Romanian Academy's Pop: When we talk about culture among Romanians, it is impossible to ignore Eminescu

When talking about culture among Romanians, it is impossible to ignore poet Mihai Eminescu, says chairman of the Romanian Academy Ioan-Aurel Pop, stressing that the name "national culture" does not offend anyone, "there is nothing offensive, individualistic or discriminatory about it."

"We are living in a relatively prosperous world, which, although it is affected by diseases characterised as incurable, gives us the necessary time to think from time to time about culture, that is, about the universe that surrounds us and that, at the same time, is also inside us. The national culture includes the set of spiritual manifestations of a nation, illustrated by creations and often realised within institutions. That is why we include in culture, for example, both poetry (creation) and school (institution). Today, the exact sciences are more and more included in culture, because they are also products of the human spirit. Eminescu, in order to be capable of the superior creation he reached, also learned a lot of mathematics and physics. The creations of the human spirit show us that "in the beginning was the Word," and that from it all things were incarnated, the seen and the unseen, the palpable and the ineffable. Culture is called national in the peoples who have reached the stage of modern nations, and the name does not offend anyone; there is nothing offensive, individualistic or discriminatory about it," Pop told AGERPRES, ahead of January 15, Romanian National Culture Day.

He added that "some wonder why the National Culture Day is held on the day of Eminescu's birth."

"It's simple: when we talk about culture among Romanians, it is impossible to ignore Eminescu. Beyond the superlative qualifications that have been added to his name and personality, Eminescu encompasses the Romanian culture itself, with almost all its works (creations) and institutions. Eminescu gave birth to poetry, prose, theatre, fairy tale, essay, reportage, historiography, philosophy, political discourse, sociology, mathematical, physical, economic considerations. His manuscripts - 46 volumes, about 14 thousand pages - were donated by Titu Maiorescu to the Romanian Academy. They materialised in 14 printed volumes, presented digitally in seven CDs. From here we can see the writer's miraculous ability to encompass the world in his mind. Eminescu knew directly cultural institutions such as schools of all grades, libraries, theaters, houses of culture, circles, printing houses, magazines and the press in general. This is why we celebrate the National Culture Day on January 15, the day of Eminescu's birth." Romanian culture has been celebrated each year on January 15 since 2011 to coincide with the birth date of poet Mihai Eminescu. The National Culture Day was initiated by Eugen Simion, the then chairman of the Romanian Academy, and legislated by the Romanian Parliament in 2010. Now in its 15th edition, the National Culture Day is celebrated in all communities inhabited by Romanians, inside or outside the country's borders.