Diversitate si Identitate Culturala in Europa (Nov 2023)
EUGEN SIMION: EXEGI MONUMENTUM
Abstract
This text is a reminder that October marks one year since the passing of Professor Academician Eugen Simion, a prominent figure in Romanian culture. The article pays tribute to the efforts and achievements of Eugen Simion’s work and legacy, exemplified by the verses of the Latin poet Horace, “exegi monumentum aere perennius”. It highlights the significant contributions of this exceptional personality of Romanian culture and literature, emphasising Eugen Simion’s reputation as one of the most esteemed literary critics and historians, essayists and theorists in the field of literature. He is considered the (theoretical) founder of biographical genres (journals, correspondence, memoirs). His activity as an editor, preface writer, author of monographs and promoter of national-scale projects yielded important results, including Dicționarul General al Literaturii Române ‘The General Dictionary of Romanian Literature’ (DGLR, two editions), Cronologia vieții literare românești 1944 – 2012 ‘The Chronology of Romanian Literary Life 1944 – 2012’ (CVLR, 60 volumes) and the facsimile reproduction of Eminescu’s manuscripts (notebooks) (38 volumes). A university professor and member of the Romanian Academy and president of this high forum between 1997 and 2006, Eugen Simion also became a member of seven other academies in the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Greece, Moldova, Spain and Serbia. Some of his books and studies were translated in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, the United States, Serbia and Hungary. The unexpected loss of Professor Eugen Simion left a vast literary project unfinished, deprived now of the infectious energy and enthusiasm of its initiator. These projects are currently being continued and completed by researchers at the “G. Calinescu” Institute of Literary History and Theory of the Romanian Academy, where Eugen Simion served as director.
