placed in the Bulgarian capital and, why not, the new metro station currently being built nearby bear the name of Mihai Eminescu,” he suggested.
Sofia Deputy Mayor for Culture and Tourism Irina Dakova said the event was of great importance not only for bilateral relations but also for cultural diplomacy, which Sofia Municipality has always supported.
“What better link between peoples than culture? Poetry is what touches every person’s heart,” Slatina Borough Mayor Georgi Iliev said, adding that he was very happy that “we will have another place where we can tell this story to our children”.
Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889) is widely regarded as the most influential and celebrated poet in Romanian literature. A leading figure of Romanticism, his work incorporates philosophical, mythological and folkloric motifs. His best-known work is the epic poem Luceafаrul (The Evening Star), considered a masterpiece of Romanian literature. In addition to poetry, he wrote prose, journalism and philosophical texts.
