Fraţii Buzeşti High School
Encyclopedia
The Fraţii Buzeşti National College is a high school located in central Craiova
, Romania
, on Ştirbei Vodă Street. It is one of the most prestigious secondary education institutions in Romania.
The high school was named after three loyal noblemen, the Buzeşti brothers, Preda, Radu and Stroe Buzescu, who were the inseparable, strongest military supporters of voivode Michael the Brave; their noble blood line goes back to 1461 AD. Between 1590 and 1600 they fought valiantly, numerous times in the army of the Christian Prince Michael the Brave against the ottoman Turks
.
As a high school it was formally established in 1882 as "Gimnaziul Real" by an edict of "Ministerul Cultelor" (approved by minister P.S.Aurelian of the Ministry of Culture of Romania, at that time), with a predominantly science teaching for boys. The gymnasium motto consists of the two Latin words from the beginning of the Book of Genesis: "Fiat Lux" --"Let There Be Light!".
The first director of the gymnasium was Mathematics Professor Grigore Căzănescu who provided leadership and guidance to both students and professors at the gymnasium. At its opening on November 1, 1882, the gynmnasium had 62 students enrolled in the first grade; interestingly, it opened in the large classroom of the gymnasium for boys in the building that is now "Colegiul Național Carol I"
, and its first language teachers were Ștefan Rudeanu for the French and Ferdinand Settelin for the German . By 1898 there were 184 alumni of the gymnasium, but the school did not have its own building until 1930. On January 9, 1910, however, Spiru Haret
-- then Minister of Education and Culture ("Ministerul Instrucțiunii și Cultelor")-- announced that he approved the gymnasium to be called by the name of "Frații Buzești". At that time, one of its best known teachers was Nicolae Bănescu, professor of history and French language, who became VicePresident of the Romanian Academy
. Its study programme was quite strict and severe, and had as many as 34 hours of study per week; it continued much in the same vein even in the early 1960s. By 1961 it also included compulsory, practical training in Electrotechnics engineering at the local works of "ElectroPower" factory for manufacturing electrical train Diesels, with all graduating students receiving certificates for building electrical motors and generators. The school's two rigidly disciplinarian teachers in the 1960s were Sică-Anastasie Petrescu for Mathematics, and Teodoreanu—an elderly Russian Bessarabean—for Physics.
However, the most remarkable head master in the entire history of the school was - between 1920 and 1940- the professor of natural sciences Ion P.Ionescu—Argetoaia, with a doctorate in Geology, who gave up a professorship at the University of Timișoara
, as well as an assistant professorship at the Sorbonne, in Paris, in order to join "Frații Buzești" as its leader; he was the first to succeed in securing the approval by the Ministry of Education ("Ministerul Instrucțiunii") for the construction of the monumental building of the high school that continues to be used today. During World War II
, between 1941 and 1942, the school's building was used by the German troops as a hospital for wounded German soldiers, and later, between September 1944 and 1949, it was used again—this time by the occupying soviet troops—as a hospital for the wounded Red Army
soldiers; during such trying times, the school was forced to operate grossly overcrowded in the buildings of other schools in Craiova. By the year 2005 there were over 15,000 high school graduates of CNFB, its popularity having increased exponentially after 1930s.
Currently, CNFB is a UNESCO
affiliated institution, endowed with high quality teaching staff, past and present. CNFB's alumni are presently studying and contributing to research and culture at academic institutions throughout the world,.
For over a century, the two best 'National Colleges' of Craiova, Colegiul Național "Frații Buzești" (CNFB) and
Colegiul Național Carol I
, have been, and still are, the recognized educational paths for the inhabitants of Oltenia--Dolj towards university education; often many alumni of these two best high schools were admitted through very competitive entrance examinations to either the University of Bucharest
or the local University of Craiova
, with the latter being less than two miles from the buildings of the two high schools.
Dogaru, "Istoria Craiovei", Editura Scrisul Românesc, 1977.
Friebert (Oberlin College Press, 1991). ISBN 0-932440-58-4
Craiova
Craiova , Romania's 6th largest city and capital of Dolj County, is situated near the east bank of the river Jiu in central Oltenia. It is a longstanding political center, and is located at approximately equal distances from the Southern Carpathians and the River Danube . Craiova is the chief...
, Romania
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...
, on Ştirbei Vodă Street. It is one of the most prestigious secondary education institutions in Romania.
History
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks were the Turkish-speaking population of the Ottoman Empire who formed the base of the state's military and ruling classes. Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks is scarce, but they take their Turkish name, Osmanlı , from the house of Osman I The Ottoman...
.
As a high school it was formally established in 1882 as "Gimnaziul Real" by an edict of "Ministerul Cultelor" (approved by minister P.S.Aurelian of the Ministry of Culture of Romania, at that time), with a predominantly science teaching for boys. The gymnasium motto consists of the two Latin words from the beginning of the Book of Genesis: "Fiat Lux" --"Let There Be Light!".
The first director of the gymnasium was Mathematics Professor Grigore Căzănescu who provided leadership and guidance to both students and professors at the gymnasium. At its opening on November 1, 1882, the gynmnasium had 62 students enrolled in the first grade; interestingly, it opened in the large classroom of the gymnasium for boys in the building that is now "Colegiul Național Carol I"
Carol I High School
The Carol I National College is a high school located in central Craiova, Romania, on Titu Maiorescu street. It is one of the most prestigious secondary education institutions in Romania.-History:...
, and its first language teachers were Ștefan Rudeanu for the French and Ferdinand Settelin for the German . By 1898 there were 184 alumni of the gymnasium, but the school did not have its own building until 1930. On January 9, 1910, however, Spiru Haret
Spiru Haret
Spiru C. Haret was a Romanian mathematician, astronomer and politician. He made a fundamental contribution to the n-body problem in celestial mechanics by proving that using a third degree approximation for the disturbing forces implies instability of the major axes of the orbits, and by...
-- then Minister of Education and Culture ("Ministerul Instrucțiunii și Cultelor")-- announced that he approved the gymnasium to be called by the name of "Frații Buzești". At that time, one of its best known teachers was Nicolae Bănescu, professor of history and French language, who became VicePresident 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....
. Its study programme was quite strict and severe, and had as many as 34 hours of study per week; it continued much in the same vein even in the early 1960s. By 1961 it also included compulsory, practical training in Electrotechnics engineering at the local works of "ElectroPower" factory for manufacturing electrical train Diesels, with all graduating students receiving certificates for building electrical motors and generators. The school's two rigidly disciplinarian teachers in the 1960s were Sică-Anastasie Petrescu for Mathematics, and Teodoreanu—an elderly Russian Bessarabean—for Physics.
However, the most remarkable head master in the entire history of the school was - between 1920 and 1940- the professor of natural sciences Ion P.Ionescu—Argetoaia, with a doctorate in Geology, who gave up a professorship at the University of Timișoara
West University of Timisoara
The West University of Timişoara is a university located in Timişoara, Romania. Established in 1962, it is organized in 11 Faculties.-Organization:...
, as well as an assistant professorship at the Sorbonne, in Paris, in order to join "Frații Buzești" as its leader; he was the first to succeed in securing the approval by the Ministry of Education ("Ministerul Instrucțiunii") for the construction of the monumental building of the high school that continues to be used today. During World War II
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...
, between 1941 and 1942, the school's building was used by the German troops as a hospital for wounded German soldiers, and later, between September 1944 and 1949, it was used again—this time by the occupying soviet troops—as a hospital for the wounded Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
soldiers; during such trying times, the school was forced to operate grossly overcrowded in the buildings of other schools in Craiova. By the year 2005 there were over 15,000 high school graduates of CNFB, its popularity having increased exponentially after 1930s.
Currently, CNFB is a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
affiliated institution, endowed with high quality teaching staff, past and present. CNFB's alumni are presently studying and contributing to research and culture at academic institutions throughout the world,.
For over a century, the two best 'National Colleges' of Craiova, Colegiul Național "Frații Buzești" (CNFB) and
Colegiul Național Carol I
Carol I High School
The Carol I National College is a high school located in central Craiova, Romania, on Titu Maiorescu street. It is one of the most prestigious secondary education institutions in Romania.-History:...
, have been, and still are, the recognized educational paths for the inhabitants of Oltenia--Dolj towards university education; often many alumni of these two best high schools were admitted through very competitive entrance examinations to either the University of Bucharest
University of Bucharest
The University of Bucharest , in Romania, is a university founded in 1864 by decree of Prince Alexander John Cuza to convert the former Saint Sava Academy into the current University of Bucharest.-Presentation:...
or the local University of Craiova
University of Craiova
The University of Craiova is a university located in Craiova, Romania. It is an institution of higher education of complex integration, founded in 1947, with four faculties in the beginning, it has developed continuously, the number of specialization's increasing and today it meets the standards...
, with the latter being less than two miles from the buildings of the two high schools.
Headmasters
- Director: Prof. Zamfirică Petrescu
- Adjunct Directors:
- Prof. Carmen Ștefănescu
- Prof. Ion Nanu
- Councillor for educational programmes and projects: Prof. Ileana Didu
Students' activities
- CNFB students involve themselves into a large number of scientific and cultural activities organized by the students clubs and/or the "Fraţii Buzeşti" Foundation. There is also a students' magazine and journal published by the school since 1996. (The first students' magazine was however founded in 1963, and then it was promptly censored and suspended by the school's principal, with the student editor being punished).
Alumni
- Ilie G. Murgulescu (1902–1991)--physical chemist, Former President of the Romanian Academy]
- Lt.General Eugeniu Petre P. Mares (1907–1995)
- Mircea GrigoreCarol LambrinoMircea Grigore Carol Hohenzollern , also known as Mircea Grigore Carol al României according to his amended Romanian birth certificate or as Carol Lambrino according to his original Romanian birth certificate, self-styled HRH Prince Carol of Romania, was the eldest son of King Carol II of Romania, a...
(1920–2006). - Marin SorescuMarin Sorescu- Biography :Born to a family of farmworkers in Bulzeşti, Dolj County, Sorescu graduated from the primary school in his home village. After that he went to the Buzesti Brothers High School in Craiova, after which he was transferred to the Predeal Military School. His final education was at the...
--Literary historian and poet (1936–1996) - Alexandru Mitru(1914–1989)-one of the most prolific and well-known Romanian writers of legends and mythological stories
- Sabin BălașaSabin BalasaSabin Bălaşa was a contemporary Romanian painter. His works are described by himself as belonging to cosmic Romanticism.He completed his high school education at Frații Buzești High School in Craiova in 1950....
--Painter (1932–2008) - Dr. Petre C. Raicu, D.Phil.(1929–1998), former professor of genetics at the University of BucharestUniversity of BucharestThe University of Bucharest , in Romania, is a university founded in 1864 by decree of Prince Alexander John Cuza to convert the former Saint Sava Academy into the current University of Bucharest.-Presentation:...
and Petru Maior University of Târgu MureşPetru Maior University of Târgu MuresThe Petru Maior University of Târgu Mureş, Romania, is a university founded in 1960.-History:Founded in 1960 as The Pedagogical Institute of Tîrgu Mureş, Petru Maior University became The Technical University of Tîrgu Mureş in 1991, The University of Tîrgu Mureş in 1995 and was renamed Petru Maior...
; also an Associate Professor of the University of ParisUniversity of ParisThe University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250... - Mihnea Gheorghiu, Academician
- Radu Voinea(1923–2010)--professor of theoretical mechanics and engineering, Former President of the Romanian Academy
Further reading
- Pr. Constantin COMAN, Casa creștinului, Editura Bizantină, București, f.a.
- Titu Georgescu, Constantin Barbacioru, Florea Firan, Virgil Joita, Constantin Mocanu, Luchian Deaconu, Ion
Dogaru, "Istoria Craiovei", Editura Scrisul Românesc, 1977.
- Nicolae Andrei, "Ani de lumină: 1826-1876", Scrisul Românesc, Craiova, 1976
- Marin Sorescu "Hands Behind My Back: Selected Poems", trans. Gabriela Dragnea, Adriana Varga, & Stuart
Friebert (Oberlin College Press, 1991). ISBN 0-932440-58-4
- The Vintage Book of Contemporary World Poetry, edited by J.D. McClatchy, pg. 219.
External links
- CNFB Alumni studying abroad
- Liceul "Frații Buzești" din Craiova
- Home Page of the "Frații Buzești" High School
- Front of the "Frații Buzești" High School building in Craiova
- CNFB Buildings
- UNESCO
- The UNESCO European Centre for Higher Education--Centre européen pour l'enseignement supérieur (CEPES)], located in Bucarest (Romania) promotes co-operation and provides technical support in the field of higher education among UNESCO’s Member States in Central, Eastern and South-East Europe.
- Equestrian statue of Michael the Brave in front of the Town Hall in Craiova
- Nicolae Bănescu, Past VicePresident of the Romanian Academy
- The Romanian Academy
- The Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie G. Murgulescu" of the Romanian Academy
- Ilie G. Murgulescu, President of the Romanian Academy between 1963 and 1966
- Ilie G. Murgulescu, Romanian Academy Member, Chemist
- American-Romanian Academy of Arts and SciencesAmerican-Romanian Academy of Arts and SciencesThe American Romanian Academy of Arts and Sciences ' is an internationally recognised academic research and educational institution that conducts and supports multidisciplinary studies in exact sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, and also supports the arts, linguistics, literature, political...
- Gallery: Images of important Romanian Kings, Rulers and Princes (Voievodes/Voievozi, Domnitori)
