Moldova declares national day of mourning for composer Eugen Doga
The day of composer Eugen Doga's funeral will be designated as a day of national mourning in the Republic of Moldova. President Maia Sandu made this announcement, expressing her condolences to the master's family and to the entire nation.
"I learned with sadness about the passing of the great Eugen Doga. I grew up listening to the songs from the movie 'Maria Mirabela' and was moved by the music from 'The Fiddlers.' We carry the famous waltz from 'My Gentle and Tender Beast' with us everywhere and can recognize the master's compositions from the very first notes," the head of state wrote in a message on Facebook.
The president emphasized that the Republic of Moldova "is more beautiful and richer" because of Doga and expressed the gratitude of the entire nation for the artistic legacy left by the master.
"We bid farewell with pain, but also with gratitude," Maia Sandu conveyed, offering her sincere condolences to the family and to all those who loved him and will always hold him in their hearts.
Prime Minister Dorin Recean also expressed his condolences, highlighting Eugen Doga's significant contribution to national culture.
"Our great composer will always be remembered for his priceless waltzes and over 200 soundtracks for films, shows, and cartoons. His music echoed at the Olympic Games and at hundreds of cultural events. The waltz 'Gingașa și tandra mea fiară,' the ballet 'Luceafărul,' the soundtrack from the film 'Lăutarii,' and the cartoon 'Maria Mirabela,' which he created in collaboration with filmmaker Emil Loteanu and poet Grigore Vieru, have certainly been enjoyed in every home in the Republic of Moldova. These works will remain part of our nation's heritage forever. They are creations that helped make Moldova known and loved around the world. My condolences to his family and all who cherished him", wrote Recean.
"Today, we say farewell to a musical genius, a symbol of our national culture, and a man who transformed sound into pure emotion," stated Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu in his message of condolence.
He expressed gratitude to the master for illustrating "the beauty of life and the beauty of our homeland" through music, while also showcasing Moldova's fame to the world with dignity and grace.
"Your music has touched generations, accompanied significant moments in our lives, and become a part of our identity. Let us ensure that Eugen Doga's music lives on," Grosu urged in his message.
Message from the master's daughter: "You must also have a clean soul"
In an intervention on Radio Moldova, Viorica Doga, the composer's daughter, spoke emotionally about the values that defined her father, the master. She emphasized, "You must also have a clean soul. First and foremost, having a clean soul leads to modesty; that soul is important."
Viorica reflected on a valuable lesson she learned from her father: "You have to work; you have to put in effort as best you can. That's the most important thing."
"Eugen Doga embodied the artistic genius of Bassarabia"
Various cultural figures, academics, and friends of the master also expressed their admiration for composer Eugen Doga, who has given the world music filled with light, emotion, and identity.
Academicians Gheorghe and Maria Duca shared their deep sorrow over Eugen Doga's passing, describing him as a tireless creative spirit and a close friend. They stated, “With unspeakable pain in our hearts, we learned about the passing of Master Eugen Doga – the composer who enriched our culture, united hearts from all over the world with his music, and embodied, through each of his works, the artistic genius of Bassarabia. For us, Eugen Doga was not only a national and universal symbol but also a close friend, a man of rare nobility who shared our thoughts, ideals, and moments of academic and artistic joy.”
They concluded by saying that Eugen Doga's passing not only caused the Republic of Moldova to lose a great personality but also Romania and the entire world to lose "a tireless creative spirit who ennobled time and space with immortal waltzes, film music, and symphonic works that will live beyond life."
"Master, we love you, and you will always remain in our hearts and voices. May he rest in peace. Our souls mourn."
“A dark day not only for our culture and country but for the entire artistic world. The man of the millennium has left us—Master Eugen Doga,” tenor Dumitru Mîțu remarked in his message.
Mîțu expressed his gratitude for the support the Master provided him from the very beginning of his career.
“I owe him an enormous debt. He was one of the first to support and believe in me during my years at the conservatory. It was thanks to him that I had my first solo debut accompanied by an orchestra. He had a rare gift: he was gentle and generous in conversations but demanding and unforgiving when it came to art. He knew exactly what he wanted to hear from each and every one of us.”
We remind you that composer and academician Eugen Doga passed away today, June 3, at 88. The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova made the sad announcement.
