Do You Celebrate Your National Culture?

 

For my first post of 2017, I have chosen a recently-designated special event in Romanian society. Since 2011, this day was chosen as our National Culture Day. Not by chance, as today we celebrate also the birthday of Romania's most important poet, Mihai Eminescu, born on this day in 1850. 

               

   

   Mihai Eminescu, a romantic poet by excellence, has remained in history for his works of great depth and complexity, touching several themes - love, nature, history and patriotic spirit (most of the time glorifying the country's past as opposed to the present political class - yep, still painfully actual), the mysteries of life and death, and so much more. He also had a tragic destiny, having lost his life at the age of 39 in circumstances which are still being questionned nowadays. Eminescu's works have been translated in various languages, amongst which English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and not only. Therefore, my advice is to find him and become familiar with his poetry - you will not regret. We certainly haven't regretted all the hours we spent studying and analyzing his works when we were at school. :)

        Nevertheless, beyond Eminescu, who definitely deserves us to celebrate our national culture on his birthday, I realized that we actually need to celebrate our national culture all the time, no matter where we are coming from. Here are some questions we need to ask ourselves, and to challenge ourselves with:

        ... Do we know our country well enough? Have we visited the most important or unique parts of it? Do we know the traditions of every region?

          ... Do we speak and spell the language correctly, without silly mistakes?

      ... Are we reading enough of its classical and contemporary literature?

           ... Do we know its history? Can we name as many public figures who made us proud throughout time as we can?

              ... Can we cook at least one traditional dish? (Yes, I know many of my foreign friends expect sarmale from me, but I promise I'm getting there... someday... :P )

             ... Can you organize a party only with your national pop music?

             ... Last but not least... can you stand up for yourself when your country loses its reputation on the international level (this one is for Romanians, but not only).

          I confess I may not be able to answer 100% YES to all questions, but it is something which must be continuously developped with time. Let's all celebrate our national cultures. Do you accept the challenge? ;)