Culture - Literature - Mihail Sadoveanu

MIHAIL SADOVEANU
(1880-1961)

1880 On November 5 is born in Pascani, registered first on his mother name.
1887 First class of the primary school in Vatra Pascani village. His first teacher, Mihai Busuioc, will mark decisively his evolution. In the short story Domnu Trandafir is evocated the figure of who taught him "spelling and history".
1891 Finishes the primary school in Vatra Pascani, but in order to frequent the couses of "Alecu Donici" gymnasium from Falticeni, he must repeat the 4th class because he come from rural education form to urban one. One of his collegues was Eugen Lovinescu, the school principal's son, the great critic from later on. In their games, Sadoveanu has the role of the "outlaw" and Lovinescu is the "thief catcher".
1895 Dies his mother, Profira Ursaki, moment evoked later in his stories. This year he has the famous failure from the mathematics exam, consequence of his wanderings and dreamings throught nature. Between 1895-1896 he repeats the third degree of gymnasium. In all this years from Falticeni he reads a lot and escapes in nature a lot.
1897 In the weekly "Dracu" from Bucuresti, is published the sketch Domnisoara M din Falticeni, signed with the pseudonym Mihai from Pascani. In the autumn he begins the courses at the National highschool from Iasi, highschool named after him till today. Is an important period for his formation, having some renouned teachers, one of them being Vasile Burla, wellknown philologist from Junimea literary society, the school principal.
1898-1899 Continues his collaboration to several publications: Vieata noua, Pagini literare, Opinia.
1900 After highschool graduation he starts the Law university in Bucharest, at his father advice. He won't study these couses for a long time, being attired by the mirage of literature. He begins to write stories which will be published in the volume Dureri înabusite after a few years. He takes the heroic decision to live from writing.
1901 He settles down in Falticeni. He marries in the same year Ecaterina Bâlu.
1904 Get a job of copyist in Bucharest. This year is a good one for his literary accumulations: will be published 4 prose volumes: Povestiri, Soimii, Dureri înabusite, Crâsma lui mos Precu. This fact makes that this year will be surnamed "Sadoveanu's year" (N. Iorga).
1906 Returns to Falticeni, where he will start his long and fruitful collaboration with the review: Viata Româneasca. Floare ofilita and Amintirile caprarului Gheorghita are published.
1908 Appears the volumes: Duduia Margareta, O istorie de demult, Oameni si locuri.
1910 Is named director of the National theatre from Iasi (till 1919).
1913 Takes part at the campaign to Bulgaria, as sub-lieutenant and next lieutenant.
1915 Neamul Soimarestilor novel is published, marking a new epoch in his writing.
1918 After the war, Sadoveanu will settle down in Iasi, in the former house of Kogalniceanu in Copou (today "Mihail Sadoveanu" museum). Is the most happy place of his existence, both from familial and artistical point of view. Here he writes 30 titles of his work.
1921 Dies his father Al. Sadoveanu. Become full member of Romanian Academy.
1922 Writes the literary jewel Dumbrava Minunata, published in 1926.
1923 Sustains the famous reception speach at the Romanian Academy, making an eulogy to the popular poems.
1925 Appears the novel Venea o moara pe Siret, inspired in the balcony of Cantacuzino style building from Pascani, from which it was a beautiful sight to Siret river.
1926 Tara de dincolo de negura and Dumbrava minunata.
1927 During his travels in the country, he descovers, in Oasa area, the "heaven" from Frumoasa valley and from Bradu-Strâmb, another place of inspiration for he who was hunter, fisherman and writer as well. Travels also in Holland with a known literary consequence (Holland).
1928 The proliphic writer publishes in a sustained rhythm, unknown till then in our literary space: Hanu-Ancutei, Demonul tineretii, Olanda, Împaratia apelor.
1929 Another masterpiece is written: Zodia cancerului or Vremea Ducai-voda, historical novel.
1930 At his 50th birthday, the "maestro" was cellebrated at national level, knowning all civilian honours. At Cartea româneasca publishing house is published the novel Baltagul, written in only two weeks.
1932 Nunta domnitei Ruxandra.
1934 Viata lui Stefan cel Mare, a biographical novel announcing the three volumes masterpiece Fratii Jderi.
1935 Ucenicia lui Ionut, the first novel of the trilogy.
1937 His books are burned in public squares by demonstrants under the sign of political fanatism and intolerance. He was defended by some of the valuable culture men from that epoch by "The intelectual protest".
1939 Receives the "Doctor honoris causa" diplome of the University of Iasi, report red by the professor Octav Botez.
1940 Divanul persan, one of the favorites of the author.
1942 The last part of the historical trilogy Fratii Jderi: Oamenii Mariei Sale.
1943 In a some kind of protest for the horrors of the civilisation, he retires on the Frumoasa valley where he will write the volum Povestile de la Bradu-Strâmb.
1944 The horrors of the war attains him heavily: Paul-Mihu, his youngest son, dies in Turda, in the fight for Transylvanian's liberation. His house from 2, Witting street is bombed.
1946 Begins to have socio-political functions in the communist period. Pays a great tribute to the new socialist society ideea, publishing unsuccesful books, following the socialism realism method: Pauna Mica, 1948; Mitrea Cocor, 1949; Clont de fier, 1951.
1952 His old novel Soimii, published in 1904, is rewritten in his last important work Nicoara Potcoava.
1958 At the E.S.P.L.A. publishing house is published the volum Aspects from the life and work of Mihai Sadoveanu, with pictures by Dan Grigorescu, edited by Constantin Mitru.
1961 Ill for a few years, almost blind, dies on November 19. Is burried in Bellu cemetery, next to Eminescu and Caragiale.

Neamul Soimarestilor (novel, 1915). Story about the fights between Ieremia-Voda's lady and Tomsa-Voda, and on the other hand between the free holders and the landlords. The central hero Tudor Soimaru (a free holder vigorous and proud) comes back from a long voyage in Orhei county, where were his parents and relatives. Enter in the service of prince Tomsa, with all the free holders. Also, his hatred for Stroie Orheianu landlord, inherited from his parents, is growing. The daughter of the landlord refuses and despises Tudor. When the Polishes chase away Tomsa from Moldova's throne and Alexandru Movila is installed prince, the novel's hero kills the landlord and burns down its estate.

The motive of the peerless ballad Miorita is illustrated in the novel Baltagul (The hatchet) (1930). The action, of a charming simplicity, takes place on the Bistrita river valley in the mountains. An wealthy shepherd from the Rarcau valley, named Nechifor Lipan, goes to buy some sheep to Dorna and never comes back. His firm wife, Victoria, goes in the search of her husband up on the Bistrita's valley together with her son, Gheorghita, armed with an hatchet. They arrive in Dorna, and after getting some information about the disappeared one, go back searching the tracks of Nechifor Lipan. Victoria and Gheorghita are looking from village to village (Brosteni, Borca, Sabasa), but across the Stanisoara mountain, between Sabasa and Suha the tracks become unclear. They find Nechifor's dog and with its help they find his remains in a precipice. Till the end, Victoria Lipan finds the killers, two evil men from Suha. The one who have killed Nechifor with an hatchet will be kicked with an hatchet by Gheorghita.

Last update: 1999, September 8
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1880	On November 5 is born in Pascani, registered first on his mother name.
1887	First class of the primary school in Vatra Pascani village. His first teacher, Mihai Busuioc, will mark decisively his evolution. In the short story Domnu Trandafir is evocated the figure of who taught him "spelling and history".
1891	Finishes the primary school in Vatra Pascani, but in order to frequent the couses of "Alecu Donici" gymnasium from Falticeni, he must repeat the 4th class because he come from rural education form to urban one. One of his collegues was Eugen Lovinescu, the school principal's son, the great critic from later on. In their games, Sadoveanu has the role of the "outlaw" and Lovinescu is the "thief catcher".
1895	Dies his mother, Profira Ursaki, moment evoked later in his stories. This year he has the famous failure from the mathematics exam, consequence of his wanderings and dreamings throught nature. Between 1895-1896 he repeats the third degree of gymnasium. In all this years from Falticeni he reads a lot and escapes in nature a lot.
1897	In the weekly "Dracu" from Bucuresti, is published the sketch Domnisoara M din Falticeni, signed with the pseudonym Mihai from Pascani. In the autumn he begins the courses at the National highschool from Iasi, highschool named after him till today. Is an important period for his formation, having some renouned teachers, one of them being Vasile Burla, wellknown philologist from Junimea literary society, the school principal.
1898-1899	Continues his collaboration to several publications: Vieata noua, Pagini literare, Opinia.
1900	After highschool graduation he starts the Law university in Bucharest, at his father advice. He won't study these couses for a long time, being attired by the mirage of literature. He begins to write stories which will be published in the volume Dureri înabusite after a few years. He takes the heroic decision to live from writing.
1901	He settles down in Falticeni. He marries in the same year Ecaterina Bâlu.
1904	Get a job of copyist in Bucharest. This year is a good one for his literary accumulations: will be published 4 prose volumes: Povestiri, Soimii, Dureri înabusite, Crâsma lui mos Precu. This fact makes that this year will be surnamed "Sadoveanu's year" (N. Iorga).
1906	Returns to Falticeni, where he will start his long and fruitful collaboration with the review: Viata Româneasca. Floare ofilita and Amintirile caprarului Gheorghita are published.
1908	Appears the volumes: Duduia Margareta, O istorie de demult, Oameni si locuri.
1910	Is named director of the National theatre from Iasi (till 1919).
1913	Takes part at the campaign to Bulgaria, as sub-lieutenant and next lieutenant.
1915	Neamul Soimarestilor novel is published, marking a new epoch in his writing.
1918	After the war, Sadoveanu will settle down in Iasi, in the former house of Kogalniceanu in Copou (today "Mihail Sadoveanu" museum). Is the most happy place of his existence, both from familial and artistical point of view. Here he writes 30 titles of his work.
1921	Dies his father Al. Sadoveanu. Become full member of Romanian Academy.
1922	Writes the literary jewel Dumbrava Minunata, published in 1926.
1923	Sustains the famous reception speach at the Romanian Academy, making an eulogy to the popular poems.
1925	Appears the novel Venea o moara pe Siret, inspired in the balcony of Cantacuzino style building from Pascani, from which it was a beautiful sight to Siret river.
1926	Tara de dincolo de negura and Dumbrava minunata.
1927	During his travels in the country, he descovers, in Oasa area, the "heaven" from Frumoasa valley and from Bradu-Strâmb, another place of inspiration for he who was hunter, fisherman and writer as well. Travels also in Holland with a known literary consequence (Holland).
1928	The proliphic writer publishes in a sustained rhythm, unknown till then in our literary space: Hanu-Ancutei, Demonul tineretii, Olanda, Împaratia apelor.
1929	Another masterpiece is written: Zodia cancerului or Vremea Ducai-voda, historical novel.
1930	At his 50th birthday, the "maestro" was cellebrated at national level, knowning all civilian honours. At Cartea româneasca publishing house is published the novel Baltagul, written in only two weeks.
1932	Nunta domnitei Ruxandra.
1934	Viata lui Stefan cel Mare, a biographical novel announcing the three volumes masterpiece Fratii Jderi.
1935	Ucenicia lui Ionut, the first novel of the trilogy.
1937	His books are burned in public squares by demonstrants under the sign of political fanatism and intolerance. He was defended by some of the valuable culture men from that epoch by "The intelectual protest".
1939	Receives the "Doctor honoris causa" diplome of the University of Iasi, report red by the professor Octav Botez.
1940	Divanul persan, one of the favorites of the author.
1942	The last part of the historical trilogy Fratii Jderi: Oamenii Mariei Sale.
1943	In a some kind of protest for the horrors of the civilisation, he retires on the Frumoasa valley where he will write the volum Povestile de la Bradu-Strâmb.
1944	The horrors of the war attains him heavily: Paul-Mihu, his youngest son, dies in Turda, in the fight for Transylvanian's liberation. His house from 2, Witting street is bombed.
1946	Begins to have socio-political functions in the communist period. Pays a great tribute to the new socialist society ideea, publishing unsuccesful books, following the socialism realism method: Pauna Mica, 1948; Mitrea Cocor, 1949; Clont de fier, 1951.
1952	His old novel Soimii, published in 1904, is rewritten in his last important work Nicoara Potcoava.
1958	At the E.S.P.L.A. publishing house is published the volum Aspects from the life and work of Mihai Sadoveanu, with pictures by Dan Grigorescu, edited by Constantin Mitru.
1961	Ill for a few years, almost blind, dies on November 19. Is burried in Bellu cemetery, next to Eminescu and Caragiale.