1/9
George Enescu
2/9
Grigore Antipa
3/9
Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino
4/9
Ion I C Brătianu
5/9
Martha Bibescu
6/9
Nicolae Iorga
7/9
Constantin Brâncuși
8/9
Elena Văcărescu
9/9
Eugen Ionescu
Important Personalities
The modern period and the interwar period enjoyed the activity and works of many personalities, of which we mention a few.- George Enescu He is one of the greatest Romanian musicians, composer, conductor, violinist, pianist, pedagogue. Between 1888-1894 he studied at the Vienna Conservatory, where he graduated with a silver medal, then between 1895-1899 at the Paris Conservatory. At the age of only 5 he created his first musical composition. In 1915, the first edition of the "George Enescu" composition competition took place, in which the great composer offered, from his own income, generous sums of money to the winners and the chance to perform their songs in concerts. Among his works are the Romanian Poem, Suite no. 1 for orchestra, Sonata for violin and piano no.1 op.2, Oedipus. He gave concerts at Peles Castle, being admired by Queen Elizabeth of Romania. He was elected a member of some important institutions in the world. He was a corresponding member of the Academy of Fine Arts in Paris, the "Santa Cecilia" Academy in Rome, the French Institute in Paris, the Academy of Sciences and Arts in Prague.
- Grigore Antipa He was a museologist, zoologist, ecologist, oceanologist, hydrobiologist, ichthyologist, economist, with a wide scientific activity in the field of biology. In 1891 he took the doctoral exam and received the mention Summa Cum Laude. He organized the National Museum of Natural History on Kiseleff Road. In the presence of King Carol I and Princess Maria, as well as important personalities from the scientific, cultural, political field, he opened the first rooms of the Museum. Among his museological innovations are dioramas - three-dimensional showcases. The species were presented on categories of habitats, in natural positions, projected on a painted background. He was a member of the Romanian Academy and of several academies in the world.
- Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino He received his doctorate in law in 1858. He was twice mayor of the capital, his main concern being the development of railways, roads and highways, Minister of Interior, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Justice and Prime Minister of Romania. in 1899-1900 and in 1904-1907. The foreign press described him as calm and balanced, a person who respected all parties. He built the Cantacuzino Palace in Bucharest, currently the "George Enescu" National Museum, the Cantacuzino Castle in Busteni and the Cantacuzino Palace in Floresti, also known as the "Little Trianon".
- Ion I. C. Brătianu Prime Minister of interwar Romania and president of the National Liberal Party, one of the makers of the Great Union of 1918, along with King Ferdinand and Queen Maria. He led the Government in World War I and Romania's delegation to the Paris Peace Conference. He was an honorary member of the Romanian Academy. He pursued a policy of national dignity, of asserting the sovereign equality of Romania in relation to the other states and of the national conscience. In his politics he promoted the constitutional and democratic state, being a central figure of political life between 1914 and 1927. He initiated agrarian and electoral reform. Among the great achievements of Ion I. C. Brătianu are the economic, administrative legislation, the legislation on justice, health, education and cults.
- Martha Bibescu She stood out in the twentieth century as one of the most distinguished personalities of the European aristocracy, as a writer, politician, host of lavish meetings at the Mogoșoaia Palace, where personalities of the European elite went. As a writer she was awarded by the French Academy, in 1954 receiving the Grand Prize for Literature for her entire work. The following year she became a member of the Royal Academy of French Language and Literature in Brussels. Her first book was Les Huit Paradis - The Eight Heavens, published in 1908. Other books and autobiographical works of historical inspiration followed, including Isvor, Le Pays de Saules (Isvor, the Land of Willows), A Royal Victim , Ferdinand de Roumanie (A Royal Victim, Ferdinand of Romania), Le rire de la Naïade (Laughter of the Naiad). In 1963 she was appointed adviser to French President Charles de Gaulle on the Romanian issue.
- Nicolae Iorga The greatest historian and scientist of Romania of all times, scholar, politician, member of the Romanian Academy. He studied in Romania, Italy, France, Germany. He has taught at the University of Bucharest, the University of Paris and other academic institutions. In 1931 he was prime minister of Romania. His interest manifested itself in conservative doctrine, with a Western democracy. He promoted the affirmation of the Romanian language in the Parliament and at the National Theater. His works include "The History of Stephen the Great for the Romanian People", "The Romanian Nation in Transylvania and the Hungarian Country", "The History of Romanians in Faces and Icons" and, last but not least, "The History of Romanians".
- Constantin Brâncuși Romanian sculptor who created a new plastic vision in modern sculpture. He attended the School of Arts and Crafts in Craiova, then the School of Fine Arts in Bucharest and the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Most of his works are made of wood and metals. His most important works are part of the universal heritage: the trilogy of the Monumental Ensemble from Târgu-Jiu. Other works of international value include Master Birds, The Kiss, Miss Pogany, The Sleeping Muse. The Museum of Modern Art in Paris houses many of his works.
- Elena Văcărescu Writer, honorary member of the Romanian Academy, established in France since 1895, she translated and published in French poems by Mihai Eminescu, Ion Minulescu, Lucian Blaga, George Topârceanu, Octavian Goga. He also had a rich diplomatic activity. He campaigned during the First World War for the realization and international recognition of the Great Union. He was a permanent delegate to the League of Nations, where he promoted the protection of women and children, the fight against discrimination, the protection of intellectual property rights. Among Elena Văcărescu's works are L'âme sereine (With a Serene Heart), Le Jardin Passioné (The Garden of Longing), Chants d'Aurore (Songs of Dawn). He wrote the novels Amor vincit (Love wins), Le Sortilége (Spell).
- Eugen Ionescu One of the biggest names in the dramatic art of the twentieth century, writer, inventor of the absurd theater, member of the French Academy. Among his songs are "Scans", "The King Dies", "The Bald Singer", "Rhinos", "Thirst and Hunger". In 1961 his plays were performed in 35 countries around the world. In 1971 he received the title of Doctor Honorus Causa from New York University, then from the University of Warwick, the University of Tel Aviv, the University of Louvain, Belgium, the University of Katowice, Poland. In 2009, his work was officially celebrated worldwide, at the suggestion of Romania and Nicolae Manolescu, then Romania's ambassador to UNESCO.
- May 10, the Romanian Monarchy Day
- King Michael's Coup - 23 August 1944
- March 6th 1945 - the Communist Government
- November 8th 1945 - Pro-Monarchy demonstration
- December 30th 1947 - King Michael I of Romania forced to abdicate
- The Return of King Michael I of Romania, April 25th 1992
- December 30th 1997, King Michael I Speech