RSS

Message


I was browsing thorugh some older emails and this is what I found:

 

Thanks for the link leading to your website.

I must say that you Romanians have got to be the people most actively interested in translating books into your mother tongue that I know of.

I think CBO Rosetta Project( www.childrensbooksonline.org) has more volunteer translators for Romanian than any other of the 40 languages we currently offer.

Given Romania’s small population, that’s really saying something about how seriously you folks take your own language and how clearly Romanian are seeking to be a players in the greater world, too.

Best luck.

Most sincerely,

Guy Chocensky, President
Children’s Books Online: The Rosetta Project
Searsport, Maine; USA

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on June 28, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

French Comedian Making Jokes about Romanians


Not long ago, I listened to the Romanian news and they were talking about this French comedian, Jamel Debouzze, who thought it appropriate, or probably didn’t think at all when he made a racist joke about Romanians. He said that the French national football team should have a Romanian coach, who would say “I beg you please give me the ball, it’s for my poor children”.

I think this is in bad taste, but it also proves how little this person knows about Romania. If he had any clue, he would probably know a bit more about the origin of the people begging on the streets of Paris, about how most Romanians have a great work ethic, high moral standards, and many of us actually study at the best universities in Paris. Also if he had a clue, he would know that one of the prime spots in Paris, that attracts millions of visitors every year, is dedicated to a Romanian – Constantin Brancusi. If he had a clue, he would know that the kneeling statue in the Madeleine metro station was made by Brancusi, and no, it doesn’t represent a beggar, but it’s a personification of the act of praying. And the same Brancusi has decorated the Montparnasse cemetery in Paris with a sculpture – The Kiss. And if he took the time to learn something about Romanians, he would probably know that one of our greatest poets – Mihai Eminescu – has a statue in Paris, next to the Orthodox Church on the Jean de Beauvais street.

Oh, and since he’s an actor, he’s probably heard of the great playwright Eugen Ionescu, also a Romanian, who lived in Paris, who’s one of the greatest representatives of the theatre of the absurd and whose plays have been played in Paris for over 50 years.

And this man definitely doesn’t know that the Eiffel tower, the most famous of the Parisian monuments, is made of Romanian steel. Yes, Romanian.

What also upsets me is how irresponsible people like him are. It’s unbelievable how little they care about the responsibility they have as public persons. They are on TV or on the radio, delivering opinions to millions of people, surely they should think at least twice before they launch such statements. They are popular people, and the public tends to believe them and assimilate their attitudes, so they should take greater care when it comes to words.

I’ve always believed in the principle “don’t talk about something if you don’t know anything about it”. It just saves you looking like an ignorant fool.

And what gobsmacked me the most is that this comes from a Marrocan guy who lives in France, and I’d expect more open mindness from such a person. But well..

facebook.com/Lavinia.Spargo.Accessories

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 17, 2011 in Uncategorized

 

Copilarie


E vara si miroase a asfalt si a praf. Miroase si a mancare proaspat gatita, mirosul vine de la fiecare fereastra deschisa. Mancare facuta cu legume proaspete de vara, cumparate din piata de la Diamant sau de la aprozar.

E tare cald dar nu ne pasa, noi ne jucam sapte pietre, si asa prinsi in febra jocului abia ne auzim mamicile care ne cheama la masa de pranz.

Mancam in graba, iar apoi iesim din nou si ne strigam numele pe la ferestre pentru a ne readuna. Dar nu mai suntem asa de numerosi pana mai spre seara, cand ne jucam ascunsea cu mingea pana noaptea tarziu, fara nicio grija, fara nici un pericol existent. Mamica si taticu sunt in casa, si ne vad pe fereastra. In curand ne vor chema acasa. Maine mergem la tara.

La Bozed, buni ne intampina inca de pe ulicioara. E in culmea fericirii. Bunicul, morocanos, asa e el, dar se bucura de pachetul de Carpati si de celelalte bunatati aduse de parintii mei.

Primul lucru, ma duc sa vad catelul. Corbu, ce mai faci? Of, tot aici dupa cotet? Ce te-as dezlega, dar sti ca nu am voie, trebuie sa astepti pana diseara dupa mulsul vacii. Lasa ca vin mai tarziu si iti aduc niste oase..

Apoi, tusti in gradina sa vad s-au copt prunele? Dar piersicile? Maama, ce de rosii, si mai ales ce de flori are buni! Eu si fratele meu ne ducem bagajele in casa ai’ mare, si ne schimbam in haine de joaca. Inca nu ne jucam. Avem de povestit cum a fost anul asta la scoala, si de ascultat alte povesti la care nu le dam nici o atentie. Gandul nostru e la marul de la Unchiesu’, marul ala care sigur s-a copt deja, si in care ne putem catara si petrece ore intregi, cantand Coco Jambo sau imitandu-l pe Scatman John.

Intr-o zi trebuie sa mergem si la muratoare, sa ne scaldam, dar sa nu zici la nimeni, ca e tare murdara apa si e prea departe de casa.

Mai tarziu mergem cu buni la buduroi dupa apa, e tare seceta si fantana de langa casa aproape ca a secat. E o carare prin cucuruz pana la fantana din deal. Cucuruzul e bun de fiert, poate fierbem cativa ciucalai sambata dupa ce terminam de dezghiocat fasolea. Of ce povara! Nu ne place la fasole, ca noi vrem sa mergem sa ne jucam.

Iar apoi vine stransul prunelor. Sebi se urca in prun ca sa il scuture. Nu imi place sa pun mana pe prunele albe care se zdrobesc de pamant, dar ma obisnuiesc si culegem tot de pe jos, pt ca Mosu’ sa faca tuica. Iar mai tarziu prunele negre pt dulceata. Abia astept sa mananc chisalita, si coca cu prune.

Si secerisul. Mama ce ne mai place noua sa trecem pe langa glorii si sa le facem semn sa claxoneze. Uuuuuu, uuuuuuu! Imi place sa merg prin miriste apoi sa vada daca au scapat florile macar, dar si macii si ciocul randunicii sunt secerate la pamant. Ei, lasa ca cresc la loc. Hai ca trebuie sa mergem acasa sa intindem graul la uscat. Uf!

Si apoi sa mergem acasa, ca incepe scoala…

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on July 5, 2011 in Uncategorized

 

Tags:

Music


Yesterday it was the World Music Day, so this post is a little bit late. Nonetheless I want to share some of my favourite Romanian songs with you, and through this give you an inkling on Romanian music.

The first piece is by George Enescu, it’s called The Romanian Rhapsody No 1, and it’s classical music. I think it perfectly captures the Romanian spirit, it’s like a musical definition of us as a people, especially if you listen to No2 as well.

 

The second piece will be Romanian folk music, or traditional music, from Transylvania. Traditional music is tailor made for the soul of a people, and it’s very hard to understand and appreciate by other people. Still, you can give it a try…

 

And a mix of other songs:…

 

 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on June 22, 2011 in Amazing Romania

 

Tags: , ,

Music from the Romanian Heaven


Gheorghe Zamfir

Image via Wikipedia

Gheorghe Zamfir, the king of the pan flute, what an absolutely outstanding artist!

He has modified this instrument and enlarged just to be able to render as many sounds as possible, and became worldwide famous for his music, which was new to the European ears. The pan flute is a traditional instrument in Romania.

Gheorghe Zamfir’s music is appreciated at a global scale, and he has performed on some of the greatest stages of the world!

He has been awarded the Vatican Medal by Pope John Paul the II, The Gold Medal of the Arts Academy of France, he has been made Knight of Honour in France, and he has received many other awards and distinctions all over the world.

He received 4 Platinum Discs in New Zeeland, Gold Discs in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Finland and Netherlands.
He has sold over 700 million copies in the whole world.

His music is part of the soundtracks for Karate Kid, Once Upon a Time in America and Kill Bill.

If you haven’t listened to his music before, do so, it’s not too late to teach your ears true music.

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on May 2, 2011 in Great Romanians

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Revelation


I have just realized that out of the people that I’ve met, only those who haven’t visited Romania have bad things to say about it. Those who have seen it can’t find words to praise its beauties and the wonderful people they’ve met there.

This year I met a man and his wife who have been to Romania 34 times and they can’t wait to go again! And this weekend I met a lovely lady who had been there 4 times if I’m not wrong, and says she absolutely loves it!

So it can’t be that bad! 🙂

 

Tags: ,

Romanian on Top of the Game


At some point this year I was looking to take up training for the European job competition, and I stumbled across Carmen Peter’s website http://www.carmenpeter.com/

She is so good! And I’m so proud of her! She originates from Turda, a small Transylvanian town, but look where she is now, training people all over the world, working for so many biiig companies, and even training the big guys in the European Commission and Parliament!

Whoever says Romania hasn’t got brains?

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on April 26, 2011 in Great Romanians

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

A Trip from My Home-town to Bran Castle


Romania doesn’t have many motorways. And to some extent, this is a good thing. Strolling accross country you get the chance to discover so many gems that have been forgotten under the thick dust of time, or left at the mercy of nature to defeat time through their own forces. Old churches, castles, fortresses, manor houses, towers..They all tell stories about a past rich in events and culture. If only more had ears to listen to these stories!

If you embark on a trip from Targu Mures to Bran, you’ll be amazed that on a distance of around 170km you can see so many testimonies of the Romanian past. People don’t look at them anymore. I didn’t use to look at them anymore. But now I do. Now that I don’t have them anymore, I savour every bit of them.

Targu Mures is an treasure for whoever is interested in architecture and history.

From its medieval fortress and the gothic cathedral, to its Hungarian Cultural Palace, from its medieval high-school to the modern and unique National Theatre, there is something to amaze your eyes everywhere.

Targu Mures

Targu Mures

 

 

 

 

 

 

We embark onto the journey to Bran on the E60 road, which takes us through Romanian, Hungarian and German villages.

Toldalagi Manor House ruin

Toldalagi Manor House ruin

Balauseri

Tigmandru Church

Hetiur Medieval Church

Hetiur Medieval Church

Somsics Castle, Hetiur - Ruin

Somsics Castle, Hetiur - Ruin

 

We then arrive to Sighisoara, where we have to stop for at least a couple of hours. This is a place oozing history. Its narrow streets are buzzing with tourists who want to see one of the few if not the only currently inhabited medieval fortresses in Europe, the place where Vlad Tepes, aka Dracula was born.

Sighisoara
Sighisoara
Sighisoara - Medieval church
Sighisoara – Medieval church
Sighisoara
Sighisoara
Sighisoara
Sighisoara
Saschiz Medieval Church

Saschiz Medieval Church

Saschiz Medieval Fortress

Saschiz Medieval Fortress

Bunesti Medieval Chruch

Bunesti Medieval Chruch

Rupea Fortress

Rupea Fortress

Hoghiz

Hoghiz

Feldioara Medieval Ruins

Feldioara Medieval Ruins

Harman

Harman

And then we arrive to Brasov.. What an amazing city…

Brasov - Central Square

Brasov - Central Square

Brasov Central Square

Brasov Central Square

And we’re getting closer to Bran… On our way, we go through Rasnov..

Rasnov

Rasnov

An finally we arrive to the amazing Bran. This journey is worth taking over a few days. There is no way to describe its beauties here, you have to see these things with your own eyes…

Bran Castle

Bran Castle

We haven’t covered a great distance, but the amount og things we have seen is mind blowing! That is because Romania is such an amazing country, and unfortunately people misjudge it and don’t give it a chance. They don’t give themselves the chance to discover it, and they’re missing out. I’m proud to be Romanian, and I’m proud to belong to these wonderful places!

 

 
1 Comment

Posted by on March 21, 2011 in Amazing Romania

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

I love being Romanian


I love being Romanian. I was born in the heart of Transylvania, I grew up there, and I carry it in my heart wherever I go.

I love being Romanian, because I know the smell and taste of fresh bread, baked in a log oven, and I know the beautiful aroma and color of plum jam made by an old, kind lady, who is my grandmother. I also know how nice it is to pick these plums from your own trees, amongst which you play every day, and which you see evolve from the fist blossom untill fall. I also know that these plums can be fierce if you let them ferment and you distill them, to make the burning traditional tuica.

I love being Romanian because growing up there has taught me how hard life can be but how easy it is to live and enjoy existing. My parents taught me what responsibility means, but also not to over-worry, as God will always provide me with the strength and means to follow my way.

I love being Romanian because when I am there I look at every flower, and leaf, and listen to every bird, I look at the sky and the clouds, and I know that they are all there for us to enjoy.

I love being Romanian because of the folk music that only us Romanians can understand and feel, because of our traditions that belong to us only, because of the food that touches all our senses and our wines that embody our sun, our desire, our happiness, our moments of pure enjoyment, our music, and our national tragedies.

I love being Romanian because I know what “dor” means and because although I can translate it into other languages , no other language will be able to personify the word like Romanian does.

I love being Romanian because I used to have so little. I now have more and know how to appreciate and respect every bit of it. I also know that if I lose it, it’s not all lost. I’ll still have the plums, and the orchards, and the wine, and my walks with my parents in the woods, the flowers, the  birds, God, the poems, the songs, Christmas, Easter,and everything that has made me be who I am.

 
11 Comments

Posted by on March 5, 2011 in People

 

Tags: , , , ,

Don’t Try to Steal Eliade!


I was reading the biography of Mircea Eliade on Answers.com just to find out that this website claims that Eliade is American!

Indeed he lived for a long time in the USA and taught at the University of Chicago, and got the American citizenship at the age of 59, but that does not make him American! Don’t try to steal Eliade from us!!!

He also lived and studied in India and still nobody claims that he is Indian.

This really annoys me, cause I see so many countries having a bad opinion about Romania but when it comes to people like Eliade, they are trying to make them theirs. Why is it so hard for you to admit that Romania has got many great people, with great minds?

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on December 9, 2010 in Great Romanians

 

Tags: , , , , ,