Chronicle of the Event: "Nicolae Iorga: Cultural and Political Commitment and Relations with Italy"

On Tuesday, 21 January 2025, the first conference of the year organised by the Cultural Association “Manlio Cecovini Study Society” took place at the Antico Caffè San Marco in Trieste.

The event, part of the "Third Tuesday of the Month" series, featured Stefano Santoro, Associate Professor of Eastern European History at the University of Trieste and Scientific Director of the journal Qualestoria. Santoro delivered an in-depth exploration of the life and work of Nicolae Iorga, a Romanian historian, intellectual, and politician of extraordinary significance.

A Complex Portrait: Nicolae Iorga Between Culture and Politics
Santoro outlined the multifaceted profile of Nicolae Iorga (1871–1940), a man with an immense cultural output—author of approximately 1,300 books and over 10,000 articles—and profound political engagement. Born in Moldavia into a prominent family, Iorga displayed exceptional intellectual capabilities from a young age. His academic career spanned various disciplines, including history, literature, linguistics, and theatre.

Santoro highlighted how Iorga was both a fervent nationalist and patriot, as well as a controversial figure due to his antisemitic views. During the interwar period, he opposed the Iron Guard—the ultra-nationalist and antisemitic Romanian movement—while maintaining conservative political positions. This duality made him a target of criticism from extremists who accused him of betraying the national cause.

Relations with Italy and the Role in Cultural Diplomacy
A central theme of the conference was Iorga’s special relationship with Italy. Santoro described how the Romanian historian was fascinated by Italian culture and Mussolini’s fascism, although he rejected local imitations of the fascist model. Iorga viewed Mussolini as a figure capable of preserving Italian traditions, while he disdained Hitler for his revolutionary radicalism and paganism.

Iorga was a proponent of cultural diplomacy, strengthening ties between Romania and Italy. He established institutions such as the Romanian Institute in Venice and the Romanian Academy in Rome, which remain key hubs for promoting Romanian culture abroad.

A Complex Legacy
Iorga’s political and intellectual trajectory ended tragically in 1940 with his assassination by members of the Iron Guard. However, his legacy was later re-evaluated both by the Romanian communist regime, which appreciated his nationalism, and by post-communist cultural circles.

The conference provided a profound reflection on the historical and political complexity of Iorga’s life, highlighting how his contradictions mirror the tensions of 20th-century Central and Eastern Europe. The audience actively participated with questions that further enriched the debate.

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