PUBLISHED AT: https://alumni.state.

gov/alumni-artiles Date: 2008-08-01

The title: HISTORY AND IDENTITY IN THE NOVELS OF ION DRU
(English/Russian
Auth!"/s: #eith Hit$hins an% Tatiana &e'(a
)!unt"*/ies: The USA+ ,!l%!-a
TRANSLATORS PREFACE
Year 2008 is officially declared in Moldova as the year of Ion Druta on the
occasion of this famous Moldovan writers eightieth birthday. Professor
eith !itchins from the "niversity of Illinois at "rbana#$ham%aign &who
was my 'ind host during my %artici%ation in the (ulbright Program) and I
decided to ma'e our investment in the beautiful *ubilee celebration.
Professor wrote an original essay on Drutas creativity and I translated it
into +ussian. (urther we %resent you one more result of our lifelong friendly
collaboration.
It was a double %leasure for me to translate the article of the remar'able
,merican scholar Professor eith !itchins about Moldovan writer Ion Druta
- a man who. as the fate willed. became a living bridge connecting
Moldavian and +ussian cultures. /hen he did not meet understanding and
su%%ort in 0oviet Moldavia. Ion Druta found his new house in Moscow.
where his wor's were %ublished and %lays staged. where %eo%le admired
his creativity. During my PhD studies in Moscow and numerous business
tri%s there I actively %artici%ated in mass %ilgrimage to the %erformances in
Moscow theaters. and when I told Muscovites and %eo%le from different
corners of our former country and from other socialist countries that I am
from Moldavia. they res%onded1 2I read Druta. I saw his 3$asa Mare4.
35irds of our Youth.4 36he 0anctum 0anctorum4. etc. 7. 6hese words
sounded as a %arole. as sign of membershi% to the great e8territorial
community of intellectual. decent %eo%le.
In the turbulent %eriod of the end of the 9:80#s - the beginning of 9::0#s.
when many changed their faith and faces. Ion Druta did not betray neither
his Moldovan. nor his second +ussian house. do not forgetting motherland.
but mainly continuing to live and to create in Moscow. Maestro Druta
resisted the tem%tation by nationalism. thus having confirmed his re%utation
of universal &literary) artist. understandable and loved around the world.
,nd that is what writes about the author of the article the "0,s leading
%rofessional organi;ation in the field the ,merican ,ssociation for the
,dvancement of 0lavic 0tudies &,,,00)1 36he ,,,00 recogni;es eith
!itchins. Professor of !istory at the "niversity of Illinois at "rbana#
$ham%aign for his distinguished contributions to the 0lavic studies.
!itchins scholarshi% is recogni;ed internationally for his volume and
breadth. its cumulative <uality. and lasting relevance. !is studies of nation#
building in +omania are classics and have been translated in many
languages.
Professor !itchins has toughed generations of student in three ma*or
areas of studies1 0outheast =uro%e. =astern =uro%e and $entral ,sia. ,s a
teacher. he offers his students the benefits of his %rodigious 'nowledge. but
adds to this the e8em%lary %atience and 'indness. , great scholar and
human being. !itchins has earned our associations gratitude for his
contributions to the %rofession4.
I can only add to these beautiful words that Professor !itchins is a
res%ectable veteran of our ,lumni global community. since he had a
(ulbright fellowshi% to study in Paris during the 9:>?# >8 academic year.
!is first two years of study in +omania &9:@0#@2) were made %ossible
under the aus%ices of the 0tate De%artment under the terms of the "nited
0tates#+omanian cultural e8change agreement signed in 9:@0.
I dedicate my translation of Professor !itchins article to all genuine
citi;ens of the +e%ublic of Moldova. regardless their ethnic origin. with ho%e
that by common creative wor' we will be able to revive traditions of
collectivism inherent in =ast =uro%ean community. either Moldovan or
+ussian. about which eith !itchins and Ion Druta remind us. /e will be
able to create on the Moldovan land modern civil nation.
Tatiana Zemba, doctor in history, RSEP, Fulbriht alumna

."!/ess!" #eith Hit$hins ,!l%!-an 0"ite" I!n D"uta

A farewell photo. Professor Keith Hitchins and Tatiana
Zemba at a beautiful corner of the University of Illinois at
Urbana-hampai!n.
HISTORY AND IDENTITY IN THE NOVELS OF ION DRU
1* #eith Hit$hins
Harvard University, A.M. (1953), Ph.D. (196),
Pr!"ess!r !" Hist!ry, University !" #$$in!is (1969),
H!n!rary Me%&er !" the '(%anian A)ade%y (1991),
D!)t!r H!n!ris *a(sa, University !" *$(+ (1991),
D!)t!r H!n!ris *a(sa, University !" ,i&i( (1993),
D!)t!r H!n!ris *a(sa, University !" A$&a #($ia (2001),
D!)t!r H!n!ris *a(sa, University !" -.r/( M(re0 (2005),
1i)!$ae #!r/a Pri2e !" the '(%anian A)ade%y "!r
The Idea of Nation (1985).

My %ain 3(r3!se in this 3a3er is t! investi/ate the de"initi!n !" M!$davian !""ered
&y the )!nte%3!rary M!$d!van n!ve$ist #!n Dr(45, that is, t! see 6hat ans6ers he
/ives t! a series !" 7(esti!ns that inevita&$y )!%e t! %ind in any dis)(ssi!n !"
ethni) !r nati!na$ identity8 9hat 7(a$ities distin/(ished the M!$davian: 9ere these
7(a$ities eterna$, !r did they )han/e !ver ti%e: 9hat va$(es, s3irit(a$ !r %ateria$,
he$d the M!$davian )!%%(nity t!/ether: 9ere these va$(es )!nstant$y in "$(;,
%ere$y %!ra$ ada3tati!ns t! the 3assin/ ti%es, !r 6ere )ertain va$(es 3er%anent,
in&red, !ne %i/ht say: -! s(//est ans6ers t! these 7(esti!ns # a% /!in/ t! (se
"!(r !" Dr(45<s n!ve$s8
1
=r(n2e de d!r (195>), a tra/i) $!ve st!ry 6ith the ,e)!nd
1
# have (sed the te;ts !" the n!ve$s as 3(&$ished in #!n Dr(45, ,)rieri, v!$s.
(*hi0in5(8 ?iterat(ra Artisti)5 and Hy3eri!n, 1989-1990). My a)7(aintan)e 6ith
Dr(45<s 6!r@s /!es &a)@ t! the 19>0s, 6hen # 6as readin/ !n the hist!ry and
$iterat(re !" Aessara&ia and the M!$davian ,,'. -hen, in Paris in 1985 # %et hi%
at a &!!@-si/nin/ "!r the =ren)h editi!n !" his Aiseri)a A$&5, and $ater that year he
sent %e "r!% M!s)!6 his #2&rann!e, 2 v!$s. (M!s)!68 M!$!daia Bvardiia, 198).
9!r$d 9ar as a )!nstant, i" distant, 3resen)eC P!vara &(n5t54ii n!astre (19>0), a
narrative !" the e""e)ts !" 6ar and 3ea)e and !" )!ntin(!(s "er%ent in the
M!$davian vi$$a/e in the "irst ha$" !" the t6entieth )ent(ryC *$!3!tni4a (19>2), an
in7(iry int! the (ses !" hist!ry and a de"ense !" s3irit(a$ va$(es "r!% the
3ers3e)tive !" a vi$$a/e s)h!!$tea)herC and Aiseri)a A$&5 (1982), a %editati!n !n
identity and "aith in M!$davia set in the ti%e !" the '(ss!--(r@ish 9ar !" 1>8>-
1>92.
# a33r!a)h the the%e !" %y 3a3er as a hist!rian, and th(s # as@ the 7(esti!ns
hist!rians (s(a$$y as@ and (se the %eth!ds they (s(a$$y (se. # read Dr(45<s n!ve$s
as, in a sense, d!)(%ents !r !ri/ina$ s!(r)es, t! &e ana$y2ed and )!%3ared, and,
then, !n the &asis !" these resear)hes # %ade /enera$i2ati!ns and dre6 )!n)$(si!ns.
# 6as "!$$!6in/ %y !6n interests, t!!. -he !ri/ins !" %!dern nati!ns and the
"!r%ati!n !" nati!na$ identities have $!n/ intri/(ed %e. #n these and !ther
7(esti!ns # a% "as)inated &y the )!ntin(ity !" the hist!ri)a$ deve$!3%ent !"
3e!3$es !ver $!n/ 3eri!ds !" ti%e, and # a% )!ntin(a$$y as@in/ %yse$" and !thers
h!6 %()h !" the 3ast is 3reserved in the 3resent and th(s h!6 %()h 6e !6e the
3ast "!r the 6ay 6e $ive and "!r the va$(es that /(ide (s. #t is, then, in this s3irit
and 6ith s()h ai%s in %ind that # t(rned t! the n!ve$s !" #!n Dr(45.
# @n!6 that he is n!t a hist!rian, at $east n!t in the stri)t sense !" the ter%. He is an
artist 6h! is 3(rs(in/ his !6n )reative ai%s and (ses his !6n %eans t! a)hieve
the%. As a "i)ti!n 6riter he is )!n)erned 6ith s()h %atters as the%e, 3$!t,
str()t(re, )hara)ter, and $an/(a/e. # a$s! @n!6 that in )!%3!sin/ his n!ve$s he did
n!t intend t! 3r!d()e d!)(%ents "!r 3r!"essi!na$ hist!rians t! 3!re !ver and "r!%
6hi)h t! e;tra)t the ra6 %ateria$s "!r s)h!$ar$y %!n!/ra3hs and )!n"eren)e
3a3ers. A(t # a% )ertain that he 6anted a$$ his readers t! 3!nder the 7(esti!ns that
6ere i%3!rtant t! hi% and that he 6as at /reat 3ains t! set &e"!re the% in an
en/a/in/ "!r% and a $ive$y 3r!se.
Dn his 6!r@ the "!$$!6in/ have &een es3e)ia$$y he$3"($8 Andrei Ehr!3!tins@ii,
Pr!&$e%a vetsii shi a @reatsiei. ,t(di( @riti@ des3re !3era $(i #!n Dr(tse (*hi0in5(,
1988)C essays &y Mihai *i%3!i and A$e;andrina *ern!va, a%!n/ !thers, in
As3e@te a$e @reatsiei $(i #!n Dr(tse, Mihai$ D!$/an and Hara$a%&ie *!r&(, edit!rs
(*hi0in5(, 1990)C and Mihai *i%3!i, D ist!rie des)his5 a $iterat(rii r!%Fne din
Aasara&ia (A()(re0ti, 2002). D" n(%er!(s 6!r@s !n the n!ve$, the "!$$!6in/ have
&een va$(a&$e "!r the 3resent 3r!+e)t8 Ga%es *. ,i%%!ns, -he 1!ve$ist as
Hist!rian8 Hssays !n the Ii)t!rian Hist!ri)a$ 1!ve$ (-he Ha/(e, 19>3)C Eaterina
*$ar@, -he ,!viet 1!ve$C Hist!ry as 'it(a$, 3
rd
editi!n (A$!!%in/t!n, #ndiana,
2000)C -he!ry !" the 1!ve$. A Hist!ri)a$ A33r!a)h, Mi)hae$ M)Ee!n, edit!r
(Aa$ti%!re and ?!nd!n, 2000)C and %any sti%($atin/ essays in the %arve$!(s #$
r!%an2!, 5 v!$s., edited &y =ran)! M!retti (-!rin!, 2001-2003).
A$th!(/h #!n Dr(45 %ay n!t a33r!a)h hist!ry in the sa%e 6ay a 3r!"essi!na$
hist!rian d!es, he n!nethe$ess dis3$ays a @een (nderstandin/ !" h!6 hist!ry
in"$(en)es s!)iety in /enera$ and a""e)ts individ(a$s in 3arti)($ar. His enth(sias%
"!r hist!ry is )!nta/i!(sC he is H!ria H!$&an, the vi$$a/e tea)her in *$!3!tni4a 6h!
reveres hist!ry as the 3reserver !" %e%!ry and as a %!ra$ /(ide. A(t Dr(45<s
%eth!d is di""erent "r!% that !" the 3r!"essi!na$ hist!rian. 'ather than des)ri&in/
&att$es !r !ther events dire)t$y and in detai$, he a$$!6s 6ars and hi/h 3!$iti)s t! &e
re"$e)ted in the dai$y $ives and inner "ee$in/s !" his )hara)ters. -his is his 6ay !"
%eas(rin/ /enera$ s!)ia$ 3r!/ress and individ(a$ %!ra$ sta&i$ity.
#!n Dr(45<s @n!6$ed/e !" M!$davian hist!ry is &r!ad and his %editati!ns !n its
%eanin/ "!r the M!$davian 3e!3$e are 3r!"!(nd, and th(s he is a&$e t! 3$a)e the
her!es !" his n!ve$s, the 3easants and their vi$$a/e )!%%(nities, in a 3r!3er
settin/. He re$ishes the s6ee3 !" hist!ry in P!vara &(n5t54ii n!astre, 6hi$e in
Aiseri)a A$&5 his "a)t(a$ )!%%and !" events and his 3!rtraya$ !" $eadin/ "i/(res
are e;e%3$ary. #n &!th n!ve$s, and in =r(n2e de d!r and *$!3!tni4a as 6e$$, hist!ry
is an a)tive "!r)eC it is a sha3er !" )hara)ter !ver $!n/ )ent(ries and a rein"!r)er, i"
n!t a )reat!r, !" va$(es. #n the $!n/ r(n, Dr(45 te$$s (s, a 3e!3$e %(st @n!6 their
!6n hist!ryC !ther6ise, they 6i$$ n!t @n!6 the%se$ves and 6i$$ n!t &e a&$e t! )hart
their )!(rse thr!(/h a "i)@$e 3resent t! an e$(sive "(t(re.
#n his n!ve$s #!n Dr(45, 3erha3s 6ith!(t rea$i2in/ it, is 3arti)i3atin/ in the /reat
s)h!$ar$y de&ate a&!(t the !ri/in and nat(re !" the %!dern ethni) nati!n, a de&ate
that has intensi"ied sin)e the %idd$e !" the $ast )ent(ry. -he de&aters, the the!rists
!" nati!nh!!d, "a$$ int! three %ain )ate/!ries8 the 3ri%!rdia$ists, 6h! ar/(e that
nati!ns are nat(ra$ s!)ia$ 3hen!%ena, $ivin/ !r/anis%s, that have e;isted sin)e the
ear$iest ti%esC the %!dernists, 6h! insist that nati!ns are the 3r!d()ts !" %!dern
)a3ita$ist, ind(stria$ s!)iety and are, in essen)e, )!nstr()ted &y e$itesC and, "ina$$y,
the hist!ri)a$ ethn!-sy%&!$ists, 6h! e%3hasi2e the )!ntin(ity !" nati!n-"!r%ati!n
&et6een 3ast and 3resent, &(t a$s! re)!/ni2e the 3!6er"($ in"$(en)e !" s!)ia$ and
e)!n!%i) )han/e in &rin/in/ nati!ns int! &ein/. # a% in)$ined t! 3$a)e #!n Dr(45
a%!n/ the hist!ri)a$ ethn!-sy%&!$ists &e)a(se !" his res3e)t "!r hist!ry and
traditi!n and his &e$ie" in the r!!tedness !" nati!na$ )hara)ter, !n the !ne hand,
and, !n the !ther hand, his re)!/niti!n !" s!)ia$ and e)!n!%i) "!r)es as 3!6er"($
%!$ders !" )!%%(nity s!$idarities and individ(a$ 3sy)hes.
#!n Dr(45 is )$ear$y at h!%e 6ith the inha&itants and vi$$a/es !" r(ra$ M!$davia. He
6as &!rn in the vi$$a/e !" H!r!di0te in 1928, and th(s he n!t !n$y !&served the
vi$$a/e "r!% the inside, &(t 3arti)i3ated in it, a&s!r&in/ its at%!s3here, its
traditi!ns and s3ee)h, and its sense !" destiny and its sense !" h(%!r. Many !" the
"i/(res in his n!ve$s are dra6n "r!% the %e%&ers !" his "a%i$y !r !ther 3ers!ns he
@ne6 in the vi$$a/e. -heir dai$y r!(tines and their inner str(//$es attra)ted hi%
es3e)ia$$y, and he des)ri&ed the% in )!n)ise, dis)ri%inatin/ 3r!se. He 3ra)ti)ed his
)ra"t "irst in n(%er!(s sh!rt st!ries, his "irst v!$(%e !" )!$$e)ted st!ries, ?a n!i .n
sat, &ein/ 3(&$ished in 1953, &e"!re he %!ved t! $!n/ "i)ti!n 6ith =r(n2e de d!r. #t
is n!t s(r3risin/ that a%!n/ the 6riters he %!st ad%ired JA(nin, *he@h!v, -!$st!y
K#!n *rean/5, the @een !&server !" the M!$davian vi$$a/e "r!% the inside,
!))(3ied a @ey 3$a)e in his )reativity.
9hen it )a%e t! 7(esti!ns !" identity, "!r Dr(45 the 7(intessentia$ M!$davian 6as
the 3easant. He sh!6s (s this !ver and !ver, and he %a@es n! e""!rt t! hide his
ad%irati!n "!r the 3easants. -hey are, "!r hi%, the tr(e )reat!rs !" hist!ry &e)a(se
they &ear the &(rdens !" s!)iety and h!$d s!)iety t!/ether !ver the $!n/ ter% &y
3reservin/ its "aith and va$(es and &y trans%ittin/ the% t! "(t(re /enerati!ns.
-here is n! %!re stri@in/ state%ent !" his &e$ie" in the %issi!n !" the 3easant than
the )!ntrast he dra6s in Aiseri)a A$&5 &et6een *atherine the Breat !" '(ssia and
her )!(rt and )!(rtiers and the 3easant *atherine Lthe ,%a$$M and her vi$$a/e and
nei/h&!rs. -he 3re!))(3ati!n !" the '(ssian )!(rt in ,t. Peters&(r/, the /!ssi3 and
the 3etty riva$ries are "ar re%!ved "r!% the dai$y str(//$e "!r e;isten)e, the rea$ $i"e
!" the 3easants in the vi$$a/e !" D)!$ina. -he )!(rt and its residents are, as Dr(45
3resents the%, the 3r!d()ts !" )ivi$i2ati!n, a )!s%!3!$itan 6!r$d that has $!st its
r!!ts, 6hereas the 3easants are the %!$ders !" )($t(re and are )$!se t! nat(re and
th(s have re%ained tr(e t! the%se$ves. -he $eadin/ "i/(res !" a$$ "!(r n!ve$s, then,
are 3easants. -hey and the )!$$e)tivities in 6hi)h they $ive Jthe vi$$a/es D)!$ina
(Aiseri)a A$&5), *i(t(ra (P!vara &(n5t54ii n!astre), and Ia$ea '52e0i$!r (=r(n2e de
d!r)Ke%&!dy the s3irit !" M!$davia at any /iven ti%e.
Dr(45 av!ids idea$i2in/ his 3easants !r treatin/ the vi$$a/e as an (n)han/in/ %!de$
!" )!%%(nity, as %any 3!3($ist 6riters in '!%ania and !ther )!(ntries in the
$atter nineteenth and ear$y t6entieth )ent(ry 6ere 6!nt t! d!. He d!es n!t insist
that 3easant s!)iety %(st re%ain "i;ed in ti%e. 1!r d!es he vie6 )han/e )!%in/
"r!% the !(tside as a threat t! the )!%%(nity and th(s s!%ethin/ t! &e resisted at
a$$ )!sts. He sh!6s in =r(n2e de d!r and Aiseri)a A$&5, "!r e;a%3$e, h!6 3easants
&y n! %eans $ived is!$ated $ives in 3atriar)ha$ vi$$a/es, and 6ith s(3er& artistry he
3!rtrays the e""e)ts !" "ar-!"" events !n individ(a$ %inds and )!$$e)tive
)!ns)ien)es.
Des3ite the 3ersisten)e !" )han/e, Dr(45 sh!6s (s h!6 the ne6 had a %i;ed
re)e3ti!n in the vi$$a/e. Mir)ea M!rari(, !ne !" the her!es !" P!vara &(n5t54ii
n!astre, inte/rated hi%se$" 6ith re$ative ease int! the s!)ia$ist !rder at the end !"
the ,e)!nd 9!r$d 9ar. His e;3erien)es !" 6ar had ta(/ht hi% t! thin@ di""erent$y
a&!(t $and, 6hi)h he had a$6ays yearned "!r, and n!6, havin/ ret(rned t! *i(t(ra,
he &e)a%e a )!$$e)tive "ar% %ana/er. A(t, Dr(45 s(//ests, M!rari(<s
trans"!r%ati!n )a%e t!! 7(i)@$y, as he had n!t yet "($$y assi%i$ated the %!ra$
va$(es !" the ne6 era.
Dthers in the vi$$a/e resisted %!dernity. Dna)he *5r5&(0, M!rari(<s "ather-in-$a6,
6as a re3resentative "i/(re !" the M!$davian vi$$a/e &et6een the 9!r$d 9ars, and,
"!r Dr(45, he is the 7(intessentia$ 3easant. He 6as dee3$y atta)hed t! the $and and
t! the traditi!ns and rit(a$s !" the )!(ntryside, &(t his e;3erien)es !" $i"e, "r!% 6ar
t! the travai$ !" the inter6ar years, &r!(/ht hi% t! the 3!int !" )risis, 6hi)h he
"ina$$y res!$ved &y see@in/ a &a$an)e &et6een the !$d and the ne6. #t 6as the sa%e
6ith Bhe!r/he D!inar(, !ne !" the her!es !" =r(n2e de d!r, 6h! 6ants t! "!$$!6
in the "!!tste3s !" his "ather and /rand"ather, &(t the nat(re !" $i"e itse$", !" hist!ry,
)!ntin(a$$y "r(strates hi%. #n the end, he tr(sts his %!ra$ sense t! res)(e hi% "r!%
his di$e%%a and /(ide hi% t!6ard a ne6 $i"e.
*han/e, then, Dr(45 te$$s (s, is &y n! %eans an e;tra!rdinary !))(rren)e in 3easant
s!)iety. Peasants )!($d, and did, "ree the%se$ves "r!% a/e-!$d )(st!%, even "r!%
their atta)h%ent t! the $and. -hey )!($d ta@e (3 ne6 !))(3ati!ns and &e)!%e
inte$$e)t(a$s, as did H!ria H!$&an, the tea)her !" hist!ry in *$!3!tni4a. P!vara
&(n5t54ii n!astre )an &e read in its entirety as a narrative !" vi$$a/e trans"!r%ati!n,
3!$iti)a$, e)!n!%i), and %!ra$, in the "irst ha$" !" the t6entieth )ent(ry, as *i(t(ra
and Dna)he *5r5&(0<s "a%i$y and nei/h&!rs e;3erien)e 6ars, )!$$e)tivi2ati!n, and
the (n)ertainties !" the "(t(re.
Dr(45 is )are"($ t! 3$a)e events and individ(a$s in hist!ri)a$ 3ers3e)tive. He d!es
n!t 3er)eive )han/e in the vi$$a/e as re3resentin/ a shar3 &rea@ &et6een the
3resent and the 3ast. He readi$y a)@n!6$ed/es that e)!n!%i) and s!)ia$ $i"e
)han/ed 6ith the )!$$e)tivi2ati!n !" a/ri)($t(re, &(t he s(//ests in P!vara &(n5t54ii
n!astre that the r!!ts !" )!$$e)tivi2ati!n %ay &e dis)!vered in the traditi!na$ 6ay
!" $i"e !" the vi$$a/e, in !ther 6!rds, that the )!$$e)tivi2ati!n !" a/ri)($t(re
har%!ni2ed 6ith the a/e-!$d )!$$e)tive s3irit !" the vi$$a/e. As a )!nse7(en)e, it
see%s nat(ra$ t! hi% that s()h a &$endin/ !" the ne6 and the !$d sh!($d ta@e 3$a)e.
A(t he in7(ires "(rther int! the 3r!)ess and as@s 6hat 3re)ise$y is the %e)hanis%
that ens(res the )!ntin(ity !" $i"e in the vi$$a/e, des3ite %an-%ade and nat(ra$
)a$a%ities and even the 6ei/ht !" hist!ry. -he ans6er, he dis)!vers, $ies in the
s3irit(a$ va$(es !" the )!%%(nity, va$(es that de"ine )hara)ter, that ena&$e the
3easants t! %aintain their identity and at the sa%e ti%e ada3t t! ne6 )ir)(%stan)es
and, in the end, a)hieve ne6 s!)ia$ har%!nies. -he s3irit(a$ "!(ndati!ns !"
)!%%(nity, he ar/(es, have )!%e t!/ether /rad(a$$y thr!(/h the e;3erien)e !"
%any $i"eti%es, even )ent(ries. #t %ay &e te%3tin/ "!r (s t! see )han/e as
!))(rrin/ !n$y in the !(t6ard "!r%s !" $i"e, in e)!n!%i) str()t(res and s!)ia$
!r/ani2ati!n, &(t Dr(45 sh!6s (s a/ain and a/ain h!6 the inner $i"e !" 3easants,
t!!, the 6ay they thin@ a&!(t e;isten)e 3ast and 3resent, is s$!6$y %!di"ied in
res3!nse t! )han/es in their s(rr!(ndin/s, a )!(rse re"$e)ted in the 3ers!na$ )rises
!" Dna)he *5r5&(0 and Bhe!r/he D!inar(.
#n his "irst three n!ve$s Dr(45 e;3$!res the vari!(s traits that de"ine the 3easant
and, hen)e, "!r hi%, the M!$davian J$!ve !" the $and, )reative $a&!r, atta)h%ent t!
traditi!n, re"ra)t!riness in the "a)e !" )han/e, and a sear)h "!r &a$an)e &et6een
)!%3etin/ "!r)es, and he 6rest$es 6ith the nat(re and e""e)ts !" )han/e that are the
)!nstant )!%3ani!ns !" his 3easants. He 3erseveres in a$$ these endeav!rs 6ith
)!ns(%%ate artistry and a s(&t$e (nderstandin/ !" 3easant 3sy)h!$!/y. Net, #
)ann!t es)a3e the "ee$in/ that he is n!t entire$y satis"ied 6ith the res($ts !" his
in7(iry, that he has sti$$ t! )$ari"y in his !6n %ind 6hat it 6as that he$d the
M!$davian 3easant )!%%(nity t!/ether.
# thin@ that Dr(45<s $!n/ sear)h "!r the de"inin/ trait !" the M!$davian 3easant
)!%es t! "r(iti!n in his "!(rth n!ve$, Aiseri)a A$&5, 3(&$ished in 1982. He
dis)!vers it in the 3easants< re$i/i!(s "aith, their *hristianity. -he n!ve$ as a 6h!$e
%ay &e read as an essay !n 3easant s3irit(a$ity and the 3$a)e !" re$i/i!n in the $i"e
!" r(ra$ M!$davians. Dr(45<s the!$!/ian, s! t! s3ea@, the 3ers!n 6h! 3resents the
ideas and senti%ents !" their "aith is Paisie Ie$i)i)!vs)hi, a %!n@ ren!6ned
thr!(/h!(t the Drth!d!; 6!r$d "!r his 3iety 6h! as the s3irit(a$ $eader !" the
M!nastery !" 1ea%4 "r!% 1>>9 (nti$ his death in 1>9 e;er)ised /reat %!ra$
in"$(en)e in M!$davia. He e;3!(nds the tea)hin/s !" an Hastern Drth!d!;y that is
3r!"!(nd$y !33!sed t! the %ateria$is% !" this 6!r$d and is t(rned, instead, t!6ard
the eterna$ s3irit(a$ va$(es !" the 6!r$d &ey!nd. *atherine !" D)!$ina sh!6s h!6
Paisie<s tea)hin/s )!($d &e a33$ied in dai$y $i"e. Her stead"ast "aith is a
)!%&inati!n !" si%3$e *hristian tea)hin/s "(sed 6ith a 3easant<s atte%3ts t!
e;3$ain the %ysteries !" e;isten)e (sin/ the %eans avai$a&$e t! her, in)$(din/
%yth. Her deter%inati!n t! re&(i$d the vi$$a/e )h(r)h a"ter its destr()ti!n in 6ar
and her insisten)e that it &e 6hite, as it had a$6ays &een, re3resent the (nsha@ea&$e
"aith !" the M!$davian 3easant.
-he 6hite )h(r)h itse$" sy%&!$i2es the sa)red va$(es that have /(ided the vi$$a/e,
and the M!$davians, !n their 3eri$!(s te%3!ra$ +!(rney. #n the end, Dr(45 te$$s (s,
the "!(ndati!n !" )!%%(nity $ies in a 3e!3$e 6h! has 3reserved their s3irit(a$ity
inta)t thr!(/h the a/es. #t is this dee3er sense !" identity, this @n!6$ed/e !" se$", he
insists, that "!r%s the essen)e !" nati!nh!!d and has ena&$ed the 3easant and,
hen)e, the M!$davian t! end(re.
A(st"a$t
-his 3a3er e;3$!res the 7(esti!n !" M!$davian ethni) identity as 3resented in the
"!(r n!ve$s !" the M!$d!van 6riter #!n Dr(45. A/ainst a vivid and !"ten t(r&($ent
hist!ri)a$ &a)@/r!(nd )!verin/ a 3eri!d "r!% the $ate ei/hteenth )ent(ry t! the
%idd$e !" the t6entieth he e;a%ines the 7(a$ities that distin/(ished the 3easant,
6h! re3resented "!r hi% the tr(e M!$davian. A"ter a $!n/ sear)h he )!n)$(des in
his "!(rth n!ve$, Aiseri)a A$&5, that s3irit(a$ity, %ani"estin/ itse$" in 3arti)($ar in
the "!r% !" a 3!3($ar *hristianity, ($ti%ate$y de"ined the 3easant and, hen)e, the
M!$davian, and ena&$ed the% t! ada3t t! )!ntin(!(s s!)ia$ and e)!n!%i) )han/e
and t! end(re.
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AGQXHY N. Q OLYIGU IGQORHRN DMFCOE. XGBCVBG aC. KLMBMURFR YVRQOMC
HG HQCGDbCU KRFGUBMVCQOHC BR QKCXORXFM KG CWG KPCQRU H OCROL
fGHCOQXGJ gLUMM MFM BR 2[GLMN7 &2hRKRd QKCFGJ RJHE7.
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LRTBEd YWGFXGH BR`CJ DEH`CJ QOLRBE M ILYWMd QG^QOLRB. VOG N MT
AGFIRHMM. UBC GOHCVRFM1 2j dGIMFka BR ]LY^Y7. N VMORFkR. QUGOLCFkR
2ZRQR URLC7. 2fHNORN QHNOEd7. 2lOM^E BR`CJ UGFGIGQOM7 M ILYWMC.
mOM QFGHR THYVRFM XRX KRLGFP. XRX TBRX KLMBRIFCaBGQOM X HCFMXGUY
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e OYLDYFCBOBEJ KCLMGI XGB^R 80#d#BRVRFR # :0#d. XGWIR UBGWMC
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[MOVMBQR TR CWG HEIRSbMJQN HXFRI H QFRHNBQXMC MQQFCIGHRBMN.
cRYVBEC IGQOMaCBMN [MOVMBQR KLMTBRBE H UCaIYBRLGIBGU URQ`ORDC
TR Md GDrCU. LRTURd. HEQGXGC XRVCQOHG M BCKLCdGINbYS RXOYRFPBGQOP.
sWG OLYIE G QGTIRBMM BR^MM H nYUEBMM QORFM XFRQQMXGJ M KCLCHGINOQN
BR UBGWMC NTEXM. lLGqCQQGL [MOVMBQ HGQKMORF KGXGFCBMN QOYICBOGH M
IGXOGLRBOGH H ORXMd QqCLRd MQQFCIGHRBMN XRX tWG#eGQOGVBRN M
eGQOGVBRN sHLGKR. R ORXaC uCBOLRFPBRN gTMN. ZRX KCIRWGW GB IRLMO
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UBGWGWLRBBEJ HXFRI H BR`Y KLGqCQQMS7.
j KGQHNbRS _OGO KCLCHGI HQCU BRQOGNbMU WLRaIRBRU nCQKYDFMXM
AGFIGHR. BCTRHMQMUG GO Md _OBMVCQXGWG KLGMQdGaICBMN . Q BRICaIGJ
BR OG. VOG QGHUCQOBEU OHGLVCQXMU OLYIGU UE QYUCCU HGTLGIMOP
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GDbMBC. DYIP OG UGFIRHQXGJ MFM LYQQXGJ. G XGOGLEd BRKGUMBRSO BRU
\GB ]LY^_ M ZMO [MOVMBQ. fYUCCU QGTIROP BR UGFIRHQXGJ TCUFC
QGHLCUCBBYS WLRaIRBQXYS BR^MS.
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CQOP KGQORLROPQN KGBNOP. XRXMC GOHCOE GB IRCO BR LNI HGKLGQGH.
XGOGLEC BCMTDCaBG KLMdGINO BR YU KLM MQQFCIGHRBMM M GDQYaICBMM
_OBMVCQXGJ MFM BR^MGBRFPBGJ MICBOMVBGQOM1 ZRXMC GOFMVMOCFPBEC
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UROCLMRFPBEC. GDrCIMBNFM UGFIRHQXYS GDbMBY{ lLCDEHRFM FM GBM H
QGQOGNBMM KGQOGNBBGWG MTUCBCBMN. UGLRFPBGJ RIRKOR^MM X
DEQOLGOCXYbCUY HLCUCBM. MFM GKLCICFCBBEC ^CBBGQOM NHFNFMQP
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# KGHCQOHGHRBMC G HFMNBMM HGJBE M UMLR. G HGFBCBMM. DLGaCBMM YUGH
M DYLBGU LRTHMOMM H UGFIRHQXGU QCFC H KCLHGJ KGFGHMBC IHRI^ROGWG
HCXR} ZGFGXGFPBN # $lo%otni a &9:?2) # RBRFMT MQKGFPTGHRBMN MQOGLMM M
TRbMOE IYdGHBEd ^CBBGQOCJ Q KGTM^MJ `XGFPBGWG YVMOCFN} M vCFRN
uCLXGHP # 5iserica ,lb ~ &9:82) - LRTUE`FCBMC GD MICBOMVBGQOM M HCLC
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^CFPS Md RBRFMTR M QLRHBCBMN M TROCU BR DRTC _OGWG MQQFCIGHRBMN N
ICFRF GDGDbCBMN M HEHGIE. j ORXaC KLCQFCIGHRF UGM QGDQOHCBBEC
BRYVBEC MBOCLCQE. ORX XRX KLGMQdGaICBMC QGHLCUCBBEd BR^MJ M
qGLUMLGHRBMC BR^MGBRFPBEd MICBOMVBGQOCJ IRHBG YHFCXRCO UCBN. e
_OMd M ILYWMd HGKLGQRd UCBN TRdHROEHRCO M IRaC KFCBNCO XGBOMBYMOCO
MQOGLMVCQXGWG LRTHMOMN BRLGIGH BR KLGONaCBMM IFMOCFPBEd KCLMGIGH.
\ N KGQOGNBBG QKLR`MHRS QCDN M ILYWMd. H XRXGJ UCLC KLG`FGC
QGdLRBNCOQN H BRQOGNbCU. M OCU QRUEU H XRXGJ QOCKCBM UE GDNTRBE
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_XcSYX`P e_bf\ aXgXTSQU ZhZ W 19>0-Z, [SijX k gPYXT S PQYS_PP P TPYZ_XYb_Z
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dSTSjXk uWX_jPk, 198). vQScZaaS RSTZVa\ jTk `Zak c\TP QTZjbwhPZ Y_bj\
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A$e;andrina *ern!va W As3e@te a$e @reatsiei $(i #!n Dr(tse, Mihai$ D!$/an,
Hara$a%&ie *!r&(, edit!rs (*hi0in5(, 1990)C and Mihai *i%3!i, D ist!rie des)his 5
a $iterat(rii r!% F ne din Aasara&ia (A()(re0ti, 2002). tV `aSiSgPQTZaa\^ _XcSY
aX YZ`b _S`XaX SQScZaaS fZaa\`P jTk jXaaSiS R_SZ[YX kWTkwYQk8 Ga%es *.
,i%%!ns, -he 1!ve$ist as Hist!rian 8 Hssays !n the Ii)t!rian Hist!ri)a$ 1!ve$
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Mi)hae$ M)Ee!n, edit!r (Aa$ti%!re and ?!nd!n, 2000)C P `aSiPZ
WjS^aSWTkwhPZ ]QQZ PV PVb`PYZTUa\^ #$ r!%an2!, 5 v!$s., edited &y =ran)!
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BRKLRHFNSO BRQ{ e ORXGU LRQKGFGaCBMM IYdR M Q ORXMUM TRUEQFRUM N
GDLROMFQN X LGURBRU \GBR ]LY^E.
j TBRS. VOG GB BC MQOGLMX. KG XLRJBCJ UCLC. H QOLGWGU QUEQFC _OGWG
QFGHR. B dYIGaBMX. KLCQFCIYSbMJ QHGM QGDQOHCBBEC OHGLVCQXMC
^CFM M MQKGFPTYSbMJ QGDQOHCBBEC QLCIQOHR Md IGQOMaCBMN. ZRX
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LGURBGH GB BC BRUCLCHRFQN QGTIROP IGXYUCBOE IFN
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XGBqCLCB^MNd. cG N YHCLCB. VOG GB dGOCF. VOGDE HQC CWG VMOROCFM
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KGBMURBMM QGDEOMJ M MTGDLRaCBMM ^CBOLRFPBEd GDLRTGH KLGQOG
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MBIYQOLMRFPBGWG GDbCQOHR M. H QYbBGQOM. QGTIRSOQN _FMORUM} M.
BRXGBC^. MQOGLMVCQXMC _OBG#QMUHGFMQOE. KGIVCLXMHRSbMC
XGBOMBYMOCO qGLUMLGHRBMN BR^MJ UCaIY KLG`FEU M BRQOGNbMU. BG
ORXaC KLMTBRSbMC UGbBGC HFMNBMC QG^MRFPBEd M _XGBGUMVCQXMd
MTUCBCBMJ H HGTBMXBGHCBMM BR^MJ. j QXFGBCB GOBGQMOP \GBR ]LY^_ X
MQOGLMVCQXMU _OBG#QMUHGFMQORU H QMFY CWG YHRaCBMN X MQOGLMM M
OLRIM^MM M CWG HCLE H WFYDMBBEC XGLBM BR^MGBRFPBGWG dRLRXOCLR. Q
GIBGJ QOGLGBE. R. Q ILYWGJ QOGLGBE. KLMTBRBMN MU QG^MRFPBEd M
_XGBGUMVCQXMd QMF XRX UGbBEd 2qGLUGHbMXGH7 GDbCQOHCBBGJ
QGFMIRLBGQOM M MBIMHMIYRFPBGJ KQMdGFGWMM.
fLCIM aMOCFCJ QCFPQXGJ AGFIRHMM \GB ]LY^_ NHBG VYHQOHYCO QCDN
IGUR. B LGIMFQN H QCFC [GLGIM`OC H 9:28. ORX VOG GB BC OGFPXG
BRDFSIRF UGFIRHQXGC QCFG MTBYOLM. BG M YVRQOHGHRF H CWG aMTBM.
HKMOEHRN CWG ROUGQqCLY. OLRIM^MM M LCVP. CWG VYHQOHG QYIPDE M
VYHQOHG SUGLR. ABGWMC ICJQOHYSbMC FM^R CWG LGURBGH 2QKMQRBE7 Q
VFCBGH CWG QCUPM MFM ILYWMd GIBGQCFPVRB. \d KGHQCIBCHBRN aMTBP M
Md HBYOLCBBNN DGLPDR IFN BCWG GQGDCBBG KLMHFCXROCFPBE. M GB
GKMQEHRCO Md H UCOXGJ M KLGBM^ROCFPBGJ KLGTC. lCLHGBRVRFPBG GB
GQHRMHRF M GOORVMHRF QHGC URQOCLQOHG H UBGWGVMQFCBBEd BGHCFFRd.
KCLHEJ QDGLBMX CWG LRQQXRTGH o BRQ H QCFC # a noi n sat DEF
GKYDFMXGHRB H 9:>. KLCaIC. VCU GB KLMQOYKMF X KCLHGUY LGURBY
iMQOPN WLYQOM. cCYIMHMOCFPBG. VOG QLCIM KMQROCFCJ GB DGFP`C HQCWG
HGQdMbRCOQN vYBMBEU. |CdGHEU. yGFQOEU. \GBGU ZLNBWGJ # _OMU
OGBXMU TBROGXGU UGFIRHQXGWG QCFR MTBYOLM. TRBMURSbMU WFRHBGC
UCQOG H CWG OHGLVCQOHC. |OG XRQRCOQN HGKLGQGH MICBOMVBGQOM. OG IFN
]LY^_ BRMDGFCC OMKMVBEU UGFIRHRBMBGU DEF XLCQOPNBMB. B
KGXRTEHRCO _OG QBGHR M QBGHR M IRaC BC QORLRCOQN QXLEOP QHGC
HGQdMbCBMC UGFIRHQXMUM XLCQOPNBRUM. ]FN BCWG GBM KGIFMBBEC
OHGL^E MQOGLMM. KGQXGFPXY GBM BCQYO GQBGHBGC DLCUN GDbCQOHR M
GDrCIMBNSO GDbCQOHG MT HCXR H HCX. QGdLRBNN QHGS HCLY M ^CBBGQOM M
KCLCIRHRN Md DYIYbMU KGXGFCBMNU. fRUEU TRUCVROCFPBEU
HELRaCBMCU CWG HCLE H _OY UMQQMS XLCQOPNBMBR NHFNCOQN XGBOLRQO.
KLGHCICBBEJ MU H vCFGJ ^CLXHM UCaIY LGQQMJQXGJ MUKCLROLM^CJ
sXROCLMBGJ eCFMXGJ. CC IHGLGU M KLMIHGLBEUM M XLCQOPNBXGJ
2sXROCLMBGJ URFGJ7. CC QCFGU M QGQCINUM. ]CFR M KLCILRQQYIXM
LGQQMJQXGWG IHGLR H fRBXO#lCOCLDYLWC. Md QKFCOBM M UCFGVBGC
QGKCLBMVCQOHG ORX IRFCXM GO XRaIGIBCHBGJ DGLPDE TR HEaMHRBMC. GO
LCRFPBGJ aMTBM XLCQOPNB H QCFC XGFMBR. e MTGDLRaCBMM ]LY^_
MUKCLROGLQXMJ IHGL M CWG GDMOROCFM _OG KLGIYXOE ^MHMFMTR^MM.
XGQUGKGFMOMVCQXMJ UML. YOLROMH`MJ QHGM XGLBM. OGWIR XRX XLCQOPNBC
qGLUMLYSO XYFPOYLY. QGdLRBNSO DFMTGQOP Q KLMLGIGJ M OCU QRUEU
GQORSOQN HCLBEUM QCDC. \ORX. ^CBOLRFPBEUM KCLQGBRaRUM HQCd
VCOELCd LGURBGH NHFNSOQN XLCQOPNBC. BM M XGFFCXOMHBEC GDbBGQOM.
ICLCHBM. H XGOGLEd GBM aMHYO. HGKFGbRSO IYd AGFIRHMM H FSDGJ
UGUCBO CC MQOGLMM.
]LY^_ MTDCWRCO MICRFMTR^MM QHGMd XLCQOPNB MFM OLRXOGHXM QCFR XRX
BC MTUCBNSbCJQN UGICFM QGGDbCQOHR. XRX _OG GDEVBG ICFRFM UBGWMC
KGKYFMQOQXMC KMQROCFM H nYUEBMM M ILYWMd QOLRBRd H XGB^C
ICHNOBRI^ROGWG # BRVRFC IHRI^ROGWG HCXR. B BC YOHCLaIRCO. VOG
XLCQOPNBQXGC GDbCQOHG IGFaBG GQORHROPQN BCMTUCBBEU. B ORXaC BC
LRQQUROLMHRCO MTUCBCBMN. KLMdGINbMC MTHBC. XRX YWLGTY _OGUY
QGGDbCQOHY M KG_OGUY XRX VOG#OG. VCUY QFCIYCO QGKLGOMHFNOPQN FSDGJ
^CBGJ. cRKLMUCL. H iMQOPNd WLYQOM M vCFGJ ^CLXHM GB KGXRTEHRCO. VOG
XLCQOPNBC GOBSIP BC aMHYO MTGFMLGHRBBGJ aMTBPS H KROLMRLdRFPBEd
QCFRd. M Q BCGDEVRJBEU RLOMQOMTUGU MTGDLRaRCO. XRX GOIRFCBBEC
QGDEOMN HFMNSO BR GOICFPBEC YUE M XGFFCXOMHBGC QGTBRBMC.
cCQUGOLN BR BCKLCLEHBEC MTUCBCBMN. ]LY^_ KGXRTEHRCO BRU. XRX
BGHGC HQOLCVRCO H QCFC QUC`RBBGC GOBG`CBMC. IMB MT WCLGCH LGURBR
vLCUN BR`CJ IGDLGOE AMLVR AGLRLMY H XGB^C eOGLGJ UMLGHGJ HGJBE
QLRHBMOCFPBG FCWXG MBOCWLMLGHRFQN H BGHEJ QG^MRFMQOMVCQXMJ
KGLNIGX. lLMGDLCOCBBEJ BR HGJBC GKEO BRYVMF CWG KG#MBGUY IYUROP G
TCUFC. G XGOGLGJ GB HQCWIR UCVORF. M HCLBYH`MQP H LGIBGC QCFG. GB
QORF KLCIQCIROCFCU XGFdGTR. cG ]LY^_ BRHGIMO BR UEQFP G OGU. VOG
OLRBQqGLUR^MN AGLRLMY KLGMTG`FR QFM`XGU DEQOLG. KGQXGFPXY GB
CbC BC KGFBGQOPS HGQKLMBNF UGLRFPBEC ^CBBGQOM BGHGJ _LE. ]LYWMC
GIBGQCFPVRBC QGKLGOMHFNFMQP QGHLCUCBBEU BGHGHHCICBMNU. sWG OCQOP
H UCaHGCBBEJ KCLMGI DEF HMIBGJ qMWYLGJ H QCFC. M IFN ]LY^E GB
NHFNCOQN DGFCC OMKMVBEU XLCQOPNBMBGU. B DEF WFYDGXG KLCIRB
TCUFC. QCFPQXMU OLRIM^MNU M LMOYRFRU. BG CWG aMTBCBBEJ GKEO. GKEO
HGJBE M ONWGOE UCaHGCBBEd FCO. KLMHCFM CWG X XLMTMQY. XGOGLEJ GB. H
XGB^C XGB^GH. LRTLC`MF KGMQXRUM DRFRBQR UCaIY QORLEU M BGHEU.
cCVOG KGIGDBGC KLGMQdGIMFG M Q GIBMU MT WCLGCH LGURBR iMQOPN
WLYQOM wCGLWC ]GJBRLY. XGOGLEJ dGOCF QFCIGHROP KG QOGKRU GO^R M
ICIR. BG QRUR KLMLGIR aMTBM M MQOGLMM BCKLCLEHBG LRQQOLRMHRFR CWG
M CWG KFRBE. e XGBCVBGU QVCOC. GB IGHCLMFQN QHGCUY BLRHQOHCBBGUY
VYHQOHY. VOG QKRQFG CWG GO UYX UGLRFPBGWG HEDGLR M BRKLRHMFG X BGHGJ
aMTBM. yCU QRUEU ]LY^_ WGHGLMO BRU. VOG MTUCBCBMN GOBSIP BC
NHFNSOQN VCU#OG _XQOLRGLIMBRLBEU H XLCQOPNBQXGU QGGDbCQOHC.
ZLCQOPNBC UGWFM GQHGDGaIROPQN GO HCXGHEd GDEVRCH. IRaC GO QHGCJ
FSDHM X TCUFC. BM UGWFM KLMGDLCOROP BGHEC KLGqCQQMM M
QORBGHMOPQN MBOCFFCXOYRFRUM. XRX QICFRF _OG [GLMN [GFDRB. YVMOCFP
MQOGLMM H ZGFGXGFPBC. vLCUN BR`CJ IGDLGOE UGaCO DEOP KLGVMORBG
XRX LRQQXRT G HQCQOGLGBBCJ OLRBQqGLUR^MM QCFR. KGFMOMVCQXGJ.
_XGBGUMVCQXGJ M UGLRFPBGJ H KCLHGJ KGFGHMBC IHRI^ROGWG HCXR. XGWIR
QCUPM WCLGCH LGURBR M Md QGQCICJ KCLCaMHRFM HGJBE.
XGFFCXOMHMTR^MS M BCGKLCICFCBBGQOM DYIYbCWG. ]LY^_
IGDLGQGHCQOBG M QXLYKYFCTBG KGUCbRCO QGDEOMN M FSICJ H
MQOGLMVCQXYS KCLQKCXOMHY. B BC LRQQUROLMHRCO MTUCBCBMN H
UGFIRHQXGU QCFC XRX KLCIQORHFNSbMC LCTXMJ LRTLEH UCaIY KLG`FEU
M BRQOGNbMU. B GdGOBG KLMTBRCO. VOG Q XGFFCXOMHMTR^MCJ QCFPQXGWG
dGTNJQOHR _XGBGUMVCQXRN M QG^MRFPBRN aMTBP MTUCBMFRQP. BG H
vLCUCBM BR`CJ IGDLGOE KLCIFRWRCO UEQFP G OGU. VOG XGLBM
XGFFCXOMHMTR^MM UGWYO DEOP GDBRLYaCBE H OLRIM^MGBBGU QCFPQXGU
GDLRTC aMTBM. MFM ILYWMUM QFGHRUM. VOG XGFFCXOMHMTR^MN QCFPQXGWG
dGTNJQOHR QGVCORFRQP Q HCXGHEU XGFFCXOMHBEU IYdGU QCFR. e
LCTYFPOROC HGTUGaBGQOP QYbCQOHGHRBMN ORXGWG QUC`CBMN QORLGWG M
BGHGWG KLCIQORHFNCOQN CUY CQOCQOHCBBGJ. cG GB MICO IRFCC H
MQQFCIGHRBMM KLG^CQQR M TRIRCOQN HGKLGQGU G OGU. XRXGH MUCBBG
UCdRBMTU. GDCQKCVMHRSbMJ BCKLCLEHBGQOP. KGQOGNBQOHG M
QORDMFPBGQOP aMTBM H QCFC. BCHTMLRN BR MQXYQQOHCBBG QGTIRBBEC
VCFGHCXGU M CQOCQOHCBBEC DCIQOHMN M IRaC DLCUN MQOGLMM. OHCO. XRX
GB GDBRLYaMHRCO. TRXFSVRCOQN H IYdGHBEd ^CBBGQONd QGGDbCQOHR. H
^CBBGQONd. XGOGLEC GKLCICFNSO dRLRXOCL. IRSbMJ XLCQOPNBRU
QKGQGDBGQOP QGdLRBNOP QHGS MICBOMVBGQOP M H OG aC HLCUN
RIRKOMLGHROPQN X BGHEU GDQOGNOCFPQOHRU M. H XGB^C XGB^GH. HBGHP
IGQOMWROP QG^MRFPBEJ UML M QGWFRQMC. mOM IYdGHBEC GQBGHE
XLCQOPNBQXGWG QGGDbCQOHR. YDCaIRCO ]LY^_. MQKGIHGFP KLGdGINO VCLCT
GKEO UBGWMd KGXGFCBMJ. IRaC HCXGH. fYbCQOHYCO MQXY`CBMC HMICOP
KCLCUCBE XRX KLGMQdGINbMC FM`P HG HBC`BMd. UROCLMRFPBEd qGLURd
aMTBM. H _XGBGUMVCQXMd QOLYXOYLRd M QG^MRFPBGJ GLWRBMTR^MM. cG
]LY^_ HBGHP M HBGHP KGXRTEHRCO. XRX HBYOLCBBNN aMTBP XLCQOPNB M OG.
VOG M XRX GBM IYURSO G ICJQOHMOCFPBGQOM. KLG`FGJ M BRQOGNbCJ.
UCIFCBBG HMIGMTUCBNCOQN H GOHCO BR KCLCUCBE H Md GXLYaCBMM -
KLG^CQQ. GOLRTMH`MJQN H FMVBEd XLMTMQRd CWG WCLGCH.
e KCLHEd OLCd LGURBRd ]LY^_ RBRFMTMLYCO LRTFMVBEC VCLOE
UGFIRHQXGWG dRLRXOCLR. GKLCICFNSbMC XLCQOPNBMBR. R IFN BCWG.
QFCIGHROCFPBG. M UGFIRHRBMBR # FSDGHP X TCUFC. OHGLVCQXMJ OLYI.
HCLBGQOP OLRIM^MNU. BCKGXGLBGQOP KCLCI FM^GU KCLCUCB. M KGMQX
DRFRBQR UCaIY XGBXYLMLYSbMUM QMFRUM. eUCQOC Q BMUM GB DGLCOQN Q
KLMLGIGJ M HGTICJQOHMCU MTUCBCBMJ. XGOGLEC NHFNSOQN KGQOGNBBEUM
QKYOBMXRUM CWG XLCQOPNB. \ GB YKGLBG QORLRCOQN YQOGNOP HG HQCd _OMd
YQMFMNd. ICFRN _OG Q KLCHGQdGIBEU RLOMQOMTUGU M OGBXMU
KGBMURBMCU XLCQOPNBQXGJ KQMdGFGWMM. ]R. N BC UGWY MTDRHMOPQN GO
GbYbCBMN. VOG GB BC KGFBGQOPS YIGHFCOHGLCB LCTYFPORORUM QHGCWG
MQQFCIGHRBMN. VOG GB HQC CbC IGFaCB KLGNQBMOP IFN QCDN. VOG aC
MUCBBG QGdLRBNFG UGFIRHQXGC XLCQOPNBQXGC QGGDbCQOHG XRX
QGHUCQOBEJ XGFFCXOMH.
j IYURS. VOG IFMOCFPBEJ KGMQX ]LY^CJ GKLCICFNSbCJ GQGDCBBGQOM
UGFIRHQXGWG XLCQOPNBMBR BRdGIMO GQYbCQOHFCBMC H CWG VCOHCLOGU
LGURBC vCFRN ^CLXGHP. GKYDFMXGHRBBGU H 9:82. B BRdGIMO CC H
LCFMWMGTBGJ HCLC XLCQOPNB. H Md dLMQOMRBQOHC. e ^CFGU LGURB
VMORCOQN XRX _QQC G XLCQOPNBQXGJ IYdGHBGQOM M UCQOC LCFMWMM H aMTBM
QCFPQXMd UGFIRHRB. AGaBG QXRTROP. VOG OCGFGWGU ]LY^E. VCFGHCXGU
XGOGLEJ KLCIQORHFNCO Md MICM M HCLGHRBMN NHFNCOQN lRMQMC
eCFMVXGHQXMJ. UGBRd. MTHCQOBEJ H dLMQOMRBQXGU UMLC QHGMU
DFRWGVCQOMCU M DGWGYWGIBEUM ICFRUM. XGOGLEJ. DYIYVM IYdGHBEU
FMICLGU UGBRQOELN cNU^ Q 9??: IG QRUGJ QHGCJ QUCLOM H 9?:x.
GXRTEHRF GWLGUBGC UGLRFPBGC HFMNBMC H AGFIGHC. B OGFXGHRF
IGXOLMBE eGQOGVBGWG [LMQOMRBQOHR XRX WFYDGXG KLGOMHGLCVRbMC
UROCLMRFMTUY TCUBGWG UMLR M HUCQOG _OGWG GDLRbCBBEC X HCVBEU
IYdGHBEU ^CBBGQONU UMLR MBGWG. sXROCLMBR MT XGFMBE KGXRTEHRCO.
XRX CWG YVCBMC UGaCO KLMUCBNOPQN H KGHQCIBCHBGJ aMTBM. yHCLIGQOP
CC HCLE NHFNCOQN XGUDMBR^MCJ KLGQOEd dLMQOMRBQXMd KLCIQORHFCBMJ.
QUC`RBBEd Q KGKEOXRUM XLCQOPNBXM GDrNQBMOP ORJBE DEOMN
IGQOYKBEUM CJ QLCIQOHRUM. HXFSVRN UMqE. sC LC`MUGQOP
HGQQORBGHMOP QCFPQXYS ^CLXGHP. LRTLY`CBBYS HG HLCUN HGJBE. M CC
BRQOGJVMHGC aCFRBMC. VOGDE ^CLXGHP DEFR DCFGJ. XRX KLCaIC.
HGKFGbRCO BCKGXGFCDMUYS HCLY _OGJ UGFIRHQXGJ aCBbMBE.
fRUR DCFRN ^CLXGHP QMUHGFMTMLYCO QHNOEC ^CBBGQOM. XGOGLEC
BRKLRHFNSO _OY UGFIRHQXYS ICLCHBS M UGFIRHRB H Md GKRQBGU
KYOC`CQOHMM HG HLCUCBM. e XGBCVBGU QVCOC. ]LY^_ WGHGLMO BRU. VOG
GQBGHR QGGDbCQOHR FCaMO H BRLGIC. XGOGLEJ QGdLRBNCO QHGS
IYdGHBGQOP ^CFPBGJ M VMQOGJ. KLGBGQN CC VCLCT HCXR. \UCBBG _OG
WFYDGXGC VYHQOHG MICBOMVBGQOM. _OG TBRBMC QCDN. BRQORMHRCO GB.
qGLUMLYCO QYbBGQOP BR^MM M IRCO QMFE XLCQOPNBMBY. R TBRVMO. M
UGFIRHRBMBY. HEICLaMHROP MQKEORBMC HLCUCBCU M KLGIGFaROP aMOP.
IST-.IE /I IDE0TITATE 10 .-2A0ELE LUI I-0 D.U34
5eith HIT6HI0S7 8r. 9n istorie
:Statele Unite ale Ameriii;
Obectvu ntervene de fa este s nvestgheze dena modoveanuu n
accepa romanceruu contemporan Ion Dru dn Repubca Modova , anume, s
vedem cum rspunde autoru a o sere de ntrebr care apar n orce dscue
despre denttatea etnc sau naona: ce cat dstnge pe modovean? Fost-au
aceste cat eterne or s-au schmbat n decursu tmpuu? Ce vaor sprtuae sau
materae au susnut coezunea comunt modovenet? S-au pstrat aceste
vaor ntr-un ux contnuu doar ca adaptr morae fa de tmpure trectoare sau
ee au fost permanente, nnscute? Pentru a scha nte rspunsur a aceste
ntrebr, vo anaza patru dntre romanee u Dru
3
: Frunze de dor (1957), o
tragc poveste de dragoste pe fundau dstant a ceu de-a doea rzbo monda;
Povara buntii noastre (1970), o naraune asupra efecteor rzbouu ae pc,
precum despre nente permanente ae satuu modovenesc dn prma
|umtate a secouu a XX-ea; Clopotnia (1972), o cercetare profund, dn
perspectva unu nvtor de a sat, a sensuror store n scopu de a prote|a
apra vaore sprtuae; Biserica alb (1982), o medtae asupra dentt
credne dn Modova n tmpu rzbouu ruso-turc dn an 1787-1792.
Abordez tema cercetr mee ca storc, de aceea pun ntrebr pe care e
pun, de obce, storc, utznd metodee pe care aceta e apc n cercetare. Am
ctt romanee u Dru, consderndu-e ntr-un sens ca pe nte documente sau
surse orgnae, pentru a anazate comparate, apo, pe baza acestor cercetr,
am fcut anumte generazr am tas concuz. De asemenea, am urmrt
propre mee scopur. Orgne naunor moderne formarea denttor
naonae m-au preocupat de mut vreme. n probeme de acest fe, m fascneaz
contnutatea dezvotr storce a popoareor de-a ungu secoeor. ntotdeauna m
ntreb - ntreb pe a ct de mut dn trecut se pstreaz n prezent astfe ct
de mut datorm trecutuu pentru feu n care trm astz pentru vaore care ne
ghdeaz. Aadar, cu aceast stare de sprt cu aceste dezderate m-am apecat
asupra romaneor u Ion Dru.
tu c Dru nu este un storc, ce pun n sensu strct a termenuu. E este
un artst care urmrete obectvee sae creatoare utzeaz m|oace specce
pentru a e reaza. Ca creator de cune, I. Dru rmne de unor noun de
teore terar ca tema, subectu, structura artstc, persona|u mba|u utzat.
tu, de asemenea, c n tmp ce -a scrs romanee, e nu avea ntena s produc
3
Pre2ent($ %ateria$ a "!st 3(&$i)at .n !ri/ina$ .n v!$(%($ xIdentitatea cultural romneasc n contextul
integrrii europeneM. J #a0i8 Hdit(ra A$"a, 2006, 3. 99-503.
A% (ti$i2at te;te$e r!%ane$!r 3(&$i)ate .n8 #!n Dr(45, Scrieri, .n v!$(%e (*hi0in5(, Hdit(ra x?iterat(ra
artisti)5M 0i xHy3eri!nM, 1989-1990). A% "5)(t )(n!0tin45 )( !3ere$e $(i #. Dr(45 3rin anii <>0 .n ti%3 )e %5
d!)(%enta% as(3ra ist!riei 0i $iterat(rii din Aasara&ia 0i ',, M!$d!va. A3!i, $-a% .ntF$nit 3e s)riit!r $a Paris, .n
an($ 1985, $a 3re2entarea edi4iei "ran)e2e a r!%an($(i Biserica alb, d(35 )are, %ai tFr2i(, .n a)e$a0i an, e$ %i-a
tri%is de $a M!s)!va edi4ia !""#$ .n 2 v!$(%e (M!s)!va8 Hdit(ra yMSTSjXk uWX_jPkz, 198). Mi-a( "!st de
a+(t!r, de ase%enea, (r%5t!are$e s(rse )riti)e )( re"erin45 $a !3era sa8 Andrei Hr!3!tins)hi, %roblema &ie'ii (i a
crea'iei. ,t(di( )riti) des3re !3era $(i #!n Dr(45 (*hi0in5(, 1988)C )Fteva ese(ri de Mihai *i%3!i 0i A$e;andrina
*ern!va, 3(&$i)ate .n )specte ale crea'iei lui Ion *ru', edit!ri Mihai$ D!$/an 0i Hara$a%&ie *!r&( (*hi0in5(,
1990)C 3re)(% 0i Mihai *i%3!i + istorie deschis a literaturii romne din Basarabia (A()(re0ti, 2002). Dintre
%($tit(dinea de $()r5ri as(3ra r!%an($(i $(i Dr(45, 3entr( 3re2ent($ 3r!ie)t, a% )!ns($tat8 Ga%es *. ,i%%!ns, The
No&elist as ,istorian8 -ssa. on the /ictorian No&el { '!%an)ier($ )a ist!ri)8 ese( as(3ra r!%an($(i ist!ri) vi)t!rian
(-he Ha/(e, 19>3)C Eaterina *$ar@, The So&iet No&el8 ,istor0 as 1itual { '!%an($ s!vieti)8 ist!ria )a rit(a$, a 3-a
edi4ie (A$!!%in/t!n, #ndiana, 2000)C Theor0 of the No&el. ) ,istorical )proach { -e!ria r!%an($(i. Un st(di( din
3ers3e)tiv5 ist!ri)5, edit!r8 Mi)hae$ M)Ee!n (Aa$ti%!re and $!nd!n, 2000)C 0i %($te a$te ese(ri din s3$endida edi4ie
.n 5 v!$(%e Il roman.o { '!%an($, editat5 de =ran)! M!retti (-!rin!, 2001-2003).
documente pentru ca storc profesont s poat verca detae s extrag
nforma autentce pentru stud cercetr n domenu. Dar sunt sgur c e a dort
ca to cttor u s medteze asupra ntrebror mportante pentru e c -a fost
foarte greu s e pun n fa, ntr-o form anga|at, o proz pn de va.
Char dac Ion Dru nu trateaz stora n acea fe cum o face un storc
profesonst, e d dovad totu de o neegere ptrunztoare a moduu n care
stora nueneaz socetatea, n genera, afecteaz pe ndvz, n partcuar.
Entuzasmu su pentru store este contagos: e este un fe de Hora Hoban,
nvtoru de coa de a ar dn romanu Clopotnia, care venereaz stora ca
pstrtoare a memore ca pe un ghd mora. ns metoda u Dru este dfert
de cea a storcor profesont. E nu descre drect detaat bte sau ate
evenmente, c permte rzbouu potc mar s e reectat n vaa cotdan a
persona|eor sae, precum n trre or suetet. Acesta este feu su de a
msura progresu soca genera, dar stabtatea mora a ecru ndvd n parte.
Cunotnee n stora Modove ae u Ion Dru sunt vaste, ar medtae
scrtoruu asupra neesuror e pentru poporu modav sunt profunde, astfe nct
persona|ee romaneor sae, n speca, ran satee n care ocuesc aceta,
capt un aer de autentctate uor seszab. E se compace n prezentarea
extns a store n Povara buntii noastre, precum n reatarea bne structurat
a evenmenteor, nsot de caracterzr exempare ae persona|eor prncpae dn
Biserica alb. n ambee romane, dar n Frunze de dor Clopotnia, stora este o
for actv; ea formeaz caractere de-a ungu secoeor este, totodat, un factor
care consodeaz vaor, dac nu char un creator a vaoror. n evoua sa, ne
spune Dru, reprezentan unu popor trebue s- cunoasc stora propre; atfe
aceta nu se vor cunoate pe e n nu vor capab s- traseze un drum
prntr-un prezent caprcos spre un vtor evazv.
n romanee sae Ion Dru partcp, poate fr s contentzeze acest fapt, a
marea dscue erudt prvnd orgnea natura naun etnce moderne, o
dezbatere care s-a ntenscat ncepnd cu an 50 a secouu trecut. Partcpan
a dezbater, teoretcen a prncpuu naona, se mpart n tre mar categor:
1. primor8iali<tii (prmordasts), care argumenteaz c naune sunt
fenomene socae naturae, organsme v, ce exst nc dn cee ma vech tmpur;
2. mo8erni<tii (modernsts), care argumenteaz c naune sunt produsu
socet moderne captaste, ndustrae sunt, n esen, construte de ctre
ete;
3. n sfrt, adep etno-sim=olismului istori (hstorca ethno-symbosts),
care accentueaz contnutatea formr naunor ntre trecut prezent, de
recunosc, n acea tmp, nuena puternc a schmbror socae economce n
ceea ce prvete formarea naunor. Sunt ncnat s- pasez pe Ion Dru prntre
etno-smbot storc, datort respectuu su pentru store trade, datort
credne sae n rdcne caracteruu naona, pe de o parte, , pe de at parte,
datort recunoater unor fore socae economce ca nd nte modeatoare
puternce de comunt umane pshoog ndvduae.
Ion Dru se smte acas prntre ocutor sateor dn Modova, e sngur nd
nscut n satu Horodte n 1928. Astfe, e nu numa c a anazat satu dn nteror, dar
s-a contopt cu acesta, cu atmosfera sa, cu trade vorbrea, cu semncaa
destnuu su ncnarea spre umor. Mute dntre persona|ee romaneor sae sunt
extrase dntre membr propre fam sau ate persoane pe care e-a cunoscut n satu
nata. Vaa or znc, precum frmntre or nteroare -au atras cu deosebre,
descrndu-e ntr-o proz concs n. Prmee screr ae u Dru sunt nte povestr
scurte, voumu de debut La noi n sat nd pubcat n 1953, nante de a da prefern
proze epce de propore prn Frunze de dor. Nu este de mrare c, prntre scrtor pe
care -a admrat ce ma mut - Bunn, Cehov, Tosto - Ion Creang, observatoru atent
a satuu modovenesc dn nteror, a ocupat un oc-chee n creaa sa.
Cnd se pune probema dentt, pentru I. Dru chntesena modoveanuu
este reprezentat de ran. E ne-o demonstreaz n repetate rndur, fr a face
efortur s- ascund admraa pentru ran. Pentru I. Dru, ran sunt
adevra creator a store, deoarece e poart povere socet menn
untatea comunt de-a ungu veacuror prn pstrarea credne a vaoror,
precum prn transmterea acestora generaor vtoare. Nu exst o armare ma
frapant a credne sae n msunea ranuu dect contrastu ustrat n Biserica
alb dntre Ecaterna cea Mare a Ruse, mpreun cu ce de a curtea sa, ranca
Ecaterna cea Mc, cu sten vecn e. Luxu cur mperae dn St.
Petersburg, brfee rvatatea meschn sunt departe de upta znc pentru
exsten, pentru adevrata va a ranor dn satu Ocona. Curtea mpera
rezden s, dup cum n- preznt Dru, sunt produsu cvzae, ae um
cosmopote care -a perdut rdcne, n tmp ce ran sunt pstrtor
modeator cutur se regsesc aproape de natur, rmnnd astfe, ret,
natura, sncer cu e n. To protagont ceor patru romane sunt, de atfe,
ran. Aceta, precum coectvte n care tresc - satee Ocona (Biserica
alb), Cutura (Povara buntii noastre) Vaea Rzeor (Frunze de dor) -
ntruchpeaz sprtu Modove dn orce epoc.
I. Dru evt s- deazeze ran s trateze satu ca pe un mode de
comuntate ncrement, neschmbtoare, dup cum au fcut-o mu scrtor
poput dn Romna dn ate r a sfrtu secouu a XIX-ea - nceputu sec.
a XX-ea. E nu nsst ca socetatea ranor s rmn nepent n tmp.
Concomtent, e nu vede schmbre vente dn afar ca pe o amennare a adresa
comunt, fapt care ar necesta o rezsten depus cu orce pre. Scrtoru
demonstreaz n Frunze de dor Biserica alb, de exempu, feu n care ran
nea|utora tresc zoat vee n satu patrarha, conturnd, cu o superb
vocae artstc, efectee evenmenteor n deprtare asupra mnor ndvduae a
contne coectve.
n cuda persstene schmbror, Dru ne arat c n sat nou a fost receptat
n dferte modur. Mrcea Moraru, unu dntre ero romanuu Povara buntii
noastre, se ntegreaz cu reatv uurn n ordnea socast, nstaurat a
sfrtu ceu de-a doea rzbo monda. Experena sa acumuat n an rzbouu
-a nvat s vad s gndeasc atfe despre pmntu dup care tn|ea
ntotdeauna. Acum, ntors n Cutura de dup rzbo, e devne preedntee
gospodre coectve. Dar, sugereaz Dru, transformarea u Moraru vne prea
repede, cc e nc nu asmase pe depn vaore morae ae no epoc.
A ocutor de a sat s-au opus modernt. Onache Crbu, socru u
Moraru, este o gur reprezentatv a satuu dn Modova dntre cee dou rzboae
mondae , pentru Dru, e repreznt chntesena sprtuu ranuu modovean.
Onache a fost ataat pe depn de pmnt, de trad rtuaure de a ar, ns
experena sa de va, acumuat n focu rzbouu munce stovtoare dn an
nterbec, -au dus nspre un punct de crz sprtua, care, n sfrt, este rezovat
prn a cuta gs o baan dntre vech nou, dntre trecut prezent. La fe s-a
ntmpat cu Gheorghe Donaru, unu dntre ero romanuu Frunze de dor, care
vrea s urmeze pas cu pas pe buncu pe tat su, dar esena ve, a store
frustreaz, bocheaz contnuu. n cee dn urm, e se ncrede n sensu mora a
schmbror pentru a se debarasa de dema sa a purcede spre o nou va.
Ion Dru ne spune c, n mod cert, schmbarea este o ntmpare
extraordnar n socetatea rura. |ran au avut tra s se ebereze de
obnunee vech, char de ataamentu fa de pmnt. E pot s nsueasc
ocupa profes no s devn nteectua, aa cum o face Hora Hoban,
nvtoru de store dn Clopotnia. Romanu Povara buntii noastre poate ctt
n ntregme ca o naraune a transformror satuu dn punct de vedere potc,
economc mora, dn prma |umtate a sec. a XX-ea. Astfe, satu Cutura, fama
u Onache Crbu vecn acestua au trecut prn experena rzbouu, a
coectvzr a ncerttudnor vtoruu.
I. Dru paseaz cu mestre evenmentee persona|ee ntr-o perspectv
storc. E nu percepe schmbre dn satee Modove ca pe nte ruptur categorce
dntre trecut prezent. E recunoate c atura economc soca a ve s-a
schmbat odat cu coectvzarea agrcutur, dar, n acea tmp, e sugereaz n
Povara buntii noastre c rdcne coectvzr ar putea descoperte n
trade de va ae satuu. Cu ate cuvnte, coectvzarea agrcutur -a armonzat
cu tradonau sprt coectv a satuu. n consecn, u I. Dru se pare norma
c o astfe de mpetre ntre vech nou a avut oc. ns e se mpc ma departe
n proces se ntreab care anume este mecansmu ce asgur contnutatea ve
n sat, n cuda caamtor naturae sau ae ceor create de om, ncusv a pover
store. Rspunsu, descopert de Dru, gsm n vaore sprtuae ae satuu,
vaor ce denesc persona|ee, fac pe ran s- pstreze denttatea or , n
acea tmp, s se adapteze noor crcumstane, pentru ca, n sfrt, s creeze o
armone soca nou. Bazee sprtuae ae comunt, argumenteaz scrtoru, s-
au consodat prn experene de secoe. Ar tentant pentru no s consderm c
schmbarea se petrece doar n formee exteroare ae ve, n structure economce
organzarea soca, dar Ion Dru ne arat dn nou dn nou, cum vaa
nteroar a ranor, feu n care gndesc despre exstena trecut cea dn
prezent, se modc ncet ca rspuns a schmbre dn |uru or, fapt ogndt de
crzee personae ae u Onache Crbu Gheorghe Donaru.
n prmee sae tre romane Dru exporeaz trsture varate care denesc
pe ran , dec, pe modovean - dragostea pentru pmnt, munca creatoare,
ataamentu fa de trade, ncpnarea n faa schmbr cutarea unu
echbru ntre foree concurente; totodat e se upt cu efectee schmbr, care
nsoete constant pe ran s. Scrtoru persevereaz n toate aceste efortur cu
art cu o neegere subt a pshooge ranuu. Totu, nu pot s-m reprm
senzaa c I. Dru nu este pe depn satsfcut de rezutatee nvestgae sae, c
nc trebue s- carce pentru sne ce anume a mennut comuntatea rura
modovean unt.
ncn s cred c ndeungata strdun a u Dru de a gs trstura
dentore a ranuu modovean a|unge s se ncarce de rod n ce de-a patruea
roman a su, Biserica Alb (1982). E o descoper n credna regoas a acestor
ran, n cretnsmu or. Romanu poate ctt n ntregme ca o medtae despre
sprtuatatea ranuu despre ocu rege n vaa modovenor de a ar.
Teoogu u Dru - s spunem aa - respectv persoana care preznt dee
sentmentee modovenor este Pase Veckovsk, un cugr rus care, n catate
de stare a Mnstrea Neamuu (dn anu 1779 pn a moartea sa n 1794), a
exerctat o mare nuen sprtua n Modova. Acesta este exponentu
nvturor ortodoxe rsrtene care se opune materasmuu aceste um se
concentreaz asupra vaoror sprtuae eterne ae um de dncoo. Ecaterna dn
Ocona ne arat cum aceste credne pot apcate n vaa znc. Credna e
puternc este o combnae a nvtur cretne smpe, mpette cu ncercre
une rance de a expca msteree exstene prn ntermedu m|oaceor ce- sunt
a ndemn, ncusv mtu. Hotrrea sa de a reconstru bserca dn sat dup ce a
fost dstrus n rzbo nsstena ca aceasta s e neaprat ab, repreznt
credna de nezdruncnat a ranuu modovean.
ns biserica alb smbozeaz vaore sacre care au condus satu pe
modoven, n ctora or prme|doas vremenc. n cee dn urm, Ion Dru ne
spune c fundamentu comunt consttue un popor care -a pstrat
sprtuatatea ntact de-a ungu secoeor. Acest sens profund a dentt, aceast
cunoatere a euu formeaz esena une naun au dat putere ve ranuu
modoveanuu s rezste, s dnuasc.
>??@
Traducere dn engez: Postu Marin
STFenomenul artistic 4on 6rutaU, Chisinau, edituraR TiVoraWia Centrala, <==XY