Romanian Pages in New Zealand the Romanian Magazine in New Zealand - Year Vii - Issue 2 English - Issn 1174 4847 - Auckland

prnz ROMANIAN PAGES IN NEW ZEALAND THE ROMANIAN MAGAZINE IN NEW ZEALAND - YEAR VII - ISSUE 2 ENGLISH - ISSN 1174 4847 - AUCKLAND

“Romanian Pages in New This issue is dedicated Zealand” is the to all rugby fans from only Romanian Romania and magazine in New Zealand. New Zealand, You will find out with more than informations 1300 subscribers about Romania, and is an integral about great part of the “Romanian Romanians and Cultural Centre” from about our rugby team, Auckland, which the Mighty Romanian includes also the Oaks, curently ranked first Romanian library. 17 in the world. The magazine is edited About our hopes and by Adina and Cristi dreams, about our past , Dumitrache present and future, (Romanian-Kiwi’s), only by reading our with the help of the magazine. Please feel Romanian community in free to ask us New Zealand and their about Romania, contributers from all over about our games, the world: New Zealand, our players, coaches Romania, France, USA, and officials. Holland, Germany, Canada, We welcome all Australia or Sweden. This in New Zealand is the second issue in the and we thank you history of the magazine all for reading this published only in english, magazine and dedicated to the supporting our team. Rugby World Cup 2011. Hai Romania si bine Go Romania! ati venit in Noua Zeelanda, Go All Blacks! dragii nostri stejari!

Contact George at [email protected] or mobile 0210 575 124 prnz 2 ROMANIA

Our country is located at the cross- that Romanians call themselves a de- ing the 2008 summit in Bucharest. roads of Central and Southeastern rivative of romanus is first mentioned The country applied in June 1993 Europe, on the Lower Danube, within in the 16th century by Italian human- for membership in the European and outside the Carpathian arch, ists travelling in Transylvania, Mol- Union and became an Associated bordering on the Black Sea. Romania davia and Wallachia. The first written State of the EU in 1995, an Acced- shares a border with Hungary and record of a Romance language spo- ing Country in 2004, and a member Serbia to the west, Ukraine and Mol- ken in the Middle Ages in the Balkans on 1 January 2007. Following the dova to the northeast and east, and was written by the Byzantine chroni- free travel agreement and politics Bulgaria to the south. At 238,391 cler Theophanes Confessor in the 6th of the post–Cold War period, as well square kilometers (92,043 sq mi), century about a military expedition as hardship of the life in the 1990s Romania is the ninth largest country against the Avars from 587, when economic depression, Romania of the European Union by area, and a Vlach muleteer accompanying the has an increasingly large diaspora, has the seventh largest population Byzantine army noticed that the load estimated at over 2 million people. of the European Union with 21.5 was falling from one of the animals The main emigration targets are million people. Its capital and largest and shouted to a companion Torna, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, the city is Bucharest, the sixth largest torna fratre (Return, return brother!). United Kingdom, Canada and the city in the EU with about two million The oldest surviving docu- United States. Romania is the largest people. ment written in Romanian is a 1521 country in southeastern Europe and The Kingdom of Romania letter known as the “Letter of Neacșu the twelfth-largest in Europe. It lies emerged when the principalities of from Câmpulung”. Among other between latitudes 43° and 49° N, and Moldavia and Wallachia were united firsts, this text is also notable for longitudes 20° and 30° E. Romania’s under Prince Alexander Ioan Cuza having the first documented occur- terrain is distributed roughly equally in 1859. Independence from the rence of a Romanian word denot- between mountainous, hilly and Ottoman Empire was declared on ing the country’s name: Wallachia is lowland territories. The Carpathian May 9, 1877, and was internationally mentioned under the name of Ţeara Mountains dominate the centre of recognized the following year. At Rumânească (“The Romanian Land”, Romania, with 14 mountain ranges the end of World War I, Transylvania, țara from the Latin: Terra “land”; cur- reaching above 2,000 m/6,600 ft, Bukovina and Bessarabia united with rent spelling: Ţara Românească). The and the highest point at Moldoveanu the Kingdom of Romania. Greater name România as common homeland Peak (2,544 m/8,346 ft). Romania emerged into an era of of all Romanians is documented in Owing to its distance from progression and prosperity that the early 19th century. This name the open sea and position on the would continue until World War II. has been officially in use since 11 southeastern portion of the Eu- By the end of the War, many north- December 1861. English-language ropean continent, Romania has a eastern areas of Romania’s terri- sources still used the terms Ruma- climate that is transitional between tories were occupied by the Soviet nia or Roumania, borrowed from temperate and continental, with Union, and Romania forcibly became the French spelling Roumanie, as four distinct seasons. The average a socialist republic and a member of recently as World War II, but since annual temperature is 11 °C (52 °F) the Warsaw Pact. then those terms have largely been in the south and 8 °C (46 °F) in the With the fall of the Iron replaced with the official spelling north.[109] The extreme recorded Curtain and the 1989 Revolution, Romania. Some 42,000-year-old temperatures were 44.5 °C (112.1 Romania began to transition to- human remains were discovered in °F) at Ion Sion in 1951 and −38.5 wards democracy and a capitalist the “Cave With Bones”, and being °C (−37.3 °F) at Bod in 1942. The market economy. After a decade of Europe’s oldest remains of Homo integrity of Romanian forest ecosys- post-revolution economic problems, sapiens, they may represent the first tems is indicated by the presence extensive reforms fostered economic modern humans to have entered the of the full range of European forest recovery and the country joined the continent. The Romanian expres- fauna, including 60% and 40% of all European Union on 1 January 2007. sion România Mare (literal translation European brown bears and wolves, Romania is now an upper middle- “Great Romania”, but more com- respectively. There are also almost income country with high human monly rendered “Greater Romania”) 400 unique species of mammals (of development. Romania joined NATO generally refers to the Romanian which Carpathian chamois are best on 29 March 2004, and is also a state in the interwar period, and by known, birds, reptiles and amphib- member of the Latin Union, of the extension, to the territory Roma- ians in Romania. Some 3,700 plant Francophonie, of the OSCE and of nia covered at the time. Romania species have been identified in the the United Nations. Today, Romania achieved at that time its greatest country, from which to date 23 have is a unitary semi-presidential repub- territorial extent (almost 300,000 been declared natural monuments, lic, in which the executive branch km2/120,000 sq mi), managing to 74 missing, 39 endangered, 171 consists of the President and the unite essentially all of the territories vulnerable and 1,253 rare. There are Government. The name of Romania, inhabited by Romanians. Romania almost 10,000 km2 (3,900 sq mi) România, comes from român (previ- joined the European Union in 2007 (5% of the area) of protected areas in ously rumân), meaning “Romanian and signed the Lisbon Treaty. Post– Romania covering 13 national parks (man, person)”, which in turn is a Cold War Romania developed closer and three biosphere reserves: the derivative of the Latin romanus, ties with Western Europe, eventually Danube Delta, Retezat National Park, meaning “citizen of Rome”. The fact joining NATO in 2004, and host- and Rodna National Park. 3 prnz THE MIGHTY ROMANIAN OAKS

The Romania national rugby union team (Echipa naţională de rugby a României), nicknamed The Oaks (Stejarii), is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stron- ger European teams outside of the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the Euro- pean Nations Cup, where most recently in the 2008- 2010 competition they finished third. Rugby union in Romania is administered by the Romanian Rugby Federation. The team plays in yellow and blue strips. France first played Test rugby against Ro- mania in 1924 when they tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations championship. At their best, during the 1980s, the national side defeated Wales (twice), Scotland (the 1984 Grand Slam side) and France (twice). In 1981, they lost to the All Blacks 14-6 but had two tries disallowed. Many felt it was wrong for the rugby powers to fail to bring them in to top- flight competition. There are even rumours that the Oaks were invited to join but refused because the championship took place during their winter break. However, with the subsequent deterioration of the domestic political and economic situation in the country rugby in Romania suffered. Nonetheless, Romania played in the first six Rugby World Cups from 1987, with their best result being a win during the pool stages. However, the likes of Georgia have challenged Romania for top spot below the Six Nations, and Georgia, along with Portugal have both won the European Nations Cup (or Six Nations B). Romania played in Pool C at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, along with Portugal, New Zealand, Italy and Scotland. The game itself was introduced by students returning with rugby balls from their studies in Paris to form clubs such as Stadiul Roman from 1913 onwards. Seventeen other teams would be formed in the capital, Bucharest. Romania’s first international was played against the USA in 1919. France first played rugby union against Romania in May 1924. A generation of French school trained coaches from late ’40s, and ’50s built a system and led the national team to success of the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s. In this era Romania began to compete more regularly against the major nations. Their first win over France came in 1960, and in 1976 they made a tour of New Zealand. Expo- sure to international rugby developed the country’s game and they began to form their own distinctive style of play, built around giant, bruising packs. That they were emerging as a real force on the world stage became clear at Cardiff Arms Park in 1979 in an unofficial, non-cap match. The Oaks led going into the dying minutes, only a last-gasp drop goal from Gareth Davies salvaged a 13-12 victory for Wales. The improvement continued in 1980, when Romania crushed the French in a record 15-0 win in Bucharest. A trip to Lansdowne Road then yielded a 13-13 draw against Ireland. In the 1980s the country boasted more than 12,000 players in 110 clubs. Home nations sides began to award international caps for matches against Romania in 1983. Wales travelled to Bucharest in November 1983 and were totally overwhelmed, falling to a 24-6 defeat. Romania’s first win over Scotland came in Bucharest in 1984 and their first away win against Five Nations opposition came in 1988 against Wales; 15-9 at Cardiff Arms Park. prnz 4 CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI on the group of sculptures that are known as “Bird in Space” - simple shapes representing a bird in flight. The works are based on his earlier “Maiastra” series. Over the following 20 years, Brancusi would make 20- some versions of “Bird in Space” out of marble or bronze. Edward Steichen, a prominent photog- rapher, purchased one of the “birds” in 1926 and shipped it to the USA. The customs officers did not accept the “bird” as a work of art and placed a duty upon CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI 1876-1957 its import as an industrial item. They charged the high tax placed Constantin Brancusi (1876–1957) of a man with skin removed to upon raw metals instead of the was an internationally renowned reveal the muscles underneath) no tax on art. A trial overturned Romanian sculptor whose sculp- which was exhibited at the Ro- the assessment. Athena Tacha tures, which blend simplicity and manian Athenaeum in 1903. Spear’s book, Brancusi’s Birds, sophistication, led the way for Though just an anatomical study, (CAA monographs XXI, NYU modernist sculptors. Brancusi it foresha-dowed the sculptor’s Press, New York, 1969), first grew up in the village of Hobita later efforts to reveal essence sorted out the 36 versions and Romania, an area known for its rather than merely copy outward their development, from the rich tradition of folk crafts, par- appearance. In 1903 Brancusi early Maiastra, to the Golden ticularly ornate woodcarving. The traveled to Munich, and from Bird of the late teens, to the Bird simple geometric patterns of the there to Paris. in Space, which emerged in the craftsmen is seen in his mature In Paris, he was welcomed early ‘20s and which Brancusi works. His parents, Nicolae and by the community of artists and perfected all his life. His work Maria Brancusi, were poor peas- intellectuals brimming with new became popular in the US, how- ants who earned a meagre living ideas. He worked for two years in ever, and he visited several times through back-breaking labor, and the workshop of Antonin Mercié during his life. from the age of 7 he herded the of the École des Beaux-Arts, and In 1938, he finished the family’s flock of sheep. He showed was invited to enter the workshop World War I monument in Targu- remarkable talent for carving ob- of Auguste Rodin. Jiu where he had spent much of jects out of wood. After leaving Rodin’s his childhood. “Table of Silence”, Strong-willed and deter- workshop, Brancusi began de- “Gate of the Kiss”, and “End- mined, he often ran away from veloping the revolutionary style less Column” commemorate the home to escape the bullying of for which he is known. His first courage and sacrifice of Roma- his father and older brothers. At commissioned work, “The Prayer”, nian civilians who in 1916 fought the age nine Brancusi left the vil- was part of a gravestone memo- off a German invasion. lage to work at menial jobs in the rial. He also began doing more The restoration of this nearest large town. At 13 he went carving, rather than the method ensemble was spearheaded by to Craiova, where he worked at a popular with his contemporaries, the World Monuments Fund and grocery store for several years. that of modeling in clay or plaster was completed in 2004. The When he was 18, im- which would be cast in metal and Targu Jiu ensemble marks the pressed by Brancusi’s talent, his by 1908 he worked exclusively by apex of his artistic career. In his employer financed his education carving. In the following few years remaining 19 years he created at the Craiova Scoala de Meserii he made many versions of “Sleep- less than 15 pieces and while his (School of Crafts). There he in- ing Muse” and “The Kiss”, further fame grew he withdrew. dulged his love for woodworking, simplifying forms to geometrical In 1956 Life magazine taught himself to read and write, sparse objects. reported, “Wearing white paja- and graduated with honors in His works became popu- mas and a yellow gnomelike cap, 1898. He then enrolled in School lar in France, Romania and the Brancusi today hobbles about his of Fine Arts,where he received United States. Collectors, notably studio tenderly caring for and academic training in sculpture. He John Quinn, bought his pieces, communing with the silent host worked hard, and quickly distin- and reviewers praised his works. of fish birds, heads, and end- guished himself as talented. One In 1913 Brancusi’s work was dis- less columns which he created.” of his earliest surviving works, played at both the Salon des In- Brancusi was cared for in his under the guidance of his anatomy dépendants and the first exhibi- later years by a Romanian refu- teacher, Dimitrie Gerota, is a mas- tion in the U.S. of modern art, the gee couple. He became a French terfully rendered écorché (statue Armory Show. He began working 5 prnz ALEXANDRA STAN citizen in 1952 in order to make the caregivers his heirs. Brancusi always dressed in the simple ways the Romanian peasants did. His studio was reminis- cent of the houses of the peasants from his native region: there was a big slab of rock as a table and a primitive fireplace, similar to those found in traditional houses in his native Oltenia, while the rest of the furniture was made by him out of wood. Brancusi would cook his own food, traditional Romanian dishes, with which he would treat his guests. Brancusi held a large spec- trum of interests, from science to music. He was a good violinist and he would sing old Romanian folk songs. His circle of friends included artists and intellectuals such as Ezra Pound, Pierre Roché, Apollinaire, Picasso, Duchamp, Rousseau, Léger, Enescu, Pal- lady, Ressu, Istrati, Vuia, Ionesco, Cioran and Paul Celan. He died on March 16, 1957 at the age of ALEXANDRA STAN Alexandra Stan was born in June 10, 1989 in Constanța and she is a Romanian singer-songwriter. She studied at the “Traian” Lyceum in Constanța, and as of 2011 she is enrolled in her second year as a student at the Faculty of Management Andrei Saguna. In the past she has participated in various music-related contests with a notable appearance at the Mamaia Festival section interpretation. In 2009 she released her debut single, “Lollipop (Param Pam Pam)”. The following year her second single was released, “Mr. Saxobeat”, which reached number 1 on the Romanian Airplay Chart for a week beginning November 8. 2010. The song also reached the top spot on the Romanian Top 100. From then on it slowly began to climb the charts in Europe, becoming an international hit, peaking within the top 10 in over 20 countries. Her third single “Get Back (ASAP)” is currently climbing the charts and peaked at number 4 in her native country Romania.

81 leaving 1200 photographs and 215 sculptures. He was buried in the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris. In 2002, a sculpture by Brancusi named “Danaide” was sold for $18.1 million, the highest that a sculpture piece had ever sold for.In May 2005, a piece from the “Bird in Space” series broke that record, selling for $27.5 million in a Christie’s auction. In the latest Christie’s auction, the Yves Saint Laurent/Pierre Bergé sale on 2009, another sculpture of Con- stantin Brancusi, called “Madame L.R”, was sold for € 29.185 million. 6 VLAD THE IMPALER prnz Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia, more Hungary’s candidate for the throne of commonly known as Vlad the Impaler Wallachia.In 1453, the Ottomans, (Vlad Tepes in Romanian), also known under Mehmed II, took Constantinople as Vlad Dracula, or simply Dracula after a prolonged siege, thus putting (1431 – December 1476), was a an end to the final major Christian Wallachian (present-day sout-hern presence in the eastern Mediterranean. Romania) voivode. His three reigns Ottoman influence began to spread were in 1448, 1456–1462, and 1476. from this base through the Vlad the Impaler is known for the Carpathians, and began to threaten exceedingly cruel punishments he mainland Europe. In 1456, Hungary imposed during his reign. Impalement invaded Serbia to drive out the was Tepes’s preferred method of Ottomans, and Vlad III simultaneously torture and execution. In the English- invaded Wallachia with his own speaking world, Vlad III is perhaps contingent. Both campaigns were most commonly known for inspiring successful, although Hunyadi died the name of the vampire in Bram suddenly of the plague. Nevertheless, Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula. As Vlad was now prince of his native land. After the death of his grandfather (Mircea the Elder) in 1418, Wallachia had fallen into a somewhat chaotic DRACULA’S REAL STORY situation. A constant state of war had prince, Vlad maintained an the family lived in exile in led to rampant crime, falling independent policy in relation to the Transylvania as his father had been agricultural production, and the virtual Ottoman Empire and was a defender ousted by pro-Ottoman boyars. In disappearance of trade. Vlad used of Wallachia against Ottoman the same year as his birth, his father severe methods to restore order, as he expansionism. His Romanian surname was living in Nuremberg, where he needed an economically stable country “Draculea” means “Son of Dracula” and was vested into the Order of the if he was to have any chance against is derived from his father’s title, Vlad Dragon. At the age of five, young his external enemies. The early part of the Devil (see Vlad II Dracula); the Vlad was also initiated into the Order Vlad’s reign was dominated by the idea latter was a member of the Order of of the Dragon. Vlad’s father was of eliminating all possible threats to the Dragon created by Emperor under considerable political pressure his power, mainly the rival nobility Sigismund. The word “Dracula” means from the Ottoman sultan. Threatened groups, i.e. the boyars. This was done “the Devil” in modern Romanian but in with invasion, he gave a promise to mainly by physical elimination, but Vlad’s day also meant “dragon” and be the vassal of the Sultan and gave also by reducing the economic role of derives from the Latin word “Draco”, up his two younger sons as hostages the nobility: the key positions in the also meaning “dragon”. The suffix so that he would keep his promise. Prince’s Council, traditionally “-lea” can be translated as “son of”. Vlad developed a well-known hatred belonging to the country’s greatest The old Romanian word for serpent for Radu and for Mehmed, who would boyars, were handed to obscure (Cf. “drac”) is nowadays the most later become the sultan. According to individuals, some of them of foreign common and casual reference to the McNally and Florescu, he also origin, but who manifested loyalty devil—the people of Wallache gave distrusted his own father for trading towards Vlad. For the less important Vlad II the surname “Dracula” him to the Turks and betraying the functions, Vlad also ignored the old (“Dracula” being the more Order of the Dragon’s oath to fight boyars, preferring to knight and grammatically correct form). His son them.Vlad’s father was assassinated appoint men from the free peasantry. Vlad III would later use in several in the marshes near Balteni in A key element of the power of the documents the surname “Draculea”. December 1447 by rebellious boyars Wallachian nobility was their Through various translations allegedly under the orders of connections in the Saxon-populated (“Dracula”, “Dracula”) Vlad III Hungarian regent John Hunyadi. towns of Transylvania, so Vlad acted eventually came to be known as Vlad’s older brother Mircea was also against these cities by eliminating their “Dracula” (note that this ultimate dead at this point, blinded with hot trade privi-leges in relation with version is a neologism). His post- iron stakes and buried alive by his Wallachia and by organizing raids Morten moniker of “Tepes” (“Impaler”) political enemies at Targoviste. To against them. In 1459, he had several originated in his preferred method for protect their political power in the of the German settlers and officials of executing his opponents, impalement region, the Ottomans invaded the Transylvanian city of Kronstadt - as popularized by medieval Wallachia and the Sultan put Vlad III who were transgressing his authority Transylvanian pamphlets. In Turkish, on the throne as a puppet ruler. His impaled. Vlad III was constantly on he was known as “Kass Voyager” which rule at this time would be brief; guard against the adherents of the means “Impaler Prince”. Vlad was Hunyadi himself invaded Wallachia Danesti clan, and some of his raids referred to as “Dracula” in a number of and ousted him the same year. Vlad into Transylvania may have been documents of his times, mainly the fled to Moldavia until October 1451 efforts to capture the clan’s would-be Transylvania Saxon pamphlets and and was put under the protection of princes. Several members of the clan “The Annals of Jan Długosz”. Vlad was his uncle, Bogdan II. Bogdan was died at Vlad’s hands. Vladislav II of very likely born in the citadel of assassinated by Petru Aron, and Vlad, Wallachia was murdered soon after Sighisoara, Transylvania in 1431. He taking a gamble, fled to Hungary. Vlad came to power in 1456. Another was born as the second son to his Impressed by Vlad’s vast know-ledge Danesti prince, suspected to have father Vlad Dracul and his mother of the mindset and inner workings of taken part in burying his brother Princess Cneajna of Moldavia. He had the Ottoman Empire as well as his Mircea alive, was captured during one an older brother named Mircea and a hatred of the new sultan Mehmed II, of Vlad’s forays into Transylvania. younger brother named Radu the Hunyadi pardoned him and took him Rumors (spread by his enemies) say Handsome. Although his native in as an advisor. Eventually Hunyadi thousands of citizens of the town that country was Wallachia to the south, put him forward as the Kingdom of had sheltered his rival were impaled by 7 prnz ALEXANDRA NECHITA Vlad. The captured prince was forced to read his own eulogy while kneeling before an open grave before his execution. Following family tra-ditions and due to his old hatred towards the Ottomans, Vlad decided to side with the Hungarians. To the end of the 1450s there was once again talk about a war against the Turks, in which the king of Hungary Matthias Corvinus would play the main role. Knowing this, Vlad stopped paying tribute to the Ottomans in 1459 and around 1460 made a new alliance with Corvinus. This angered the Turks, who attempted to remove him. They failed, however; later in the winter of 1461 to 1462 Vlad crossed south of the Danube and devastated the area between Serbia and the Black Sea. In Vlad’s own words: “I have killed men and women, old and young...23,884 Turks and Bulgarians without counting those whom we burned alive in their homes or whose heads were not chopped off by our soldiers...” In response to this, Sultan Mehmed II, the recent conqueror of Constantinople, raised an army of around 60,000 troops and 30,000 irregulars and in the spring of 1462 headed towards Wallachia. Other esti-mates for the army include 150,000 by Michael Doukas, 250,000 by Laonicus Chalcond. Mehmed was greeted by the sight of a veritable forest of stakes on which Vlad LE PETITE PICASSO the Impaler had impaled 20,000 Turkish prisoners. With his army of 20,000–40,000 men Vlad was unable to stop the Turks Alexandra Nechita was born in August 27, from entering Wallachia and occupying the capital Targoviste (1462), so he resorted to guerrilla warfare, constantly organizing 1985 and she is a Romanian-born American small attacks and ambushes on the Turks. The most important cubist painter and muralist. She was born in of these attacks took place on the nights of June 16–17, when Vaslui, three months after her father, Niki Vlad and some of his men allegedly entered the main Turkish Nechita, escaped from Communist Romania. camp (wearing Ottoman disguises) and attempted to assassinate She and her mother, Viorica Nechita, waited Mehmed. Unable to subdue Vlad, the Turks left the country. two years to rejoin him in the United States. Despite Vlad achieving military victories, he had alienated himself from the nobility, which sided with Radu. By August The family settled in California, where her fa- Radu had struck a deal with the Hungarian Crown. Consequently, ther found work as a lab technician, and her Vlad was imprisoned by Matthias Corvinus. His first wife, whose mother as an office manager. At the age of name is not recorded, died during the siege of his castle in two, she was working with pen and ink and 1462. The Turkish army surrounded Poienari Castle, led by by five was working with watercolors. Upon Radu. An archer shot an arrow through a window into Vlad’s her seventh birthday, oil and acrylics were her main quarters, with a message warning him that Radu’s army was approaching. McNally and Florescu explain that the archer tools. She had her first solo exhibition at the was one of Vlad’s former servants who sent the warning out of age of eight in Whittier, Los Angeles County. loyalty, despite having converted to Islam to escape enslavement She has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey by the Turks. Upon reading the message, Vlad’s wife threw Show and has appeared with celebrities, in- herself from the tower into a tributary of the Arges River flowing cluding Bill Clinton. Her talent led to her be- below the castle. According to legend, she remarked that she ing known as the “Petite Picasso” as her work, “would rather have her body rot and be eaten by the fish of the Arges than be led into captivity by the Turks”. Today, the to some, resembles that of the master. tributary is called Raul Doamnei. The exact length of Vlad’s period of captivity is open to some debate, though indications are that it was from 1462 until 1474. He was able to gradually win his way back into the graces of Hungary’s monarch, and eventually marry a member of the royal family. His second wife, Countess Ilona Szilágyi (the cousin of Matthias), bore him two sons, Vlad Dracula & another son whose name is unknown, who were about ten years old when he reconquered Wallachia in 1476. Vlad Dracula was killed in battle against the Turks near the town of Bucharest in December of 1476. His body was decapitated by the Turks and his head sent to Istanbul where the Sultan had it displayed on a stake as proof that the Impaler was dead. He was reportedly buried at Snagov, an island monastery located near Bucharest. Vlad Tepes’s reputation was considerably darker in Western Europe than in Eastern Europe and Romania. In the West, Vlad III Tepes has been characterized as a tyrant who took sadistic pleasure in torturing and killing his enemies. The number of his victims ranges from 40,000 to 100,000. Romanian folklore and poetry, on the other hand, paints Vlad Tepes as a hero. His favorite weapon being the stake, coupled with his reputation in his native country as a man who stood up to both foreign and domestic enemies, gives him the virtual opposite symbolism of Stoker’s vampire. In Romania, he is considered one of the greatest leaders in the history. NADIA COMANECI prnz 8

Nadia Elena Comaneci (born history that the score had ever November 12, 1961) is a Romanian been awarded. The scoreboards gymnast, winner of five Olympic were not even equipped to display gold medals, and the first gymnast scores of 10.0, so Nadia’s perfect to be awarded a perfect score of marks were reported on the boards 10 in an Olympic gymnastic event. as 1.00 instead. Over the course She is one of the best-known of the Olympics, Comaneci would gymnasts in the world and, along earn six additional 10s, en route to with Olga Korbut, is credited with capturing the all-around, beam, and popularizing the sport around bars titles and a bronze medal on the world. Comaneci was born in the floor. The Romanian team also Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej (now placed second in the competition. Oneşti), Romania, as the daughter Comaneci was the first Romanian of Gheorghe and Ştefania-Alexan- gymnast to win the all-around drina. Comaneci began gymnas- title at the Olympics. She also tics in kindergarten. At age 6 she holds the record as the youngest was chosen to attend Béla Károlyi’s Olympic gymnastics all-around experimental gymnastics school champion ever; with the revised after Karolyis spotted her.Comaneci age-eligibility requirements in the was training with the Károlyis by sport (gymnasts must now turn 16 the time she was 7 years old, in in the calendar year to compete in 1969. She was one of the first the Olympics; in 1976 gymnasts students at the gymnastics school had to be 14 by the first day of established in Oneşti by Béla the competition), it is currently and his wife, Marta, who would not possible to legally break this later defect to the United States record.Comaneci’s achievements at and become coaches of many prominent American gymnasts. Unlike many of the other students at the Károlyi school, Comaneci was NADIA COMANECI able to commute from home for many years because she lived in the BEST-KNOWN GYMNAST IN THE HISTORY area. At the age of 11, in 1973, she the Olympics generated a significant her third consecutive European title, won the all-around gold, as well as amount of media attention. The becoming the first gymnast, male or the vault and uneven bars titles, at theme song from the American soap female, to achieve the feat. At the WC the Junior Friendship Tournament, opera “The Young and the Restless” that December, Comaneci competed an important meet for junior became associated with her after on the beam, where she scored a 9.95. gymnasts. Comaneci’s first major cinematographer/feature reporter Her performance helped international success came at the Robert Riger used it against slow- give the Romanians their first team age of 13, when she nearly swept motion montages of Nadia on the gold medal. Comaneci participated the 1975 European Championships television program ABC’s Wide World in the 1980 Summer Olympics in in Skien, Norway, winning the Of Sports. The song became a top Moscow, where she placed second. all-around and gold medals on ten single in the fall of 1976, and the She defended her Olympic title in the every event but the floor exercise, composer, Barry De Vorzon, renamed balance beam and tied with Nellie in which she placed second. She it to “Nadia’s Theme” after her. Kim for the gold medal in the floor continued to enjoy success in However, Comaneci never actually exercise. The Romanian team finished other meets in 1975, winning the performed to “Nadia’s Theme.” Her second overall.Comaneci retired from all-around at the “Champions All” floor exercise music was a medley of competition in 1981. Her official competition and placing first in the songs “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” retirement ceremony took place in the all-around, vault, beam, and and “Jump in the Line” arranged for Bucharest in 1984 being attended bars at the Romanian National piano. by the IOCC. In November 1989, a Championships. In the Pre-Olympic She was the 1976 BBC Sports few weeks before the Revolution, she test event in Montreal, Comaneci Personality of the Year in the overseas defected with a group of other young won the all-around and the balance athletes category and the Associated Romanians. Her overland journey beam golds, as well as silvers in Press’s 1976 “Female Athlete of the took her through Hungary, Austria, the vault, floor, and bars behind Year”. She also retained her title as and finally, to the United States. accomplished Soviet gymnast the UPI Female Athlete of the Year. While she was living in Montreal, Bart Nellie Kim, who would prove to be Back home in Romania, Comaneci’s Conner, whom she had met for the one of her greatest rivals over the success led her to be named a “Hero first time in 1976 at the American Cup, next five years. The international of Socialist Labor;” she was the contacted her and invited her to live in community took note of Comaneci: youngest Romanian to receive such Oklahoma. she was named the United Press recognition. Comaneci successfully The couple were married in International’s “Female Athlete defended her European all-around Bucharest on April 27, 1996, and they of the Year” for 1975. At the age title in 1977, but when questions welcomed their first child, Dylan Paul of 14, Comaneci became one of about the scoring were raised, Conner, on June 3, 2006 in Oklahoma. the stars of the 1976 Summer Ceauşescu ordered the Romanian Comaneci received the Olympic Olympics in Montreal. During the gymnasts to return home. The team Order, the highest award given by the team portion of the competition, followed orders and controversially International Olympic Committee, in her routine on the uneven bars was walked out of the competition during 1984 and 2004. She is the only person scored at a 10.0. It was the first the event finals. In 1979, a newly to receive this honor twice, also the time in modern Olympic gymnastics slim and motivated Comaneci won youngest recipient. 9 prnz ANA ASLAN

Ana Aslan (1897-1988) was Foreign Citizen and Honorary a Romanian biologist and Professor of Sciences”, physician. She is considered Philippines, 1978; “Member to be a founding figure of Honoris Causa” Diploma of gerontology and geriatrics in the Bohemo-Slovakian Society Romania. In 1952, under the of Gerontology, 1981; “Leon leadership of Prof. Dr. Ana Bernard” Prize, important Aslan, the Geriatric Institute distinction granted by the in Bucharest was founded. World Health Organization This Institute was the first upon nomination and of its kind in Romania and endorsement by officials of a was recognized by the World member state (in this case by Health Organization. the Romanian dictator Nicolae The remainder of this Ceauşescu) for contributing page concerns a product to the development of marketed by Aslan. A gerontology and geriatrics, thorough review of biomedical 1982. The Gerovital H3 was research literature shows no a revolutionary medicine empirical or peer-reviewed and many people are trying evidence that this product, ANA ASLAN nowadays to profit from its under any formulation, Chancellor Konrad fame. They are using The prevents or postpones any Adenauer, Chinese “Gh3” or “Gerovital H3” name aspect of aging. Further, Chairman Mao Zedong, to sell some odd antiaging there is evidence that the and Vietnamese Chairman medicine. pharmaceutical ingredients of Ho Chi Minh have traveled The genuine recipe was this product pose the risk of to Romania to benefit only known by Ana Aslan. The respiratory and cardiovascular this anti-aging therapy. drugs existing on the market complications, as well as Other well-known people, today are made after the a risk of systemic allergic including actresses Marlene original medicine but are not reactions. Dietrich, Lillian Gish, the directly related to Ana Aslan’s The Gerovital H3 Gabor sisters, actors Charlie medicine. They are only using concept was introduced for Chaplin and Kirk Douglas, the fame of the original name. the first time in 1957, in and artist Salvador Dalí have Especially the ones produced Verona, Italy, on the occasion also followed the same path. outside Romania. of the 4th International They traveled to Bucharest, Gerontology Congress. Many where Dr. Aslan did her scientists from the USA, research with Gerovital H3. Germany, England, Japan, Once discovered by these Italy, Austria and Romania celebrities, Gerovital itself have studied and confirmed has become famous and the effects of the Gerovital is now used in over twenty H3 treatment suggested countries around the world by Prof. Dr. Ana Aslan. In for its renowned anti-aging the 60’s the Gerovital H3 properties. treatment became a scientific Ana Aslan’s research certitude (which, readers activity received many should note, is an oxymoron, international distinctions, though certainly pedantic among which: “Cross enough to appear credible of Merit” – First Class to consumers), a high value of the Order of Merit, anti-aging treatment. Germany,1971; “Cavalier Notables such as French de la Nouvelle Europe” President Charles De Prize Oscar, Italy, 1973 Gaulle, U.S. President John “Les Palmes Academiques”, F. Kennedy, West German France, 1974; “Honorary prnz10 GHEORGHE ZAMFIR Gheorghe Zamfir was born in April 6, 1941 and he is a Romanian pan flute musician who has received 120 golden and platinum disc awards and sold over 40 million albums. He is widely known as “Zamfir, Master of the Pan Flute”. Zamfir is known for playing an expanded version of the traditional Romanian- style pan flute (nai) of 20 pipes to 22, 25, 28 and 30 ZAMFIR, MASTER OF THE PAN FLUTE pipes to increase its range, soundtrack for the classic at the Bucharest Academy and obtaining as many as Australian film “Picnic at of Music where he was a nine tones from each pipe by Hanging Rock”. His music student of Fanica Luca at the changing the embouchure. has also been heard on Conservatory of Bucharest, Zamfir came to the the soundtracks of many Romania in (1968). He public eye when he was Hollywood movies. He was currently resides and teaches “discovered” by Swiss asked by Ennio Morricone pan flute in Bucharest. ethnomusicologist Marcel to perform the pieces He has a 22 year old Cellier who extensively “Childhood Memories” and son who currently resides researched Romanian “Cockeye’s Song” for the in Montreal, Canada, also a folk music in the 1960s. soundtrack of Sergio Leone’s musician. In the recent past, Largely through television classic 1984 gangster film Zamfir was less frequently commercials where he was “Once Upon A Time In upon European stages. billed as “Zamfir, Master of America”, his music is heard Reason: Ongoing tours and the Pan Flute”, he introduced throughout the 1984 film en-suite concerts in the USA, the folk instrument to a “The Karate Kid”, and his Canada, Australia and Asia modern audience and revived song “The Lonely Shepherd”, that become victory parades it from obscurity. penned by James Last and with virtually gigantic In the United States recorded with the James Last successes with the public. his commercials were widely Orchestra, is featured in Nevertheless, the soloist, seen on CNN in the 1980s. Quentin Tarantino’s film “Kill conductor and composer – One of his most notable Bill Vol. 1”. he has given up his previous contributions was to the Zamfir has written residence in Canada, lives in an instructional book, the meantime in Paris and “Traitė Du Naï Roumain: Bucharest and has a teaching méthode de flûte de pan”, position for the pan flute in Paris: Chappell S.A., 1975, the Romanian capital city – ISBN 88-8291-286-8, again wishes to concentrate and an autobiography on giving more performances “Binecuvantare şi blestem” in Europe. (“Blessing & Curses”), Arad: For future concerts, Mirador, 2000, ISBN 973- particularly in Europe, the 9284-56-6. “King of the Pan Flute” Zamfir was born in promises a colourful mastery Găeşti, Romania. Although of the music. He will present initially interested in himself and his incomparable becoming an accordionist, tonal world symphonically at the age of 14 he began and with chamber orchestras, his pan flute studies. He but will also give “more continued his education intimate” concerts. 11 prnz GEORGE ENESCU George Enescu is known in chamber music (three also a noted violin teacher. France as Georges Enesco. He sonatas for violin and piano, Yehudi Menuhin, Christian was born in August 19, 1881 two for cello and piano, a Ferras, Ivry Gitlis, Arthur at Liveni, Romania and he died piano trio, quartets with and Grumiaux, and Ida Haendel in May 4, 1955 in Paris. without piano, a wind decet were among his pupils. He He was the biggest (French, “dixtuor”), an octet promoted contemporary Romanian composer, for strings, a piano quintet, Romanian music, playing violinist, pianist, conductor a chamber symphony for works of Constantin Silvestri, and teacher, preeminent Mihail Jora, Ionel Perlea and Romanian musician of the Marţian Negrea. 20th century, and one of On his death in 1955, the greatest performers of George Enescu was interred in his time. He was born in the the Père Lachaise Cemetery in village of Liveni, Romania Paris. Today, Bucharest houses (Dorohoi County at the time, a museum in his memory; today Botosani County), and likewise, the Symphony showed musical talent from Orchestra of Bucharest, as well early in his childhood. A child as the George Enescu Festival, prodigy, Enescu created his are named and held in his first musical composition honor. at the age of five. Shortly thereafter, his father presented him to the professor and composer Eduard Caudella. At the age of seven, he entered the Vienna Conser- ENESCU AND ROMANIAN RHAPSODY vatory, where he studied with twelve solo instruments). In Joseph Hellmesberger, Jr., 1923 he made his debut as a Robert Fuchs, and Sigismund conductor in a concert given Bachrich, and graduated by the Phila-delphia Orchestra before his 13th birthday, in New York City. In 1935, earning the silver medal. he conducted the Orchestre In his Viennese concerts Symphonique de Paris and young Enescu played works Yehudi Menuhin in Mozart’s by Brahms, Sarasate and Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Mendelssohn. major. He also conducted In 1895 he went to the New York Philharmonic Paris to continue his studies. between 1937 and 1938. He studied violin with Martin In 1939 he married Pierre Marsick, harmony Maria Rosetti (known as the with André Gédalge, and Princess Cantacuzino through composition with Jules her first husband Mihail Massenet and Gabriel Fauré. Cantacuzino), a good friend Many of Enescu’s works of the future Queen Marie Recently, Bacau International were influenced by Romanian of Romania. While staying in Airport was named George folk music, his most popular Bucharest, Enescu lived in the Enescu International Airport. compositions being the two Cantacuzino Palace on Calea The “George Enescu Festival“ Romanian Rhapsodies (1901– Victoriei (now the Muzeu is held annualy in Romania, in 2), the opera Œdipe (1936), Naţional George Enescu, all the major cities. This year and the suites for orchestra. dedicated to his work). He the festival will start in 2011, He also wrote five lived in Paris and in Romania, and finish in 25 September, symphonies (two of them but after World War II and the being like a real World Cup unfinished), a symphonic Soviet occupation of Romania, of the Good Music for all the poem Vox maris, and much he remained in Paris. He was Romanians. 12 GEORGE EMIL PALADE prnz

George Emil Palade (November 19, 1912 – October 7, 2008) was a highly regarded Romanian cell biologist. In 1974, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Albert Claude and Christian de Duve, for discovering the vacuole. Palade also received the U.S. National Medal of Science in Biological Sciences for “pioneering discoveries of a host of fundamental, highly organized structures in living cells...” in 1986, (National Medal of Science), and was previously elected a Member of the National PALADE AND THE NOBEL PRIZE Academy of Science in 1961. & Molecular Medicine, as most important discovery George Emil Palade was born well as a Dean for Scientific was made while using an on November 19th, 1912 at Affairs (Emeritus), in the experimental strategy known Iaşi, Romania; his father was a School of Medicine at La Jolla, as a pulse-chase analysis. Professor of Philosophy at the California. In 1970, he was In the experiment Palade University and his mother was awarded the Louisa Gross and his colleagues were a high school teacher. Both Horwitz Prize from Columbia able to confirm an existing parents strongly encouraged University together with hypothesis that a secretory George to further develop Renato Dulbecco co-winner pathway exists and that his abilities through higher of 1974 Nobel Prize in the Rough ER and the Golgi education at the university. Physiology or Medicine “for apparatus function together. George E. Palade received his discoveries concerning the He focused on Weibel-Palade M.D. in 1940 from the Carol functional organization of bodies (a storage organelle Davila School of Medicine of the cell that were seminal unique to the endothelium, the University of Bucharest, events in the development containing von Willebrand Romania. He was a member of modern cell biology”, factor and various proteins) of the faculty of that famous related to his previous which he described together school until 1945 when he research carried out at the with the Swiss anatomist went to the United States Rockefeller Institute for Weibel. Palade was married for postdoctoral studies. Medical Research. His Nobel to Marilyn Farquhar, a cell There, he joined Prof. Albert lecture, delivered on 1974, biologist at the University Claude at the Rockefeller was entitled: “Intracellular of California. The following Institute for Medical Research. Aspects of the Process of is a concise excerpt from In 1952, Palade became a Protein Secretion”, published Palade’s Autobiography natu-ralized citizen of the in 1992 by the Nobel Prize appearing in the Nobel Award United States. He was a Foundation. documents. “In the 1960s, Professor at the Rockefeller At the Rockefeller I continued the work on the Institute (1958-1973), Yale Institute for Medical secretory process using in University Medical School Re-search, Palade used parallel or in succession two (1973-1990), and University electron microscopy different approaches. The of California, San Diego to study the internal first relied exclusively on (1990-2008). At UCSD, Palade organization of such cell cell fractionation, and was was Professor of Medicine structures as mitochondria, developed in collaboration in Residence (Emeritus) in chloroplasts, the Golgi with Philip Siekevitz and Lewis the Department of Cellular apparatus, and others. His Greene. 13 prnz NICOLAE PAULESCU

Nicolae Paulescu (October hormone (pancreine). From months after Paulescu’s 30, 1869 – July 17, 1931) April 24 to June 23, 1921, works were published, doctor was a Romanian physiologist Paulescu published four Frederick Grant Banting and and professor of medicine. papers at the Romanian biochemist John James Richard Born in Bucharest, he was Section of the Society of Macleod from the University the first of four children of Biology in Paris: “The effect of Toronto, Canada, published father Costache Paulescu and of the pancreatic extract their paper on the successful mother Maria Paulescu. He injected into a diabetic use of a pancreatic extract displayed remarkable abilities animal by way of the blood”; for normalizing blood sugar as early as his first school “The influence of the time (glucose) levels (glycemia) in years. He learned French, elapsed from the intravenous diabetic dogs. Latin and Ancient Greek at an pancreatic injection into a Their paper is a early age, so that a few years diabetic animal”; “The effect mere confirmatory paper, later he became fluent in all of the pancreatic extract with direct references to these languages and was injected into a normal animal Paulescu’s article. However, able to read classical works by way of the blood”. An they misquote that article. of Latin and Greek literature extensive paper on this Surprisingly, Ban-ting and in the original. He also had a subject - Research on the Macleod received the 1923 particular gift for drawing and Role of the Pancreas in Food Nobel Prize in Physiology or music and special inclinations Assimilation - was submitted Medicine for the discovery towards natural sciences, such by Paulescu on June 22 to the of insulin, while Paulescu’s as physics and chemistry. Archives Internationales de pioneering work was being He graduated from the Physiologie in Liège, Belgium, completely ignored by the Mihai Viteazu High School in and was published in the medical community. Professor Bucharest, in 1888. August 1921 issue of this Tiselius, head of the Nobel In the autumn of journal. Institute, has expressed his 1888, Paulescu left for Furthermore, Paulescu personal opinion that Paulesco Paris, where he enrolled in secured the patent rights for was equally worthy of the medical school. In 1897 he his method of manufacturing award in 1923.” Paulescu graduated with a Doctor of pancreine (his own term for died in 1931 in Bucharest. Medicine degree, and was insulin) on April 10, 1922 He is buried in Bellu immediately appointed as (patent no. 6254) from cemetery. In 1990, he was assistant surgeon at the the Romanian Ministry of elected posthumously to the Notre-Dame du Perpétuel- Industry and Trade. Eight Romanian Academy. Secours Hospital. In 1900, Paulescu returned to Romania, where he remained until his PAULESCU AND THE INSULIN death (1931) as Head of the Physiology Department of the University of Bucharest Medical School, as well as a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the St. Vincent de Paul Hospital in Bucharest. In 1916, he succeeded in developing an aqueous pancreatic extract which, when injected into a diabetic dog, proved to have a normalizing effect on blood sugar levels. After a gap during World War I, he resumed his research and succeeded in isolating the antidiabetic pancreatic 14 GHEORGHE HAGI prnz of 1987 Hagi was transferred to rable goals of that tournament, Romanian giants Steaua Bucuresti curling in a 40-yard lob over Co- as the team prepared their Euro- lombian goalkeeper Oscar Córdoba pean Super Cup final against FC who was caught out of position. Dynamo Kyiv. The original con- He was named in the Team of the tract was for one game only, the Tournament. Four years later, after final. However after winning the the 1998 World Cup, Hagi decided trophy, Hagi scoring the only goal to retire from the national team, of the final, Steaua did not want only to change his mind after few to release him back to Sportul months and play at the 2000 Euro- Studentesc and retained him for pean Football Championship.Hagi the next years. During his Steaua retired from professional football years, (1987 - 1990), Hagi played in 2001, age 36, in a game called 97 Liga I games, scoring 76 goals. “Gala Hagi” on the 24th of April. He He and the team reached the still holds the record as Romanian national team top scorer. In 2001 Hagi was named the manager HAGI, THE CARPATHIAN’S MARADONA! of Romania, repla-cing Ladislau Gheorghe Hagi was born in Febru- Bölöni, who left the squad to coach ary 5, 1965 in Sacele. He is a Ro- Sporting Clube de Portugal. How- manian former football player. He ever, after failing to qualify the was famous for his passing, close team for the World Cup, Hagi was control, long shots and is regarded sacked. His only notable achieve- as one of the best offensive mid- ment during the six months as fielders in Europe of the 80s and Romania’s manager was the win in 90s. Nicknamed “The Maradona of Budapest against Hungary, the first the Carpathians”, he is considered of this kind for the Romania na- a hero in his homeland as well as tional football team. In 2003, Hagi in Turkey. He has won his coun- took over as coach of Turkish first try’s “Player of the Year” award six division side Bursaspor, but left times, and was recently named the club after a disappointing start Romanian football player of the to the season. He then became century. He played for the Roma- manager of Galatasaray in 2004, nian national team in three World leading the team to the Turkish Cups in 1990, 1994 and 1998, as Cup in 2005 with 5-1 as a score well as in three European Football vs. their rivals Fenerbahçe SK. Championships in 1984, 1996 and Romanian team Steaua 2000. He won a total of 125 caps Bucuresti wanted to hire him in for Romania, being ranked second European Cup semifinal in 1988 the summer of 2005, but Hagi’s after Dorinel Munteanu, and scored and the final in the following year. requested wage could not be met 35 goals, being ranked first. Hagi remained one of the most by the Romanian champions. Hagi In November 2003, to beloved players in the Turkish and became manager of FCU Politehni- celebrate UEFA’s Jubilee, he was Romanian championships. Hagi is ca Timisoara instead, and after a selected as the Golden Player of not only a prodigy in soccer, he string of bad results and disagree- Romania by the Romanian Football also raised the quality of Turkish ments with the management, he Federation as their most outstand- soccer to a new level. left the club after a few months. ing player of the past 50 years. Hagi made his debut for Constanta’s main stadium used to Hagi is one of the few footballers the Romania national team at bear his name, but the name was to have played for both the Span- the age of 18 in 1983 in a game changed after Hagi signed with ish rival clubs Real Madrid and FC against Norway played in Oslo. He FCU Politehnica Timisoara. From Barcelona. In March 2004, he was was part of the Romanian team June 2007 to September 20th, named among the top 125 liv- until 2000. Hagi led the Romanian Hagi coached Steaua Bucuresti, ing footballers by Pelé. He started team to its best ever international had a mediocre start in the inter- his career playing for the youth performance at the 1994 World nal championship mainly due to teams of Farul Constanta in the Cup, where the team reached the large number of unavailable 1970s, before being selected by the quarterfinals before Sweden injured players, managed to qualify the Romanian Football Federation ended their run after winning the the team for the second time in to join the squad of Luceafarul penalty shoot-out. Hagi scored line to Champions League Groups Bucuresti in 1980 for two years. three times in the tournament, passing two qualifying rounds. In 1982 he returned to Constanta, including a memorable goal in He resigned due to a long series but one year later, aged 18, he their 3-2 surprise defeat of South of conflicts with the team’s owner was prepared to make the step American powerhouse and previ- Gigi Becali, which also happens to to a top team. He was originally ous runners-up Argentina. In the be his godson. directed to Universitatea Craiova, first of Romania’s group stage For the last years he is but chose Sportul Studentesc of matches, against Colombia, Hagi known in developing young talents Bucharest instead. In the winter scored one of the most memo- and youth centers in Romania. 15 prnz O-ZONE O-Zone was a Moldovian pop music trio that gained global popularity for their song Dra- gostea din tei. Its members were Dan Balan (Crazy Loop), Radu Sarbu, and Arsenie Todiras (also known as Arse- nium). The group was started by Dan Balan in the year 1999 and originally consisted of him and Petru Jelihovschi. They released their first album, “Dar, unde esti...”, in 2000, and were a major success in Romania. However, for Petru music was just a hobby, so the group split up. Dan was determined not to end the project though. He later held open auditions. There he met Arsenie Todiras. At first he was a bit skeptical of Arsenie until Arsenie started to sing “Love me Tender”. Then a couple of weeks later Dan gets a call from Radu Sirbu saying he missed the auditions. Radu later auditioned for Dan and Another single called “De- Rihanna sampled the song in made it in. They were of- spre Tine” from the same their 2008 hit “Live Your Life”. ficially a band. They mainly album had similar success Alina covered the song un- sang eurodance music in Ro- across Europe. Compared to manian, and were especially its multi-platinum status in famous for their hit single Europe, O-Zone never en- “Dragostea din tei”, a notable tered the charts in the United summer hit from the album States. With the advent of the Disc O-Zone. Numa Numa Dance, “Dra- Dragostea Din Tei gostea Din Tei” had a burst reached Number one on the of popularity in the United singles charts of many Eu- States. ropean countries in 2003 While the song re- and 2004, and was Number ceived moderate to major three in the United Kingdom. airplay, most Americans never knew who the group was or the original song’s name. In January of 2005 the trio der the title “When You Leave split. Later, though, they got (Numa Numa)”. Albums: Dar, back together to do a tour in unde esti (1999); Number 1 Japan since “Dragostea Din (2002); DiscO-Zone (2004). Tei” was such a big hit there. Singles: “Kayla my dear deg- “Dragostea Din Tei” was also gie” (1999); “Numai Tu” a big hit in other countries, (2002); “Despre tine” (2002); and new versions were re- “Dragostea din tei” (2004); corded internationally in at “Despre tine” (2004) (Re-re- least 12 languages. T.I. and lease). prnz16 NICOLAE CEAUSESCU Nicolae Ceausescu (Janu- fascist activities. occupy the second-highest ary 26, 1918 – December 25, While out of jail in 1939, position in the party hier- 1989) was the Secretary Gen- he met Elena Petrescu (they archy. Three days after the eral of the Romanian Work- married in 1946) —she death of Gheorghiu-Dej in ers’ Party, later the Romanian would play an increas- March 1965, Ceausescu be- Communist Party from 1965 ing role in his political life came first secretary of the until 1989, President of the over the decades. He was Romanian Workers’ Party. One Council of State from 1967 arrested and imprisoned of his first acts was to change and President of Romania again in 1940. In 1943, he the name of the party to The from 1974 until 1989. His was transferred to Târgu Jiu Romanian Communist Party, rule was marked in the first internment camp where he and declare the country the decade by an open policy shared a cell with Gheorghe Socialist Republic of Romania towards Western Europe and Gheorghiu-Dej, becoming rather than a People’s Repub- United States of America, his protégé. After World War lic. In 1967, he consolidated which deviated from that of II, when Romania was be- his power by becoming presi- the other Warsaw Pact states ginning to fall under Soviet dent of the State Council. during the Cold War. His sec- influence, he served as sec- Initially, Ceausescu be- ond decade was character- retary of the Union of Com- came a popular figure in Ro- ized by an increasingly erratic mu-nist Youth (1944–1945). mania and also in the Western personality cult, extreme After the Communists World, due to his independent nationalism and a deteriora- seized power in Romania in foreign policy, challeng- tion of the foreign relations 1947, he headed the min- ing the authority of the So- with Western powers and also istry of agriculture, then viet Union. In the 1960s, he with the Soviet Union. After served as deputy minister ended Romania’s active par- Ceausescu’s government was of the armed forces under ticipation in the Warsaw Pact overthrown late in 1989, he Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej’s (though Romania formally was shot following a two- Stalinist reign. In 1952, remained a member); he re- hour session by a military Gheorghiu-Dej brought fused to take part in the 1968 court. him onto the Central Com- invasion of Czechoslovakia by Born in the village mittee months after the Warsaw Pact forces, and ac- of Scornicesti, Olt County, party’s “Muscovite faction” tively and openly condemned Ceausescu moved to Bucha- led by Ana Pauker had been that action. Although the rest at the age of 11 to work purged. In 1954, he became Soviet Union largely tolerated in the factories. He was the a full member of the Polit- Ceausescu’s recalcitrance, son of a peasant. He joined buro and eventually rose to his seeming independence the then-illegal Communist Party of Romania in early CEAUSESCU: THE CURSE OF ROMANIA 1932 and was first arrested, in 1933, for agitating during a strike. He was arrested again, in 1934, first for col- lecting signatures on a peti- tion protesting the trial of railway workers and twice more for other similar activities. These arrests earned him the description “danger- ous communist agitator” and “active distributor of communist and anti-fascist propa- ganda” on his police record. He then went underground, but was captured and imprisoned in 1936 for two years at Doftana Prison for anti- 17 prnz NICOLAE CEAUSESCU from Moscow earned Roma- bonds between European nia maverick status within the and Romanian communi- Eastern Bloc. In 1974, Ceaus- ties may have played a role escu became “President of in thwarting these plans. In Romania”, further consolida- 1966, the Ceausescu re- ting his power. He followed gime banned all abortion, an independent policy in for- and introduced other poli- eign relations—for example, cies to increase the very low in 1984, Romania was one birth rate and fertility rate of only three Communist- - including a special tax ruled countries (the others amounting to between ten being the People’s Republic and twenty percent on the of China, and Yugoslavia) to incomes of men and women take part in the American- who remained childless organized 1984 Summer after the age of twenty-five, Olympics. Also, the country whether married or single. was the first of the Eastern The inability to procre- debts and people accepted Bloc to have official relations ate due to medical reasons the suffering, believing it to with the European Commu- did not make a difference. be for a short time only and nity. However, Ceausescu Abortion was permitted only for the ultimate good. The refused to implement any in cases where the woman debt was fully paid in sum- liberal reforms. The evolution in question was over forty- mer 1989, shortly before of his regime followed the two, or already the mother Ceausescu was overthrown, Stalinist path already traced of four (later five) children. but heavy exports continued by Gheor-ghiu-Dej. Begin- Mothers of at least five until the revolution, which ning in 1972, Ceausescu children would be entitled took place in December. By instituted a program of sys- to significant benefits, while 1989, Ceausescu was show- tematisation. Promoted as a mothers of at least ten chil- ing signs of complete denial way to build a “multilaterally dren were declared heroine of reality. While the coun- developed socialist society”, mothers by the Romanian try was going through ex- the program of demolition, State; few women ever tremely difficult times with resettlement, and construc- sought this status, the aver- long bread queues in front tion began in the country- age Romanian family during of empty food shops, he side, but culminated with the communist era having was often shown on state an attempt to reshape the two to three children. In the TV entering stores filled country’s capital completely. 1980s, Ceausescu ordered with food supplies, visiting Over one fifth of central Bu- the export of much of the large food and arts festivals charest, including churches country’s agricultural and where people would serve and historic buildings, was industrial production in him mouthwatering food demolished in the 1980s, in order to repay its debts. The and praising the “high living order to rebuild the city in resulting domestic short- standard” achieved under his own style. The People’s ages made the everyday his rule. Special contingents House (“Casa Poporului”) in life of Romanian citizens of food deliveries would fill Bucharest, now the Palace of a fight for survival as food stores before his visits, and the Parliament, is the world’s rationing was introduced even well-fed cows would be second largest administrative and heating, gas and elec- transported across country building, after The Pentagon. tricity black-outs became in anticipation to his visits of Ceausescu also planned to the rule. During the 1980s, farms. Ceausescu’s regime bulldoze many villages in or- there was a steady decrease collapsed after a series of der to move the peasants into in the living standard, es- violent events in Timisoara blocks of flats in the cities, pecially the availability and and Bucharest in December as part of his “urbanisation” quality of food and general 1989.The Ceausescu couple and “industrialisation” pro- goods in stores. The of- was executed on 25 Decem- grams. An NGO project called ficial explanation was that ber 1989 and they graves “Sister Villages” that created the country was paying its are located in Bucharest. prnz18 ILIE NASTASE Ilie Nastase (born July 19, 1946, all the best players participated. for his technical and physical in Bucharest, Romania) is a for- Two months before in a depleted genius and for his good humour mer Romanian professional tennis Wimbledon, Nastase lost to Smith on court. But among referees and player, one of the world’s top in a dramatic five sets final, one other players, his reputation for players of the 1970s. Nastase was of the most spectacular of all gamesmanship resulted in the the World No. 1 in 1973 according time [1]. In the Davis Cup, in nickname “Nasty” after several to the Association of Tennis Pro- which WCT players were still not incidents where his temperament fessionals ranking system, which allowed to participate, Nastase got the better of him. For one placed him first from August 23, was undefeated in singles until year, some players scorned him in 1973 to June 2, 1974. Nastase losing to Smith in the final tie. In locker rooms and did not speak to won seven Grand Slam titles: two December, Nastase won his first him. In 1973, Wimbledon and the in singles, three in men’s doubles, match of the year against Smith Australian Open again had very and two in mixed doubles. He and his second consecutive Ten- depleted fields. Roughly 80 play- also won four Tennis Masters Cup nis Masters Cup title. (The WCT ers boycotted Wimbledon because championships. In 2005, Ten- players were again absent from of a controversy involving Nikki nis magazine ranked him as the the tournament). Pilic. Only 4 of the 20 best play- 28th-best player of the preceding By winning 17 tourna- ers in the world entered (Nastase, forty years. ments in 1973 (the French Open, Kodes, Roger Taylor and Connors). At the beginning of his the Masters Cup and the other 12 As usual from 1972 through 1982, career in 1966 Nastase travelled listed on the ATP website), Nas- very few of the best players visited around the world competing with tase was the undisputed World the Australian continent. Among his good friend Ion Tiriac. Togeth- No.1 that year. In the Davis Cup, the top 20 players, only Rosewall er, they represented Romania in he won 7 of 8 singles rubbers, and Newcombe participated. Five the Davis Cup competition, being including a victory over Tom events stood out that year: (1) the three times runners up: in 1969, Okker, the “Flying Dutchman.” U.S. Open with only Roy Emer- 1971 and 1972. In matches against the other top son missing; (2) the French Open In singles, Nastase won players, Nastase was 1–0 against (among the best claycourt players, his first minor tournament at Cannes on April 16, 1967. His first final at an important tournament was in 1969 in Stockholm, where he defeated Tony Roche and Stan Smith. Nastase became one of the best players in 1970, with many experts ranking him as the sixth best player in the world at that time after the Australians Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe, and Roche and the American Ashe. Nastase’s high ranking resulted from his success at the Italian Open in Rome and at the U.S. Indoor Open in Salisbury, Maryland. With Tiriac, Nastase won the men’s doubles title at the French Open. In 1971, Newcombe and 1–1 against only Rosewall, Laver, and Emer- Nastase was the runner-up at a Smith. The Romanian won the son were absent); (3) the Tennis depleted French Open with 16 of French Open without dropping a Masters Cup, this time accessible the 32 World Championship Ten- set (a feat repeated by Björn Borg to all players; (4) the WCT finals, nis (WCT) players absent. Nastase in 1978 and 1980 and by Rafael reserved for WCT players (not in- lost in four sets to Jan Kodes. In Nadal in 2008), and he won the cluding Nastase, Newcombe, Con- December, Nastase won the Ten- French Open (clay), Rome (clay) nors, and Manuel Orantes); and (5) nis Masters Cup, again without the and Queen’s Club (grass) in suc- the Davis Cup, open to everyone WCT players. cession, a feat never repeated for the first time in its history. In The two following years in the open era, though Borg 1974 he was the only player to saw Nastase’s apogee. In 1972, he won Rome, the French Open, qualify for both the WCT Finals became the second ranked player and Wimbledon in succession in and the Tennis Masters Cup (also in the world (see World number 1978, and Nadal won the French Newcombe played both events, one male tennis player rankings), Open, Queen’s Club, and Wim- although he played the Masters owing to his winning the US Open bledon in succession in 2008. at Kooyong as an invitee instead in a five-set final over Arthur In terms of public popu- of a qualifier). As usual, Nastase Ashe. This tournament was the larity, Nastase was then at the played well in the Masters Cup, only event of the year in which peak of his career, famous both in particular against Newcombe 19 prnz ALEXANDRU TOMESCU in the semifinals. (Nastase finished his career with a 4–1 record versus Newcombe, losing only their first match in 1969.) The Romanian, however, lost the final to Guillermo Vilas in five sets. For the fifth consecutive year, Nastase reached the Tennis Masters Cup final in 1975, where he played perhaps the best match of his career to defeat Borg: 6–2, 6–2, 6–1. During the first half of 1976, Nastase won four tournaments (Atlanta WCT, Avis Challenge Cup WCT, U.S. Open In- door, and La Costa), and head-to-head, he led Connors 2–1, Vilas 1–0, Ashe 1–0, and Borg 1–0. Nastase did not enter the Australian Open, which was again avoided by most of the top players. Nastase was prevented from entering the French Open because he participated in World Team Tennis. In the second half of the year, Nastase lost to Borg in the men’s singles final of Wim- bledon and in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Nastase won three other tournaments during ALEXANDRU TOMESCU the second half of the year, the Pepsi Grand Alexandru Tomescu won over 20 awards from Slam, South Orange, and the 4-man tourna- national and international contests, over two hun- ment of Caracas, Venezuela, in October (not to dred concerts played and lots of collaborations be confused with the Caracas WCT tournament in March), making seven tournament champion- with great bandmasters. An important stage in his ships for the year. Nastase was generally consid- development as an artist was the competitional ered to be the World No. 3 for the year, behind stage. Connors and Borg. In 1977 Nastase finished From 1 december 2002, Alexandru Tomes- ninth in the ATP rankings. He was a quarterfi- cu is a permanent soloist of the musical bands nalist at Wimbledon and the French Open and Radio. Also with the National Radio Orchestra participated in the WCT Finals. Nastase was still he made many recordings, concerts and tourna- one of the 20 best players in 1978. At Wimble- ments. don, he again reached the quarterfinals, losing As president of the Cultural Foundation to Okker after defeating Roscoe Tanner. Dur- Remember Enescu, Alexandru Tomescu is involved ing the remainder of his career, Nastase steadily declined and only occasionally defeated a good in many musical projects. In sempember 2008 player, such as Johan Kriek in the third round he was the winner of the Elder - Voicu conest for of the 1982 U.S. Open. Nastase retired from the the Stradivarius violin. In this position he won the tour in October 1985 at the age of 39 after play- rights to play the Stradivarius violin for the next ing in the tournament in Toulouse, although he five years. did play the challenger tournament at Dijon in June 1988. Nastase won the Tennis Masters Cup tournament four times, in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1975. Only Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl won more titles there. He has 88 singles titles, only 57 of which are recorded at the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) website. He won the U.S. Open in 1972 (defeating Arthur Ashe in a five set final) and the French Open in 1973. He was the singles runner-up at Wimbledon in 1972, losing in five sets to Stan Smith, and in 1976, losing to Björn Borg. In men’s doubles, he won Wimbledon in 1973 (with Jimmy Connors), the French Open in 1970 (with Ion Tiriac), and the U.S. Open in 1975 (with Connors). Nastase was the first professional sports figure to sign an endorsement contract with Nike in 1972. Nastase and Connors were good friends, often playing doubles together. They refused to join the Association of Tennis Professionals, preferring to play in a parallel tour organized by their manager. 20 HENRI COANDA prnz Henri Marie Coanda (1886– 1972) was a Romanian inven- tor, aerodynamics pioneer and the builder of world’s first jet powered aircraft, the Coan- da-1910. He discovered and gave his name to the Coanda effect. Born in Bucharest, Coanda was the second child of a large family. His father was General Constantin Coanda, a mathematics professor at the National School of Bridges and Roads. His mother, Aida Danet, was the daughter of French physician Gustave Danet, and was born in Brit- tany. Coanda studied at the Petrache Poenaru Communal COANDA: THE WORLD’S FIRST JET AIRCRAFT School in Bucharest. After three years (1899), his father, founded École Nationale tunately, he escaped with just who desired a military career Supérieure de l’Aéronautique a good scare and some minor for him, had him transfer to et de l’Espace. One year injuries to his face and hands. the Military Lycee in Iasi. later (1910) he graduated Around that time, Coanda He graduated from that at the head of the first class abandoned his experiments institution in 1903 with the of aeronautical engineers. due to a lack of interest and rank of sergeant major, and With the support of engi- support. Between 1911 and he continued his studies at the neer Gustave Eiffel and the 1914, he worked as technical School of Artillery, Military, mathematician, politician, director of Bristol Aeroplane and Naval Engineering in Bu- and aeronautical pioneer Paul Company in the UK, where he charest. Sent with an artillery Painlevé, he began experi- designed several aeroplanes regiment to Germany (1904), menting the aerodynamic known as Bristol-Coanda aero- he enrolled in the Technische techniques: one of this ex- planes. In 1912 one of these Hochschule in Charlottenburg, periments was mounting a planes won the first prize at Berlin. device on a train running at the IMA Contest in the UK. Coanda graduated as 90 km/h so he could analyse In 1915, he went again an artillery officer, but he was the aerodynamic behavior. to France where he designed more interested in the tech- In 1910, using the and built three different mod- nical problems of flight. In workshop of Gianni Cap- els of propeller aeroplane, 1905, he built a missile-aero- roni, he designed, built and including the Coanda-1916, plane for the Romanian Army. piloted the first ‘thermojet’ with two propellers mounted He continued his studies powered aircraft, known as close to the tail; this design (1907-1908) at the Montefiore the Coanda-1910, which he was to be reprised in the “Car- Institute in Liège, Belgium, demonstrated publicly at the avelle” transport aeroplane, for where he met Gianni Caproni. second International Aero- which Coanda was a technical In 1908 Coanda returned to nautic Salon in Paris. It would consultant. Probably the most Romania to serve as an active be nearly 30 years until the famous of Coanda’s discover- officer in the Second Artillery next thermojet powered ies is the Coanda Effect. He Regiment. However, his inven- aircraft, the Caproni Campini won the Laboratories Award, tor’s spirit did not comport N.1. the Award and Grand Gold well with military discipline. At the airport of Issy- Medal “Vielles Tiges”, UNESCO He solicited and obtained les-Moulineaux near Paris, Award for Scientific Research, permission to leave the army. Coanda lost control of the jet The Medal of French Aeronau- In 1909, he travelled to Paris, plane, which went off of the tics, Order of Merit, and Com- where he enrolled in the newly runway and caught fire. For- mander ring.