January 15, 2021: An evening of poetry featuring Mihai Eminescu & Romania's National Culture Day
Each year on January 15 is Romania's National Culture Day, fact which allowed me to organize on Friday (January 15, 2021) a festive literary evening, encompassing a poetry recital re-emphasizing Eminescu's geniality, fragments of prose and scholastic talks about some historic events as well as other significant contributors that influenced Romania's cultural development over time.
Also, considering that officially the ongoing restrictions relating to the prolonged pandemic are still being in place, I'm continuing to adopt the video-conference modality in order to communicate with my group, as we move forward through this period of social austerity.
After all my invited guests arrived ('on line') and settled in, I was happy to welcome them with the immortal musical notes of the "Romanian Rhapsody", composed by George Enescu (G. Enescu was a composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher, being regarded as one of the greatest musicians of Romanian history).
Then I opened the evening with several remarks as well as a concise slide show (published below), covering few key concepts relating to the theme of the evening.
In other European countries, the National Culture Day pays homage to the outstanding people of culture, representative of each state.
(For instance, the Moldovan authorities have also decided that Mihai Eminescu's birthday will become their National Culture Day as well).
This year, at my circle, in addition to Eminescu's important contribution to Romania's culture, we discussed the major impact that Spiru Haret (1851-1912) had on our country's culture. Spiru Haret was a very well-known mathematician, astronomer and politician, as well as 3 times Romania's Minister of Education, significantly reforming Romania's educational system. For your further reference, in comments section I'm including his concise biography.
So, before the announced presenters from the group began their deliveries, I was happy to present my guests some fragments of Eminescu's poems.
Then our evening together continued with a number of very interested presentations, which I won't get into the full length of them because it will be way too lengthy, but for your reference, below I will share only some highlights:
- Our dear friend Dorina Aldea read us few fragments from a great article she wrote (with Dorina's permission, the entire article is published in comments section), which was well received by the audience and also published by "Observatorul" Newspaper (from Toronto). In her expose, in addition to Eminescu's importance for the Romanian culture, Dorina also mentioned, among other important names, the major contribution of Spiru Haret, specifying some of the big educational reforms he brought to the country
- Further, our friend Dr. John (from a medical perspective), discussed Eminescu's medical situation, offering us all a very interesting and professionally documented presentation as well as a deeper viewpoint
- Next, Dragos Agapescu, after he expressed his thankfulness for our gathering meant to honor such an important event relating to Romanian culture, he referred to Eminescu's extended family (who still lives nowadays in the Northern part of Romania), to aspects of his vast poetic work, to the historic time he was living in, and by further extrapolation he brought into conversation the major contribution of Spiru Haret to the Romanian educational system
- Then, our dear friend Rodica P. read for us the beautiful poem composed by Eminescu, called "Rugaciune", which is published in comments section. Also, she made a number of interesting comments about how much Eminescu's poems influenced so many generations (past, present and for sure in the future as well)
- Further, writer Dean Phillip commented on Eminescu's political ideology and advised that his views must be considered in the light of the historic times Eminescu was living in. He explained that if something that is taken out of its original context, in which it was created, it would have a different meaning and won't make justice to the original author
- Next, our friend Dr. Victor P. commented about Eminescu's life (on aspects less known) and reiterated his geniality
- Subsequently, Teodor T. expressed his consideration for the initiative to honor such an important day for the Romanian culture as well as his appreciation for the host, for each participant and for our country of origin. After that, he read a poem and interpreted a song for all (both being personal compositions and with Teodor's permission, the materials he sent are published in comments section)
- Then our dear friend Emilia A. shared with the group her perspective, which enriched the spectrum of viewpoints
- Last, but not least, our friend Ileana M. also added a number of personal comments, expressing how beautiful it is to think together with likeminded people.
During our time together as a group, I was intercalating in between presentations few audio-visual fragments and here I'm sharing them, as well as some additional materials, relating to the theme:
- "La steaua" (a poem composed by Mihai Eminescu)
- "Mihai Eminescu: Lucruri mai putin cunoscute" (a short documentary about Eminescu, containing aspects less known about this personal life)
- "Vis" (a poem composed by Mihai Eminescu, and interpreted by actor Adrian Pintea)
- "Poezii" (several poems composed by Mihai Eminescu & interpreted by few well-known Romanian actors).
As usual, we all enjoyed our time together, realizing yet again that no matter how long the session would be, there is still something left for next time.
Wrapping up my briefing, I would like to express once again my most sincere appreciation for all those who were able and willing to join me this evening in order to honor the Culture's Day of our country of origin! Until next time, my warmest regards to all!
Alice
This event has been delivered in Romanian Language, featuring Romanian culture.
A grateful acknowledgement
Here I am pleased to announce that Alice & Friends Circle™ cultural group from Vancouver was honored to receive on January 15, 2021, an appreciation diploma from the official representatives of "Observatorul" Newspaper, from Toronto, for our successful ongoing cultural activity.
Message received from "Observatorul" Newspaper from Toronto together with the enclosed appreciation certificate:
Happy Birthday, good health and growth on all aspects in 2021!
The group from the "Observatorul" from Canada (collaborators and friends of the newspaper, the Nicapetre group, participants of different professions) gives on January 15 (the birthday of our great poet Mihai Eminescu, which later became the National Culture Day), in memory of some Romanian community members, appreciation diplomas to some people whom we respect and appreciate.
At this time, we are happy to send our appreciation to those who initiated, developed and ensured the success of Alice & Friends™ Cultural Group.
on behalf of the Group from "Observatorul",
Dumitru Puiu Popescu
(Romanian) Mesajul primit de la "Observatorul" din Toronto ce a insotit certificatul de apreciere oferit grupului cultural Alice & Friends™ de la Vancouver:
La Multi Ani, sanatate si spor in toate cele in 2021!Grupul de la ziarul "Observatorul" din Canada (colaboratori si prieteni ai ziarului, cenaclul Nicapetre, participanti de diferite profesii) acorda in 15 ianuarie (ziua de nastere a marelui nostru poet Mihai Eminescu, devenita apoi si Ziua Culturii Nationale), in memoria unor membrii ai comunitatii romanesti, diplome de apreciere unor persoane care se bucura de respect si apreciere.
Suntem bucurosi sa va trimitem aceasta apreciere pentru cei care au initiat, dezvoltat si asigura succesul Grupului Cultural Alice & Friends™.
Dumitru Puiu Popescu
