Cântecul Gintei Latine: Vasile Alecsandri, 'race' connections and the Latinity of the Romanians (1850s–1870s)

In: Nations and nationalism: journal of the Association for the Study of Ethnicity and Nationalism, Volume 28, Issue 3, p. 909-923

Open Access

Abstract

AbstractThis article reconstructs Vasile Alecsandri's political and cultural activities at an international level, as he attempted to raise public awareness (particularly in France and Italy) for the Romanian national cause, namely, by staking claim to the 'Latinity' of Romanians. It takes account of the European historical and political context in which the process took place, against the cultural backdrop of a growing interest in Romania, its people and language, and the development of the pan‐Latin ideal (and of macro‐nationalisms in general). In 1878, Alecsandri participated in theFêtes Latinesin Montpellier, competing for the best 'Song of the Latin race', illustrating his ability to use all available communication channels to further the Romanian Latin cause and bolster pan‐Latinism.