The Romanian Cultural Institute, through the Romanians Abroad and Romanian Language Directorate, with the support of the Romanian General Consulate in Cernauti, will organize Dan Puric’s “Romanian Soul” show at the “Olga Kobyleanska” Academic Theatre in Cernauti on Monday, June 15, at 5 p.m.
Organized on the 126th commemoration of the death of poet Mihai Eminescu, the event will consist of three parts: the theatre play “Romanian Soul,” a conference with the same name and a session of autographs. The initiative seeks to contribute to the consolidation of relations between Romanian communities within and without Romania’s borders. Access to the event is free of charge.
The “Romanian Soul” pantomime show tells the story of the Romanian people’s emergence from under communism and its attempts to return to normal. For actor Dan Puric, who has thrilled audiences on all continents, the game is meaningful silence. The foreign press labelled him as “a master of perfection and ingenuity, of dark humour, one who renews the pantomime art of Chaplin and Marceau.” Actor, director and writer Dan Puric is without a doubt an honorary representative of Romanian culture, being each and every time welcomed and rewarded with well-deserved applause.
With the help of the event’s partners (the Romanian Consulate, the Romanian associations and local press), the event will be attended not only by Romanians living in Cernauti but also by those from neighbouring districts, including Romanians from the Transcarpathia region (historical Maramures). According to the 2001 census data available on the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s website, this region of Ukraine has over 182,000 Romanians, artificially divided through demonyms such as “Romanians” and “Moldovans” (holding equal meaning in Romanian legislation – law no.299), representing the third-largest local community after Ukrainians and Russians. According to unofficial data from the Cernauti-based “Mihai Eminescu” Romanian Cultural Society, the Romanian community in Ukraine surpasses 500,000 people. Important Romanian associations that perseveringly worked to maintain the Romanians’ cultural identity in Northern Bucovina are based in Cernauti.
“I dedicate this show to the Romanian people, to its uncorrupted inner beauty which will one day help it recover. By loving this beauty, it will have the strength to heal others too once it goes out into the world.” (Dan Puric)
The premiere of the show took place in December 2013 at the National Theatre of Bucharest. The show then toured several cities in Romania and abroad. Scenario and stage management: Dan Puric. Classical and modern dance choreography: Svetlana Zotina. Greek dance choreography: Amalia Strinopoulou. Folk dance choreography: Costica Balarau. Costumes: Lili Cenean. Soundtrack editing: Radu Draganescu. Sound and lights: Alin Popa.
