Literature Of Romania
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Romanian literature () is the entirety of literature written by Romanian authors, although the term may also be used to refer to all literature written in the
Romanian language Romanian (obsolete spelling: Roumanian; , or , ) is the official and main language of Romania and Moldova. Romanian is part of the Eastern Romance languages, Eastern Romance sub-branch of Romance languages, a linguistic group that evolved fr ...
or by any authors native to
Romania Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern and Southeast Europe. It borders Ukraine to the north and east, Hungary to the west, Serbia to the southwest, Bulgaria to the south, Moldova to ...
. Early Romanian literature includes religious texts and historical chronicles written in
Old Church Slavonic Old Church Slavonic or Old Slavonic ( ) is the first Slavic languages, Slavic literary language and the oldest extant written Slavonic language attested in literary sources. It belongs to the South Slavic languages, South Slavic subgroup of the ...
. Romanian literature throughout history has been influenced both by international European movements, such as Humanism and Enlightenment, and by the local geopolitical context and major national events such as the
Unification of Moldavia and Wallachia The unification of Moldavia and Wallachia (), also known as the unification of the Romanian Principalities () or as the Little Union (), happened in 1859 following the election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as prince of both the Principality of Moldavi ...
and the
Union of Transylvania with Romania The union of Transylvania with Romania was declared on by the assembly of the delegates of ethnic Romanians held in Alba Iulia. The Great Union Day (also called ''Unification Day''), celebrated on 1 December, is a Public holidays in Romani ...
. In addition to literature created by individual authors, Romania also has a rich tradition of folk literature which is part of the Romanian folklore. In 2009, the
Nobel Prize for Literature The Nobel Prize in Literature, here meaning ''for'' Literature (), is a Swedish literature prize that is awarded annually, since 1901, to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, "in t ...
was awarded to
Herta Müller Herta Müller (; born 17 August 1953) is a Romanian-German novelist, poet, essayist and recipient of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature. She was born in Nițchidorf (; ), Timiș County in Romania; her native languages are German and Romanian. Si ...
. Romanian literature achieved its
golden age The term Golden Age comes from Greek mythology, particularly the ''Works and Days'' of Hesiod, and is part of the description of temporal decline of the state of peoples through five Ages of Man, Ages, Gold being the first and the one during wh ...
during the
interwar period In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period, also known as the interbellum (), lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days) – from the end of World War I (WWI) to the beginning of World War II ( ...
, and several authors of the 20th century, gained international recognition, such as
Mircea Eliade Mircea Eliade (; – April 22, 1986) was a Romanian History of religion, historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. One of the most influential scholars of religion of the 20th century and in ...
and Emil Cioran.


Old Romanian literature

The development of Romanian literature has taken place in parallel with that of the rich Romanian folklore – lyric, epic, dramatic and didactic – which continues in modern times. Romanian
oral literature Oral literature, orature, or folk literature is a genre of literature that is spoken or sung in contrast to that which is written, though much oral literature has been transcribed. There is no standard definition, as anthropologists have used v ...
includes doine (lyric songs), ''balade'' (
ballads A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...
), hore (dance songs), colinde (carols), ''basme'' (
fairy tales A fairy tale (alternative names include fairytale, fairy story, household tale, magic tale, or wonder tale) is a short story that belongs to the Folklore, folklore genre. Such stories typically feature Magic (supernatural), magic, Incantation, e ...
), ''snoave'' (
anecdotes An anecdote is "a story with a point", such as to communicate an abstract idea about a person, place, or thing through the concrete details of a short narrative or to characterize by delineating a specific quirk or trait. Anecdotes may be real ...
), ''vorbe'' (
proverbs A proverb (from ) or an adage is a simple, traditional saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. Proverbs are often metaphorical and are an example of formulaic language. A proverbial phrase or a proverbial ...
), and ''ghicitori'' (
riddles A riddle is a :wikt:statement, statement, question, or phrase having a double or veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved. Riddles are of two types: ''enigmas'', which are problems generally expressed in metaphorical or Allegory, alleg ...
). The folk pastoral ballad '' Miorița'' is one of the best known examples of Romanian folk literature. Folk literature has been transcribed by authors, notably Petre Ispirescu, who collected folk tales.


Medieval Slavonic literature

The Script of
Old Church Slavonic Old Church Slavonic or Old Slavonic ( ) is the first Slavic languages, Slavic literary language and the oldest extant written Slavonic language attested in literary sources. It belongs to the South Slavic languages, South Slavic subgroup of the ...
began to be used in the territories of current day Romania as early as the 10th Century, with the oldest surviving manuscripts being dated as far back as the 12th Century. The earliest dated texts in Slavonic, originally from Wallachia and Moldavia, consist of a series of Religious Songs by Nicodim & Filotei and a Hagiographical text by Grigore Țamblâc, all being dated between 1385 and 1391. Also by the 15th century many copies of medieval Slavonic texts have been created by the scribes of the Danubian Principalities. In the meantime numerous Slavonic and Greek translations of popular medieval romances were in circulation across the Danubian Principalities, like the Alexander Romance and
Barlaam and Josaphat Barlaam and Josaphat, also known as Bilawhar and Budhasaf, are Christian saints. Their story tells of the conversion of Josaphat to Christianity. According to tradition, an Indian king persecuted the Christian Church in his realm. After ast ...
. Particularly of note is ''The Teachings of Neagoe Basarab to his son Theodosie:'' a series of teachings on morality and politics, written between 1519 and 1521, by the Wallachian Lord
Neagoe Basarab Neagoe Basarab (; – 15 September 1521) was the Voivode (Prince) of Wallachia between 1512 and 1521. Born into the boyar family of the Craiovești (his reign marks the climax of the family's political influence) as the son of Pârvu Craioves ...
, a work written in the spirit of the
Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...
and considered one of the oldest great works of Southeastern European literature. Moldavian historical chronicles written by court order in the 16th century include the chronicles of Macarie, Azarie and Eftimie.


Beginning of writing and publishing in Romanian

The earliest books in Romanian were translated from Slavonic religious texts in the 15th century. '' Psaltirea Hurmuzaki'', ''Codicele Voronețean'', ''Psaltirea Voronețeană'', ''Psaltirea Scheiană'', and others are religious texts from Moldavia that carry evidence of being translations of manuscripts written in the other languages in the Banat-Hunedoara area. Of them, '' Hurmuzaki Psalter'', a Romanian copy of a bilingual Church Slavonic - Romanian Psalter, has been dated between 1491–1504 by watermarks, making it the oldest preserved manuscript in Romanian. The earliest surviving document in Romanian that can be precisely dated is Neacșu's letter written in 1521, to the ''jude'' ("judge and mayor") of
Brașov Brașov (, , ; , also ''Brasau''; ; ; Transylvanian Saxon dialect, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Kruhnen'') is a city in Transylvania, Romania and the county seat (i.e. administrative centre) of Brașov County. According to the 2021 Romanian census, ...
, Hans Benkner. The first book printed in Wallachia was a Slavonic religious book, printed in 1508 at
Târgoviște Târgoviște (, alternatively spelled ''Tîrgoviște'') is a Municipiu, city and county seat in Dâmbovița County, Romania. It is situated north-west of Bucharest, on the right bank of the Ialomița (river), Ialomița River. Târgoviște was ...
. The first book printed in the Romanian language was ''Catehismul românesc'' by Filip Moldoveanul in 1544. Other translations from Greek and Slavonic books were printed later in the 16th century. Dosoftei, a Moldavian Bishop, in 1673, published the first Romanian metrical psalter, the earliest collection of poems written in Romanian. Early efforts to publish the Bible in Romanian started with the 1582 printing in the small town of
Orăștie Orăștie (; , , , '' Transylvanian Saxon'': Brooss) is a small town and municipality in Hunedoara County, south-western Transylvania, central Romania. History 7th–9th century â€“ On the site of an old swamp was a human settlement, ...
of the so-called '' Palia de la Orăștie'' – a translation of the first books of the
Old Testament The Old Testament (OT) is the first division of the Christian biblical canon, which is based primarily upon the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, a collection of ancient religious Hebrew and occasionally Aramaic writings by the Isr ...
– printed by Deacon Șerban (the son of Deacon Coresi) and Marien Diacul (Marien the Scribe). ''Palia'' was translated by Bishop Mihail Tordaș ''et al.'' from the Pentateuch printed at Kolozsvár in 1551 by Gáspár Heltai and a version of
Vulgate The Vulgate () is a late-4th-century Bible translations into Latin, Latin translation of the Bible. It is largely the work of Saint Jerome who, in 382, had been commissioned by Pope Damasus I to revise the Gospels used by the Diocese of ...
. The entire Bible was not published in Romanian until the end of the 17th century, when the Metropolitanate's Press of Bucharest printed '' Biblia de la București'' ("The Bucharest Bible") in 1688, compiled by the Greceanu Brothers. In
Transylvania Transylvania ( or ; ; or ; Transylvanian Saxon dialect, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Siweberjen'') is a List of historical regions of Central Europe, historical and cultural region in Central Europe, encompassing central Romania. To the east and ...
, there was also an attestation of the explicit use of a Latin model, with the appearance of the first Romanian dictionary, ''Dictionarium Valachico-Latinum'' ( CaransebeÈ™, about 1650), while the first grammar of the Romanian language written in Latin was ''Institutiones linguae Valachicae'' (
Crișana Crișana (, , ) is a geographical and historical region of Romania named after the Criș (Körös) River and its three tributaries: the Crișul Alb, Crișul Negru, and Crișul Repede. In Romania, the term is sometimes extended to include areas ...
, circa 1770).


Humanism

The first appearances of
humanism Humanism is a philosophy, philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential, and Agency (philosophy), agency of human beings, whom it considers the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry. The me ...
in
Moldavia Moldavia (, or ; in Romanian Cyrillic alphabet, Romanian Cyrillic: or ) is a historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester River. An initially in ...
and
Wallachia Wallachia or Walachia (; ; : , : ) is a historical and geographical region of modern-day Romania. It is situated north of the Lower Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians. Wallachia was traditionally divided into two sections, Munteni ...
were in the 16th century with the likes of and Petru Cercel, but it took another century for these ideas to fully flourish. This delay can be attributed to the continuation of
Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...
culture in the Danubian Principalities, or to the different
social class A social class or social stratum is a grouping of people into a set of Dominance hierarchy, hierarchical social categories, the most common being the working class and the Bourgeoisie, capitalist class. Membership of a social class can for exam ...
es compared to Western Europe. During the 17th century, humanism spread to Moldavia via Poland and its
Jesuit The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order (Catholic), religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rom ...
schools, having as representatives the likes of
Grigore Ureche Grigore Ureche (; 1590–1647) was a Moldavian chronicler who wrote on Moldavian history in his ''Letopisețul Țării Moldovei'' ('' Chronicles of the Land of Moldavia''), covering the period from 1359 to 1594. Biography Grigore Ureche was th ...
,
Miron Costin Miron Costin (March 30, 1633 – 1691) was a Moldavian (Romanians, Romanian) political figure and chronicler. His main work, ''Letopiseţul Ţărâi Moldovei e la Aron Vodă încoace' (''The Chronicles of the land of Moldavia rom the rule ...
, and Ion Neculce with their chronicles on the history of Moldavia. Following the example of Petro Movilă's Petro Mohyla">Petro Movilă's Kyiv Colegium, the Voivode">Lords Matei Basarab">Kyiv">Petro Mohyla">Petro Movilă's Kyiv Colegium, the Voivode">Lords Matei Basarab and Vasile Lupu established Neoclassicism, Neoclassical schools such as the Schola Graeca et Latina and the
Iași Iași ( , , ; also known by other #Etymology and names, alternative names), also referred to mostly historically as Jassy ( , ), is the Cities in Romania, third largest city in Romania and the seat of Iași County. Located in the historical ...
Colegiu. In Wallachia, Mihail Moxa, Kyr Gavriil and Stoica Ludescu wrote historical chronicles; while the ''Cronica Buzeștilor'' (The Chronicle of the Buzești House) was written by an anonymous writer. Constantin Cantacuzino was a nobleman and historian and a notable humanist scholar. Nicolae Milescu was a Moldavian-born writer, diplomat and traveler, who lived and worked in the
Tsardom of Russia The Tsardom of Russia, also known as the Tsardom of Moscow, was the centralized Russian state from the assumption of the title of tsar by Ivan the Terrible, Ivan IV in 1547 until the foundation of the Russian Empire by Peter the Great in 1721. ...
. The most significant Romanian humanist was
Dimitrie Cantemir Dimitrie or Demetrius; Cantemir (; ; 26 October 1673 – 21 August 1723), also known by other spellings, was a Moldavian prince, statesman, and man of letters. He twice served as voivode of Moldavia (March–April 1693 and 1710–1711). Durin ...
, who wrote histories of Wallachia, Moldavia and the
Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
, and philosophical and religious treaties such as ', ''The Indescribable Image of Sacred Science'', and ''The Little Compendium of Logic''. He also wrote the
Roman à clef A ''roman à clef'' ( ; ; ) is a novel about real-life events that is overlaid with a façade of fiction. The fictitious names in the novel represent real people and the "key" is the relationship between the non-fiction and the fiction. This m ...
''A Hieroglyphic History'' in 1705.


Enlightenment

In 18th century Transylvania, throughout the Blaj Schools of Inocențiu Micu-Klein, a Latinist and Enlightenment movement, the Școala Ardeleană emerged, producing
philological Philology () is the study of language in oral and written historical sources. It is the intersection of textual criticism, literary criticism, history, and linguistics with strong ties to etymology. Philology is also defined as the study of ...
studies of the Romantic origin of the Romanian language. Among the many works on Romanian history and the Romanian language by Samuil Micu-Klein, Gheorghe Șincai and Petru Maior, the "Heroic-comic-satiric Poem" '' Țiganiada'' by Ion Budai-Deleanu, can also be found, promoting democratic and enlightenment ideals. In Wallachia and Moldavia, the Enlightenment can be seen in the Poems and Prose of
Iancu Văcărescu Iancu Văcărescu (1786–1863) was a Romanians, Romanian Wallachian boyar and poet, member of the Văcărescu family. Biography The son of Alecu Văcărescu, descending from a long line of Wallachia, Wallachian Intellectual, men of letters &md ...
, Costache Conachi, and Dinicu Golescu.


National awakening

In 1829, in
Wallachia Wallachia or Walachia (; ; : , : ) is a historical and geographical region of modern-day Romania. It is situated north of the Lower Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians. Wallachia was traditionally divided into two sections, Munteni ...
, Ion Heliade Rădulescu founded the first Romanian-language Newspaper, Curierul Românesc, and cofounded the Philharmonic Society which later created the National Theatre of Bucharest. Albina Românească, a similar publication to Curierul Românesc was started contemporaneously by Gheorghe Asachi in
Moldavia Moldavia (, or ; in Romanian Cyrillic alphabet, Romanian Cyrillic: or ) is a historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester River. An initially in ...
.


Pașoptism

In the 1800s, the revolutionary ideas of
nationalism Nationalism is an idea or movement that holds that the nation should be congruent with the state. As a movement, it presupposes the existence and tends to promote the interests of a particular nation, Smith, Anthony. ''Nationalism: Theory, I ...
spreading in Europe were also circulating among Romanians who desired national independence from the
Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
. These nationalistic attitudes led to the revolutions of
1821 Events January–March * January 21 – Peter I Island in the Antarctic is first sighted, by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen. * January 26 – Congress of Laibach convenes to deal with outstanding international issues, particularly ...
and 1848. These ideas were mainly propagated by
Mihail Kogălniceanu Mihail Kogălniceanu (; also known as Mihail Cogâlniceanu, Michel de Kogalnitchan; September 6, 1817 – July 1, 1891) was a Romanian Liberalism, liberal statesman, lawyer, historian and publicist; he became Prime Minister of Romania on Octo ...
's publication, Dacia Literară, which was adapting French Romanticism to Romanian writing with the purpose of creating an original national literature. The works of these writers, later dubbed Pașoptists (after the Revolution of 1848), have been shown not only to contain Romantic but also Neoclassical and Realist traits. Vasile Alecsandri was a prolific writer, contributing to Romanian literature with poetry, prose, the ''Chirița'' plays (1850–1875), historical dramas such as ''Despot Vodă'' (1879), and collections of Romanian folklore. Also, taking inspiration from history, Constantin Negruzzi wrote the novella (1840). Other Pașoptist writers include Vasile Cârlova, Grigore Alexandrescu, Anton Pann, and Alecu Donici.


Junimea

The literary circle Junimea, founded in
Iași Iași ( , , ; also known by other #Etymology and names, alternative names), also referred to mostly historically as Jassy ( , ), is the Cities in Romania, third largest city in Romania and the seat of Iași County. Located in the historical ...
in 1863 by
Titu Maiorescu Titu Liviu Maiorescu (; 15 February 1840 – 18 June 1917) was a Romanian literary critic and politician, founder of the ''Junimea'' Society. As a literary critic, he was instrumental in the development of Culture of Romania, Romanian culture in ...
, Petre P. Carp, Vasile Pogor,
Theodor Rosetti Prince Theodor Rosetti (; 5 May 1837 – 17 July 1923) was a Romanian writer, journalist and politician who served as Prime Minister of Romania between 23 March 1888 and 22 March 1889, with two cabinets formed. Over his life, he also served seve ...
and Iacob Negruzzi began publishing the magazine '' Convorbiri Literare'' in1867, which eventually became the most important Romanian language literary publication in the 2nd half of the 19th century and 1st half of the 20th century. Through his links with Junimea, literary critic Titu Maiorescu set the direction of synchronizing Romanian literature both with other European literary movements and with Romanian folklore. Many outstanding Romanian writers, including George Coșbuc and Barbu Ştefănescu Delavrancea, published their works in ''Convorbiri Literare''. Other notable authors of this era are Nicolae Bălcescu, Dimitrie Bolintineanu, Alecu Russo, Nicolae Filimon, Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu, Alexandru Odobescu, Grigore Alexandrescu and Petre Ispirescu.


The beginnings of the Romanian novel

The first Romanian novel is considered to be ''Manoil'' (published in 1855) by Dimitrie Bolintineanu (if one excludes from the definition of novel the allegorical literary work ' by
Dimitrie Cantemir Dimitrie or Demetrius; Cantemir (; ; 26 October 1673 – 21 August 1723), also known by other spellings, was a Moldavian prince, statesman, and man of letters. He twice served as voivode of Moldavia (March–April 1693 and 1710–1711). Durin ...
, which was written between 1703 – 1705). Bolintineanu also published the novel Elena (1862). However these two novels are largely forgotten, although they are considered relevant from the point of view of describing Romanian society in the mid-19th century. Nicolae Filimon is considered the father of the Romanian novel, having written the influential novel ' (1863).


The great classics

Among the many writers of Junimea, four are considered to be the Great Classics of Romanian Literature: the poet
Mihai Eminescu Mihai Eminescu (; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889) was a Romanians, Romanian Romanticism, Romantic poet, novelist, and journalist from Moldavia, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Emin ...
, the
satirist This is an incomplete list of writers, cartoonists and others known for involvement in satire – humorous social criticism. They are grouped by era and listed by year of birth. Included is a list of modern satires. Early satirical authors *Aes ...
Ion Luca Caragiale Ion Luca Caragiale (; According to his birth certificate, published and discussed by Constantin Popescu-Cadem in ''Manuscriptum'', Vol. VIII, Nr. 2, 1977, pp. 179–184 – 9 June 1912), commonly referred to as I. L. Caragiale, was a Romanians, ...
, Ioan Slavici, and Ion Creangă. Mihai Eminescu is considered by many critics to be the most important and influential Romanian poet. His lyrical poetry has its roots in Romanian folklore intertwined with
Kantian Kantianism () is the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher born in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia). The term ''Kantianism'' or ''Kantian'' is sometimes also used to describe contemporary positions in philosophy of mi ...
and Schopenhauer's philosophy and
Buddhist cosmology Buddhist cosmology is the description of the shape and evolution of the Universe according to Buddhist Tripitaka, scriptures and Atthakatha, commentaries. It consists of a temporal and a spatial cosmology. The temporal cosmology describes the ...
. Among his greatest poems are the romantic poems ''Floare Albastră'' (1872) and ''Luceafărul'', as well as the series of five philosophical poems called ''Letters'' (1881–1890). Ioan Slavici is one of the best known Romanian novella writers. His works can be categorized as Realist
Bildungsroman In literary criticism, a bildungsroman () is a literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth and change of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood (coming of age). The term comes from the German words ('formation' or 'edu ...
s. They are mainly set in
Transylvania Transylvania ( or ; ; or ; Transylvanian Saxon dialect, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Siweberjen'') is a List of historical regions of Central Europe, historical and cultural region in Central Europe, encompassing central Romania. To the east and ...
and have Moralistic psychological undertones. His most famous works are the novellas '' Moara cu noroc'' and ', and the novel ''Mara''.
Ion Luca Caragiale Ion Luca Caragiale (; According to his birth certificate, published and discussed by Constantin Popescu-Cadem in ''Manuscriptum'', Vol. VIII, Nr. 2, 1977, pp. 179–184 – 9 June 1912), commonly referred to as I. L. Caragiale, was a Romanians, ...
, wrote some of the best Romanian comedies, sketches and
farce Farce is a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd, and improbable. Farce is also characterized by heavy use of physical comedy, physical humor; the use of delibe ...
s. Among his best known plays are ''O Noapte Furtunoasă'' (1879), ''O Scrisoare Pierdută'' (1884), and ''D-ale Carnavalului'' (1885). Ion Creangă wrote personalized retellings of folkloric tales, of which some of the best known are ''Povestea lui Harap Alb'' (1877), '' Păcală'' (1880), and ''Făt-Frumos fiul Iepei'' (1877). Of further note are his autobiographical memoirs from '' Amintiri din copilarie''.


Sămănătorism and Poporanism

From 1901 to 1910, through the activity of the publication ''
Sămănătorul ''Sămănătorul'' or ''Semănătorul'' (, Romanian language, Romanian for "The Sower") was a Literary magazine, literary and Political journalism, political magazine published in Romania between 1901 and 1910. Founded by poets Alexandru Vlahuță ...
'', founded by George Coșbuc and Alexandru Vlahuță, and later under the editorial watch of historian Nicolae Iorga, a new literary movement formed. A movement concentrated on preserving traditional values and idealising rural life, a continuation Eminescu's Romanticism. Among ''Sămănătorul'''s authors were George Coșbuc a poet, translator, teacher, and journalist, best known for his verses describing, praising and eulogizing rural life, author of Pașa Hasan, Nunta Zamfirei and Moartea lui Fulger; but also Alexandru Vlahuță, Octavian Goga, Duiliu Zamfirescu, Ștefan O. Iosif, Barbu Ștefănescu Delavrancea, Ion Agârbiceanu and Alexandru Macedonski. Although Goga and Agârbiceanu have become later associated with
Poporanism Poporanism is a Romanian version of nationalism and populism. The word is derived from ''popor'', meaning "people" in Romanian language, Romanian. Founded by Constantin Stere in the early 1890s, Poporanism is distinguished by its opposition to Ma ...
and the publication,
Viața Românească ''Viața Românească'' (, "The Romanian Life") is a monthly literary magazine published in Romania. Formerly the platform of the left-wing traditionalist trend known as poporanism, it is now one of the Writers' Union of Romania's main venues. ...
.


Interbellum literature

After achieving national unity in 1918, Romanian literature entered what can be called a
golden age The term Golden Age comes from Greek mythology, particularly the ''Works and Days'' of Hesiod, and is part of the description of temporal decline of the state of peoples through five Ages of Man, Ages, Gold being the first and the one during wh ...
, characterized by two opposite literary movements, Traditionalism and
Modernism Modernism was an early 20th-century movement in literature, visual arts, and music that emphasized experimentation, abstraction, and Subjectivity and objectivity (philosophy), subjective experience. Philosophy, politics, architecture, and soc ...
, and by the development of the Romanian novel. The
interwar period In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period, also known as the interbellum (), lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days) – from the end of World War I (WWI) to the beginning of World War II ( ...
of Romanian literature was a very rich and creative time, with numerous literary works being published during that period, addressing a variety of themes, including
historical novels Historical fiction is a literary genre in which a fictional plot takes place in the Setting (narrative), setting of particular real past events, historical events. Although the term is commonly used as a synonym for historical fiction literatur ...
, novels depicting rural life, war,
romantic love Romance or romantic love is a feeling of love for, or a Interpersonal attraction, strong attraction towards another person, and the Courtship, courtship behaviors undertaken by an individual to express those overall feelings and resultant ...
, social class and existential themes . Traditional society and recent political events influenced works such as Liviu Rebreanu's ''
Răscoala ''Răscoala'' is a 1965 Romanian drama film directed by Mircea Mureșan based on a novel by Liviu Rebreanu about the Romanian peasant uprising of 1907. Mureșan won the prize for Best First Work at the 1966 Cannes Film Festival. It was the ...
'' ("The Uprising", 1932), which was inspired by the 1907 Romanian Peasants' Revolt, and ''Pădurea Spânzuraților'' (" Forest of the Hanged"), published in 1922 and inspired by Romanian participation in
World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
. Rebreanu's novel ''Ion'', published in 1920, presents the life of peasants and intellectuals in early twentieth century Transylvania, and is said to be the most read Romanian novel. The dawn of the modern novel can be seen in Hortensia Papadat-Bengescu's ''Concert din muzică de Bach'' ("A Bach Concert"), Camil Petrescu's ''Ultima noapte de dragoste, întâia noapte de război'' ("The Last Night of Love, the First Night of War") and Mateiu Caragiale’s '' Craii de Curtea-Veche (''"The Rakes of Old Court").
George Călinescu George Călinescu (; 19 June 1899 – 12 March 1965) was a Romanian literary critic, historian, novelist, academician and journalist, and a writer of classicist and humanist tendencies. He is currently considered one of the most important Romani ...
is another complex personality of Romanian literature: novelist, playwright, poet, literary critic and historian, essayist, journalist. He published authoritative monographs about Eminescu and Creangă, and a monumental (almost 1,000 pages in quarto) history of Romanian literature from its origin to the time of his writing (1941). He is also the author of the novel ''Enigma Otliei'' ("The Enigma of Otilia"). An important realist writer was
Mihail Sadoveanu Mihail Sadoveanu (; occasionally referred to as Mihai Sadoveanu; 5 November 1880 â€“ 19 October 1961) was a Romanian novelist, short story writer, journalist and political figure, who twice served as acting President of Romania, head of st ...
, who wrote mainly novels which took place at various times in the
history of Moldova The history of Moldova spans Prehistory, prehistoric cultures, Ancient history, ancient and Medieval history, medieval empires, and periods of foreign rule and modern independence. Evidence of human habitation dates back 800,000–1.2 million y ...
. But probably the most important writers were Tudor Arghezi,
Lucian Blaga Lucian Blaga (; 9 May 1895 – 6 May 1961) was a Romanians, Romanian philosopher, poet, playwright, poetry translator and novelist. He is considered one of the greatest philosophers and poets of Romania, and a prominent philosopher of the twenti ...
, and
Mircea Eliade Mircea Eliade (; – April 22, 1986) was a Romanian History of religion, historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. One of the most influential scholars of religion of the 20th century and in ...
. Arghezi revolutionized Romanian poetry 50 years after Eminescu, creating new pillars for the modern Romanian poem. Blaga, one of the country's most important artistic personalities, developed through his writings a complex system of philosophy, still not perfectly understood today. Eliade is today considered the greatest historian in the field of religions. His novels reveal a mystical, pre-Christian symbolism paving the way for contemporary Romanian art. Born in Romania,
Tristan Tzara Tristan Tzara (; ; ; born Samuel or Samy Rosenstock, also known as S. Samyro; – 25 December 1963) was a Romanian and French avant-garde poet, essayist and performance artist. Also active as a journalist, playwright, literary and art critic, c ...
, a poet and essayist, is the main founder of
Dada Dada () or Dadaism was an anti-establishment art movement that developed in 1915 in the context of the Great War and the earlier anti-art movement. Early centers for dadaism included Zürich and Berlin. Within a few years, the movement had s ...
, a
nihilistic Nihilism () encompasses various views that reject certain aspects of existence. There have been different nihilist positions, including the views that life is meaningless, that moral values are baseless, and that knowledge is impossible. Thes ...
revolutionary movement in the arts, and may have been responsible for its name (Romanian for "Yes yes"). Later he abandoned nihilism for
Surrealism Surrealism is an art movement, art and cultural movement that developed in Europe in the aftermath of World War I in which artists aimed to allow the unconscious mind to express itself, often resulting in the depiction of illogical or dreamlike s ...
and
Marxism Marxism is a political philosophy and method of socioeconomic analysis. It uses a dialectical and materialist interpretation of historical development, better known as historical materialism, to analyse class relations, social conflict, ...
. For the first time in its history, Romanian culture was fully connected to Western culture, while Dadaism is the first Romanian artistic and literary movement to become international. Dadaism and Surrealism are fundamental parts of the
avant-garde In the arts and literature, the term ''avant-garde'' ( meaning or ) identifies an experimental genre or work of art, and the artist who created it, which usually is aesthetically innovative, whilst initially being ideologically unacceptable ...
, the most revolutionary form of modernism. The Romanian ''avant garde'' is very well represented by Ion Minulescu, Gherasim Luca, Urmuz, Perpessicius, Tristan Tzara, Grigore Cugler,
Geo Bogza Geo Bogza (; born Gheorghe Bogza; February 6, 1908 – September 14, 1993) was a Romanian avant-garde theorist, poet, and journalist, known for his left-wing and Communism, communist political convictions. As a young man in the interwar period, h ...
, Barbu Fundoianu, Gellu Naum, Ilarie Voronca, and Ion Vinea. Max Blecher was a novelist whose life was cut short by health problems. George Bacovia was a symbolist poet. While he initially belonged to the local Symbolist movement, his poetry came to be seen as a precursor of Romanian Modernism. Some important literary figures of this period were also active in other domains.
Vasile Voiculescu Vasile Voiculescu (, 27 November 1884 – 26 April 1963) was a Romanian poet, short-story writer, playwright, and physician who wrote under the literary pseudonym V. Voiculescu. Biography Early life and education Voiculescu was born in Pâr ...
was a Romanian poet, short-story writer, playwright, and physician. Ion Barbu was a poet, as well as an important mathematician. Cezar Petrescu was a journalist, novelist, and children's writer. He is especially remembered for his children's book ''Fram, ursul polar'' ("Fram, the
polar bear The polar bear (''Ursus maritimus'') is a large bear native to the Arctic and nearby areas. It is closely related to the brown bear, and the two species can Hybrid (biology), interbreed. The polar bear is the largest extant species of bear ...
"; the circus animal character was named after '' Fram'', the ship used by
Fridtjof Nansen Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen (; 10 October 1861 – 13 May 1930) was a Norwegian polymath and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He gained prominence at various points in his life as an explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and co-founded the ...
on his expeditions). Elena Farago was also a children's writer and poet. Ion Agârbiceanu was a writer, as well as a politician, theologian and
Greek-Catholic Greek Catholic Church or Byzantine-Catholic Church may refer to: * The Catholic Church in Greece * The Eastern Catholic Churches that use the Byzantine Rite, also known as the Greek Rite: ** The Albanian Greek Catholic Church ** The Belarusian Gr ...
priest. Gala Galaction was another writer, who was also an
Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
clergyman and theologian. Other literary figures of this era include Mihail Sebastian, Ionel Teodoreanu, Panait Istrati, Gib Mihăescu, Anton Holban, Otilia Cazimir, Ion Pillat and George Topîrceanu.


Postbellum Literature

Marin Preda Marin Preda (; 5 August 1922, Siliștea Gumești, Teleorman County, Kingdom of Romania – 16 May 1980, Mogoșoaia, Ilfov County], Socialist Republic of Romania) was a Romanian novelist, post-war writer and director of Cartea Românească p ...
is an important post-
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
Romanian novelist. His novel, '' Moromeții'' ("The Moromete Family"), describes the life and difficulties of an ordinary peasant family in pre-war Romania, and later during the advent of Communism in Romania. His most important book remains '' Cel mai iubit dintre pământeni'' ("The Most Beloved of Earthlings"), a cruel description of communist society. Zaharia Stancu published his first important novel, ''Desculț'' (Barefoot), in 1948. Both Preda and Stancu depicted rural life in Southern Romania (both writers were born in
Teleorman County Teleorman County () is a county ( judeÈ›) of Romania on the border with Bulgaria, in the historical region Muntenia, with its capital city at Alexandria. The name ''Teleorman'' is of Cumanic ( Turkic) origin. It literally means ''wild/crazy for ...
). Some of the most important poets are Nichita Stănescu, Marin Sorescu, Ana Blandiana, Leonid Dimov, and Ștefan Augustin Doinaș. An important novelist of this era was Radu Tudoran.
Mircea Nedelciu Mircea Nedelciu (; November 12, 1950 – July 12, 1999) was a Romanian short-story writer, novelist, essayist and literary critic, one of the leading exponents of the ''Optzeciști'' generation in Literature of Romania, Romanian letters. The auth ...
was a short-story writer, novelist, essayist and literary critic. Constantin Chiriță was a writer whose works were mainly targeted to the young public, and who remains best known for his five-volume cycle entitled ''Cireșarii''. Outside Romania,
Eugène Ionesco Eugène Ionesco (; ; born Eugen Ionescu, ; 26 November 1909 – 28 March 1994) was a Romanian-French playwright who wrote mostly in French, and was one of the foremost figures of the French avant-garde theatre#Avant-garde, French avant-garde th ...
and Emil Cioran represented the national spirit at the highest level. Ionesco is one of the foremost playwrights of the Theatre of the Absurd. Beyond ridiculing the most banal situations, Ionesco's plays depict in a tangible way the solitude of humans and the insignificance of one's existence. Cioran was a writer and philosopher.


Contemporary literature

Some Romanian contemporary writers: * Gabriela Adameșteanu * * Radu Aldulescu *
Nicolae Breban Nicolae Breban (; born 1 February 1934) is a Romanian novelist and essayist of partial Germans, German descent. Biography Breban was born in Baia Mare, MaramureÈ™ County, Transylvania, Socialist Republic of Romania, the son of Vasile Breban, a ...
* *
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
* Traian T. Coșovei * Gheorghe Crăciun * * Dumitru Găleșanu *
Radu Pavel Gheo Pavel Gheorghiță Radu (; born October 3, 1969), known by the pseudonym Radu Pavel Gheo (), is a Romanian fiction writer and essayist. Gheo is a member of PEN Club from Romania (since 2005) and of the Romanian Writers' Union (since 2003). Bio ...
* * * Claudiu Komartin * * Norman Manea * * *
Herta Müller Herta Müller (; born 17 August 1953) is a Romanian-German novelist, poet, essayist and recipient of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Literature. She was born in Nițchidorf (; ), Timiș County in Romania; her native languages are German and Romanian. Si ...
( 2009 Nobel Laureate) * *
Mircea Nedelciu Mircea Nedelciu (; November 12, 1950 – July 12, 1999) was a Romanian short-story writer, novelist, essayist and literary critic, one of the leading exponents of the ''Optzeciști'' generation in Literature of Romania, Romanian letters. The auth ...
* Ioana Pârvulescu * Dora Pavel * Dumitru Radu Popescu * * * Doina Ruști * * * * * Bogdan Suceavă * * Dumitru Țepeneag


Chronology: 19th century – present

*1812 ''Țiganiada'' Ioan Budai-Deleanu (epic poem) *1832 ''Fabule'' Grigore Alexandrescu (fables) *1840 ''Alexandru Lăpușneanul'' Costache Negruzzi (historical novella) *1847 ''Povestea vorbii'' Anton Pann (narrative poem) *1850 ''Cântarea României'' Alecu Russo (epic poetry) *1850-1875 ''Chirița'' plays, Vasile Alecsandri (plays) *1861–1863, posthoumously ''Românii supt Mihai-Voievod Viteazul'' Nicolae Bălcescu (historical non-fiction) *1863 ' Nicolae Filimon (novel) *1867 ''Răzvan și Vidra'' Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu (play) *1871 ''Pasteluri'' Vasile Alecsandri (poetry) *1883 ''Poezii''
Mihai Eminescu Mihai Eminescu (; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889) was a Romanians, Romanian Romanticism, Romantic poet, novelist, and journalist from Moldavia, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Emin ...
(poetry) *1884 ''O Scrisoare Pierdută'' I.L. Caragiale (play) *1892 '' Amintiri din copilărie'' Ion Creangă (autobiographical novel) *1893 ''Balade și idile'' George Coșbuc (poetry) *1894 ''Mara'' Ioan Slavici (novel) *1894-1911 The ''Comăneștenilor'' literary cycle, comprising ''Viața la țară'', ''Tănase Scatiu'', ''În război'', ''Îndreptări'', and ''Anna'' Duiliu Zamfirescu (novel) *1901 ''România pitorească'' Alexandru Vlahuță (travelogue) *1909-1910 ''Trilogia Moldovei'' (''Apus de soare'', ''Viforul'', ''Luceafărul'') Barbu Ștefănescu Delavrancea (plays) *1920 ''Ion'' Liviu Rebreanu (novel) *1922 ''Pădurea Spânzuraților'' Liviu Rebreanu (novel) *1924 ''În Marea Trecere''
Lucian Blaga Lucian Blaga (; 9 May 1895 – 6 May 1961) was a Romanians, Romanian philosopher, poet, playwright, poetry translator and novelist. He is considered one of the greatest philosophers and poets of Romania, and a prominent philosopher of the twenti ...
(poetry) *1925 ''Danton'' Camil Petrescu (play) *1927 ''Concert din Muzică de Bach'' Hortensia Papadat-Bengescu (novel) *1927 ''Cuvinte Potrivite'' Tudor Arghezi (poetry) *1928 ''Hanu Ancuței''
Mihail Sadoveanu Mihail Sadoveanu (; occasionally referred to as Mihai Sadoveanu; 5 November 1880 â€“ 19 October 1961) was a Romanian novelist, short story writer, journalist and political figure, who twice served as acting President of Romania, head of st ...
(novel) *1929 ''Craii de Curtea-Veche'' Mateiu Caragiale (novel) *1930 ''Joc Secund'' Ion Barbu (poetry) *1930 ''Baltagul''
Mihail Sadoveanu Mihail Sadoveanu (; occasionally referred to as Mihai Sadoveanu; 5 November 1880 â€“ 19 October 1961) was a Romanian novelist, short story writer, journalist and political figure, who twice served as acting President of Romania, head of st ...
(novel) *1930 ''Ultima noapte de dragoste, întâia noapte de război'' Camil Petrescu (novel) *1932 ''Răscoala'' Liviu Rebreanu (novel) *1933 ''Patul lui Procust'' Camil Petrescu (novel) *1933 ''Maitreyi''
Mircea Eliade Mircea Eliade (; – April 22, 1986) was a Romanian History of religion, historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. One of the most influential scholars of religion of the 20th century and in ...
(novel) *1933 ''Adela''
Garabet Ibrăileanu Garabet Ibrăileanu (; May 23, 1871 – March 11, 1936) was a Romanian-Armenian literary critic and theorist, writer, translator, sociologist, University of Iași professor (1908–1934), and, together with Paul Bujor and Constantin Stere, fo ...
(novel) *1934 ''De două mii de ani'' Mihail Sebastian (novel) *1934 ''Ioana'' Anton Holban (novel) *1935 ''Huliganii''
Mircea Eliade Mircea Eliade (; – April 22, 1986) was a Romanian History of religion, historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. One of the most influential scholars of religion of the 20th century and in ...
(novel) *1936 ''Întâmplări în Irealitatea Imediată'' Max Blecher (novel) *1937 ''Inimi cicatrizate'' Max Blecher (novel) *1938 ''Enigma Otiliei''
George Călinescu George Călinescu (; 19 June 1899 – 12 March 1965) was a Romanian literary critic, historian, novelist, academician and journalist, and a writer of classicist and humanist tendencies. He is currently considered one of the most important Romani ...
(novel) *1938 ''Nuntă în cer''
Mircea Eliade Mircea Eliade (; – April 22, 1986) was a Romanian History of religion, historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. One of the most influential scholars of religion of the 20th century and in ...
(novel) *1943 ''Panopticum'' Ion Caraion (poetry) *1945 ''Plantații'' Constant Tonegaru (poetry) *1946 ''Stanțe Burgheze'' George Bacovia (poetry) *1946 ''Libertatea de a Trage cu Pușca''
Geo Dumitrescu Geo Dumitrescu (born Gheorghe Dumitrescu; May 17, 1920 – September 28, 2004) was a Romanian poet and translator. Born in Bucharest, his parents were Vasile Oprea (who changed his name to Vasile Dumitrescu), a craftsman and owner of a small ...
(poetry) *1947 ''Don Juana'' Radu Stanca (play) *1948 ''DesculÈ›'' Zaharia Stancu (novel) *1953 ''Bietul Ioanide''
George Călinescu George Călinescu (; 19 June 1899 – 12 March 1965) was a Romanian literary critic, historian, novelist, academician and journalist, and a writer of classicist and humanist tendencies. He is currently considered one of the most important Romani ...
(novel) *1954 ''Noaptea de Sânziene''
Mircea Eliade Mircea Eliade (; – April 22, 1986) was a Romanian History of religion, historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. One of the most influential scholars of religion of the 20th century and in ...
(novel) *1955 ''Moromeții''
Marin Preda Marin Preda (; 5 August 1922, Siliștea Gumești, Teleorman County, Kingdom of Romania – 16 May 1980, Mogoșoaia, Ilfov County], Socialist Republic of Romania) was a Romanian novelist, post-war writer and director of Cartea Românească p ...
(novel) *1956 ''Primele Iubiri'' Nicolae Labiș (poetry) *1960 ''La țigănci''
Mircea Eliade Mircea Eliade (; – April 22, 1986) was a Romanian History of religion, historian of religion, fiction writer, philosopher, and professor at the University of Chicago. One of the most influential scholars of religion of the 20th century and in ...
(novel) *1964 ''Ultimele sonete închipuite ale lui Shakespeare''
Vasile Voiculescu Vasile Voiculescu (, 27 November 1884 – 26 April 1963) was a Romanian poet, short-story writer, playwright, and physician who wrote under the literary pseudonym V. Voiculescu. Biography Early life and education Voiculescu was born in Pâr ...
(poetry) *1965 ''Iarna Bărbaților'' (short prose) *1966 ''Omul cu Compasul'' Ștefan Augustin Doinaș (poetry) *1966 ''11 Elegii'' Nichita Stănescu (poetry) *1968 ''Iona'' Marin Sorescu (play) *1969 ''Carte de Vise'' Leonid Dimov (poetry) *1969 ''Dicționar onomastic'' (novel) *1970 ''Matei Iliescu'' (novel) *1973 ''Vânătoarea Regală'' Dumitru Radu Popescu (novel) *1975 ''Lumea în Două Zile'' George Bălăiță (novel) *1977 ''Cartea de la Metropolis'' (novel) *1977 ''Bunavestire''
Nicolae Breban Nicolae Breban (; born 1 February 1934) is a Romanian novelist and essayist of partial Germans, German descent. Biography Breban was born in Baia Mare, MaramureÈ™ County, Transylvania, Socialist Republic of Romania, the son of Vasile Breban, a ...
(novel) *1980 ''Faruri, Vitrine, Fotografii''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(poetry) *1980 ''Cel mai iubit dintre pământeni''
Marin Preda Marin Preda (; 5 August 1922, Siliștea Gumești, Teleorman County, Kingdom of Romania – 16 May 1980, Mogoșoaia, Ilfov County], Socialist Republic of Romania) was a Romanian novelist, post-war writer and director of Cartea Românească p ...
(novel) *1983 ''Dimineață Pierdută'' Gabriela Adameșteanu (novel) *1983 ''Poeme de Amor''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(poetry) *1988 ''versuri vechi, nouă'' Mircea Ivănescu (poetry) *1989 ''Și Ieri Va Fi o Zi''
Mircea Nedelciu Mircea Nedelciu (; November 12, 1950 – July 12, 1999) was a Romanian short-story writer, novelist, essayist and literary critic, one of the leading exponents of the ''Optzeciști'' generation in Literature of Romania, Romanian letters. The auth ...
(short prose) *1990 ''Levantul''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(epic poem) *1993 ''Nostalgia''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(short prose) *1996 ''Amantul Colivaresei'' Radu Aldulescu (novel) *1996 ''Coaja lucrurilor, sau Dansând cu Jupuita'' Adrian Oțoiu (novel) *1996 ''Orbitor. Aripa stângă''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(novel) *2002 ''Orbitor. Corpul''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(novel) *2004 '' Omulețul roșu'' Doina Ruști (novel) *2004 ''Pupa Russa'' Gheorghe Crăciun (novel) *2004 ''Proorocii Ierusalimului'' Radu Aldulescu (novel) *2006 '' Zogru'' Doina Ruști (novel) *2007 ''Orbitor. Aripa dreaptă''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(novel) *2008 ''Fantoma din moară'' Doina Ruști (novel) *2009 ' Doina Ruști (novel) *2010 ''Rădăcina de bucsau'' (novel) *2015 ''Solenoid''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(novel) *2016 ''Tratat pentru nemurire'' Dumitru Găleșanu (poetry) *2022 ''Theodoros''
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
(novel)


Translations of Romanian literature

* ''"Testament – Anthology of Modern Romanian Verse – Bilingual Edition – English/Romanian"'' ( Daniel Ioniță, with Eva Foster and Daniel Reynaud; Editura Minerva 2012 – ). This presents a comprehensive selection of Romanian poetry from 1850 to the present (post 2010) covering 56 poets and over 75 poems. It includes classics such as Vasile Alecsandri,
Mihai Eminescu Mihai Eminescu (; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889) was a Romanians, Romanian Romanticism, Romantic poet, novelist, and journalist from Moldavia, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Emin ...
, Ion Minulescu, George Coșbuc, Tudor Arghezi,
Vasile Voiculescu Vasile Voiculescu (, 27 November 1884 – 26 April 1963) was a Romanian poet, short-story writer, playwright, and physician who wrote under the literary pseudonym V. Voiculescu. Biography Early life and education Voiculescu was born in Pâr ...
, Nicolae Labiș, as well as contemporaries such as Nichita Stănescu, Ana Blandiana, Marin Sorescu,
Nora Iuga Nora Iuga (born 4 January 1931) is a Romanian poet, writer and translator. Iuga was born in Bucharest, Romania on 4 January 1931. As well as being a writer, Iuga has also worked as a journalist, foreign language assistant, and editor. Her first ...
, Cezar Ivănescu, Ileana Mălăncioiu, Adrian Păunescu, George Tarnea,
Mircea Cărtărescu Mircea Cărtărescu (; born 1 June 1956) is a Romanian novelist, poet, short-story writer, literary critic, and essayist. Biography Born in Bucharest in 1956, he attended Cantemir Vodă National College during the early 1970s. During his sc ...
, Daniel Banulescu, Lucian Vasilescu, Adrian Munteanu, , Liliana Ursu, Doina Uricariu, and others. The volume is prefaced by literary critic and historian Alex Ștefănescu. * ''" The Disheveled Maidens"'' (Hortensia Papadat-Bengescu, Romanian Cultural Institute Publishing House 2004) * ''"Something is still present and isn't, of what's gone. – A Bilingual Anthology of Avant-Garde and Avant-Garde Inspired Rumanian poetry – English/Rumanian"'' (Victor Pambuccian; Aracne editrice, Rome 2018 – ). It includes poems of
Tristan Tzara Tristan Tzara (; ; ; born Samuel or Samy Rosenstock, also known as S. Samyro; – 25 December 1963) was a Romanian and French avant-garde poet, essayist and performance artist. Also active as a journalist, playwright, literary and art critic, c ...
, B. Fundoianu, Ilarie Voronca,
Geo Bogza Geo Bogza (; born Gheorghe Bogza; February 6, 1908 – September 14, 1993) was a Romanian avant-garde theorist, poet, and journalist, known for his left-wing and Communism, communist political convictions. As a young man in the interwar period, h ...
, Max Blecher, Gherasim Luca, Gellu Naum,
Geo Dumitrescu Geo Dumitrescu (born Gheorghe Dumitrescu; May 17, 1920 – September 28, 2004) was a Romanian poet and translator. Born in Bucharest, his parents were Vasile Oprea (who changed his name to Vasile Dumitrescu), a craftsman and owner of a small ...
, Paul Celan, Ion Caraion,
Nora Iuga Nora Iuga (born 4 January 1931) is a Romanian poet, writer and translator. Iuga was born in Bucharest, Romania on 4 January 1931. As well as being a writer, Iuga has also worked as a journalist, foreign language assistant, and editor. Her first ...
, Nichita Stănescu, George Almosnino, Constantin Abăluță, Vintilă Ivănceanu, Daniel Turcea, Mariana Marin. The volume is prefaced by literary critic and historian of the Romanian avant-garde Mădălina Lascu.


See also

* List of Romanian novelists * List of Romanian writers * Aromanian literature


References

*
George Călinescu George Călinescu (; 19 June 1899 – 12 March 1965) was a Romanian literary critic, historian, novelist, academician and journalist, and a writer of classicist and humanist tendencies. He is currently considered one of the most important Romani ...
, ''Istoria literaturii române de la origini până în prezent'' ("''The History of the Romanian Literature from its origins until present day''"), 1941 * Nicolae Iorga, ''Istoria literaturii românești'' ("''The History of the Romanian Literature''"), 1929 * Alex Ștefănescu, ''Istoria literaturii române contemporane, 1941–2000'' ("''The History of the Contemporary Romanian Literature, 1941–2000''"), 2005 * Dan C Mihăilescu, ''Literatura română în postceaușism, Vol II, Proza. Prezentul ca dezumanizare, Editura Polirom, 2006 Vol II, Proza. Prezentul ca dezumanizare, Ed. Polirom, 2006''


External links


Romanian poetryWebsite of the Romanian Museum of LiteratureLingua Romana, a journal on Romanian literatureBeyond the Iron Curtain: Revisiting the Literary System of Communist Romania (Introduction)
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