Grigore Vieru

Grigore Vieru (Romanian pronunciation: [ɡriˈɡore viˈeru]; 14 February 1935 – 18 January 2009) was a Moldovan poet and writer. He is mostly known for his poems and books for children. His poetry is characterized by vivid natural scenery, patriotism, as well as a venerated image of the sacred mother. Vieru wrote in the Romanian language.

Early life

He was born in 1935 in Pererîta village, Hotin County, at the time, part of Romania (today part of Briceni district, Moldova). His parents, Pavel and Eudochia Vieru (née Didic) were engaged in farming.

Personal life

Vieru was married to Raisa Vieru since 1959; they had two sons, Teodor and Călin Vieru.

Creative work

His first publishing debut was in 1957, a booklet of poems for children. The following year, Vieru graduated from the Ion Creangă Pedagogical State University in Chişinău with a degree in history and philology. In 1959, he became editor at the Nistru magazine, published by the Writers' Union of Moldova. From 1960 to 1963, he served as editor in chief of the "Cartea Moldovenească" publishing house.