Approved by government: Chisinau International Airport to be named after renowned departed composer Eugen Doga

The Chisinau International Airport will be named after the renowned departed composer, Eugen Doga. The cabinet approved a decision to this effect today.

The draft was developed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development (MIDR). At the government meeting, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea said that the initiative paid tribute to a living legend of the national culture.

“The initiative is meant to honor and eternalize the memory of Maestro Eugen Doga, a symbol of our culture, of the Romanian spirit and an ambassador of Moldova to the world through his unmistakable music. Renaming the airport to Eugen Doga International Airport of Chisinau represents a gesture of national gratitude, a sign of appreciation for a personality who has united people, generations and identities. Thus, we transform the main air gateway of the country into a symbol of our cultural values and spiritual heritage,” said Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea.

The authors of the initiative claim that associating Eugen Doga's name with the main air gateway of the country would strengthen national pride, reflect the recognition of cultural values in the public space and contribute to promoting the artistic heritage of Moldova.

“Moldova can generate extraordinary talents, universal talents,” said Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

According to the draft’s explanatory note, it is a frequent practice globally for international airports to bear the names of emblematic national personalities. Examples of this include Frederic Chopin Airport in Warsaw, Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome.

The decision is set to come into effect upon publication in the Official Journal of  Moldova.

The initiative was launched through a public petition, gathering hundreds of signatures within just a few days.

President Maia Sandu visited Natalia Doga, the wife of the late composer Eugen Doga, in mid-June. The head of state announced that the Maestro's family supports the initiative to rename the Chisinau International Airport to Eugen Doga Airport and urged the government to approve this decision as soon as possible.

On June 20, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea informed that the cabinet had initiated the official procedure to rename the Chisinau International Airport to Eugen Doga International Airport – Chisinau, in tribute to one of the country's greatest composers.

Presently, the pedestrian street of Chisinau bears the name of composer Eugen Doga. Additionally, the School of Arts in the city of Ialoveni may also bear the Maestro's name. The initiative belongs to the local mayor, Sergiu Armasu, who asked for public consultations to be organized in this regard.

Eugen Doga, a composer, professor and academician, was one of the most remarkable personalities of the national culture. Born on March 1, 1937, in the village of Mocra, the Transnistrian region, he became world-famous through his music, especially the waltz from the film, My Sweet and Tender Beast, considered by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the 20th century.

Throughout his career, Doga composed over 200 soundtracks, symphonic works, and chamber music, being awarded numerous prizes. Modest and approachable, Eugen Doga remained dedicated to art until the end. Maestro Eugen Doga passed away on June 3, 2025, at the age of 88.