The artist Ion Ungureanu’s corpse was set in a church in Chisinau’s downtown on Monday and is to be buried today.

President Igor Dodon refused to sign a decree declaring a national mourning day, despite Premier Pavel Filip’s request.

The corpse was transported from the Bucharest hospital where the artist died.

Colleagues, admirers and relatives keep coming to say farewell to the man of culture and of state, aged 81.

Also read: Obituary in memory of film director Ion Ungureanu: He devoted his life to cultural development of country