Celebrating “Mărțișor” 2025 with ALICE & Friends

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January 2025: Eminescu & Romania’s Culture Day

 Annual celebration dedicated to:

January 15, 2025 – the anniversary of Mihai Eminescu & Romania's National Culture Day

January 24, 2025 – Little Union of the Romanian Principalities

I was very happy to be able to organize on Wednesday (January 15, 2025) at my Circle the annual commemoration of the famous Romanian poet, Mihai Eminescu, whose birthday has been chosen in 2011 as Romania’s National Culture Day. On this occasion, the Little Union of the Romanian Principalities has been highlighted as well, reemphasizing its historic significance. We had a large group of Romanians attending our event this time (17 friends) and for everybody’s convenience, like the winters before, we successfully connected via modern technology.
On the other hand, before I proceed with my usual briefing, I would like to let all of you know that year 2025 marks the 175^th anniversary of the birth of Mihai Eminescu (1850-1889), and the Romanian Academy declared the entire 2025 “Eminescu Year”…a great period of time that allows us to promote even more the Romanian arts and culture.

Further talking about our Circle, on January 15, 2025, we were delighted to have with us two special guests – Hon. Gabriel Rotaru (who is Consul General of Romania in Vancouver and the Head of the Romanian Diplomatic Mission here, as well as Minister Plenipotentiary of Romania in Canada) together with his lovely wife, Hon. Ştefana Rotaru (who is Deputy Consul General and Minister Plenipotentiary of Romania in Canada).

The program of the evening began with much enthusiasm! After I delivered my welcoming remarks, Hon. Gabriel Rotaru was invited to address the group.
Consul G. Rotaru did open his speech with beautiful words of appreciation for the activity of our literary & socio-cultural Circle constantly carried out over the last seven years, encouraging all of us to continue with this beautiful community work. Needless to say that his honest appreciation for our Circle’s existence and ongoing activity deeply touched our hearts! Then Consul G. Rotaru’s speech reemphasized Eminescu’s geniality as well as the vastness and complexity of his writings. 

He also underlined the importance of culture and its positive impact on people and society at large.

We all were very pleased that Consul G. Rotaru stayed with us for the entire event! When the conversation of the evening was focusing on the historic significance of the ’Little Union of the Romanian Principalities’, he shared with all of us his views on this as well.

Then Hon. Ştefana Rotaru was sharing with our group that the Consulate General of Romania in Vancouver, together with the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York, celebrate National Culture Day by promoting the “The Retreat” – a play inspired by the opera “Vision of the Burrow” (of Marin Sorescu, one of the most revered literary voices in Romania) and created especially for a North American tour – with stops in New York, Washington, D.C. and Vancouver, BC (a ‘tour de force’ for actress Simona Măicănescu and Mircea Florian; in Vancouver this will take place on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Firehall Arts Center – in downtown Vancouver). After that, Consul Ş. Rotaru mentioned that the Romanian flag will fly at the ’Invictus Games’, Vancouver-Whistler 2025 (you can find more details about the coming games on the Consulate’s face-book page).

Next, our evening together continued with lots of heartfelt remarks from all our participants, firstly expressing their genuine appreciation for the seven years of existence of our literary & socio-cultural Circle! For me, these were really heart touching words and heart touching moments!  

Further, my guests offered a beautiful recital of favorite poems composed by the reputable Mihai Eminescu (some of them published in the comments section), there were also few small dissertations about culture in general and poetry in particular.

For instance, our dear friend Dorina read a beautiful material about Eminescu and Queen Maria of Romania (materials published in comments section), and our old friend, the poet Teodor Trandafir recited few original poems (composed by himself) and sang for us few songs (on lyrics composed by Mihai Eminescu).

Aside of that, my dear friends, Tina & Viorica, recited few beautiful poems of Eminescu, published for your convenience in comments section as well. 

Personally, I was delighted to see that all my friends this evening generously opened their hearts and many fond memories from our motherland were cherished with love, kindness and deep sensibility….truly remarkable!

While at this page, I would like to refresh that our website is read not only by very many Romanians (friends, collaborators or simply observers), but also by very many Canadians as well, and for the general interest of all our readers, here I’m sharing few concise facts about the 3 distinct themes encompassed this evening at our event:

1) About the famous Romanian poet, Mihai Eminescu

• Brief biography of MIHAI EMINESCU (15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889)
  Mihai Eminescu was born on January 15, 1850, in Botosani. He was a poet, prose writer, playwright and journalist, considered by posthumous literary critics as the most important poetic voice in Romanian literature. He had a good philosophical education, his poetic work being influenced by the great philosophical systems of his time, by ancient philosophy, from Heraclitus to Plato, by the great systems of thought of Romanticism, by the theories of Arthur Schopenhauer, Immanuel Kant and the theories of Hegel.
  He was active in ’Junimea’ literary society and worked as editor for the newspaper ’Timpul’. He published his first poem at the age of 16, and at the age of 19 he went to study in Vienna. The manuscripts of the poet Mihai Eminescu, 46 volumes, approximately 14,000 pages, were donated to the Romanian Academy by Titu Maiorescu, in the meeting of January 25, 1902. Eminescu died on June 15, 1889, at the age of 39.
  He was elected, post-mortem (October 28, 1948), as member of the Romanian Academy.

2) About Culture (in general) & about Romania's National Culture Day (also mentioning few Romanian cultural Personalities, who honored their country & its culture over time)

• Culture (general remarks)
  A common way to understand culture is by defining it in terms of its component parts: values ​​(ideas), norms (behavior), and artifacts (things or parts of material culture).
  Values ​​are ideas about what is important in life, and they guide the rest of the culture.
  Norms are expectations of how people should behave differently in different situations. Each culture has different methods (sanctions) for enforcing its norms. Sanctions also vary depending on the importance of the norm. The most important norms formalized by sanctions are called laws.
  Artifacts derive from cultural values ​​and norms.
  
  
• Romania's National Culture Day
  Romania’s National Culture Day has been celebrated for the first time on January 15^th, 2011, and since then, the birthday of poet Mihai Eminescu (January 15, 1850) has also been the day when culture as a whole is celebrated in this country. 
  "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.”
  
  
• Few notable Romanian personalities who honored Romania and its culture over time
  ● Ciprian Porumbescu (1853–1883) was a Romanian composer, among the most celebrated of his time. His popular works include ’Crai nou’, Song of the Tricolour, Song for Spring, Ballad for violin and piano, & ’Serenada’. In addition, he composed the music for the Romanian patriotic ’Song of Unity’, also known as ’On our flag is written Unity’ (Ro: ’Pe-al nostru steag e scris Unire’), which was Romania's anthem from 1975 to 1977 and is currently used for Albania's national anthem. His work spreads over various forms & musical genres, but the majority of his work is choral and operetta.
  ● Nichita Stănescu (1933–1983) was a Romanian poet, essayist and playwright. He becomes the fifth important model of Romanian poetry in the 20th century, alongside Bacovia, Barbu, Blaga and Arghezi. In a history of poetic forms of expression, Stănescu's style proposes an original discourse.
  ● Petre Ispirescu (1830–1887) was a Romanian editor, folklorist, printer and publicist. He is best known for his work as a gatherer of Romanian folk tales, recounting them with a remarkable talent.
  ● Carol Davila (1828– 1884) was a Romanian physician, considered to be the father of Romanian medicine. It was due to his many activities that several scientific associations appeared in Romania, such as: ’The Medical Society’ (1857), ’The Red Cross Society’ (1876), ’The Natural Sciences Society’ (1876). With his assistance, two medical journals entered print: ’The Medical Register’ (1862) and ’The Medical Gazette’ (1865). During the Independence War (1877-1878) he was the head of the Army's sanitary service. Davila is also credited with the invention of the ’Davila tincture’ for the treatment of cholera. Today, the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, the largest of its kind in Romania, is named in his honor.
  ● Tudor Vianu (1898–1964) was a Romanian literary critic, art critic, poet, philosopher of culture, academic and translator. He had a major role on the reception and development of Modernism in Romanian literature and art. He was married to Elena Vianu, herself a literary critic, and was the father of Ion Vianu, a psychiatrist, writer and essayist.
  ● Ion Barbu (1895 –1961) was a Romanian mathematician and poet. His name is associated with the ’Mathematics Subject Classification’ number ’51C05’, which is a major posthumous recognition reserved only to pioneers of investigations in an area of mathematical inquiry. As a poet, he is known for his volume ’Mirrored Play’ (Ro: ’Joc secund’), in which he sought to fulfill his vision of a poetry, which he adhered to with the same virtues that he found in mathematics.
  ● Ștefan Odobleja (1902– 1978) was a Romanian physician, scientist, philosopher and precursor of cybernetics. He was known for his contributions to the study of cybernetics and artificial intelligence. His major work, ’Psychologie Consonantiste’, first published in 1938-39 in Paris, introduced the concept of feedback in psychology.
  ● Grigore Alexandrescu (1810 – 1885) was a nineteenth-century Romanian poet and translator, noted for his fables with political undertones. He founded a periodical, called ’Albina Românească’. Alexandrescu wrote ’Poezii’ (1832, 1838, 1839) and ’Meditații’ (1863), many of which were fables and satires influenced by French literature.
  ● Grigore Moisil (1906–1973) was a Romanian mathematician, computer pioneer, and titular member of the Romanian Academy. His research was mainly in the fields of mathematical logic (Łukasiewicz–Moisil algebra), algebraic logic, MV-algebra and differential equations. He is viewed as the father of computer science in Romania. Moisil was also a member of the ’Academy of Sciences of Bologna’ and of the ’International Institute of Philosophy’. In 1996, the ’IEEE Computer Society’ awarded him posthumously the ’Computer Pioneer Award’.
  ● Dumitru Prunariu (1952– present) is a Romanian cosmonaut, who flew in space aboard ’Soyuz 40’ spacecraft and ’Salyut 6’ space laboratory.
  
  
  On a personal NOTE about the Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu:
  I’m pleased to share that on January 21, 2025, we were absolutely delighted to meet in person the Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru Dorin Prunariu together with his lovely wife, who were guests of honor at a reception organized by the Consulate General of Romania in Vancouver.
  In a very enjoyable atmosphere, cosmonaut Prunariu referred to the event he is participating at, here in Vancouver (at the official invitation extended by the UBC – Outer Space Institute); an event focusing on the current programs to reach the Moon, to next year's initiatives regarding astronaut incursions, including Canadians in Cosmos, as well as to the projects he has in collaboration with other international associations, with an interest in outer space and lunar landing. He also presented the initiatives, in which he is directly participating, to expand and intensify programs related to the Moon, in which the main players are the United States of America and China. In this context, he also pointed out the importance of the projects promoted by “Space X” and the programs for colonizing the planet Mars. He also referred to the activity of the “Romanian Space Agency”, to the projects and the progress in space exploration, and to the prospects for new participation of young Romanians in space exploration missions.
  
  For more biographical details about the Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu, please follow these quick links:
  Romanian Space Agency, Moon Village Association, Romanian Academy & ROSA.
  

Together with the Romanian cosmonaut Dumitru Dorin Prunariu & his lovely wife

Additional media exposure of Dumitru Prunariu’s visit to Vancouver

Cosmonaut Prunariu’s participation at the agreeable reception organized by the Consulate General of Romania in Vancouver, on January 21, 2025 was highlighted in an article written by our friend Dorina (“Dumitru Dorin Prunariu în dialog cu comunitatea româno-canadiană din Vancouver“) –
article further published by a number of reputable organizations, such as:
 “Uniunea Ziariștilor Profesioniști din România” (from Romania),
 “Observatorul” (from Toronto) &
“Litoral Press” (from Romania). 

3) About Little Union of the Romanian Principalities

The Little Unification (Ro: ’Mica Unire’) celebrates the political union of 2 principalities (Moldavia & Wallachia), which is considered the foundation of modern Romania. The United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, also known as "The Romanian United Principalities", was the official name of the Romania following the 1859 election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as the ruling prince (Ro: ’domnitor’) of both territories. Years later, on December 1, 1918, the Great Union happened 
(Ro: ’Marea Unire’), when the 3 Romanian Principalities (Wallachia, Moldavia & Transylvania) became one country, one voice, called ’Romania ’, and the day of
1 December became Romania's National Day. 

As usual, we all liked our time together and promised ourselves to meet more often because the joy that’s always in our midst when we gather at our Circle is valuable and beneficial for each of us. We all are glad that we are able to recognize our blessings and properly appreciate them!

Wrapping up my briefing here, I want to express once again my most sincere gratitude for all those who were by my side this fantastic evening and until our paths will meet again, from me only the best!

Alice

“People are divided into two parts:

some of them look for something and cannot find anything, and others find it but are not satisfied.“ (Mihai Eminescu)

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

● The official PRESS RELEASE featuring our festive annual celebration published on their official website, by the GENERAL CONSULATE OF ROMANIA IN VANCOUVER

● A social media POSTING  featuring our festive annual celebration published on their official face-book page, by the GENERAL CONSULATE OF ROMANIA IN VANCOUVER

 ● ARTICLE featuring our event on January 15, 2025, published on their official website by OBSERVATORUL (a well read newspaper from Toronto, Canada)

● Previous events I organized on the same theme: 
Eminescu & ROMANIA’s CULTURE Day – 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019

Group celebration – ROMANIA’s NATIONAL DAY 2024

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6 Years Anniversary of ALICE & FRIENDS CIRCLE™

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

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