Books&Writers
The Vanishing Point that Whistles: Modern Romanian poetry published in English
Contemporary Romanian poetry will be available to English speakers, thanks to a new anthology called ‘The Vanishing Point that Whistles.’ The collection is described by critics as reflecting the hopes and fears of Romania’s transition from a communist state to an EU member over the last 20 years and is representative of the artistic revolution [...]
Over 50 Romanian books translated in 18 countries in 2011
A total of 55 Romanian books have been translated and published in 18 countries this year through the programs developed by the National Book Centre of the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR), namely the ’Translation and Publication Support Program (TPS)’, ‘20 authors’ and ‘Publishing Romania’ program. Romanian books have been translated this year in Austria, Bulgaria, [...]
Romanian writing talent set for London book launch
Three local writers will attend an event to launch English versions of their books at London’s Canary Wharf. Organized by the publisher, Profusion, the event on Wednesday November 30 will showcase three Romanian stories from the Profusion Crime series. Writing in the crime genre the writers, George Arion, Bogdan Hrib and Oana Stoica-Mujea, depict different sides [...]
Romanian-born writer wins Swiss Book Prize 2011 with “Jacob decides to love” novel
This year’s Swiss Book Prize 2011 went to Romanian-born Catalin Dorian Florescu, for his novel “Jacob beschliesst zu lieben” (Jacob decides to love). The Swiss Book Prize is a literary award that goes to the best out of 60 novels from 40 publishers, chosen by a jury on behalf of the Swiss Booksellers’ Association. The [...]
US-published book ‘Romanian writers on writing’ gathers texts from 81 local writers
A recently published book in the US has put together texts from 81 Romanian writers under the title ‘Romanian Writers on Writing’. The edition, coordinated by writer Norman Manea and Sanda Cordos, was published in September this year and gathers writings of authors like Mihai Eminescu, Ion Luca Caragiale, Tudor Arghezi, Emil Cioran, Marin Presa, [...]
Romanian writer Norman Manea receives Nelly Sachs literature award in Germany
Reputed Romanian writer Norman Manea has recently received the Nelly Sachs literary award in Germany, given by a jury made of literary critics from Die Zeit, Suddeutsche Zeitung, Der Spiegel, Frankfurter Rundschau and Deutsche Akademie Fur Sprache und Dichtung publications. 75-year old Manea, the most translated Romanian author, has also recently become honorary member of [...]
“Bucharest Tales” gathers English-language stories about the Romanian capital
“Bucharest Tales”, an English-language book about the Romanian capital city will be launched at the Romanian Cultural Institute (38, Aleea Alexandru St.) on September 14, starting 17:00 hours. This collection of Central European Contemporary writing was published this year by New Europe Writers. The volume brings together Bucharest-inspired poetry and prose, belonging to Romanian writers, [...]
Famous Romanians: Norman Manea, the most translated Romanian author
The reason we chose to feature Norman Manea in this article in the Famous Romanians series was that he has recently become honorary member of the Royal Society of Literature in UK, which made him the first Romanian to receive this distinction. It was not the only reason, though. Despite having lived outside Romania since [...]
Gabriela Melinescu’s book ‘Mother like God, in limelight in Stockholm
The Romanian Cultural Institute in Stockholm will hold a discussion on Wednesday, at its headquarters in the Swedish Capital, on the latest volume signed Gabriela Melinescu, the novel “Mamma som gud” (“Mother like God”).
Romanian Cultural Institute opens Romanian library in London
Romania’s Embassy in London and the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) in London, at 1 Belgrave Square SW1X 8PH, has inaugurated the Romanian library, a joint project of the two institutions, dedicated to the Romanian community in Great Britain and carried out with the support of one of the leaders of the business community in London, Romanian-born George Iacobescu.
Famous Romanians: writer Gabriela Adamesteanu
Gabriela Adamesteanu is one of the best known contemporary Romanian writers. Her books, written in a colorful and colloquial style, have been translated into more than 10 languages, turning her into a bestselling author.
Second edition of Romanian language manual for foreigners launched at Gaudeamus book fair
Rolang School will launch the second edition of the manual “Limba romana pentru straini. Learn Romanian. Apprenez le Roumain” by Mona Moldoveanu Pologea on Saturday, November 20, at 13.00 hours, at the Gaudeamus International Fair, booth number 27.
Romanian writer Norman Manea, foreign writers at Gaudeamus fair this week
Romanian-born writer Norman Manea (in picture), who lives in the United States, will attend the upcoming Gaudeamus book fair in Bucharest, which will take place at Romexpo between November 18 and 22. Manea will be one of the guests of honor of this year’s edition, together with a group of foreign writers.
Romanian poet Adrian Paunescu dies
Romanian poet Adrian Paunescu died of cardiac arrest, kidney and liver block this morning at the Floreasca Emergency Hospital, where he had been hospitalized on October 26. Paunescu, 67, started the Flacara literary circle during the communist period, in 1973, which became an influent literary and social movement especially among the youth of the time.
Historian Larry Watts launches book about Romanian – Russian relationship
American historian Larry Watts will launch his most recent book ‘With Friends Like These: The Soviet Bloc’s Clandestine War against Romania’ on November 12 at the Anthony Frost Bookshop from 17,00 hours (45 Calea Victoriei St).
Romanian-born writer and businessman Zoltan Boszormenyi
Zoltan Boszormenyi was born in 1951 in Arad, Romania. He started out studying ballet at a Hungarian high school in Cluj, he arrived in Canada where he graduated from York University of Toronto with a major in philosophy and now he is among the best known Romanian-born writers.
Romanian writer Norman Manea meets media and writers in October Spanish tour
Romanian writer Norman Manea will be on a tour in Spain in the first part of October, where he will meet Spanish writer Antonio Muñoz Molina. The tour is organized by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Madrid (ICR).
Book Insider: Forbidden photos and personal images by Andrei Pandele
“I started taking pictures of everyday life, like a tragy-comedy. I was hoping to be able to gather these images in a book twenty years later” – remembers architect Andrei Pandele.
Book Insider: The Passport by Herta Muller
The Passport is the English translation of Der Mensch ist ein grosser Fasan auf der Welt (Man is a great pheasant in the world), written in 1986. It is a novel (or novella) about a Romanian (ethnic German) man,Windisch, a village miller, who searches a way to bribe the communist officials for a passport which will allow him and his family to return to West Germany.
Book Insider: Stepping into the poem- the Celan Bachmann Correspondence
Poet, translator, essayist, and lecturer, influenced by French surrealism and symbolism, Celan was born in Romania, he lived in France, and wrote in German. His parents were killed in the Holocaust; the author himself escaped death by working in a Nazi labor camp. “Death is a Master from Germany”, Celan’s most quoted words, translated into English in different ways, are from the poem ‘Todesfuge’ (Death Fugue).
Book Insider: On the heights of despair by Emil Cioran
n Romania in the 1960s and 1970s, Cioran was a mysterious, almost mythological, presence. One would hear that such a person existed, but it was impossible to read him. His French books were neither sold nor published in translation, and his Romanian books had disappeared without a trace. Although he had departed his homeland some ten years before the war and the communist takeover, he was as invisible as the most unspeakable, or un-nameable, of non-persons
Romanian writer Filip Florian attends International Literature Festival in Edinburgh
Romanian writer Filip Florian will hold a reading session and present his debut novel at the International Literature Festival in Edinburgh on Thursday, August 19, according to Polirom publishing house.
Book Insider: Hammer and tickle- A history of Communism told through communist jokes by Ben Lewis
Ben Lewis, who has won numerous international awards for his documentaries, and is also a television presenter and writer, who contributes regularly to “Prospect”, the “Evening Standard” and the “Sunday Telegraph”, has found and gathered “evidence that the jokes were linked to resistance not apathy. Communist jokes – albeit certain kinds – I now knew, accompanied the fall as well as the rise of Communism.”
Book Insider: Two Underdogs and a Cat – Three Reflections on Communism by Slavenka Drakulic
This series of books explores the practice of thentieth-century Communism. Was the collapse inevitable? What actually happened in different parts of the world? And is there anything from that experience that can or should be rehabilitated? Why have so many heaven-stormers become submissive and gone over to the camp of reaction? With capitalism mired in a deep crisis, these questions become relevant once again.
Book Insider: Vain Art of the Fugue, by Dumitru Tsepeneag
The review of a book by Dumitru Tsepeneag – Vain Art of the Fugue
Enter a city
Romanian court rules Prince Paul member of Royal House of Romania 
Jamie Oliver strikes gold in new restaurant basement - Top Gear’s James May (just about) presents new Dacia Lodgy during the TV show
Yum! switches to Coca Cola from rival Pepsi for its KFC, Pizza Hut restaurants in Romania - Subway fast food chain enters Romanian market with Iasi restaurant
Two Romanians awarded by Oscars organizers for Phantom high speed camera 
Romanian climber Coco Popescu sets world record for climbing tallest volcano in Antarctica 
Romanian actress Ana Ularu receives ‘Shooting Stars’ award at Berlin Film Festival 
Shakira to shake up Bucharest with May concert 
Lufthansa introduces new flights to Romania after 20% increase in passenger volumes
