Moldovan head of state pays visit to wife of great departed composer of Moldova

President Maia Sandu today visited Natalia Doga, the widow of the late composer Eugen Doga. The head of state informed that the maestro's family supported the initiative to rename the Chisinau International Airport to Eugen Doga Airport and urged the government to approve this decision as soon as possible. Moreover, Maia Sandu said that she would donate a prize of 10,000 euros for the preservation of the great composer's works.

“Today I visited Mrs. Natalia Doga; I offered my sincere condolences, and we talked about the legacy left to us by Maestro Eugen Doga,” Maia Sandu said.

The Moldovan president noted that she had discussed with Natalia Doga the proposal to rename the Chisinau International Airport into Eugen Doga Airport, an idea supported by the widow of the late composer. In the context, Maia Sandu urged the government to approve this decision promptly.

“We discussed the proposal to rename the Chisinau International Airport into Eugen Doga Airport and I was glad to learn that she supports the initiative. I urge the government to approve this decision as soon as possible, as a gesture of gratitude towards a genius who has brought Moldova's name worldwide,” Maia Sandu emphasized.

At the same time, the Moldovan president informed she would donate the Franz Josef Strauss award, worth 10,000 euros, provided by the Hanns Seidel Foundation, to support the process of preserving the Maestro's works.

Also, the president has instructed the Ministry of Culture to develop a sustainable, medium- and long-term plan for conserving Eugen Doga's work for the benefit of future generations.

Maestro Eugen Doga, one of the most appreciated and beloved composers in Moldova and the European cultural space, passed away on June 3, 2025, at the age of 88.

Eugen Doga was a composer, professor, academician, and a prominent personality of the national culture. Born on March 1, 1937, in the village of Mocra, Transnistrian region, he became known worldwide through his musical creations, especially the famous Waltz from the film, My Sweet and Tender Beast, by director Emil Loteanu, considered by UNESCO as one of the four musical masterpieces of the 20th century.