Moldovan publicist, bibliophile paid last respects

Chisinau, 24 February /MOLDPRES/ - A well-known publicist, bibliophile, researcher of Mihai Eminescu’s works, holder of the Labour Glory order Iulius Popa was paid the last respects today. The writer passed away on the night of 21 February.     

Iulius Popa was born in the Butesti village, northern Glodeni district, on 30 April 1950. In 1971, he finished Foreign Languages Faculty, French language specialty, of the Alecu Russo State Pedagogical Institute from Balti, presently Alecu Russo State University.   

Starting from 1991, Popa has been correspondent of the Literatura si Arta (Literature and Art) weekly newspaper, where he has published more than 1,000 articles in the fields of culture, history, politics, linguistics, education, etc. 

Iulius Popa edited more books.

Concomitantly with the work of publicist, he dedicated himself to the collection of medals and coins with the effigy of poet Mihai Eminescu. He was the holder of one of the most valuable private collections of medals of the Mihai Eminescu series from the Romanian space, which  exceeded 400 units. Some of the medals were issued just at his initiative. Thus, in 1989, at the insistence of Iulius Popa, for the first time in the history of the USSR, a Soviet rouble was issued with the effigy of Mihai Eminescu on the reverse side. He is the author of a set of medal pieces titled, Eminescu Integral, in a number of 28 units (each in a number of 28 copies).   

Iulius Popa was awarded the Mihai Eminescu medal, Labour Glory order and the medal, 150 anniversary of Mihai Eminescu’s birthday.   

Iulius Popa was buried in his native village of Butesti, Glodeni district.