Alexandru Zub
Encyclopedia
Alexandru Zub is a Romania
n historian, biographer, essayist, political activist and academic. A former Professor at the University of Iaşi, noted for his contribution to the study of cultural history
and Romanian history, he is currently head of the A. D. Xenopol Institute of History and Archeology (an office he has held since 1990). He was elected a full member of the Romanian Academy
in 2004 (having been a correspondent member since 1991); currently, he serves as head of the Academy's History Department.
A political prisoner
during the early years of Communist Romania
, and a known dissident
, Zub was selected by Vladimir Tismăneanu
on the panel of the Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania
, which presented its Final Report to Parliament
on December 18, 2006.
. He attended the School of Pedagogy
in Şendriceni, and later completed University studies at the Faculty of History in Iaşi
, graduating in 1957. The same year, he took part in a rally commemorating the medieval Prince of Moldavia
Stephen the Great
, which was considered nationalist
by the Communist regime. Zub was arrested and imprisoned for the following six years (in Iaşi, and later in Jilava
, Gherla, and near Brăila
).
After his release, he took up research in the Central University Library of Iaşi, and began publishing biographies and studies of Romanian culture, which proved to be highly influential during the period of relative liberalization
at the start of Nicolae Ceauşescu
's regime. He has since notably authored works on major figures of Romanian historiography
(including Mihail Kogălniceanu
, Vasile Pârvan
, Alexandru D. Xenopol), as well as ample studies on cultural phenomena. In 1977-1978, he was the recipient of a grant from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
.
After the Romanian Revolution of 1989
, Zub was awarded full recognition for his contributions to Romanian historiography, and he became a founding member of the Association of Former Political Prisoners. A Directeur d'Études at the École Pratique des Hautes Études
in 1993 and 2004, Zub became a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
in 1995. In 2000, he was decorated Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Romania
.
His activity in 1957, occurring in the aftermath of the Hungarian Revolution, earned him the recognition of the Hungarian
government; on October 16, 2006, the 50th commemoration of the rebellion, Zub was presented with the commemorative medal Hero of Liberty.
As part of the controversial criticism he expressed in regard to the Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania
, the writer Paul Goma
, who had been himself a member of the panel, questioned the Commission's ability to deal with the issue. Goma stated: "as for Al. Zub, he has specialized in Xenopol, in Kogălniceanu, in Pârvan - out of which [specialization] he never did emerge, so he has no idea, for instance, about the «happenings» during the Second World War
". This attitude notably drew criticism from Bedros Horasangian (who considered Goma's words "banterings" and their effect "void").
In 1991, Alexandru Zub supervised the PhD
candidature of Sorin Antohi
, a fellow member of the Commission, member of the staff for the Central European University
, and Zub's co-author on a 2000 volume published by Polirom
. Antohi failed to complete his degree and was expelled from the program; a 2006 investigation proved that he had been misrepresenting his academic credentials, which caused his withdrawal from his academic position at Central European University. Contacted by journalists, Zub refused to comment, and called on the press not to harass Antohi.
In 2007, Zub was involved in a scandal at the Xenopol Institute, after he allegedly had the election of four young history researchers to the Scientific Council of the Institute canceled by Dan Berindei, the head of the History Section of the Romanian Academy
and the coordinator of the Institute. The researchers protested against Zub's managership, labeling it "despotic" and asking for his resignation.
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
n historian, biographer, essayist, political activist and academic. A former Professor at the University of Iaşi, noted for his contribution to the study of cultural history
Cultural history
The term cultural history refers both to an academic discipline and to its subject matter.Cultural history, as a discipline, at least in its common definition since the 1970s, often combines the approaches of anthropology and history to look at popular cultural traditions and cultural...
and Romanian history, he is currently head of the A. D. Xenopol Institute of History and Archeology (an office he has held since 1990). He was elected a full member of the Romanian Academy
Romanian Academy
The Romanian Academy is a cultural forum founded in Bucharest, Romania, in 1866. It covers the scientific, artistic and literary domains. The academy has 181 acting members who are elected for life....
in 2004 (having been a correspondent member since 1991); currently, he serves as head of the Academy's History Department.
A political prisoner
Political prisoner
According to the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, a political prisoner is ‘someone who is in prison because they have opposed or criticized the government of their own country’....
during the early years of Communist Romania
Communist Romania
Communist Romania was the period in Romanian history when that country was a Soviet-aligned communist state in the Eastern Bloc, with the dominant role of Romanian Communist Party enshrined in its successive constitutions...
, and a known dissident
Dissident
A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution. When dissidents unite for a common cause they often effect a dissident movement....
, Zub was selected by Vladimir Tismăneanu
Vladimir Tismaneanu
Vladimir Tismăneanu is a Romanian and American political scientist, political analyst, sociologist, and professor at the University of Maryland, College Park...
on the panel of the Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania
Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania
The Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania , also known as the Tismăneanu Commission , is a commission instituted in Romania by President Traian Băsescu to investigate the Communist regime and provide a comprehensive report allowing for the condemnation of...
, which presented its Final Report to Parliament
Parliament of Romania
The Parliament of Romania is made up of two chambers:*The Chamber of Deputies*The SenatePrior to the modifications of the Constitution in 2003, the two houses had identical attributes. A text of a law had to be approved by both houses...
on December 18, 2006.
Biography
Zub was born in Vârfu Câmpului, Botoşani CountyBotosani County
Botoșani is a county of Romania, in Moldavia, with the capital city at Botoșani.-Demographics:In 2002, it had a population of 452,834 and the population density was 91/km2.*Romanians – – the highest percentage of Romanians in Romania...
. He attended the School of Pedagogy
School of Pedagogy
School of Pedagogy may be:*School of Pedagogy in Khovd*School of Pedagogy in Prague*School of Pedagogy in Şendriceni*School of Pedagogy in Lom, Bulgaria*Philadelphia School of Pedagogy...
in Şendriceni, and later completed University studies at the Faculty of History in Iaşi
Iasi
Iași is the second most populous city and a municipality in Romania. Located in the historical Moldavia region, Iași has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Romanian social, cultural, academic and artistic life...
, graduating in 1957. The same year, he took part in a rally commemorating the medieval Prince of Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
Stephen the Great
Stephen III of Moldavia
Stephen III of Moldavia was Prince of Moldavia between 1457 and 1504 and the most prominent representative of the House of Mușat.During his reign, he strengthened Moldavia and maintained its independence against the ambitions of Hungary, Poland, and the...
, which was considered nationalist
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
by the Communist regime. Zub was arrested and imprisoned for the following six years (in Iaşi, and later in Jilava
Jilava
Jilava is a commune in Ilfov county, Romania, near Bucharest. It is composed of a single village, Jilava.The name derives from a Romanian word of Slavic origin meaning "humid place". Jilava was the location of a fort built by King Carol I of Romania, as part of the capital's defense system...
, Gherla, and near Brăila
Braila
Brăila is a city in Muntenia, eastern Romania, a port on the Danube and the capital of Brăila County, in the close vicinity of Galaţi.According to the 2002 Romanian census there were 216,292 people living within the city of Brăila, making it the 10th most populous city in Romania.-History:A...
).
After his release, he took up research in the Central University Library of Iaşi, and began publishing biographies and studies of Romanian culture, which proved to be highly influential during the period of relative liberalization
Liberalization
In general, liberalization refers to a relaxation of previous government restrictions, usually in areas of social or economic policy. In some contexts this process or concept is often, but not always, referred to as deregulation...
at the start of Nicolae Ceauşescu
Nicolae Ceausescu
Nicolae Ceaușescu was a Romanian Communist politician. He was General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 to 1989, and as such was the country's second and last Communist leader...
's regime. He has since notably authored works on major figures of Romanian historiography
Historiography
Historiography refers either to the study of the history and methodology of history as a discipline, or to a body of historical work on a specialized topic...
(including Mihail Kogălniceanu
Mihail Kogalniceanu
Mihail Kogălniceanu was a Moldavian-born Romanian liberal statesman, lawyer, historian and publicist; he became Prime Minister of Romania October 11, 1863, after the 1859 union of the Danubian Principalities under Domnitor Alexander John Cuza, and later served as Foreign Minister under Carol I. He...
, Vasile Pârvan
Vasile Pârvan
Vasile Pârvan was a Romanian historian and archaeologist.He studied history in Bucharest, with Nicolae Iorga as one of his professors. He continued his studies in Germany. His Ph.D. thesis, written in 1909, was titled The nationality of merchants in the Roman Empire...
, Alexandru D. Xenopol), as well as ample studies on cultural phenomena. In 1977-1978, he was the recipient of a grant from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is a foundation set-up by the government of the Federal Republic and funded by the German Foreign Office, the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development and others for the promotion of international co-operation...
.
After the Romanian Revolution of 1989
Romanian Revolution of 1989
The Romanian Revolution of 1989 was a series of riots and clashes in December 1989. These were part of the Revolutions of 1989 that occurred in several Warsaw Pact countries...
, Zub was awarded full recognition for his contributions to Romanian historiography, and he became a founding member of the Association of Former Political Prisoners. A Directeur d'Études at the École Pratique des Hautes Études
École pratique des hautes études
The École pratique des hautes études is a Grand Établissement in Paris, France. It is counted among France's most prestigious research and higher education institutions....
in 1993 and 2004, Zub became a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is an Order of France, established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture, and confirmed as part of the Ordre national du Mérite by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963...
in 1995. In 2000, he was decorated Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Romania
Order of the Star of Romania
The Order of the Star of Romania is Romania's highest civil order. It is awarded by the President of Romania...
.
His activity in 1957, occurring in the aftermath of the Hungarian Revolution, earned him the recognition of the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
government; on October 16, 2006, the 50th commemoration of the rebellion, Zub was presented with the commemorative medal Hero of Liberty.
As part of the controversial criticism he expressed in regard to the Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania
Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania
The Presidential Commission for the Study of the Communist Dictatorship in Romania , also known as the Tismăneanu Commission , is a commission instituted in Romania by President Traian Băsescu to investigate the Communist regime and provide a comprehensive report allowing for the condemnation of...
, the writer Paul Goma
Paul Goma
Paul Goma is a Romanian writer, also known for his activities as a dissident and leading opponent of the communist regime before 1989. Forced into exile by the communist authorities, he became a political refugee and currently resides in France as a stateless person...
, who had been himself a member of the panel, questioned the Commission's ability to deal with the issue. Goma stated: "as for Al. Zub, he has specialized in Xenopol, in Kogălniceanu, in Pârvan - out of which [specialization] he never did emerge, so he has no idea, for instance, about the «happenings» during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
". This attitude notably drew criticism from Bedros Horasangian (who considered Goma's words "banterings" and their effect "void").
In 1991, Alexandru Zub supervised the PhD
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
candidature of Sorin Antohi
Sorin Antohi
-Biography:Antohi was born in Târgu Ocna. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Iaşi and a DEA from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. He taught history at the University of Michigan, at the University of Bucharest and at the Central-European...
, a fellow member of the Commission, member of the staff for the Central European University
Central European University
For other uses, see European University Central European University is a graduate-level, English-language university offering degrees in the social sciences, humanities, law, public policy, business management, environmental science, and mathematics...
, and Zub's co-author on a 2000 volume published by Polirom
Polirom
Polirom or Editura Polirom is a Romanian publishing house with a tradition of publishing classics of international literature and also various titles in the fields of social sciences, such as psychology, sociology and anthropology. The company was founded in February 1995. The first title...
. Antohi failed to complete his degree and was expelled from the program; a 2006 investigation proved that he had been misrepresenting his academic credentials, which caused his withdrawal from his academic position at Central European University. Contacted by journalists, Zub refused to comment, and called on the press not to harass Antohi.
In 2007, Zub was involved in a scandal at the Xenopol Institute, after he allegedly had the election of four young history researchers to the Scientific Council of the Institute canceled by Dan Berindei, the head of the History Section of the Romanian Academy
Romanian Academy
The Romanian Academy is a cultural forum founded in Bucharest, Romania, in 1866. It covers the scientific, artistic and literary domains. The academy has 181 acting members who are elected for life....
and the coordinator of the Institute. The researchers protested against Zub's managership, labeling it "despotic" and asking for his resignation.
In Romanian
- Mihail Kogălniceanu, 1817-1891. Biobibliografie ("Mihail Kogălniceanu, 1817-1891. Bio-bibliography"), Editura Enciclopedică/Editura MilitarăEditura MilitarăEditura Militară is a publishing house based in Bucharest, Romania. It was founded as a state-run company during the communist period on 27 December 1950.-External links:...
, Bucharest, 1971 - A. D. Xenopol, 1847-1920. Biobibliografie ("A. D. Xenopol, 1847-1920. Bio-bibliography"), 1973
- Vasile Pîrvan. Efigia cărturarului ("Vasile Pîrvan. The Scholar's Effigy"), Editura Enciclopedică/Editura Militară, Bucharest, 1974; second edition, 2003
- Mihail Kogălniceanu istoric ("Mihail Kogălniceanu as a Historian"), Editura Junimea, Iaşi, 1974
- Junimea. Implicaţii istoriografice ("JunimeaJunimeaJunimea was a Romanian literary society founded in Iaşi in 1863, through the initiative of several foreign-educated personalities led by Titu Maiorescu, Petre P. Carp, Vasile Pogor, Theodor Rosetti and Iacob Negruzzi...
.Historiographical Implications"), Editura Junimea, Iaşi, 1976 - A scrie şi a face istorie. Istoriografia română postpaşoptistă ("Writing and Making History. Romanian Historiography Post-1848"), Editura Junimea, Iaşi, 1981
- Biruit-au gândul. Note despre istorismul românesc ("The Thought Has Broken Through. Notes on Romanian HistoricismHistoricismHistoricism is a mode of thinking that assigns a central and basic significance to a specific context, such as historical period, geographical place and local culture. As such it is in contrast to individualist theories of knowledges such as empiricism and rationalism, which neglect the role of...
"), Editura Junimea, Iaşi, 1983 - Pe urmele lui Vasile Pîrvan ("On the Footsteps of Vasile Pîrvan"), Editura Sport-Turism, Bucharest, 1983
- Mihail Kogălniceanu, Editura Ştiinţifică şi Enciclopedică, Bucharest, 1984; second edition, 2004
- De la istoria critică la criticism. Istoriografia română la finele secolului XIX şi începutul secolului XX ("From Critical History to Criticism. Romanian Historiography at the End of the XIXth Century and the Start of the XXth Century"), Editura Academiei, Bucharest, 1985; second edition, 2000
- Cunoaştere de sine şi integrare ("Self-awareness and Integration"), Editura Junimea, Iaşi, 1986; second edition, 2004
- Istorie şi istorici în România interbelică ("History and Historians in Interwar Romania"), Editura Junimea, Iaşi, 1989; second edition, 2003
- Istorie şi finalitate ("History and Finality"), Editura Academiei, Bucharest, 1991; second edition, 2004
- La sfârşit de ciclu. Despre impactul Revoluţiei franceze ("At the End of a Cycle. On the Impact of the French RevolutionFrench RevolutionThe French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
"), Institutul European, Iaşi, 1994 - Eminescu. Glose istorico-culturale (EminescuMihai EminescuMihai Eminescu was a Romantic poet, novelist and journalist, often regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Eminescu was an active member of the Junimea literary society and he worked as an editor for the newspaper Timpul , the official newspaper of the Conservative Party...
. Historical and Cultural Glosses"), Editura Enciclopedică Gheorghe Asachi, ChişinăuChisinauChișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
, 1994 - În orizontul istoriei ("In History's Horizon"), Institutul European, Iaşi, 1994
- Impasul reîntregirii ("The Deadlock of Reunion"), Editura Timpul, Iaşi, 1995
- Chemarea istoriei. Un an de răspântie în România postcomunistă ("The Call of History. A Crucial Year in Post-Communist RomaniaHistory of Romania since 1989- 1989 revolution :1989 marked the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. A mid-December protest in Timişoara against the eviction of a Hungarian minister grew into a country-wide protest against the Ceauşescu régime, sweeping the dictator from power....
"), Editura Junimea, Iaşi, 1997 - Discurs istoric şi tranziţie ("Historical Discourse and Transition"), Institutul European, Iaşi, 1998
- Orizont închis. Istoriografia română sub dictatură ("Restricted Horizon. Romanian Historiography under Dictatorship"), Institutul European, Iaşi, 2000
- with Sorin AntohiSorin Antohi-Biography:Antohi was born in Târgu Ocna. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Iaşi and a DEA from École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. He taught history at the University of Michigan, at the University of Bucharest and at the Central-European...
: Oglinzi retrovizoare. Istorie, memorie si morală în România ("Rearview Mirrors. History, Memory, and Morals in Romania"), PoliromPoliromPolirom or Editura Polirom is a Romanian publishing house with a tradition of publishing classics of international literature and also various titles in the fields of social sciences, such as psychology, sociology and anthropology. The company was founded in February 1995. The first title...
, Iaşi, 2000 - Istoriografia română la vârsta sintezei: A. D. Xenopol ("Romanian Historiography at the Age of Synthesis: A. D. Xenopol"), Institutul European, Iaşi, 2004
- Mihail Kogălniceanu, architect al României moderne ("Mihail Kogălniceanu, the Architect of Modern Romania"), Institutul European, Iaşi, 2005
- Clio sub semnul interogaţiei. Idei, sugestii, figuri ("ClioCliothumb|Clio—detail from [[The Art of Painting|The Allegory of Painting]] by [[Johannes Vermeer]]In Greek mythology, Clio or Kleio, is the muse of history. Like all the muses, she is a daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne...
under the Question Mark. Ideas, Suggestions, Figures"), Polirom, Iaşi, 2005 - Romanogermanica. Secvenţe istorico-culturale ("Romanogermanica. Cultural-Historical Sequences"), Editura Universităţii Al. I. Cuza, Iaşi, 2005
In French
- L’Historiographie roumaine à l’âge de la synthèse: A. D. Xenopol ("Romanian Historiography at the Age of Synthesis: A. D. Xenopol"), Editura Ştiinţifică şi Enciclopedică, Bucharest, 1983
- Les dilemmes d’un historien: Vasile Pîrvan ("Vasile Pîrvan: the Dilemmas of a Historian"), Editura Ştiinţifică şi Enciclopedică, 1985
In English
- Reflections on the Impact of the French Revolution. 1789, de TocquevilleAlexis de TocquevilleAlexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville was a French political thinker and historian best known for his Democracy in America and The Old Regime and the Revolution . In both of these works, he explored the effects of the rising equality of social conditions on the individual and the state in...
, and the Romanian Culture, The Center for Romanian Studies, Iaşi/Oxford/Portland, 2000