Preserving identity and promoting cultural heritage have become fundamental elements for minority communities. This is the central message of the book “The Romanians Next to Us”, written by Alexandru Câţcăuan, and recently presented at a special event organized by the Vršac Cultural Center and the Libertatea Publishing House and Press Agency (CPE Libertatea), held in the foyer of the Millennium Center in Vršac.
Alexandru Câţcăuan’s book stands as a reference work in Romanian literature, offering valuable insights into Romanian communities beyond the country’s borders, with a special focus on regions such as Vojvodina, the Timok Valley, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. Initially published in Romanian in 2021 by the Cronedit publishing house in Iași, and later translated into Serbian by Teodor and Theona Andrada Rămianţ, under the aegis of Tibiscus Publishing House in Uzdin, the book serves not only as a cultural and historical guide but also as a bridge between past and present, tradition and the future.
During the launch event, speeches were delivered by Daniel Bala, Minister Counsellor at the Consulate of Romania in Vršac, Stevan Mihailov, Vice President of CNMNR, Mariana Stratulat, Director of CPE Libertatea, and Davor Stojković, Director of the Vršac Cultural Center. They emphasized the book’s importance in the broader context of efforts to preserve the cultural identity of Romanians living outside Romania’s borders.
The preface, written by Ioan Holban, describes Alexandru Câţcăuan as “a cultural vector of Bistrița,” highlighting how the author succeeds in conveying the emotion and authenticity of his travel experiences through his writing.
These narratives bring before the reader a vivid world full of color, traditions, and personal histories which, though belonging to Romanian communities abroad, are universal in their message about the importance of cultural and identity memory.
“The Romanians Next to Us” is not only essential reading for those interested in Romanian history and culture, but also a source of inspiration for all who wish to better understand the complexity and beauty of the world we live in. Through its pages, Alexandru Câţcăuan invites us to rediscover and celebrate the cultural heritage of Romanians everywhere, proving that regardless of geographical boundaries, the heart and soul of a community remain unchanged.