A collection of fifteen stories written by some of Romania's best writers of the late 19th century, early 20th century period, translated by Lucy Byng, revised by Tiberian Press, illustrated by Francesca Ibba: The Fairy of the Lake(Mihail Sadoveanu) The Easter Torch(Ion Luca Caragiale) At Manjoala's Inn(Ion Luca Caragiale) Alexandru Lapushneanu, 1564-1569(Costache Negruzzi) Zidra(Marc Beza) Gardana(Marc Beza) The Dead Pool(Marc Beza) Old Nichifor, the Impostor(Ion Creanga) Cozma Racoare(Mihail Sadoveanu) The Wanderers(Mihail Sadoveanu) The Fledgeling(Ioan Alexandru Bratescu-Voinesti) Popa Tanda(Ioan Slavici) Out in the World(Ion Popovici-Banateanu) The Bird of Ill Omen(Ioan Alexandru Bratescu-Voinesti) Irinel(Barbu Stefanescu Delavrancea)
This is not an ordinary history book. As readers will realise quite early on, Neagu Djuvara has the audacity to tackle some of the most delicate and controversial issues in Romanian history under the guise of light storytelling. With the addition of illustrations, the book becomes better and easier to understand: we are offered the chance to see how ancient artefacts discovered by archaeologists actually look like, or catch a glimpse of the world of barbarians and medieval warriors depicted in wonderful illuminated manuscripts. As we get nearer to the modern age, the imagery becomes even richer and we get to know Romania's princes and monarchs, their allies and their enemies, the politicians – good and bad – their triumphs, tribulations or even tragedies; and sometimes even the common people going about their daily lives. The photographic discourse focuses on the most important documents, even if their condition is not optimal. You will also find images of pottery, jewellery and weaponry, some of them from unexpected sources, often unknown to the public, accompanied by detailed captions that complement the information provided in the text itself. Together, the story and illustrations intertwine to form a new, enhanced historical account - and hopefully, one not lacking in originality.
"Very little is known about Romanian literature, which although not as rich as in many other countries, presents, nevertheless, features of real interest. Like all people in touch with the East, even the peasants have a strain of poetry in their speech, their expression is picturesque and gentle, an almost fatalistic note of sadness rings through all the songs they sing. Our poets have adapted themselves to this particular strain, and mostly it is the popular form that has been developed by our literary men both in prose and poetry. Romanian literature possesses eminent historians and critics. I am not, in these few lines, going to touch upon their activities ; but strangely enough there are few writers of fiction amongst the Romanians great novel writers do not exist. The Romanian, above all, excels as poet and as a short-story writer. In this last art he is past-master, and it is therefore a great pleasure to me to encourage this book. Each one of these short stories is a little work of art, and deeply characteristic of Romanian popular life and thought ; therefore I have no doubt that they will interest all those who care about literature." Queen Marie of Romania
Please note - these are not "politically correct" tales. . In the Queen of Fairies (in the original, The Fairy of Fairies) as also in The Enchanted Prince, the plain-spoken expression has in several places been somewhat toned down. In all these cases the translator has cravenly yielded to the fear of bruising the delicate susceptibilities of civilized folks, who, while not exactly more moral, are certainly more squeamish than the artless old-world peasant. The book contains 7 original Romanian tales, as published in 1870s by Petre Ispirescu, as well as their English translation.
The implications of early experience for children's brain development, behavior, and psychological functioning have long absorbed caregivers, researchers, and clinicians. The 1989 fall of Romania's Ceausescu regime left approximately 170,000 children in 700 overcrowded, impoverished institutions across Romania, and prompted the most comprehensive study to date on the effects of institutionalization on children's well-being. Romania's Abandoned Children, the authoritative account of this landmark study, documents the devastating toll paid by children who are deprived of responsive care, social interaction, stimulation, and psychological comfort. Launched in 2000, the Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP) was a rigorously controlled investigation of foster care as an alternative to institutionalization. Researchers included 136 abandoned infants and toddlers in the study and randomly assigned half of them to foster care created specifically for the project. The other half stayed in Romanian institutions, where conditions remained substandard. Over a twelve-year span, both groups were assessed for physical growth, cognitive functioning, brain development, and social behavior. Data from a third group of children raised by their birth families were collected for comparison. The study found that the institutionalized children were severely impaired in IQ and manifested a variety of social and emotional disorders, as well as changes in brain development. However, the earlier an institutionalized child was placed into foster care, the better the recovery. Combining scientific, historical, and personal narratives in a gripping, often heartbreaking, account, Romania's Abandoned Children highlights the urgency of efforts to help the millions of parentless children living in institutions throughout the world.
Romania is a true cultural melting pot, rooted in Greek and Turkish traditions in the south, Hungarian and Saxon in the north and Slavic in the east and west. Carapathia, the first book from food stylist and cooking enthusiast Irina Georgescu, aims to introduce readers to Romania's bold, inventive and delicious cuisine. Bringing the country to life with stunning photography and recipes, it will take the reader on a culinary journey to the very heart of the Balkans, exploring it's history and landscape through it's traditions and food. From fragrant pilafs, sour borsch and hearty stews, to intricate and moreish desserts, this book celebrates the dishes from a culture living at the crossroads of eastern and western traditions.
Romanian crafts are celebrated around the world: fine textiles, carved wooden furniture, ceramics, hammered copper utensils, painted eggs, delicate glasswork, hand-worked leather -- these are among the items traditional Romanian craftsmen have brought to an amazing level of artistry. A directory is included providing a list of the best Romanian artisans, museums, and craft destinations; recommendations on hotel accommodations and restaurants for the traveler; and detailed information for collectors about buying and exporting Romanian crafts.
Focusing on youth, family, work, and consumption, Ambiguous Transitions analyzes the interplay between gender and citizenship postwar Romania. By juxtaposing official sources with oral histories and socialist policies with everyday practices, Jill Massino illuminates the gendered dimensions of socialist modernization and its complex effects on women’s roles, relationships, and identities. Analyzing women as subjects and agents, the book examines how they negotiated the challenges that arose as Romanian society modernized, even as it clung to traditional ideas about gender. Massino concludes by exploring the ambiguities of postsocialism, highlighting how the legacies of the past have shaped politics and women’s lived experiences since 1989.
The longstanding European conception that Roma and non-Roma are separated by unambiguous socio-cultural distinctions has led to the construction of Roma as “non-belonging others.” Challenging this conception, Textures of Belonging explores how Roma negotiate and feel belonging at the everyday level. Inspired by material culture, sensorial anthropology, and human geography approaches, this book uses ethnographic research to examine the role of domestic material forms and their sensorial qualities in nurturing connections with people and places that transcend socio-political boundaries.
