January 2025: Eminescu & Romania’s Culture Day

 The complete briefing will be available very soon. Thank you!

Socializing: Pre-Christmas Reunion 2024

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Meanwhile, I’m wishing you all happy holidays!

December 2024: ALICE & Friends™ – winter charity

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Group celebration – ROMANIA’s NATIONAL DAY 2024

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Philosophers’ Café with ALICE & Friends: October 2024

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Alice’s Book Club – AUTUMN session of 2024

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Alice’s Book Club – SUMMER session of 2024

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Socializing: Summer Picnic 2024 & Travel Stories

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Meanwhile, please continue to enjoy the ongoing summer!

Warm regards,

Alice

Socializing: CANADA Day 2024 – Morning Coffee Talks

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PARTNERSHIP: June 2024 – The ROMANIAN BLOUSE Day

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Alice’s Book Club – SPRING session of 2024

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6 Years Anniversary of ALICE & FRIENDS CIRCLE™

 The complete briefing will be available soon. Thank you!

Meanwhile, please continue to enjoy and appreciate the ongoing spring, as there is always, always something to be grateful for.

Alice’s Book Club – WINTER session of 2024

“READING:
Some people call it a hobby;
I call it a passion!”

As the current winter is slowly coming to an end, on Friday (March 15’24) I was glad to organize my first book club of the year (the winter session of 2024), this time selecting together the book we will discuss as a group, as well as a brief brainstorming regarding other educational subjects, which we might like to touch on during our future gatherings.

Lovely meeting, lovely ladies, lovely vibes….awesome books were proposed and fantastic topics were added to our agenda….stay close to us to learn more about our reading “adventures”, as well as our themes of interest…indeed, there is a lot to be grateful for!

As usual, my most sincere appreciation for those kind & dear friends who honored my invitation!

Until we meet again, my best regards to all for a beautiful spring to come!

Alice 

“The man who doesn’t read has no advantage over the man who can’t read.” (Mark Twain) 

Socializing: 2024 – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day

‘8 Martie – Ziua Internaţională a Femeii’
(in Ro language)
‘March 8 – International Women’s Day’
(in English language)

     A beautiful Friday on March 8, 2024, when we had a brief on-line reunion around noon time, honoring the annual
International Women’s Day! A super busy day for most of us, but we’ve quickly meet to voice few thoughts within our lovely Circle before we each spread out for different engagements of the evening.

     At this gathering, my guest of honor was Deputy Consul General Stefana Rotaru & Plenipotentiary Minister of Romania in Vancouver, who shared with us her vision as she begins a new mandate in Vancouver, as well as a beautiful message for the Romanian women who are competent contributors to the society they live in.
Consul Stefana Rotaru was kind to offer only to all participants of this gathering a consular consultation without previous appointment...indeed, a very nice gesture!

     Aside of that, during our group discussions I’ve read a poem about women, and our dear friend Dorina enumerated few remarkable Romanian women who brought significant contributions to the world; also, Dorina wrote for “Observatorul” from Toronto, an article called “Ochii Mamei” (please follow this link to read it).
     On the other hand, I would like to let you know that in Romania, on March 8^th people salute not only the International Women’s Day, but also Mother’s Day as well, making it a double celebration of womanhood.

     Our group conversations this time as well were heart-felt and to the point, reminding us to appreciate even more all the women we each have in our lives.
     Pondering a bit further on this, I would like to refresh that women have the power to take the world by storm, and at the same time they could help the world transform into a better place for all.
     We concluded our gathering on a warm note, wishing each-other only the best for the spring to come!

Until next time, my warmest regards dear ladies, and once again: Happy International Women’s Day!

● Prominent feminine personalities:
Since the focus of this meeting was International Women’s Day, here I’m glad to share with you some names of famous women who changed the world.
          ✰ Few prominent ROMANIAN WOMEN:
– Dr. Ana Aslan (1897- 1988) was a Romanian biologist & physician, founder of the first National Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics in the world, having famous patients, such as John Kennedy, Charles de Gaulle, Augusto Pinochet, Indira Gandhi, Salvador Dali, Charile Chaplin, Claudia Cardinale, Josiph Broz Tito, Marlene Dietrich, Konrad Adenauer, Kirk Douglas, Miguel Asturias, etc.
– Architect Virginia Andreescu Haret (1894–1962) was a Romanian architect and is credited as the first woman to graduate with a degree in architecture in Romania. She is also the first woman to reach the rank of Romanian Architectural Inspector General
– Eng. Aurora Gruescu (1914-2005) was the world’s first female forestry engineer as well as the first Romanian person in the Guinness Book
– Mathematician Silvia Creangă (1894-1952) was the first female in Romania mastering the PHD in mathematics
– Physicist Ștefania Mărăcineanu (1882-1944) was an internationally renowned Romanian chemist and physicist who formulated theories about radioactivity, artificial radioactivity and the process of artificial rainfall
          ✰ Few prominent WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD: 
– Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179):  Mystic, author and composer, she lived a withdrawn life, spending most of her time behind convent walls. However, her writings, poetry and music were revelatory for the time period. She was consulted by popes, kings and influential people of the time. Her writings and music have influenced people to this day.
– Joan of Arc (1412–1431) The patron saint of France, Joan of Arc inspired a French revolt against the occupation of the English. An unlikely hero, at the age of just 17, the diminutive Joan successfully led the French to victory at Orleans. Her later trial and martyrdom only heightened her mystique
– Jane Austen (1775–1817) One of the most famous female authors of all time. She wrote several novels, which remain highly popular today. These include Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Northanger Abbey. Jane Austen wrote at a time when female writers were not encouraged, helping pave the way for future writers
– Emily Dickinson (1830–1886) One of America’s greatest poets, Emily Dickinson lived most of her life in seclusion. Her poems were published posthumously and received widespread literary praise for their bold and unconventional style. Her poetic style left a significant legacy on 20th Century poetry
– Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) Wife and political aide of American president F.D.Roosevelt. In her own right Eleanor made a significant contribution to the field of human rights, a topic she campaigned upon throughout her life. As head of UN human rights commission she helped to draft the 1948 UN declaration of human rights.
● Previous events I organized on the same theme: 
Socializing – INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s Day: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
● Some of my additional greetings referring to the same matter: 
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's Day! – March 8: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 

LOVE & the approaching Spring of 2024

 ~ Annual Romanian literary evening with our Circle, featuring Valentine’s Day, ‘Dragobete’ and ‘Mărțișor’ ~

‘Mărțișor’ (in Ro language)
or ‘March amulet’ (in English language)

Since February it is known as the month of love, this year we didn’t miss the occasion to honor it on Friday (February 13’24), while revisiting as well several dear themes to us, such as: Valentine’s Day, “Dragobete” and “Mărțișor”.
For everybody's content, as well as a number of few different reasons, we had a warm and pleasing on-line gathering.  

Diligently joining our heart to heart talks, my friends unavoidably felt that making time to speak about love, to speak about self-care, to speak about the significance of having good relationships with our families and with our friends it is really beautiful and super meaningful in this very consumerist, go-go kind of world!

Also, since LOVE was a significant part of our conversation I will take a moment here to refresh that there are several types of love, and according to the scholars here they are:

Eros (romantic love), Agape (unconditional love), Storge (empathy), Philia (affectionate love), Pragma (long-lasting love), etc., but the highest of all is AGAPE (ancient Greek ἀγάπη…which is a Greco-Christian term referring to love, "the highest form of love, charity").

Now, quickly referring to our evening together, despite the fact that our gathering was rather cozy, our talks were truly extensive, genuine and really enjoyable.
For instance, specifically speaking, our dear friend Dorina presented an interesting material (which is published in comments section), and our dear friend Mihaela recited a beautiful poem (also published in comments section). Then, we all continued with lengthy talks about the multiple facets of love, about old seasonal and timely customs (from back home and from here), about ancestors and inevitably about several (old and new) pages of history, all together defining the map of a new beautiful page from the book of existence of our lovely Circle. Truly charming heart "nourishment"...

Summarizing the main concepts, we all agreed that time is flying really fast showing us that if we don’t pay attention we could miss a lot, revelation which has the potential to put many things into a new perspective.

In closing, as I wrap up my briefing, once again, my most sincere appreciation to each friend who honored my invitation with kindness and heart-felt compassion. 
Until next time, my warmest regards to all for a great rest of the season!

Alice

 “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture.

● For a quick reference, here is a brief historical background for each observance:

🌿 Valentine’s Day (February 14):

Nowadays, the Valentine's Day became an annual festival celebrating the romantic love, friendship & admiration. Every year, on February 14, people honor this day by sending messages of love & regard to partners, family & friends, expressing their affection. This originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine.

🌿 “Dragobete” (February 24):

While Valentine’s Day is mostly related to people (a well-known saint and those he helped) and their actions in the name of love, “DRAGOBETE” is a very old and truly beautiful Romanian festive holiday associated with the arrival of spring as well as romantic love. No one really knows exactly when "Dragobete" started, it is believed to go way back to ancient Romania (aka "Dacian Kingdom"). In early myths, "Dragobete" is the son of “Baba Dochia” (in Romanian mythology, she is an old figure identified with the return of spring). He is the Romanian version of Cupid – bringing love and life with him. It is said that his magical presence could make the trees flower, insects, and birds to multiply and can turn men and women into lovers. Celebrated each year on February 24th, this holiday is linked to the time of the year when birds build their nests and mate, being mostly connected with nature. As the first signs of spring begin to show, nature & man begin a new cycle of life and love.

🌿 “Mărțișor” (March 1) or March amulet:

The name “Mărțișor” (mərt͡siˈʃor) is the diminutive of “Marț”, the old folk name for March (“martie”, in modern Romanian language), & literally means "the little March". The actual “Mărțișor” is made of a small decorative object, tied to a white & red string, with two hanging tassels, which is offered customarily on the 1st day of March to girls, women & men (in some parts of the country) as it is believed that the wearer will stay strong & healthy throughout the entire year ahead. In the old times “Mărțișor” was regarded more as a protective talisman, but in modern days, & especially in the urban areas, most of its talisman properties got lost and “Mărțișor” became more of a symbol of friendship, love, appreciation & respect, as well as a symbol of the coming spring in addition to the snowdrop flowers.

NOTE: In 2017, UNESCO decided to inscribe “Mărțișor“ on their list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Please follow the links below for a more detailed reading about this significant gesture…thank you!

             – Related ARTICLE: Romanian spring tradition included on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list

             – Related ARTICLE: UNESCO adds Mărțișor to its ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ list

● Previous events I organized on the same concepts: Love, Spring &“Mărțișor”– 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

● Some of my additional greetings referring to the same themes: VALENTINE’s Day – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

“Mărțișor“ – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019  | “DRAGOBETE“ Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 

NOTE: Dear readers, please be advised that on this website each of the previous postings, pertaining to the recurrent annual themes, portray a different perspective of the subject/s presented (same theme/s, but a different outlook without duplication due to the cultural richness of the specific topic/s discussed). 

January 2024: Eminescu & Romania’s Culture Day

Annual observance:
January 15, 2024 – Mihai Eminescu & Romania's National Culture Day

At times, in life, we each encounter atypical situations,

but despite the tumult, Eminescu’s Day (on January 15^th) didn’t pass unnoticed. 

~ Mihai Eminescu ~

(January 15, 1850 – June 15, 1889)

He was a Romantic poet, a novelist, and a journalist, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Eminescu was an active member of the “Junimea” literary society and worked as an editor for the newspaper “Timpul”. His poetry was first published when he was 16 and he went to Vienna to study when he was 19. The poet's manuscripts, containing 46 volumes and approximately 14,000 pages, were offered by Titu Maiorescu as a gift to the Romanian Academy during the meeting that was held on 25 January 1902.

Eminescu’s notable works include “Luceafărul” (The Vesper/The Evening Star/The Daystar), “Odă în metru antic” (Ode in Ancient Meter), and the “Five Letters” (Epistles/Satires). 
In his poems he frequently used metaphysical, mythological and historical subjects.

He is considered to be Romania’s greatest poet, as well as the last major representative of the European Romanticism and a significant promoter of the enlightened nationalism. To honor his memory, each year, Romania celebrates the National Culture Day on Jan. 15^th.

With a thick nostalgia, on his Day, Mihai Eminescu has been remembered…and below are few thoughts shared by several supporters of ALICE & Friends Circle™.

NOTE: to keep the original “flavor”, these messages are published in original (in Romanian language), as a tribute to Romania’s Culture Day.

To translate these into English or into any other language, please use the automated translator installed at the bottom of the page. Thank you!

● Few thoughts about Eminescu from Ileana Madularu

Luna ianuarie e aproape pe sfarsite, dar gandurile si trairile starnite de sarbatorirea Zilei lui Eminescu – Ziua Culturii – precum si Ziua Micii Uniri imbalsameaza inca sufletul romanilor.  Nu exista roman sa nu simta ca-i creste sufletul de mandrie doar spunand numele lui Eminescu – geniul deplin al culturii noastre. E greu sa vorbesti despre Eminescu, dupa ce atatea minti luminate i-au studiat opera si viata si i-au adus omagiu. Cred ca ar fi mai usor sa vorbesti "cu" Eminescu asa, de la suflet la suflet, si sa lasi cuvintele lui sa spuna ceea ce rezoneaza cu preaplinul tau sufletesc si, poate, cu spiritul tau – si stii ca oricum n-ai putea spune mai bine...

Eminescu a spus tot ce merita spus despre tot ce merita – si cum a spus!  Cum bine comenta Constantin Noica – "marii poeti sunt constiinta noastra mai buna".  Poeziile lui Eminescu – adevarate nestemate – sunt bine stiute; de aceea am ales sa aduc aici cateva citate din proza lui, mai ales cea jurnalistica, pentru a sublinia inca o data universalitatea si actualitatea geniului sau:

"Pasiunile înjosesc, pasiunea înalță."    |   "De aproape două mii de ani ni se predică să ne iubim, iar noi ne sfâşiem…"  |  "Omul crede un strop, se îndoiește o mare."   |   "Dumnezeu nu e în cer, nu-i pe pământ; Dumnezeu e în inima noastră."  |  "Fiecare om e o întrebare pusă din nou spiritului Universului."

"Menirea vieții tale este să te cauți pe tine însuți."  |  "Oamenii nu se deosebesc atât prin ceea ce zic, cât prin ceea ce fac."

"Greşalele în politică sunt crime; căci în urma lor suferă milioane de oameni nevinovaţi, se-mpiedică dezvoltarea unei ţări şi se-mpiedică, pentru zeci de ani înainte, viitorul ei."

"Educaţiunea e cultura caracterului, cultura e educaţiunea minţii."  |  "Totul ia timp… și timpul ia tot."

Alice, multumesc pentru pasiunea pusa in mersul Cercului tau si, tot in spiritul lui Eminescu, TRAIASCA NATIUNEA!!

Ileana Madularu

● Few thoughts about Eminescu from Dorina Aldea

La multi ani, Domnule Mihai Eminescu!

“Vreme trece, vremea vine”… si iată ca sunt 174 de ani de când pe cerul  României, a strălucit mereu o stea, “Luceafarul” poeziei românești, o stea care nu se va stinge niciodata și poate niciodata un va răsari alta mai stralucitoare decât ea.

Draga Domnule Eminescu, esti încă viu printre noi, atât cât te mai citim și ne amintim de tine. Tu ai existat întotdeauna, fiind Steaua de Lumină a poeziei și deminității noastre, și, astazi 15 ianuarie, de ziua ta, pașim cu candela iubirii aprinsă în sufletele noastre, în cel de al treilea mileniu al nemuririi tale.  

Ce înseamnă pentru mine Eminescu? Intrebarea este foarte simpla, dar totodata și complicată. Mihai Eminescu este, cu certitudine, poetul ale cărui poezii m-au fascinat de mică. In școală am învațat cu placere poeziile lui pe care nu le pot uita nici acum. Le pot recita oricând iar când le citesc sau le recitesc, retrăiesc acele vremuri. 

Ei bine, si atunci, in copilarie, ca si acum, poeziile lui Eminescu reprezintă pentru mine ceva curat, ceva ce dovedeşte că sentimentele omeneşti sunt eterne, că viaţa trebuie trăită din plin, ele reprezintă sensibilitate şi tot ce e frumos de-a lungul vieţii omeneşti. Poezia eminesciana este unica, irepetabila.

In incheiere, cu umila mea parere, il consider pe Eminescu cel mai de preț dar pe care ni l-a dat vreodata literatura, o adevarata minune care nu dureaza “trei zile” precum se spune despre orice minune, ci va dura veșnic, va rămane mereu vie în sufletele noastre.

Ii suntem veșnic recunoscatori Luceafarului poeziei romanești pentru faptul că  și aici, departe de țară, ne ajută și ne ispiră să ne păstrăm, să ne cultivam identitatea noastră de credință și de neam. Așadar, sa-i dam lui Eminescu ceea ce i se cuvine: NEUITAREA!

Dorina 

● Few thoughts about Eminescu from Dana Secu

Cu ocazia sărbătoririi zilei nașterii a marelui poet român, Mihai Eminescu mulți români de pretutindeni și-au amintit și au comemorat într-un fel sau altul pe acest poet eminent. Printre altele, am citit și eu online pe un website câteva rânduri despre Eminescu. În articolul citit, am găsit cinci lucruri mai puțin cunoscute despre marele poet pe care m-am gândit sa le împărtășesc cu voi. Pentru acuratețe am sa copy/paste acestea de pe websiteul www.kanald.ro:

"Cinci lucruri mai puțin cunoscute despre marele poet Mihai Eminescu a continuat să creeze poezii chiar și în ultimele momente ale vieții sale. La momentul autopsiei, admiratorii poetului au luat halatul în care acesta a trecut în neființă. În mod deosebit, un detaliu remarcabil a ieșit la iveală în timpul acestei descoperiri: într-unul dintre buzunarele halatului, a fost găsit un mic carnețel. Pe paginile acestuia, Eminescu își imortalizase ultimele poezii, dintre care menționăm "Viața" și "Stele în cer". Această descoperire a adăugat o notă de mister și emoție asupra legendarului poet, arătând că până în ultimele clipe, el și-a dedicat sufletul artei și literaturii. Poetul român de renume, Mihai Eminescu, avea obiceiul în perioada copilăriei de a-și surprinde tatăl cu șerpi, creând situații amuzante și pline de aventură. În timpul acestor escapade, Eminescu se aventura în pădure pentru a captura șerpi, pe care ulterior îi aducea vii și îi plasa în apropierea casei sale. Apoi, îl chema pe tatăl său să admire "ce pasăre misterioasă" prinsese, iar poetul stătea deoparte, savurând amuzamentul în timp ce bărbatul intra în contact cu acești reptili într-un mod neașteptat.

În momentul în care Mihai Eminescu compunea poezia "Pe lângă plopii fără soț", era profund îndrăgostit de Cleopatra Leca Poenaru, fiica pictorului Constantin Lecca și, totodată, verișoara lui Caragiale. Cleopatra, având legături de prietenie cu Titu Maiorescu, participa frecvent la seratele literare organizate la adresa Mercur nr.1. Acolo, într-un cadru literar și artistic, Eminescu a avut ocazia să o întâlnească pe Cleopatra și să se îndrăgostească de ea.

Locuința Cleopatrei era situată pe strada Cometa nr. 16, o stradă împrejmuită de plopi. Eminescu, captivat de această atmosferă, a efectuat un gest simbolic de a număra acești plopi, observând cu atenție că aceștia formează un aliniament fără un partener. În mod subtil, această observație a devenit sursa de inspirație pentru poezia "Pe lângă plopii fără soț", adăugând o notă personală și emoțională profundă în creația sa literară.

Una dintre marile pasiuni sportive ale tinereții lui Mihai Eminescu a fost fotbalul. Apropiații poetului relatează că acesta era entuziasmat de jocul cu mingea și că manifesta adevărate calități în acest sport. Se spune că interesul său pentru fotbal a fost dezvoltat sub îndrumarea profesorului Aron Pumnul, în perioada adolescenței sale, când era elev la Cernăuți.

Cu toate acestea, există certitudinea că sportul în care Eminescu excela cu adevărat era înotul. Abilitățile sale în înot au fost remarcate și apreciate de cei din jur, făcându-l să se remarce în această disciplină sportivă. Acest aspect al personalității sale dezvăluie o latură fizică și activă a marelui poet, adăugând diversitate și profunzime în înțelegerea bogatei sale vieți."

Un alt articol spune ca ultimele ui versuri premonitoare au fost:

"Atâta foc, atâta cer    |    Atâtea lucruri sfinte    |  Peste’ntunericul vieţii    | Ai revărsat, părinte!”

Adevărul cine poate să îl știe? Dar, eu mi-am încheiat lectura mea despre Eminescu citind poeziile "Viața" și "Stelele-n cer".

Dana

● Few thoughts about Eminescu from Cornelia Dimofte

La multi ani in eternintate!

Candva baietii romantici recitau din Mihai Eminescu fetelor pe care le curtau. Astazi, doar tocilarii ii mai invata poeziile. Si doar daca locuiesc in Romania. Cei care au ajuns sa traiasca in alte tari, au auzit de Luceafarul romanesc, doar din povestile parintilor si ale bunicilor. Si nu toti. Doar unii, in functie de familiile din care provin. Nu spun nici ca e rau, si nici ca este bine. E doar o realitate. Cultura e mult globalizata. Modelele sunt multinationale. Intr-o lume a internetului, copiii invata despre lucruri utile si folositoare material. Sufletul, frumosul si visele s-au demodat. Sunt promovate “cenaclurile” motivationale, in care oamenii de toate varstele sunt antrenati sa se iubeasca pe sine, si mai putin pentru a darui dragoste si compasiune. De parca toti s-ar fi nascut in eprubete.
Catalina, Catalin, Luceafarul dintre ei si povestea lor au ajuns de mult doar praf de stele in sufletele pamantenilor nostalgici.

– „O, ești frumos cum numa-n vis    |   Un demon se arată,    |  Dară pe calea ce-ai deschis    |  N-oi merge niciodată!    |  Mă dor de crudul tău amor    |   A pieptului meu coarde,    |   
Și ochii mari și grei mă dor,   |   Privirea ta mă arde.”    (Fragment – Luceafarul)

Nascut pe data de 15 si stins tot pe 15 ale lunii, de parca destinul ar fi vrut sa inchida un ciclu, Eminescu a ramas inca poetul fara de pereche pentru unii romani plecati in pribegie pentru un trai mai usor, si iluzii mai multe. In vremea lui, patriotismul era mai mult decat un concept poltic. Astazi este aproape ilegal sa vorbesti despre granite, patrimoniu si identitati nationale.

„Naţionalitatea trebuie simţită cu inima şi nu vorbită numai cu gura. Ceea ce se simte şi respectă adânc, se pronunţă arareori! Hebreii cei vechi n-aveau voie să pronunţe numele Dumnezeului lor! Iubesc poporul românesc fără a iubi pe semidocţii şi superficialităţile sale”.

Asa iubea marela Eminescu.

„Ce să vă spun! Iubesc acest popor bun, blând, omenos, pe spatele căruia diplomaţii croiesc charte şi resbele, zugrăveşte împărăţii despre care lui nici prin gând nu-i trece; iubesc acest popor, care nu serveşte decât de catalici acelora ce se înnalţă la putere – popor nenorocit care geme sub măreţia tuturor palatelor de gheaţă ce i le aşezăm pe umeri” .

Si pentru aceasta dragoste, Mihai Eminescu a platit scump…

Si, a mai trecut un an de la nasterea baditei Mihail, Luceafarul pe care putini l-au inteles de-alungul vremii. El va incalzi insa sufletele chipurilor de lut care isi vor indrepta privirea spre opera lui chiar si dupa 150 de ani…

Cornelia Dimofte

Additionally, for your delight, here are few video clips with several dear poems composed by Eminescu, and recited by famous Romanian actors…enjoy!

● “Rugăciunea Unui Dac” (poem composed by Mihai Eminescu, and recited by actor Ion Marinescu – TVR Archive)

● “Melancolie” (poem composed by Mihai Eminescu, and recited by actor Ion Caramitru – TVR Archive)

● “La steaua” (poem composed by Mihai Eminescu, and recited by actress Leopoldina Bălănuţă – TVR Archive)

● “O mamă, dulce mamă” (poem composed by Mihai Eminescu, and recited by actress Leopoldina Bălănuţă – TVR Archive)

● “Dor de Eminescu” (poetic moments orchestrated by “Cenaclul Flacăra”, under the lead of the Romanian poet Adrian Păunescu)

Also, on the same day (each year, on January 15^th) Romanians (at home and abroad) celebrate Romania’s Culture Day, which has been celebrated for the first time on January 15^th, 2011 (purposely chosen on Eminescu’s birthday, which is on January 15^th).

"On the National Culture Day, we recognize the role of the Romanian cultural personalities in the modernization and democratization of Romania, in getting in line with the European values. The exemplary involvement of thinkers, artists, promoters and founders of cultural institutions in asserting the identity, statehood and national unity of Romania will remain inscribed in capital letters in the chronicles.” (Source: Romania International)

As I usually do, for such occasion, here are few more notable Romanian personalities, who honored Romania and its culture over time:

● Barbu Ștefănescu Delavrancea (1858–1918) was a Romanian writer and poet, considered one of the greatest figures in the National awakening of Romania; between 1899–1901 he was the Mayor of Bucharest (Romania’s capital city)

● Octavian Goga (1881–1938) was a Romanian poet, writer, journalist and translator, as well as former Prime Minister of Romania (1937–1938)  

● Take Ionescu (1858–1922) was a Romanian politician, journalist, lawyer and diplomat, who also enjoyed reputation as a short story author; he was also Prime Minister in interbellum Romania

● Ion C. Brătianu (1821–1891) was one of the major political figures of 19^th century Romania; he was also the Prime Minister of Romania during 1876–1888.
He also was the grandfather of poet Ion Pillat

● Bogdan Petriceicu-Hasdeu (1838–1907) was a Romanian writer, philologist and linguist, who pioneered many branches of Romanian philology and history

● Ion Pillat (1891–1945) was a distinguished Romanian poet, publicist, academic and lawyer

● Andrei Pleșu (1948 – present) is a Romanian writer, philosopher, essayist, journalist, literary and art critic. He has been Romania’s Minister of Culture (1989–91), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1997–99) and presidential counsellor for external affairs (2004–05)

● Dumitru Radu Popescu (1935–2023) was a Romanian novelist, poet, dramatist, essayist and short story writer; he was a corresponding member of the Romanian Academy and between 1980 and 1990 was the Chairman of the Romanian Writers' Union

● Marin Sorescu (1936–1996) was a Romanian, poet, playwright and novelist; his works were translated into more than 20 countries, and the total number of his books that were published abroad rises up to 60 books. He has also been known for his painting, and he opened many art exhibits in Romania and abroad.
He occupied the position of Minister of Culture within the Nicolae Văcăroiu Cabinet, without being a member of any political party, after the Romanian revolution of 1989 (from 25 November 1993 to 5 May 1995)

● Nichita Stănescu (1933–1983) was a Romanian poet, essayst and playwright; he also was the recipient of numerous awards for his verse, the most important being the Herder Prize in 1975 and a nomination for the Nobel Prize in 1980

● Constantin Noica (1909–1987) was a Romanian philosopher, essayist & poet; his preoccupations were throughout all philosophy, from epistemology, philosophy of culture, axiology & philosophic anthropology to ontology & logics, from the history of philosophy to systematic philosophy, from ancient to contemporary philosophy, from translating & interpretation to criticism & creation. In 2006 he was added to the list of the 100 Greatest Romanians of all time by a nationwide poll

● Theodor Paleologu (1973– present) is a Romania historian, philosopher, diplomat and politician; during 2008-2009 he was the Minister of Culture, Religious Affairs and Cultural Heritage

● Camil Petrescu (1894–1957) was a Romanian essayist, philosopher, novelist, poet & theatre critic; he marked the end of the traditional novel era and laid the foundation of the modern novel era in Romania; he was a teacher in Timișoara, and director of the National Theater Bucharest...in 1948 he was elected titular member of the Romanian Academy.

 

Dear friends, until our paths will meet again, from me…only the best!

Warm regards,

Alice

“One world, many cultures.” 

● Previous manifestations on the same theme: Eminescu & ROMANIA’s CULTURE Day – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019