N E W S L E T T E R

Vol. 9:2-- November 1998

THE TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL ARA CONGRESS

The 23rd Annual Congress of the American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences took place at the University of Rochester (Rochester, NY), from August 6 to August 9, 1998. Professor Charles Carlton, who had spent several years in Romania as a Fulbright scholar and has a long standing interest in Romanian studies, served as the Chair of the local organizing committee.

About one hundred participants came from Romania and Moldova, and about fifty from the USA, Canada, Germany and other Western countries. They were greeted by Prof. Charles Carlton, by Prof. Constantin Corduneanu, the President of ARA, and by Prof. T. Leblanc, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Rochester. On Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday, many sessions in specific fields of the Sciences and Humanities took place. They included Economics, Business, Political Science, Computer Science, and Engineering; History and Geography; Linguistics, Literature, and Folklore; Architecture; Sociology, Psychology, Education (Pedagogy) and Journalism; Religion, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.

Prof. Dinu C. Giurescu from the University of Bucharest and a member of both, the Romanian Academy and the American Romanian Academy delivered the keynote address on the subject of "Romania Update 1998." He discussed various aspects of Romanian life today. The address generated passionate discussions which continued long after the morning session was closed. Prof. Giurescu had just arrived from Romania and his analysis of the political crisis was very incisive. Many of those who participated in the discussion were also from Romania. Some of the comments concerned secondary aspects of the analysis, and showed a tendency towards a nationalistic approach.

Although some specialized papers attracted fewer participants, the majority of papers dealt with topics of interest that appealed to large audiences. Many came from "Valahia" University of Targoviste, the institution which had organized the 1997 Congress. Besides those from the higher learning institutions of Romania or Moldova, a large number of researchers came from various institutes. They were journalists, writers, clergymen and members of other intellectual professions. As usual, besides the sessions dedicated to scholarly presentations, there were cultural events which contributed to confer a Romanian color to the meeting. A book exhibit included books authored by ARA members or dedicated to subjects of interest to Romanian scholars. Prof. Carlton also organized a Romanian Ethnographic exhibit at the university library. Participants listened to a musical recital by Prof. Lory Wallfisch who is an Emerita member of ARA. She performed compositions by Enescu, Bartok, and Mozart. The three day event included a program of Romanian folk dances by the team "Da ingramo" (Sa jucam!), a movie about Trajan's Column, visits to the Museum of Photography (the mansion of George Eastman, who is the founder of Eastman-Kodak) and to the Laser Laboratory of the University of Rochester. On Sunday, August 9, an excursion to Niagara Falls took place and many of the participants saw this natural marvel for the first time in their life.

Professor Florea Oprea, Rector (President) of "Valahia" University, has offered a pleasant surprise to the participants, by presenting them with two volumes containing the papers read at the ARA Congress in Targoviste. Moreover, he promised to continue publishing the proceedings of ARA Congresses, and many of the participants entrusted their contributions to Prof. Oprea and to Prof. Ion Cucui, who is Vice-Rector of "Valahia" University.

On August 7, the ARA Executive Committee met to decide the 1998 ARA Awards. The Awardees are: 1) Prof. Charles M. Carlton (University of Rochester), for his long standing interest in Romanian Studies, his many publications and the support provided to ARA; 2) Prof. Emeritus Daniel Grindea (New York), for his contribution to the volume of "Romani in Stiinta si Cultura Occidentala," a 1996 ARA publication distributed in early 1997; Dr. Grindea, who was not an ARA member, has been declared an Emeritus Member of ARA; 3) Prof. Vladimir Tismaneanu (University of Maryland at College Park), for his book entitled "Fantasies of Salvation" (Princeton University Press); he is the recipient of the ARA Book Award for 1998; 4) Dr. Viorel Achim, from the Institute of History of the Romanian Academy, the Branch of Cluj-Napoca, for his studies and publications in history.

The ARA general Assembly, with members present in person or by proxy, was held on August 8. It included 1) the approval of the minutes, 2) the President’s report; 3) the Treasurer’s report, and 4) the report of the Nominating Committee consisting of Prof. Charles Carlton as Chair; and Profs. Claude Matasa and Nicolae Pavel.

New ARA Officers have been elected and the results of the ballot are as follows: Ion Paraschivoiu (President), Ladis Kristof (Vice-President); Peter Gross (Vice-President and Liaison Officer); Monica Grecu (Secretary General); Ernest Latham, Jr. (Secretary); Constantin Corduneanu (Admission Officer). The Counselors are: Adrian Bejan, Charles Carlton, Olga Porumbaru (Plastic Arts), and Dinu Giurescu. The Treasurer is Miron Bonca.

The newly elected Executive Committee met immediately after the General Assembly and each officer was assigned specific responsibilities. As for Prof. Constantin Corduneanu, the retiring ARA President, he was nominated and approved as President Emeritus.

A very moving event took place in the evening of August 7 at the Faculty Club. The well known American contemporary poet, W. D. Snodgrass, who is a former Professor from the University of Rochester and a Pulitzer Prize laureate, was the guest of honor of the Congress. He has translated from Romanian into English such treasures of Romanian culture and spirituality as "Miorita" and "Mesterul Manole". First, the ballads were read in Romanian by Nicolae Babuts. He is a Romanian from the Yougoslavian Banat and also a Professor Emeritus at the University of Syracuse. Immediately after, W.D. Snodgrass recited his translations. It was delightful to listen to these ballads and other poems rendered in a highly artistic interpretation. No doubt, many who were present will long remember the lament of the woman who is seeing herself entombed in the monastery's wall: "Manole, Manole, Good Master Manole . . . " We listened as the reverberations of the Romanian spirit and culture took universal proportions in the English language.

Constantin Corduneanu, President Emeritus of ARA

A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. WASHINGTON.

Warm greetings to everyone gathered in Rochester, New York, for the 23rd annual convention of the American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Today is a time of extraordinary opportunity for the people of the world as old barriers fall and a new and truly global community emerges. As we stand on the threshold of a new century, it is more important than ever that we become aware of one another’s hopes and values, for it is through such understanding that we can best promote lasting peace and prosperity around the world.

I am pleased that all of you have gathered to explore the cultural and scientific issues that are shaping the world of tomorrow. As you meet to discuss mutual interests and to share your expertise, I commend you for working to build a brighter future for us all.

Best wishes for a productive and enjoyable convention.

Bill Clinton

THE NEW A.R.A. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE [1998-2001]

President: Ion PARASCHIVOIU. Département de Génie Mécanique. Section aérothermique, Ecole Polytechnique, C.P. 6079, Succ. "Centre ville, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec ) Canada H3C 3A7. Tel.: (514) 340-4711. FAX: (514) 340-5917. E-mail <iopara@meca.polymtl.ca>

Vice-President: Ladis KRISTOF, Prof. Emeritus, Portland State University, Portland Oregon. Home: 23050 N.W. Roosevelt Dr., Yamhill, OR 97148.

Vice-President and Liaison Officer: Peter GROSS. Information and Communication Studies Zip 600, Univ. of California, Chico, CA 95929-0502.

Secretary-General: Monica M. GRECU, Dept. of English, School of Arts and Sciences, Univ. of Nevada at Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557-0077. E-mail <grecu@unr.edu>

Secretary: Ernest. H. LATHAM, Jr., 285-A G Streeet S W, Washington D.C. 20024-4337.

Admission Officer: Constantin CORDUNEANU. Dept. of Mathematics. University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76010. Tel.: (817) 272-3261; (817) 272-5765. Fax: (817) 272-5802; E-mail: CORDUN@UTARLG.UTA.EDU.

Treasurer: Miron BONCA. 3153 Country Club Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. U.S.A

COUNSELORS

Adrian BEJAN. Duke University, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Durham, NC 27706.

Charles CARLTON. Department of Linguistics. University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627-0041. Tel. (716) 275-4111. FAX: (716) 275-8531. [E-mail carlton@ling.rochester.edu]

Dinu GIURESCU, Romanian Academy. Calea Victoriei, 125 Bucharest, Romania.

Olga PORUMBARU.(Plastic Arts), Lafayette Avenue #417, Suffern, N.Y. 10901-7034.

GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

Claude MATASA. 2026 Scott Street, Hollywood, FL 33020-2417. <Matasa@aol.com>

Nicole H. PAVEL. Dept. od Mathematics. Ohio university. Athens, OH 45701.

Irinel DRAGAN. Department of Mathematics. University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010.

GOVERNORS

O. BARLEA, Sendinger Str. 63-J, Munchen 2, 8000 Germany.

Alphonse JUILLAND. Stanford University.

Maria Manoliu MANEA. University of California at Davis.

George. E. PALADE. University of California at San Diego.

Toma PAVEL. Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.

Emil TURDEANU. La Sorbonne, Paris, France.

PRESIDENTS EMERITI

Maria Manoliu MANEA. (1982 -1995). University of California at Davis.

Constantin CORDUNEANU. (1995-1998). Dept. of Mathematics. Univ. of Texas. Arlington.

ARA JOURNAL

Cristian Petru BALAN, Editor, 22 W. 480 Sycamore Drive, Valley View, Glenn Ellyn, IL 60137-7406

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear ARA Members and Friends:

First of all, I would like to express my thanks for your vote of confidence and for electing me as the new ARA President and electing my colleagues of the Executive Committee for a three-year mandate (1998-2001).

My thanks also go to the past President, Prof. Constantin Corduneanu. He will continue to participate in the leadership of ARA. In the year 2000, ARA will celebrate its 25th anniversary and in this context we will strive to lend to our activities greater luster. In doing so, we will call upon your continued support and the support of the Executive Committee.

We plan to increase the academic activities of ARA in order to make it a truly professional institution. This can be done in various ways: by enhancing the quality of our Annual Congress, and by strengthening the quality of the ARA Journal and of the other publications sponsored by ARA. We especially wish to recruit new members from among our excellent Romanian friends in "Diaspora" as well as Romania and Moldova.

With the help of the Executive Committee, I plan to propose some of the following improvements:

1) ARA will introduce new membership cards which will be valid for the period covered by the membership dues.

2) We will ask all ARA members (and corresponding members) to bring up to date their address and provide a recent "Curriculum Vitae."

3) The admission of new members will be based on the professional merits and motivation of the ARA activities.

4) The Chairman of the ARA Annual Congress should be an active professor or researcher in the host institution, who will mobilize our friends from other national backgrounds and involve them in the ARA activities.

5) ARA needs to extend its cooperation with other academic and cultural institutions as well as the Romanian Academy, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova, the SOROS Foundation, Fundatia Culturala Româna, etc.

6) We should continue to provide information on the ARA activities by using our Newsletter and the Romanian "Mass-media" in Diaspora, in Romania and Moldova.

With best regards,

Ion Paraschivoiu, ARA President

Département de Génie, Section Aérothermique, Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal

<iopara@meca.polymtl.ca>

PLANS FOR FUTURE COLLABORATION:

In October of 1998, Prof. Ion Paraschivoiu, the President of the American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences, met in Bucharest with Dr. Eugen Simion, the President of the Romanian Academy, and its staff. They discussed the future collaboration between the two institutions.

In the Republic of Moldova, Prof. Ion Paraschivoiu received a "Doctor Honoris Causa" degree from the Technical University of Moldova. This proved to be another occasion to discuss with Dr. Ion Bostand and Dr. Stefan Cartofeanu the possibility of new research projects with other ARA Members.

At the same time, Prof. Ion Paraschivoiu had a meeting with Dr. Andrée Andriès, the President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, and with the board of the Academy. They discussed the possibility of establishing a strong link of collaboration between ARA and ASM for the joint NATO research projects, exchange of publications and cooperation at the annual ARA Congress.

An important meeting was also held with Mr. Victor Ursu, the Executive Director of the SOROS Foundation of Moldova. He said that the Foundation will continue to support participants of Moldova who plan to attend future ARA Congresses.

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO A VERY SPECIAL PERSON:

The Recipient of the 1998 ARA AWARD is Dr. Charles Carlton. Dr. Monica M. Grecu made the presentation in the name of the Executive Board of ARA:

"I have met Dr. Carlton at the University Babes-Bolyai in Cluj, Romania in 1971. Dr. Carlton came as a visiting Fulbright Professor to the English Department and worked there for three years.

We were colleagues and it was a real delight to have him among us. His friendliness, his good ear for the Romance languages, his interest for the Romanian culture and language, for the beauty of the Romanian landscape, his excellent people skills made him one of the praised faculty. I could say it was hard to see Dr. Carlton without his yellow pad, always noting new words and expressions in Romanian language. I was one of the first Romanian language teachers Dr. Carlton acquired, followed by many others. The great sense of humor of this soft spoken professor of linguistics, "a true American," a rarity at that time in that part of the world, soon made him the favorite of the faculty and students at BBU. I still remember with delight our talks, walks and exchange of opinions.

Dr. Carlton came to Romania accompanied by his wife Mary, and their three sons, a fine family that soon got integrated into our lives. My students in Sibiu considered Prof. Carlton's visit a special event. His course was more than well attended. The students put up a program in his honor, and what an evening we all had!

Dr. Carlton loved traveling, visiting places, discovering the wonders of Romania. With limited knowledge of the Romanian language at the beginning, Dr. Carlton never stopped to think twice when he took to the mountains, villages, valleys or wide open fields of Romania. He often felt more at home than many of the natives. His love for discovery and desire to listen to the spoken language at all levels was amazing. Who would have guessed then what life had in store for all of us?

Years later, after my arrival in the US, while attending an ARA Conference in LA, California, I met Dr. Carlton again. No surprise! He was a member of the American-Romanian Academy in Diaspora. We talked again as in old times, but this time on his territory. I found out about his program in Romanian Language, about the library section of Romanian books at the University of Rochester that he had helped to acquire, about the many Romanian faculty and students he has helped and directed while they were studying at the University of Rochester. His courses and his studies on Romanian language and other Romance languages reveal to all of us a diligent, devoted professor, a true scholar, a man whose affiliations, interests and love of knowledge, education, cultures is as vivid today as it was many years ago. Undoubtedly, the love of knowledge kept him young, his sense of humor helped him pass over the trails of life. His interest for Romanian language and culture motivated him to be the first American professor who offered to organize an ARA Congress (not an easy endeavor) especially when you work at it almost alone. But he did it, to our delight, and to his credit. Prof. Carlton brought honor to the University of Rochester and to ARA, whose member he has been for a long time. He is an example for us all to emulate and to follow. For his longtime activity with ARA, for his persistent and valuable studies in Romance Languages, for his courage to offer and put on its feet such a challenging international event as the 23rd ARA Congress, Dr. Carlton has been chosen to receive the 1998 ARA Award."

Monica Grecu, Secretary General of ARA

University of Reno, Reno, Nevada

<grecu@unr.edu>

GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE 24TH ANNUAL ARA CONGRESS

It will be held in Liège, Belgium. The dates are from September 7 to 10, 1999. More to come. The Name of the chairman of this congress is: Prof. Dr. ir. Liviu Masalar, Chairman. Université de Liège. Systèmes de production mécanique-Métrologie. Rue E. Solvay, 21-C3, 4000 Liège, Belgium. Fax: 0032/4/3669166. Sécrétariat: 0032/4/36669533. E-mail: <L.Masalar@ULg.ac.be> More information will be given in the next ARA Newsletter and in a Call for Papers.

In the Year 2000 we will celebrate ARA at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, and in 2001 we will probably go to Portugal. Good news Indeed! ARA is becoming truly international and global.

FROM THE DESK OF ERNEST LATHAM:

The afternoon session also at the Woodrow Wilson Center was largely focused on bilateral relations. The speakers on that panel were: Keith Crane of PlanEcon Inc. on "The Economic Outlook for Romania," Lee Nordgren of Indiana University on "Charging Trade and Investment-Worthiness," Jonathan Rickert of the State Department on "US-Romanian Relations," and John Berry of the Department of Defense on "NATO Candidacy and US-Romanian Military Cooperation."

Not related to ARA's events but certainly contributing to the total impact of a Romania week was the noon discussion the following day when Anatol Lieven, the erstwhile Financial Times correspondent in Bucharest spoke at the Woodrow Wilson Center on "Romania: Reforming after a Dark Age." Similarly unconnected with ARA's efforts was the vote in the Congress on Thursday concerning NATO expansion. Although Romania was not one of the countries under consideration for membership at this time, supporters of Romania's ultimate membership could not help but be heartened by the overwhelming vote in favor of expansion which the first group of countries received.

On Friday May 1 the ARA sponsored event moved to the Library of Congress and that morning began with a program on "Imaginative Intercrossings: American and Romanian Literary Dialogues." The speakers were: Marcel Cornis-Popa of Virginia Commonwealth University, Andrei Brezianu of the Voice of America, Augustin Buzura President of the Romanian Cultural Foundation, Carmen Firan of the Romanian Cultural Center in New York and Nicolae Manolescu of Romania literara and a member of the Romanian Academy.

That afternoon the subject was "Historical Connections: Historiography about Romania Before and After 1989." Irina Livezeanu of the University of Pittsburgh moderated the panel which included as speakers: Maria Bucur of Indiana University, Radu Ioanid of the US Holocaust Memorial, Vladimir Tismaneanu of the University of Maryland and Ernest Latham, the Secretary of ARA.

Ernest Latham, Ph.D., ARA Secretary

MORE ON THE WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER EVENT

In his presentation, Prof.Tismaneanu has made an incursion in the sequence of events that finally led to the victory in the 1996 election of the truly democratic political forces in Romania. He made clear that the communist regime has ended in Romania with the Iliescu presidency. Dr. Brad Minnick is a resident researcher in Romania, who has spent the last year in Bucharest, contacting systematically members of the Senate and Parliament, as well as members of the Executive Branch. He criticized some actions and aspects, but said that the evolution is going in the right direction. Prof. Peter Gross, who has analyzed during the last 15 years the impact of mass-media on the Romanian population, has pointed out several achievements in this regard. He has also signaled various inconsistencies in the way the political process is presented. Prof. Charles King spoke about relations between Romania and its neighbors, with special attention to the Ukrainian relation. While he has estimated positively the accords signed by the Romanian government with the neighbors, particularly with Hungary, he has pointed out the bitterness provoked by the treaty with the Ukraine, given the territorial concessions Romania had to make for securing a better place among the European states. In the afternoon session, Mr. Jonathan Rickert from the Pentagon talked about the excellent relations on the military line, between US and Romania. He has emphasized the successful participation of Romanian troops in missions of the United Nations, in foreign territories, has remarked the good training of Romanian military personnel and has foreseen a good chance for the candidacy of Romania to NATO. He has also pointed out that he speaks about elite troops engaged in missions like the one in Bosnia or Albania. But many units of the Romanian Army are deprived of the modern equipment and suffer from the scarcity of funds allotted to the defense sector. The presentation of Mr. John Berry was also encouraging for the cause of accessing NATO and the European Union. It also contained a detailed analysis of what has been achieved so far and what is to be done to bring Romania closer to the structures mentioned above. It has been stressed that Romania does not stand now at the level already reached by Poland, the Czech Republic or Hungary. Romania still has to promote reform. The presentations of Lee Nordgren and Keith Crane were quite technical, with illustrations, graphs etc. In general, these presentations were not particularly positive for Romania, but tried to show where Romania is behind and what should be done according to established standards in modern society, in order to reach a higher performance in economy and business.

Of course, given the vastness of the theme and the limited time spent during the day in presentations and discussions, many important aspects of the Romanian life - under different angles - have not been approached. For instance, nobody has brought into discussion the fact that the elections of November 1996 produced a President who is clearly oriented toward democracy, while the parliament has resulted in a composition which is not very favorable to democratic reforms. No fewer than five political parties (PDSR, Melescanu faction, PUNR, PRM and unfortunately PD - during the last few months) have members in the parliament and they are, generally speaking, against the liquidation of all remnants of communism. A volume containing the details of this conference will be published in the near future. Interested persons can ask for a copy at the following e-mail address: <ees-wwc@erols.com>

I. IREX AWARDED GRANTS TO SUPPORT NIS AND CENTRAL AND EAST-EUROPEAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS. Sender: owner-irex-l@info.irex.org

II. IREX AWARDED GRANT TO SUPPORT RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS FOR

PROFESSIONALS FROM THE NIS

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) has received a $955,000 grant from the United States Information Agency to continue supporting research into contemporary issues affecting transition countries in the former Soviet region. The grant funds the Freedom Support Act Fellowships in Contemporary Issues (FSA/CI), which awards merit-based, competitive fellowships to public officials, leaders of nongovernmental, noncommercial organizations, and private sector professionals such as journalists, managers, publishers and lawyers from any of the twelve countries of the New Independent States (NIS).

Approximately 75 fellowships will be awarded to support three-month long exchanges to the US, where fellows will conduct research, network with US counterparts, and participate in internships in US organizations. The exchanges will help fellows gain the knowledge, skills and insights they need to play active roles in sustaining the transition to democracy, free markets, and civil society in their home countries. Special emphasis will be placed on recruiting fellows working on trade and investment issues, crime and corruption issues, intellectual property rights, political and military security, human rights, and foreign policy.

IREX is a Washington-based international nonprofit organization that manages academic exchange and professional training programs in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first academic exchange between the US and the former Soviet region, sponsored by the Inter-University Committee on Travel Grants, IREX's predecessor organization.

IREX AWARDED GRANT TO SUPPORT GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS FOR PROFESSIONALS FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) has received a $2.18 million grant from the United States Information Agency to continue providing opportunities for graduate study and professional development at leading US institutions to young professionals from Central and Eastern Europe. The program is named after the late US Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown, who died while promoting US business interests in the Balkans. The program reflects his commitment to assisting democracy in the region and strengthening the global economy. The Ron Brown Fellowship Program awards merit-based, competitive fellowships to graduate students and young professionals with demonstrated leadership in at least one of the following fields: business administration, economics, educational administration, environmental policy, journalism/mass communications, law, public administration, and public policy.

Approximately 48 fellowships will be awarded to support one to two year long exchanges to the US, where fellows will carry out advanced academic work, professional development activities such as internships, workshops, and alumni networking. Provided with scholarships covering tuition, living expenses, and transportation, participants normally receive a master's degree upon completion of their fellowship. The exchanges will help prepare fellows to pursue positions of leadership in a variety of fields once they return to their home countries. The goal of the Ron Brown Fellowship Program is to provide fellows with the knowledge, skills and insight they need to play active roles promoting and sustaining the transition to democracy, free markets, and civil society in Central and Eastern Europe. The program also serves as a catalyst for continuing cooperation between the U.S. and the countries of the region.

IREX is a Washington-based international nonprofit organization that manages academic exchange and professional training programs in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first academic exchange between the US and the former Soviet region, sponsored by the Inter-University Committee on Travel Grants, IREX's predecessor organization.

Anne Marie Hvid

Editor, Electronic Publishing Communications Division

IREX - International Research & Exchanges Board

1616 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

Tel: (202) 942-2171; Fax: (202) 628-8189 Web: www.irex.org

NEW EMERITI MEMBERS:

Constantin I. Bucur (Mannheim, Germany)

Pavel Chihaia (Germany)

Dinu C. Giurescu

Daniel Grindea

Carmen Sabau

NEW BOOKS

Corduneanu, Constantin. Editor. Libertas Mathematica. Vol. 18 (1998). The volume has 230 pages and contains 18 original research papers from Romania, the Unites States, Canada and Venezuela. This is an ARA publication.

Paraschivoiu, Ion. Aérodynamique subsonique. Montréal: Editions de l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal, 1998

Perry, Thomas Amherst. From These Roots and Other Poems. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, 1996.

Popa, Dorin. Ce Ti-e Scris. Poeme [Your Destiny. Poems]. Translated into English by Laura Iona Cutitaru, Eugenia Ionescu, Eileen McFarren. Iasi: Institutul European, 1998. ISBN 973-586-184-4.

Popa, Dorin. Nimeni nu întelege pe nimeni: poezii. Iasi: Editura Politrom, 1998.

Smarandache, Florentin. Prin Tunele De Cuvinte (Through Tunnels of Words). Bucuresti: Editura Haiku, 1997.

_____. Collected Papers. Vol. I. Bucuresti: Editura Societatii Tempus, 1996.

RSAA AT THE MLA IN SAN FRANCISCO:

1) "Andrei Codrescu: Romanian Exile. Cultural and Rhetorical Borderlines." Noemi C. Marin, University of Maryland,College Park.

2) "The Two Colombian Journeys of Geo Milev: The Case of a Bulgarian ‘Westerner’." Nikita Nankov, Indiana University.

3) "Hinternational Europe: West-East Bank of Magris Danube." Nicola Petrovic, University of Texas-Pan American (Edinburg, TX).

4) "Bridges over the Lower Danube." Roxana M. Verona, Dartmouth.

A. Rediscovering Benjamin Fondane: A Centennial Celebration.

Chair: Domnita Dumitrescu, California State University, Los Angeles.

1) "Benjamin Fondane: The Philosopher as Poet." Peter G. Christensen, Universityof Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

2) "La pensée existentielle de Benjamin Fondane." Arta Lucescu-Boutcher, City University of New York.

3) "Translating Fondane: Ennui and Romanian Poetry." Ileana Orlich. Arizona State University.

4) "Cioran on Fondane: A Literary Portrait." Aleksandra Gruzinska, Arizona State University.

B. Global Narratives and Local Stories: The Cold War’s Hot Legacy.

Chair: Christian Moraru, University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

1) "Containing Cold (War) Narratives." Melissa M. Croteau, Biola University.

2) "Identity and the Ex-Dissident in a Post-Totalitarian State: Eva Kanturova’s Celebration of Individual Ethical Acts." Marlowe A. Miller, University of Massachussetts-Lowell.

3) "Waste Legacy." Kristina Zarlengo, Columbia University.

4) "Men, Spies, and Postmodernism: From Spillane , Fleming and Le Carre to Kundera and Roth." Philip Goldstein, University of Delaware Wilmington.

CURRICULUM VITAE

NEW ARA MEMBERSHIP CARDS

ROMANIAN AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY:

David Foster, Chair and Regents Professor

<David.Foster@asu.edu>

VARIA

Congratulations to Mariana Zavati Gardner who was awarded Third prize in the North American Open Poetry Competition after submitting her poem to the National Library of Poetry, the largest poetry society in the world, with members from over sixty countries. She has also received The Editor’s Choice Award. Her poems appear in a collection entitled The Sounds of Silence (ISBN 1-5 755 3-426-6) and in Light of the World.

Welcome to a new ARA member. Dr. Michael M. Dediu, President of DERC, Inc., Dediu Research and Consulting, (Computers, Marketing, Management, International Business) located at 230 North Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876-1910, USA. Tel.: 978-851-5700; Fax: 978-640-0279. Web site: http://www.derc.com, E-mail: MMDediu@derc.com.

ARA NEWSLETTER EDITORIAL BOARD [ISSN 1081-3985]

Aleksandra GRUZINSKA, Editor, A.R.A. NEWSLETTER, Dept. of Languages and Literatures, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ 85287-0202. Tel.: (602) 965-6281/965-3873 FAX (602)-965-0135; E-Mail: gruzinska@asu.edu

Nicolette FRANCK [European Liaison], 26, Chateau-Banquet, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.

Monica M. GRECU, [Humanities: Lit., Ling., Philosophy], Dept. of English, School of Arts and Sciences, Univ. of Nevada at Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557.

Peter GROSS, [Hist., Politics, Communication, Sociology], Information and Communication Studies Zip 600, Univ of California, Chico, CA 95929-0502.

Ion PARASCHIVOIU [Canadian Liaison], Ecole Polytechnique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, (Québec ) Canada H3C 3A7

Olga PORUMBARU, [Art: Music, Painting, Sculpture, Dance], Environmental Design, 200 Lafayette Ave. #417, Suffern, N.Y. 10901-7034.

Mircea SABAU [Medicine, Biology], Dept. of Radiology, Univ. of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland, Chicago, Illinois 60637

A.R.A. PUBLICATIONS

Bârlea, Octavian. Romania and the Romanians. Los Angeles, 1977 $6.00

Quinlan, Paul D. Clash Over Romania. Los Angeles, l977. $7.00

Manoliu-Manea, Maria. Editor. The Tragic Plight of a Border Area: Bessarabia and Bucovina. Humboldt, l984 [Out-of-print.]

Georgescu, Vlad. Istoria Românilor de la origini pâna în zilele noastre. Davis, l984 [1st ed. out-of-print]. 1990 [2nd ed.]. $25.00

Arcade, L.M., Ion Manea, Elena Stamatescu, editors. Homo Religiosus: To Honor Mircea Eliade. Hommage à Mircea Eliade. 1990. $20.00

Jianu, Ionel, Gabriela Carp, Ana Maria Covrig, and Lionel Scantéyé, Editors. Romanian Artists in the West. Paris, 1987. With 480 illustrations (320 in color) of painters and sculptors living in the Free World. English edition also available. $35.00

Quinlan, Paul D. The United States and Romania. American-Romanian Relations during the Twentieth Century Woodland Hills, l988. $17.00

Timiras, Nicolae. Anii tineretii. Berkeley: 1991. $12.00

Butariu, Miron. O viata de om: Note autobiografice. Los Angeles, 1991. $16.00

Turdeanu, Emil. Modern Romania: The Achievement of National Unity 1914-1920. by Emil Turdeanu. 1988. $17.00

Manea, Ion. Editor. Români în Stiinta si Cultura Occidentala. Enciclopedie. Davis, l992. $35.00. [2nd Ed. 1996]. $50.00

Manea, Ion. Editor. A.R.A. Journal 12 (1989); 13-14 (1990); 15 (1991); 16-17 (1992); 18 (1993); 19 (1994); 20 (1995). each volume $20.00

Kristoff, Ladis and Balan, Cristian Petru, Editors. A.R.A. Journal 21-22 [1996-1997] $40.00

Corduneanu, Constantin, Editor. Libertas Mathematica Vols. I-XVIII, 1981-1998, $30.00

For orders outside the USA, send international money order (or postal order) or write to:

Mr. Miron Bonca, A.R.A. Treasurer, 3153 Country Club Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. U.S.A.