Romanian Diaspora Research Articles

Mi-e Dor De Tine: Light Festivals, Emotional Narratives and Romanian Diaspora

This paper explores the significance of urban light festivals and their role in contributing to transnational identities and narratives through a detailed study of the Mi-e Dor De Tine project. This public art project serves as an example of how light-based installations shape transnational affective experiences, particularly within the Romanian diaspora across various locations around the world. Through an ethnographic and netnographic study conducted from 2018 to 2024, this research critically engages with Mi-e Dor De Tine project within the frameworks of aesthetic capitalism, affect theory, and transnationalism. The paper emphasizes that urban light festivals not only serve as tools for urban regeneration and cultural diplomacy but also play a vital role in affirming and developing complex urban identities and affective experiences.

Bridging Borders with Books: The Rise of Romanian Diaspora Libraries

Bridging Borders with Books: The Rise of Romanian Diaspora Libraries

Letters from Exile: Canadian Media, the Romanian Diaspora, and the Legionary Movement

This article traces the post-Second World War immigration of Romanians to Canada, and addresses themes of self-identification versus outside perception, national identity, and myth-making in the Romanian-Canadian community. It subsequently documents the scrutiny faced by the Romanian diaspora for supposed links to the interwar Romanian far-right Legionary Movement. Beginning in the 1950s, Romanian exiles in Canada forged their own community organizations, churches, and media, in which a unique synthesis of national identity and far-right politics was promoted, placing these new immigrants at the center of intracommunity and inter-ethnic conflict. Following the release of the Deschênes Report on war criminals living in Canada in 1986, as well as a series of unsolved terrorist attacks, Romanian-Canadians were subject to investigations by the mainstream Canadian media for potential involvement in far-right organizing. In the years since the collapse of state socialism in Eastern Europe, significant strands of the Romanian diaspora in Canada have continued to embrace historical figures of the Legionary Movement, synthesizing a diaspora identity flavored by anticommunism, radical right politics, and (ultra-) nationalism well into the post-communist period.

The Illusion of European Emancipation and/or a Study on the Spiritual “Ambivalence” of the Romanian Diaspora

One of the most significant problems faced by Romania is the alienation of its diaspora citizens from their language, faith, culture and popular traditions. In the first part of this short essay, I will discuss the servile attitude adopted by many Romanians in the West to be accepted more easily into a different society organized according to other principles, risking the loss of their identity. I will also make a few remarks about the danger of ideological imports. In the second part, I will refer to the bizarre situation in which educated young people, under the influence of progressive anti-Christian ideologies, convinced of opportunism, strangely confuse Christian principles and communist doctrine.

Exilul unui scriitor în peisaj marin: depre criză, agonie și poate altă soartă

The text reveals an aspect of the theoretical-didactic concept of „exile of literature/literature in exile”. It is important to specify that, in this conceptual instance, the didactic aspect of studying Romanian literature in high school regarding the life and work of writers is also built. One of them is represented by Virgil Tănase, who is a prominent personality of the Romanian diaspora in the French cultural space, with an exceptional journalistic and professional activity: prose writer, playwright, director, journalist and professor in prestigious institutions in France, doctor in sociology and in the semiology of arts and letters. In literature, Virgil Tănase assumes the Romanian oneirism formula as a compensatory fictional space. The confessions of the writer, made on the occasion of some interviews, include the discourse on literature and the status of the artist in the era of Nationalist Socialism, and, at the same time, direct metatextually towards the identification of an assumed literary „interiority”. In today’s society, when it becomes increasingly difficult to differentiate values from surrogates, Virgil Tănase formulates a final exhortation for the creators of literature, that of continuing to write authentically, regardless of time or space. Prolific writer, Virgil Tănase will forever remain an integrative spirit, having the aspiration and vocation to capture everything: the era in which he lives, the spirit of the world from which he comes, the human soul.

Bridges to the Future: Precision Medicine Workshops in the 2023 Smart Diaspora Conference

"Romania is one of the European countries with the highest number of medical specialists working abroad. It is estimated that in the last decade more than 20,000 physicians choosed to leave Romania for Western Europe or North America. The series of collaborative scientific conferences of Romanian diaspora launched initially in 2011, gained traction under the presidency of Klaus Iohannis who, in the fall of 2015, in order to counteract the „brain drain” exodus of highly educated professionals, encouraged the implementation of „brain regain” projects. The 2023 edition of the conference “Smart Romanian Diaspora and Its Friends – Higher Education, Science, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship” was held in Timisoara from the 10th to the 13th of April. The event brought together several renowned experts from various academic fields, both from Romanian diaspora and from Romania, in order to discuss top trending research subjects in plenary sessions and dedicated workshops. The workshop “Multidisciplinary Interactions at the Frontier of Personalized Medicine” was hosted by the Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara. The participants were 21 speakers from Romania, UK, USA, and Italy, who brought different perspectives to the topic of organism-microbiome-cancer treatment interactions in oncology. Here are some highlights from the workshop."

E-Governance in Times of Uncertainty: Diaspora-Built Practices on Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic

E-governance is essential for migrants to ease access to various administrative services in their home and destination countries. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed novel facets of inequality in the accessibility of these facilities, the lack of personnel during lockdowns being not the only impediment for foreigners. This paper aims to research the unequal access of the Romanian diaspora in Germany to digital solutions provided by authorities and the unprecedented circumstances that occurred during the medical emergency. The data analysis revealed how people built their e-governance networks on social media groups, providing alternative solutions to their issues and needs. Diaspora's relationships with governmental bodies are often priorly mediated via online communication in diasporic groups, where people ask for advice or present their approaches. Data collection has been done mainly on Facebook groups of Romanian migrants in Germany between 2020 and 2022. Methodologically wise, this research used digital field research to understand how people interact in these groups and what consequences could arise from their digital behaviour.

The Spectacle of “Patriotic Violence” in Romania: Populist Leader George Simion’s Mediated Performance

Political actors who adapt their performance to the logic of politainment gain visibility and success in the public sphere. Such is the case of George Simion, an emerging politician and leader of the newest parliamentary party, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), a populist radical right party that proved especially attractive to Romanian diaspora voters. This study focuses on the discursive and stylistic dimensions of Simion’s newsworthiness and mediatization. Additionally, a multiplatform analysis of his populist communication content and style aims to determine degrees of populism. As such, we propose a mixed-methods multimodal approach that combines corpus linguistics and semi-automated content analysis with thematic coding and visual semiotic analysis. The media-reported performance analysis focuses on content (<em>n</em> = 963) produced by three popular online news media outlets (<em>Digi24.ro</em>, <em>Adevărul.ro</em>, and <em>Antena3.ro</em>) between May 13th 2015 and April 30th 2022, while the analysis of Simion’s discourse examines his Telegram channel’s feed (738 messages and 383 images) between March 15th 2021 and April 30th 2022, and his authored texts published in <em>Adevărul.ro</em> (<em>n</em> = 116) between July 8th 2014 and April 30th 2022. The results indicate that news media reports are defined by conflict (aggression, violence), scandalization, negativity, emotionality, and by a prevalent use of arresting quotes that employ colloquial language (sarcasm, vulgarity). Simion’s celebrity populism is styled through an “ideal candidate,” “populist campaigner” image and framed through the emotional glorification (unionism, patriotism, Orthodoxy) of a potentially united “homeland,” a democratic space that reflects the unadulterated will of ordinary Christian-Orthodox Romanians whose sovereignty is currently undermined by corrupt political elites. He invokes historical narratives (e.g., founding fathers, retrospective utopia) reinforced through othering the EU and ethnic/sexual minorities as forces that threaten the purity of “the people.”

Manele Music as a Marker of Collective Shame in the Online Discourse of the Romanian Diaspora in the United Kingdom

"This article charts the reception of manele music among the Romanian diaspora in the UK. Using a netnographic approach applied to an online diasporic community, it studies the replication of acerbic debates in Romania about the role of manele within Romanian musical tradition. It also shows how the racialization of the Roma and the rejection of manele as “inferior” music serve both psychological and political purposes for a community that has experienced a loss in status due to migration. Manele become thus the measuring tape of cultural taste but also markers of collective shame that separate the “good” Romanians from the “bad”. These power games need to be understood in the context of old dissensions among Romanian elites related to Romania’s uncomfortable belonging to the Balkans. They also represent a renewed contestation of Oriental influences in Romanian culture that threaten to disrupt Romania’s presupposed belonging to the West. Keywords: manele, Roma, Romania, diaspora, Orientalism, shame. "

An Informal Ambassador of Romania in Ireland: The Romanian Orthodox Church

The article aims at discussing the case studies of the Romanian Orthodox churches in Dublin and the unique Romanian Orthodox monastery in Shannonbridge, Ireland. The general context is that of a growing Romanian diaspora in Ireland, hence the necessity of such “informal ambassadors”, in the sense of institutions that are both keepers of Romanianness and mediators for better integration in Irish society. We will also offer an overview of the collaboration between the Romanian churches and the Embassy in Dublin for the benefit of the Romanian diasporic community.

Diaspora românească din Ungaria în perioada postcomunistă – Portrete de intelectuali

When we talk about the Romanians in Hungary, especially about the life of the community in post-communism, we cannot omit the fact that alongside the historical community here there are representatives of a Romanian diaspora who are actively involved in community life, participating in the common effort to preserve the Romanian identity. The Romanian intellectuals who migrated in the last three decades to the area populated by Romanians in western Hungary or to Budapest, managed to leave their mark on the cultural, journalistic, educational and spiritual life of the Romanians here. Analyzing their identity path, the way in which they managed to integrate into the historical Romanian community in Hungary, but also the challenges and difficulties encountered due to the different cultural code, can provide a clearer perspective on how this Romanian community currently lives and functions, outside the borders of Romania, being in a permanent transformation, trying to preserve their ethnic identity and resist assimilation.

Diaspora diplomacy and modes of engagement: the case of Romanian Diaspora in the UK

PurposeThe current study aims to map the existent modes of engagement used by both individual and organisational actors of Romanian diaspora community in the UK to build public legitimacy and social value in the host society. This study focuses on two main questions: (1) What are the forms of engagement by which diaspora members enact their role as diplomats for ethnic diaspora communities? (2) What is the nature of their communication practices that sustain these forms of diasporic engagement?Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on an analysis of online public documents extracted from different websites, blogs and public social media accounts, complemented by primary data. The research design is a multi-levelled case study.FindingsThe main findings are that Romanian diaspora in the UK develops a specific model of diplomacy, focused on cultural and political forms of engagement. Firstly, equality and belonging are two key dimensions that clearly define this diasporic community diplomatic actions and practices. Secondly, the communication that fosters its networked and associative features has shifted towards a more democratic and strategic model.Originality/valueThis paper has multiple original points. Firstly, it deepens the understanding of diaspora diplomacy, connecting the concept with strategic communication. Secondly, the identification and theorisation of specific forms of engagement of diasporic communities reflects a process which is yet underdeveloped in both types of literature. Findings may be instrumental in providing strategies for relationship building, cultivation and the engagement efforts of the UK institutions regarding immigrant integration.

CHALLENGES AND SOCIAL VULNERABILITIES FOR ROMANIAN SEASONAL WORKERS IN GERMANY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

In the present study I highlighted the subjective indicators of the quality of life in the Romanian diaspora during the COVID-19 pandemic, using as a case study the situation of Romanians residing in Germany, as well as of Romanians working in seasonal jobs. The data collected were extracted from primary research based on in-depth interviews that I conducted with Romanian respondents living both in Romania and in Germany between April 2021 and August 2021, also with administrative officials from both countries who agreed to present their opinions on the topic under analysis. The secondary databases have largely completed the data specific to a statistical analysis, but without being able to access a complete picture of Romanian migrants in Germany, as many of the specific macro-data for the period 2020 and 2021 are lacking and others are not finalized. An important part of the secondary data comes from statistical sources provided by Eurostat and the National Institute of Statistics. The increasing presence of Romanians in Germany in recent years has become a topic of interest for both countries, involving joint diplomatic efforts, closer communication and a streamlining of legislation and bureaucracy. In order to strengthen administrative and diplomatic relations between the two countries, the need for research on the proposed topic is a major priority for both Romanian and German academic society. 

Who is the Diaspora? The Negotiation of Diasporic Identities in the Romanian Online Political Discourse

Drawing on an interdisciplinary framework based on critical and pragmatic discourse analysis, this study investigates the way Romanian politicians negotiate the identity of the Romanian diaspora on their Facebook pages. It also points out to the way discourse is used to introduce and (de)legitimize political decisions and actions. The topic is analyzed in different political and social contexts: the presidential elections in 2014 and 2019, the Euro-parliamentary elections in 2019, and the crisis generated by the comeback of the Romanians abroad as a result of the corona-virus pandemics in 2020. The results of the study show that the diaspora is part of the political discourse as a topic mainly during electoral periods, which are more heavily stake driven. The subject of the diaspora was approached by political actors in a strategic manner, starting from their communication project and the political outcome they were aiming for. The paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on strategies of constructing diasporic identities in the political discourse. The paper also illustrates spe-cific and emergent strategies of diasporic identity construction in different political and social contexts in a social media environment.

Transnational diaspora diplomacy, emotions and COVID-19: the Romanian diaspora in the UK

Transnational diaspora diplomacy, emotions and COVID-19: the Romanian diaspora in the UK

Political Parties and Diaspora: A Case Study of Romanian Parties’ Involvement Abroad

Abstract How do parties organise for success in engaging with their diaspora? This study investigates the impact Romanian diaspora has had on national political parties. It develops an argument based on diaspora recognition, engagement and policy as implemented by old and new parties. The analysis shows that recognition of diaspora in party statutes is not a guarantee for engagement. The latter increases with the use of new online communication strategies, provided there is a demand for such communication platforms. New parties with a strong anti-corruption stance mobilise diaspora online. The policy strategy emphasises diaspora support rather than diaspora return as incumbent parties take a gradual approach based on rights and identity promotion, which increases the economic utility of the engagement. The results are based on the analysis of party statutes, governmental documents, party online communication strategies and interviews with party members.

Rebel with a Cause: Domnica Radulescu’s Theater Translated into Spanish

AbstractThis paper focuses on Domnica Radulescu’s creative solutions when deconstructing myths, stereotypes, and prejudices and on the translator’s responses. In Domnica Radulescu’s plays, Exile is My Home and The Virgins of Seville (compiled, in their Spanish versions, in Dos Obras Dramáticas/Two Plays), the translator’s knowledge of both the author’s background and the target readership’s duality (Spanish host society and Romanian migrants) plays an important role in her decisions. Acknowledging that theater as a genre directly exposes hybridity of the author, translator, actors, and audience, this paper discusses the cultural context underpinning the original texts and translational options. At the same time, the reception of the translation into Spanish is partially confirmed through a small survey of Romanian diaspora and Spanish readers.

Early spread of COVID-19 in Romania: imported cases from Italy and human-to-human transmission networks.

We describe the early spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the first human-to-human transmission networks, in Romania. We profiled the first 147 cases referring to sex, age, place of residence, probable country of infection, return day to Romania, COVID-19 confirmation date and the probable modes of COVID-19 transmissions. Also, we analysed human-to-human transmission networks and explored their structural features and time dynamics. In Romania, local cycles of transmission were preceded by imported cases, predominantly from Italy. We observed an average of 4.8 days (s.d. = 4.0) between the arrival to a Romanian county and COVID-19 confirmation. Furthermore, among the first 147 COVID-19 patients, 88 were imported cases (64 carriers from Italy), 54 were domestic cases, while for five cases the source of infection was unknown. The early human-to-human transmission networks illustrated a limited geographical dispersion, the presence of super-spreaders and the risk of COVID-19 nosocomial infections. COVID-19 occurred in Romania through case importation from Italy. The largest share of the Romanian diaspora is concentrated especially in the northern parts of Italy, heavily affected by COVID-19. Human mobility (including migration) accounts for the COVID-19 transmission and it should be given consideration while tailoring prevention measures.

From swan eaters to national heroes: representation of the Romanian diaspora in public discourse

The emergence of the Romanian diaspora as an important social actor is closely related to socio-political events that have taken place in the home country. This study attempts to track this process through the means of Van Leeuven’s socio-semantic categorization by analysing pieces of political discourse stated around key moments in the recent history of Romania: the process of becoming a full member of the European Union (2013) and two presidential elections (2014, 2019). Drawing on the general perception of diaspora communities across the world as representing a significant social and economic potential for home countries, it is sound to hypothesize a similar Romanian case manifested at the level of political discourse through positive role allocation.

Young Romanians: Entrepreneurs in their Home Country?

As outward migration and brain drain reach record numbers in Romania, we explore the pull factors that might contribute to a reversal. This paper presents the findings of the first large scale survey on the entrepreneurial intentions of the Romanian Diaspora. We have specifically targeted the category of graduates and young professionals as having the highest flexibility to relocate. The findings of our survey show a large inclination to start a business venture in the home country (79%). The main field in which the young Romanian Diaspora would be interested to develop an entrepreneurial project is IT&C (35.67%). We compare those findings with those from a domestic survey targeting the same age group, and find little differences in preferences, suggesting that country of residence is not a significant differentiating factor in the decision to start a business. The main perceived impediment for entrepreneurship in Romania is still excessive bureaucracy (76.03%). The reverse migration patterns are important for any developing economy in the world, as the case of Romania shows, where the return of the 200,000 Romanians (5%) could (gradually) contribute on the medium term with more than 11.5 billion euro to the country’s GDP.