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The work of Norman Manea is a declaration of hope, a possibility of revival, Culture Minister Corina Suteu said on Monday.
"The work of Norman is a declaration that a revival is possible, a declaration of hope that in reality the resurrection is inside us and that we should find it, that there is always an escape route and that this route is very private and very important and this, in fact, is the source of our very life," Suteu said in the opening of an event at the Romanian Academy's Library to celebrate writer Norman Manea, who turns 80 this year.
The minister referred to the Romanian movies awarded at the Cannes - 'Baccalaureate' by Cristian Mungiu and 'Dogs' by Bogdan Mirica - and to the topic chosen by the architects present in the Venice Biennale, where she found a "certain line, (...) a theme through all these creations."
Emil Hurezeanu, Romania's ambassador to Berlin, paid an homage to Norman Manea, "the bearer of some messages of personal, enlightened, nostalgic, religious emancipation between Romania and the United States of America, between the Jewish and Romanan identities he assumes with cultural, deep, spiritual easiness, between the biographic constraints of a man who lived until his adulthood in a Romania twice ruled by dictatorship, with the memory of the years he had spent in a labour camp in Transdniester, and then of a maturity that became a barrier."
Literary critic Paul Cornea spoke about the "great writer and moral compass" Norman Manea and expressed his hope that the next anniversary moment will take place in the Romanian Academy's Aula, with the author being welcomed amongst the "immortals," (Academy members).
The unique meetings in Romania and abroad with Norman Manea were recalled by Ana Blandiana and Nora Iuga, while Robert Boyers, editor-in-chief and founder of the American magazine Salmagundi said that Manea is a free man and praised the way the Romanian writer assumes his European and Jewish identity.
The personality of Norman Manea recognized by the managing director of the Polirom Publishing House, Silviu Lupescu, who called Bucovina-born Manea "a true flagship for Polirom" and "a great chance for the averment of the Romanian culture."
Norman Manea, long applauded by the participants, said he was "deeply touched" by the presence of his friends who came from abroad. "I hope it is not a commemoration!" the writer added with his characteristic humour.
The anniversary event 'Norman Manea - A life' was attended by personalities of the cultural and academic life from Romania and from abroad.
Norman Manea, one of the most famous and appreciated Romanian writers, is a Francis Flournoy Professor in European Studies and Culture, and Writer in Residence of the Bard College, New York.
