KNOWING ITALY/ CUNOSCAND ITALIA

Capital and the largest city: Rome/ Capitala si orasul cel mai mare: Roma

Official language/ limba oficiala: Italian/ italiana

Government/ guvernare: parliamentary republic/ republica parlamentara

Formation/Formare:

Unification/ uniurea: March 17^th, 1861

Republic/ republica: June 2^nd, 1946

EU Accession/ aderare UE: March 25^th, 1957 (founder member/ membru fondator)

The Italian Flag / Steagul Italian: green- hope, love and joy; white- peace and honesty; red- bravery, strength and valor/ verde- speranta, dragoste, fericire; albul- pace si sinceritate; rosul- curajul si forta




Coat of Arms/Stema: the meaning of the five sided star is protection of the country and today it represents the army of the Italian Republic. The cogwheel symbolizes the Italian constitution and the olive branch symbolizes the desire for peace of the Italian Republic. It also shows unity as well as kindness across Italian border./ semnificatia stelei cu cinci colturi este aceea de protectie a tarii iar astazi reprezinta armata Republicii Italiene. Roata zimtata simbolizeaza constitutia italiana iar ramura de maslin simbolizeaza dorinta de pace a Republicii Italiene. Arata deasemenea unitatea precum si bunatatea de-a-lungul granitei italiene.

Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe and on the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea Sicily and Sardinia. Italy shares its northern, Alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within the Italian Peninsula.The land known as Italy today has been the cradle of many European cultures and peoples, such as the Etruscans and the Romans, and later was the birthplace of the University, the Renaissance that began in Tuscany and spread all over Europe, Vitruvian Man, modern science and astronomy, heliocentrism and opera.. Italy's capital, Rome, was for centuries the center of Western civilization. Italy possessed a colonial empire from the second half of the nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.Today, Italy is a democratic republic and a developed country with the eighth-highest quality of life index rating in the world. It is a founding member of what is now the European Union, having signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957, and it is a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Italy is a Schengen state. It has the world's seventh-largest defence budget and shares NATO's nucleat weapons. On 1 January 2007, Italy began a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Italy is subdivided into 20 regions (regioni, singular regione). Five of these regions have a special autonomus status that enables them to enact legislation on some of their local matters; these are marked by an asterisk (*) in the table below. The country is further divided into 109 provinces (province) and 8,100 municipalities (comuni).

Italia, oficial Republica Italiana, este o tara localizata in peninsula italiana in partea de sud a Europei si pe cele mai mari doua insule din Marea Mediterana, Sicilia si Sardinia. Italia imparte granita alpina din nord cu Franta, Elvetia, Austria si Slovenia. Statele independente San Marino si Vatican sunt incluse in Peninsula Italiana. Teritoriul cunoscut ca Italia in zilele noastre a fost leaganul multor culturi si popoare europene precum etruscii si romanii, si mai tarziu a fost locul nasterii universitatii, Renasterea a inceput in Toscana si s-a intins preste tot in Europa, Omul Vetruvian, stiinta moderna si astronomia, heliocentrismul si opera. Capitala Italiei, Roma, a fost timp de secole, centrul civilizatiei din vest. Italia era posesoarea unui imperiu colonial din a doua jumatate a secolului XIX pana la jumatatea secolului XX. Astazi, Italia este o republica democrata si o tara dezvoltata ocupand locul opt la nivelul de trai al oamenilor. Este un membru fondator a ceea ce este acum Uniunea Europeana, semnand Tratatul de la Roma in 1957 si este si unul din membrii fondatori ai NATO. Italia este o tara din spatiul Schengen. Ocupa locul sapte in ceea ce priveste bugetul apararii si imparte armele nucleare NATO. La 1 ianuarie 2007, Italia a inceput un termen de doi ani ca membru non-permanent in Consiliul de Securitate al Natiunilor Unite.

Italia este impartita in 20 de regiuni (regioni), Cinci dintre aceste regiuni au statut special autonom care le permite sa stabileasca legislatia asupra unora din problemele locale. Tara este mai apoi divizata in 109 provincii si 8.100 de municipalitati. (comuni)

Tivoli, the classical Tibur, is an ancient Italian town in Lazio, about 30 km from Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river, where it issues from the Sabine hills. There are spectacular views out over the Roman Campagna / Tivoli, clasicul Tibur, este un oras vechi din Lazio, la aproape 30 de km de Roma, in panta raului Aniene, care izvoraste din dealurile Sabine. Se pot vedea peisaje spectaculare ale campiei romane.

Comune di Tivoli - The Coat of Arms/Stema




Main sights in Tivoli/Locuri importante din Tivoli:

• Villa Adriana - UNESCO World Heritage site (1999)

• Villa d'Este - UNESCO World Heritage site (2001).

• Villa Gregoriana
  

• Rocca Pia

• Temple of Tiburtine Sibyl
  

• Temple of Hercules
  

• Cathedral of St. Lawrence (Duomo, rebuilt in 1635–40)

Culture/ Cultura

Art/ Arta

Italian painting is traditionally characterized by a warmth of colour and light, as exemplified in the works of Carvaggio and Titian, and a preoccupation with religious figures and motifs. Italian painting enjoyed preeminence in Europe for hundreds of years, from the Romanesque and Gothic periods, and through the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the latter two of which saw fruition in Italy. Notable artists who fall within these periods include Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Boticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Carvaggio, Bernini, Titian and Raphael. Thereafter, Italy was to experience a continual subjection to foreign powers which caused a shift of focus to political matters, leading to its decline as the artistic authority in Europe. Not until 20th century Futurism primarily through the works of Umberto Boccioni and Giacomo Balla, would Italy recapture any of its former prestige as a seminal place of artistic evolution. Futurism was succeeded by the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio de Chirico, who exerted a strong influence on the Surrealists and generations of artists to follow.

Pictura italiana este traditional caracterizata prin caldura culorii si a luminii asa cum apare in lucrarile lui Caravaggio si Titian, o preocupare cu figurile si motivele religioase. Pictura italiana s-a bucurat de mare succes in Europa timp de sute de ani, de la perioadele romane si gotice si prin perioadele Renasterii si Barocului, ultimele doua inflorind in Italia. Artisti cunoscuti care intra in aceste perioade sunt Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian si Raphael. Ulterior, Italia a experimentat o supunere continua unor puteri straine care au dus la schimbarea atentiei catre problemele politice, ducand astfel la declinul autoritatii artistice in Europa. Deabia in Futurismul secolului al XX-lea, in principal prin lucrarile lui Umberto Boccioni si Giacomo Balla, Italia isi recuupereaza fostul prestigiu ca un loc seminal al evolutiei artistice. Futurismul a fost urmat de picturile metafizice ale lui Girogio de Chrico, care a avut o influenta puternica asupra Suprarealistilor si generatiilor de artisti care vor urma.

Le Pieta - Michelangelo

Lady with an ermine - Da Vinci

St Iohn - Donatello


Umberto Boccioni - Canal di Venice


Giacomo Balla - Victorie

Literature/ Literatura

The basis of the modern Italian language was established by the Florentine poet Dante Alighieri, whose greatest work, the Divine Comedy, is considered amongst the foremost literary statements produced in Europe during the Middle Ages. There is no shortage of celebrated literary figures in Italy: Giovanni Boccaccio, Giacomo Leopardi, Alessandro Manzoni, Torquato Tasso, Ludovico Ariosto and Petrarch, whose best-known vehicle of expression, the sonnet, was invented in Italy. Prominent philosophers include Giordano Bruno, Marsilio Ficino, Niccolo Machiavelli and Giambatista Vico. Modern literary figures and Nobel laureates are nationalist poet Giosue Carducci in 1906, realist writer Grazia Deledda in 1926, modern theatre author Luigi Pirandello in 1936, poets Salvatore Quasimodo in 1959 and Eugenio Montale in 1975, satirist and theatre author Dario Fo in 1997. Regarding the Italian theatre, it can be traced back to the Roman tradition which was heavily influenced by the Greek; as with many other literary genres, Roman dramatists tended to adapt and translate from the Greek. For example, Seneca's Phaedra was based on that of Euripides, and many of the comedies of Plautus were direct translations of works by Menander. During the 16th century and on into the 18th century, Commedia dell'arte was a form of improvisational theatre, and it is still performed today. Travelling troupes of players would set up an outdoor stage and provide amusement in the form of juggling acrobatics, and, more typically, humorous plays based on a repertoire of established characters with a rough storyline, called canovaccio.

Bazele limbii Italiene moderne au fost stabilite de catre poetul florentin Dante Aligheri, a carui cea mai mare lucrare, Comedia Divina, este considerate printre primele declaratii literare produse in Europa in timpul Evului Mediu. Sunt foarte multe figuri celebre in literatura italiana: Giovanni Boccaccio, Giacomo Leopardi, Alessandro Manzoni, Torquato Tasso, Ludovico Ariosto si Petrarca, a carui cea mai bun modalitate de exprimare, si anume sonetul, a fost inventat in Italia. Printre folosofii importanti se numara Giordano Bruno, Marsilio Ficino, Niccolo Machiavelli si Giambattista Vico. Figuri literare moderne si laureati Nobel se numara poetul nationalist Giosue Carducci in 1906, scriitorul realist Grazia Deledda in 1926, dramaturgul modern Luigi Piandello in 1936, poetii Salvatore Quasimodo in 1959 si Eugenio Montale in 1975, autotul de satire si dramaturg Dario Fo in 1997. In ceea ce priveste teatrull italian, acesta poate fi regasit in traditia romana care a fost mult influentata de catre Greci, la fel ca si alte genuri literare, dramaturgii romani aveau tendinta de a adapta si a traduce de la greci. De exemplu, Fedra a lui Seneca a fost bazata pe cea a lui Euripide, si multe din comediile lui Plautus a fost traduceri directe din operele lui Menander. In secolul XVI si pana in secolul XVIII, Commedia dell’arte a fost o forma de teatru imporvizat care este jucat si in zilele noastre. Trupe de artisti calatori pun o scena in aer liber si ofera distractie sub forma jongleriilor, acrobatii si, mai tipic, comedii bazate pe un repertoriu cu personaje stabilite cu o linie dramatica dura, numita canovaccio.

The world does not belong to the modest, but to the energetic/ Lumea nu apartine celor modesti, ci celor energici- Dante Alighieri

Ave, o rima! Con bell’arte

Su le carte

Te persegue el trovadore

Ma tu brilli, tu scintilli

Tu zampilli

Su del propolo dal cuore

O scoccata tra due braci

Ne i rapaci

Volgimenti de la danza

Come accordi ne’ due giri

Due sospiri

Di memoria i di speranza! Giosue Carucci - Commedia dell'arte

Music/ Muzica

From folk music to classical, music has always played an important role in Italian culture. Having given birth to opera, Italy provides many of the foundations of the classical music tradition. Instruments associated with classical music, including the piano and violin, were invented in Italy, and many of the prevailing classical music forms, such as the symphony concerto, and sonata, can trace their roots back to innovations of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Italian music. Italy's most famous composers include the Renaissance composers Palestrina and Monteverdi, the Barowue composers Alessandro Scarlatti, Corelli and Vivaldi, the Classical composers Paganini and Rossini, and the Romantic composers Verdi and Puccini. Modern Italian composers such as Berio and Nono proved significant in the development of experimental and electronic music. While the classical music tradition still holds strong in Italy, as evidenced by the fame of its innumerable opera houses, such as La Scala of Milan and San Carlo of Naples, and performers such as the pianist Maurizio Pollini and the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti, Italians have been no less appreciative of their thriving contemporary music scene. Introduced in the early 1920s, jazz took a particularly strong foothold in Italy, and remained popular despite the anti-American cultural policies of the Fascist regime. Today, the most notable centers of jazz music in Italy include Milan, Rome, and Sicily. Later, Italy was at the forefront of the progressive rock movement of the 1970s, with bands like PFM and Goblin. Today, Italian pop music is represented annually with the Sanremo Music Festival, which served as inspiration for the Eurovision song contest, and the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto. Singers such as pop diva Mina, classical crossover artist Andrea Bocelli, Grammy winner Laura Pausini, and European chart-topper Eros Ramazzotti have attained international acclaim.

De la folk la clasic, muzica a jucat mereu un rol important in cultura italiana. Dand nastere operei, Italia ofera multe fundatii ale traditiei muzicii clasice. Instrumente asociate ci muzica clasica, inclusiv pianul si vioara, au fost inventate in Italia, la fel ca si celelalte forme de muzica clasica precum simfonia, concertul si sonata, care isi regasesc radacinile in inovatiile secolului XVI- XVII din muzica italiana. Cei mai faimosi compozitori italieni ii includ pe compozitorii renascentisti Palestrina si Monteverdi, compozitorii din Baroc Alessandro Scarlatti, Corelli si Vivaldi, compozitorii clasici Paganini si Rossini, si compozitorii romantici Verdi si Puccini. Compozitorii italieni moderni precum Berio si Nono s-au dovedit importanti in dezvoltarea muzicii experimentale si electronice. In timp ce traditia muzicii clasice inca rezista in Italia, lucru dovedit de nenumaratele opere precum La Scala din Milano si San Carlo din Napoli, si interpreti precum pianistult Maurizio Pollini si regretatul tenor Luciano Pavarotti, italienii totusi au apreciat si scena muzicala contemporana. Aparut la inceputul anilor 1920, jazzul a ocupat un loc puternic in peisajul Italiei si a ramas popular in ciuda polictii anti cultura americana din regimul fascist. Astazi, cel mai importante centre de jazz din Italia includ Milano, Roma si Sicilia. Mai tarziu, Italia a fost in fruntea miscarii de rock progresiv din anii 1970 cu formatii precum PFM si Goblin.Astazi, muzica italiana pop este reprezentata anual de Festivalul de Muzica de la Sanremo, care a fost sursa de inspiratie pentru concursul Eurovision si Festivalul celor doua lumi din Spoleto. Cantareti precum diva pop Mina, artistul clasic Andrea Bocelli, castigatoarea premiului Grammy Laura Pausini si cantaretul din topurile europene, Eros Ramazzotti, au obtinut aprecierea internationala.

Andrea Boceli at Sanremo



La Scala - Milan

Cinema/ Cinema

The history of Italian cinema began a few months after the Lumiere brothers began motion picture exhibitions. The first Italian film was a few seconds long, showing Pope Leo XIII giving a blessing to the camera. The Italian film industry was born between 1903 and 1908 with three companies: the Roman Cines, the Ambrosio of Turin and the Itala Film. Other companies soon followed in Milan and in Naples. In a short time these first companies reached a fair producing quality, and films were soon sold outside Italy. The cinema was later used by Benito Mussolini as a form of propaganda until the World War II. After the war, Italian film was widely recognised and exported until an artistic decline around the 1980s. World-famous Italian film directors from this period include Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Michelangelo Antonioni and Dario Argento. Movies include world cinema treasures such as La dolce vita, Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo and Ladri di biciclette. In recent years, the Italian scene has received only occasional international attention, with movies like La vita e bella directed by Roberto Benigni and Il postino with Massimo Troisi.

Istoria cinematografului italian a inceput la cateva luni dupa ce fratii Lumiere au inceput expozitiile cu imagini miscatoare. Primul film italian a fost de cateva secunde aratandu-l pe Papa Leo XIII dandu-si binecuvantarea in fata camerei. Industria de film italian a aparut intre 1903 si 1908 cu trei companii: Cineastii Romani. Ambrosia din Turin si Italia Film. Alte companii au aparut in curand dupa acestea in Milano si Napole. Intr-o perioada scurta acestea companii au atins o productie relativ calitativa si in curand se vindeau filme si in afara Italiei. Cinema-ul a fost folosit mai tarziu de Benito Mussolini ca o forma de propaganda pana in al doilea Razboi Mondial. Dupa razboi, filmul italian a fost larg recunoscut si exportat pana in jurul unui declin artistic din jurul anilor 1980. Regizori italieni faimoisi in toata lumea din aceasta perioada ii includ pe Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Michelangelo Antonioni si Dario Argento. Filmele includ comori cinematice recunoscute mondial precum La Dolce Vita, Il buono, il brutto, il cativo si Ladri di biciclette. In anii recenti, scena italiana a primit numai ocazional atentie internationala cu filme precum La vita e bella, regizat de Umberto Benigni si Il Postino cu Massimo Troisi.

Sport/ Sport

Popular sports include football, basketball, volleyball, waterpolo, fencing, rugby, cycling, ice hockey (mainly in Milan, Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto), roller hockey and F1 motor racing. Winter sports are most popular in the northern regions, with Italians competing in international games and Olympic venues. Turin hosted the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Sports are incorporated into Italian festivities like Palio (see also Palio di Siena), and the gondola race (regatta) that takes place in Venice on the first Sunday of September. Sports venues have extended from the gladiatorial games of Ancient Rome in the Colosseum to the Stadio Olimpico of contemporary Rome, where football clubs compete.The most popular sport in Italy is football, the Serie A being one of the most famous competitions in the world. Italy's national football team is the second-most-successful team in the world, with four World Cup victories, the first one of which was in 1934. Italy is also and the current (2006) FIFA world champion. Cricket is also slowly gaining popularity; the Italian national cricket team is administered by the Federazione Cricket Italiana‎ (Italian Cricket Federation). They are currently ranked 27th in the world by the International Cricket Council and are ranked fifth amongst European non-Test teams.

Sporturi populare includ fotbalul, basketul, voleiul, polo, scrima, ciclism, hockey (mai ales in Milano, Trentino-Alto Adige si Veneto), hockey pe role si cursele de formula 1.Sporturile de iarna sunt mai populare in regiunile nordice, cu Italienii care concureaza in jocuri internationale si competitii olimpice. Torino a fost gazda Jocurilor Olimpice din 2006. Sporturile sunt incluse in festivitatile italiene precum Palio si cursele cu gondole din prima duminica din septembrie. Competitiile sportive s-au extins de la jocurile cu gladiatori din Roma antica in Colosseum pana la Stadionul Olimpic din Roma contemporana, unde au loc competitii intre cluburile de fotbal. Cel mai popular sport din Italia este fotbalul, seria A fiind cea mai faimoasa competitie in lume. Echipa nationala de fotbal a Italiei este cea de-a doua mai de succes echipa din lume, cu patru victorii la Cupa Mondiala, prima castigata in 1934.In prezent, Italia este si campioana mondiala FIFA (2006). Cricketul este deasemenea in ascensiune. Castigand usor in popularitate. Echipa nationala de cricket este administrata de Federazione Cricket Italiana‎ (Federatia Italiana de Cricket ). In prezent ei ocupa locul 27 in Consiliul International de cricket si ocupa locul cinci Echipele non-test din Europa.

The Olympic Stadium in Rome


The Olympic Games, Torino, 2006

Cuisine/ Gastronomie

The modern Italian cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political changes, with its roots reaching back to the 4th century BC. Significant change occurred with the discovery of the New World, when vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and maize became available. However, these central ingredients of modern Italian cuisine were not introduced in scale before the 18th century. Ingredients and dishes vary by region. However, many dishes that were once regional have proliferated in different variations across the country. Cheese and wine are major parts of the cuisine, playing different roles both regionally and nationally with their many variations and Denominazione di origine controllata (regulated appellation) laws. Coffee, and more specifically espresso, has become highly important to the cultural cuisine of Italy.

Bucataria italiana moderna a evoluat pe parcursul secolelor cu schimbari sociale si politice, cu radacini care duc pana in secolul 4 iH. Schimbari semnificative au avut loc odata cu descoperirea Noii Lumi, cand legume precum cartofii, rosiile, ardeii si porumbul au devenit disponibile. Totusi, aceste ingrediente centrale din bucataria italiana moderna nu au fost introduse in regim inainate de secolul XVIII. Ingredientele si felurile de mancare difera de la o regiune la alta. Totusi, multe felurie de mancare care au fost odata regionale s-au dezvoltat in diferite variatiuni de-alungul tarii. Branza si vinul sunt compponente importante in bucatarie, jucand diverse rolui atat regional cat so national cu variatiunile lor facute legale prin Denominazione di origine controllata (denominari regularizate). Cafeaua, mai ales espresso, a devenit foarte importanta pentru bucataria culturala a Italiei.

Knowing Lithuania/ Cunoscand Lituania

Lithuania is a baltic country from Northern Europe. The West boorder is the Baltic Sea. In the Norht it is bordered by Letony, in South-East with Belarus. In South with Poland, and in Souht- West with Russia by its Kalinigrad enclave. It has a lenght of the shore of 99km and a surface of 65,3 mil square km.
Lithuania has a mostly field relief, alongside the seaside and in the centre, and in the rest it is made of morainic hills, the entire territory of the country being shaped by the cuaternar ice calotte. The climate is temperate with maritimal influences. The main river is called Nemunas(Neman), also having almost 3000 lakes most of them being of ice origin. The forests, most of them coniferous take over 30%of the surface of the country.
The population of the country is of 3.5 mil inhabitans having a density of 55.2 inhabitants/square km. The capital city is Vilnius and the main towns are Kaunas, Klaipeda,Siauliai.
Lithuania has entered the European history when it was firstly mentioned in a medieval German manuscript, the Quedlinburg Chronicle on February, 14th, 1009. The Lithuanian territories were united by Mindaugas in 1236, his official coronation as King of Lithuania taking place on July, 6th, 1253. In Gediminas’ early years territories that are now part of Belarus, Ukrainne, Russia and Poland were taken over. At the end of the 14th century, Lithuania was the biggest country from Europe. The independence of the state was declared on February, 16th, 1918 and acknowledged on July, 12th 1920. In 1940 it looses its independence being incorporated in URSS but it takes it back on March, 11th. 1990 and reacknowledged on fenruary, 9th, 1991. From 2004, Lithuania became a country member in NATO and a member of the European Union.

Lituania este o ţară baltică în Europa de Nord. Graniţa de vest a ţării o constituie Marea Baltică. În nord se învecinează cu Letonia, în sud-est cu Belarus, în sud cu Polonia iar în sud-vest cu Rusia prin enclava sa Kaliningrad. Are o lungime a ţărmului de 99 km şi o suprafaţă de 65,3 mil km2 .
Lituania are un relief predominant de câmpie, în lungul litoralului şi în centru, iar în rest este format din coline morenaice, întreg teritoriul ţării a fost modelat de calota glaciară cuaternară. Clima este temperată cu nuanţe maritime. Principalul râu se numeşte Nemunas (Neman), fiind cca. 3000 de lacuri majoritatea de origine glaciară. Pădurile, predominant de conifere, ocupa aproximativ 30% din suprafaţa ţării.
Populaţia ţării este de 3,5 mil locuitori, având o densitate a populaţiei de 55,2 loc/km2. Capitala ţării este Vilnius, iar principalele oraşe sunt: Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai. Lituania a intrat in istoria europeană când pentru prima dată a fost menţionată într-un manuscris medieval german, cronica Quedlinburg din 14 februarie 1009. Pământurile Lituaniei au fost unite de Mindaugas în 1236, încoronarea oficială a lui Mindaugas ca rege al Lituaniei având loc în 6 iulie 1253. În perioada timpurie a lui Gediminas au fost ocupate teritorii care astăzi fac parte din Belarus Ucraina, Rusia şi Polonia. La sfârşitul secolului al XIV-lea, Lituania era cea mai mare ţară din Europa. Independenţa statului este declarată la 16 februarie 1918 recunoscută în 12 iulie 1920. În anul 1940 pierde independenţa fiind înglobată în URSS, dar o redobândeşte în 11 martie 1990 şi recunoscută la 9 februarie 1991. Din anul 2004 Lituania devine stat membru NATO şi membru al Uniunii Europene.

Personalities/ Personalitati

Writers/Sciitori:

Balys Sruoga (1896-1947) was an appreciated Lithuanian poet, critic and playwright. In his youth he colaborated with a series of cultural magazines. His works have been published under the liberal wing of the Lithuanian cultural movement and in some newspapers. In 1914 he started to study literature at Sankt Petersburg, in Russia and later in Moscow. In 1921 he joined the University of Munchen where he took his master’s degree in Lithuanian folklore (1924). After returning in the country, Sruoga taught athe the University from Lithuania where he initiated a theatre seminar. He also wrote many articles about literature. In 1930 he began to write drama, firstly Milžino paunksmė and later Radvila Perkūnas, Baisioji naktis and Aitvaras teisėjas. In 1939 he started teaching at the university from Vilnius.


Balys Sruoga (1896 - 1947) a fost un apreciat poet, critic, dramaturg lituanian. În tinereţe a colaborat cu o serie de reviste culturale. Lucrările sale au fost publicate de aripa liberală a mişcării culturale lituaniene şi în unele ziare. În 1914 a început să studieze literatura la Sankt Petersburg, în Rusia şi mai târziu la Moscova. În 1921 s-a înscris la Universitatea din Munchen, unde a obţinut doctoratul în folclor lituanian (1924). După revenirea în ţară, Sruoga predat la Universitatea din Lituania, unde a iniţiat un seminar de teatru. De asemenea, el a scris mai multe articole despre literatură. Din 1930 a început să scrie dramă, în primul rând Milžino paunksmė, mai târziu Radvila Perkūnas, Baisioji naktis şi Aitvaras teisėjas. În 1939 a început să predea la Universitatea din Vilnius.

Composers/Compozitori:

Šatrijos Ragana - Marija Pečkauskaitė (1877-1930) was a Lithuanian writer. She founded the Židikai school. Her most famous works are Sename dvare and Irkos tragedija.
Šatrijos Ragana - Marija Pečkauskaitė (1877-1930) a fost o scriitoare lituaniană. Ea a fondat scoala Židikai. Cele mai faimoase lucrări au fost Sename dvare şi Irkos tragedija.

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875 - 1911) was a painter and composer, probaly the most known Lithuanian artist of all times. He contributed to the symbolism and Art Nouveau and and he was one of the respresentants of the period called “fin de siècle”. In his short life he compsed almost 250 musical pieces and he created almost 300 paintings. Most of his works are hosted by the National Museum of Art MK Čiurlionis from Kaunas, Lithuania. His works had a powerful influence over the modern Lithuanian culture. The asteroid 2420 Čiurlionis is named after him.

Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875 - 1911) a fost pictor şi compozitor, probabil, cel mai renumit artist lituanian al tuturor timpurilor. Čiurlionis a contribuit la simbolism şi Art Nouveau si a fost reprezentant epocii “fin de siècle”. În timpul scurtei sale vieţi a compus aproximativ 250 de piese de muzică şi a creat aproximativ 300 de tablouri. Cea mai mare parte din picturile lui sunt adăpostite în Muzeul National de Arta MK Čiurlionis din Kaunas, Lituania. Lucrarile sale au avut o profundă influenţă asupra culturii moderne lituaniene. Asteroidul 2420 Čiurlionis este numit dupa el.

Juozas Gruodis (1984-1948) was a famous Lithuanian musician, composer, conductor and teacher.
Juozas Gruodis (1984-1948) a fost un renumit muzician lituanian, compozitor, dirijor, profesor.

The Artists/Artişti:

Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1976-1966) was a famous Lithuanian paintor and a well known arr collectioner. Sometimes he used Antanas Žemaitis as nickname. From 1899 he studied at different European universities. Later, Žmuidzinavičius gave speaches about Lithuania. Togehter with M.K. Čiurlionis and other Lithuanians he organised the first art exhibition at The House of Petras Vileišis. Between 1926 and 1940 he taught frawing at Kaunas and in 1947 he became teacher. Amongst his most famous works are Gavo laišką (1904), Paskutiniai spinduliai (1908), Estijos peizažas (1929). Antanas Žmuidzinavičius died in 1966 and was buried in the Petrašiūnai Cementery, Kaunas. The Žmuidzinavičius Museum was established in his former house.

Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1976-1966) a fost un pictor lituanian şi un cunoscut colecţionar de artă. Uneori el a folosit Antanas Žemaitis ca pseudonim. Din 1899 a studiat la diferite universităţi europene. Mai târziu Žmuidzinavičius emis prelegeri despre Lituania. Împreună cu M.K. Čiurlionis şi alţi lituanieni a organizat prima expoziţie de artă la Casa Petras Vileišis. Între 1926 şi 1940 a predat desen în Kaunas, şi în 1947 a devenit profesor. Printre cele mai faimoase picturi sale sunt Gavo laišką (1904), Paskutiniai spinduliai (1908), Estijos peizažas (1929). Antanas Žmuidzinavičius a murit în 1966 şi a fost înmormântat în Cimitirul Petrašiūnai, Kaunas. Muzeul Žmuidzinavičius a fost stabilit în fosta sa casă.



Sportives/Sportivi:

Šarūnas Jasikevičius, born on march 5th, 1976 in Kaunas, Lithuania is a Lithuanian professional basketball player. At present, he plays for Panathinaikos in Greece as well as for the national basketball team of Lithuania.
Šarūnas Jasikevičius, născut la 5 martie 1976 în Kaunas, Lituania este un jucător lituanian profesionist de baschet. El în prezent joaca pentru Panathinaikos, în Grecia, precum şi la echipa naţională de baschet a Lituaniei.

Virgilijus Alekna born on February 13th, 1972 in Terpeikiai, near Kupiškis is a famous Lithuanian athlete. He won two gold medals at the Summer Olympic Games in Sidney (2000) and in Athens (2004) and in Beijing he got the bronze medal. He was also world champion and European champion as well in throwing the disk. In 2007 he was appointed UNESCO Champion for sport.
Virgilijus Alekna, născut la 13 februarie 1972 în Terpeikiai, lângă Kupiškis este un atlet lituanian renumit. El a câştigat două medalii de aur la Jocurile Olimpice de Vară de la Sidney (2000) şi Atena (2004), iar la Beijing a obţinut bronz. A fost de asemenea campion mondial şi european la aruncarea discului. În 2007 el a fost numit Campion UNESCO pentru sport.

For all the mothers around the world

Mother’s Day
By Raluca Trifan

Thank you

Dear mom,
I'd like to say thank you,
I'm a little bigger now
And I understand what you,
Did for me to be somehow.
To grow old, to be healthy, to know...

I linger in the doorway,
Waiting for your signal
That I can step into the room.
‘cause you'd rather sacrifice yourself,
For me to be in...safe.

Dear mom,
You gave me life, you understood my needs
Even when I couldn't speak
You taught me 'Life's how it should be'
You taught me 'I will always pay that fee'.




Mother
By Corina Paun

Tell your children not to walk my way
tell your children not to hear my words
What they say
what they mean
Mother,
Can you hide them from the waiting world,
Can you keep them in the dark for life?

If by chance I pass before you
Don't discount my gratitude,
You're responsible for me here…
And of course my attitude!

Raise the roof
Mother dear I'm returning tonight,
Light the lite
Now I see
Your concern,
Mother dear how you taught me to learn!

Staying up half the night
Wonderin' if what I'm doin' is right,
Raise the roof,
Light the lite,
Mother dear I'm returning tonight!

Painters

CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI

Born in Romania, Constantin Brancusi first studied sculpture at the School of Arts and Crafts in Craiova (1894–98) and the National School of Fine Arts in Bucharest (1898–1902). In 1904, he left Romania permanently, traveling through Budapest, Vienna, Munich, Zurich, and Basel on his way to Paris. There, he continued his training at the École des Beaux-Arts (1905–7), and his work of the period attracted the attention of the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. About 1907, Brancusi began to work by direct carving as a means of distancing himself from Rodin's style. In Paris, Brancusi associated with many artists of the day, including Henri Rousseau, Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, Amedeo Modigliani, and Marcel Duchamp. He showed five of his sculptures in the 1913 Armory Show in New York, and continued to exhibit widely throughout his life.From the 1920s to the '40s, Brancusi was preoccupied by the theme of a bird in flight. He concentrated not on the physical attributes of the bird but on its movement.

Nascut in Romania, Constantin Brancusi a studiat mai intai sculptura la Scoala de Arte si Meserii din Craiova (1894–98) si Scoala nationala de arta fina din Bucuresti (1898–1902). In 1904 el a plecat definitiv din Romania calatorind prin Budapesta,Viena,Munich, Zurich, si Basel in drumul sau spre to Paris. Acolo, si-a continuat pregatirea la Scoala de arte frumoase (1905–7), iar munca sa din acea perioada a atras atentia sculporului francez Auguste Rodin. In jurul anului 1907, Brancusi a inceput sa sculpteze direct distamtadu-se astfel de stilul lui Rodin. In Paris, Brancusi s-a asociat cu multi dintre artistii vremii, inclusiv Henri Rousseau, Henri Matisse, Fernand Léger, Amedeo Modigliani si Marcel Duchamp. Si-a expus cinci dintre sculpturile sale in Spectacolul Armory din 1913 din New York si a continuat sa expuna mult pe parcursul vietii. Din anii 1920 pana in anii 40, Brancusi a fost preocupat cu tema pasarii in zbor. El s-a concentrat nu pe atributele fizice ale pasarii ci pe ale miscarii sale.

The Endless Column – 1937
It is Brancusi’s masterpiece, seen by Ionel Jianu as a synthesis of his life time career... and by Barbu Brezianu as the essence of his work, being one of the most admired sculptures of the century.

Coloana infinitului-1937

Este capodopera lui Brancusi, vazuta de ionel Jianu ca o sinteza a carierei sale de-a lungul vietii... si de Barbu Brezianu ca esenta municii sale, fiind una dintre cele mai admirate sculputi ale secolului.

THE TABLE OF SILENCE
The table suggests the harsh appearance of two windmill stones laid one above the other.
The sculptor used to say ...the line of The Table of Silence suggests the closed curbure of the circle which gets together, gets closer and unites.

MASA TACERI - Masa sugereaza aparitia dura a doua pietre de moara puse una peste alta. Sculptorul obisnuia sa spuna...linia Meseii Tacerii sugereaza curbura apropiata a cercului care se apropie pana se uneste.

THE GATE OF THE KISS
In the gate from Targu Jiu also known as The Gate of the Kiss, the embracing of the two bodies , as two halves of the same seed forms the perfect shape of a circle. Through the circle shaped sculpture, the Sun is being called invoking in this way its magical and natural power.

Poarta Sarutului - Poarta de la Targu Jiu cunoscuta ca si Poarta Sarutului, imbratisarea a doua corpuri, ca doua jumatati ale aceleiasi seminte, formeaza forma perfecta a unui cerc. Prin sculptura in forma de cerc soarele este chemat invocandu-i drumul spre puterea magica si naturala.

BIRD IN SPACE
From the 1920s to the '40s, Brancusi was preoccupied by the theme of a bird in flight. He concentrated not on the physical attributes of the bird but on its movement. In Bird in Space, wings and feathers are eliminated, the swell of the body is elongated, and the head and beak are reduced to a slanted oval plane. Balanced on a slender conical footing, the figure's upward thrust is unfettered. Brancusi's inspired abstraction realizes his stated intent to capture "the essence of flight."

Pasarea in spatiu- Din anii 1920 pana in anii 40 Brancusi a fost preocupat cu tema pasarii in zbor. El s-a concentrat nu pa atributle fizce ale pasarii ci pe miscarea ei. In Pasare in Spatiu, aripile si penele sunt eliminate, forma corpului este prelungita iar capul si ciocul sunt reduse la un plan oval minim. Balansata pe un piedestral conic,forma ridicata este lipsita de aripi. Abstractizarea inspirata a lui Brancusi a atins intentia lui de a captura „esenta zborului”

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NICOLAE GRIGORESCU

He was born in Pitaru, (judeţul Dâmboviţa), Romania. At a young age (between 1848 and 1850), he became an apprentice at the workshop of the painter Anton Chladek and created icons for the church of Băicoi and the monastery of Căldăruşani. In 1856 he created the historical composition Mihai scăpând stindardul (Michael the Brave dropping the flag), which he presented to the Wallachian Prince Barbu Ştirbei, together with a petition asking for financial aid for his studies.
Between 1856 and 1857, he painted the church of the Zamfira monastery, Prahova County, and in 1861 the church of the Agapia monastery. With the help of Mihail Kogălniceanu, he received a scholarship to study in France.
In the autumn of 1861, young Grigorescu left for Paris, where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts. He also attended the workshop of Sébastien Cornu, where he had as a colleague Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Knowing his weaknesses, he concentrated drawing and composition. However, he soon left this workshop and, attracted by the artistic concepts of the Barbizon school, he left Paris for that village, where he became the associate of artists such as Jean-François Millet, Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet and Théodore Rousseau. Under the influence of the movement, Grigorescu looked for new means of expression and followed the trend of en plein air painting, which was also important in Impressionism. As part of the Universal Exposition of Paris (1867), he contributed seven works. Then he exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1868 the painting Tânără ţigancă (Gypsy girl).
He returned to Romania a few times and starting in 1870 he participated in the exhibits of living artists and those organized by the Society of the Friends of the Belle-Arts. Between 1873 and 1874 he traveled to Italy, Greece and Vienna.
In 1877 he was called to accompany the Romanian Army as a "frontline painter" in the Romanian War of Independence. During the battles at the Grivica Strongpoint and Oryahovo, he made drawings and sketches which later used in creating larger-scale works.
In 1889 his work was featured in the Universal Exhibition in Paris and at the Romanian Atheneum. Centerpiece exhibits took place at the Romanian Atheneum would follow in 1891, 1895, 1897, 1902, and 1905.From 1879 to 1890 he worked in France, especially in Vitré, Bretagne, and in his workshop in Paris.

Nascut in Pitaru (judetul Dambovita). La o vartsa mica (intre 1848 si 1850), a devenit ucenic in atelierul pictorului Anton Chladek si a creat icoane pentru biserica din Băicoi si manastirea Căldăruşani. In 1856 el a creat istorica compozitie Mihai scăpând stindardul, pe care a prezentat-o printului valah Barbu Ştirbei,impreuna cu o petitie cerand ajutor financiar pentru studiile sale. Intre 1856 si 1857, a pictat biserica manastirii Zamfira, judetul Prahova , si in 1861 biserica manastirii Agapia . cu ajutorul lui Mihail Kogălniceanu,el a primit bursa pentru a studia in Franta. In toamna anului 1861,tanarul Grigorescu a plecat la Paris, unde a studiat la Scoala de Arte Frumoase. Deasemenea, el a urmat atelierul lui Sébastien Cornu, unde l-a avut drept coleg pe Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Cunoscandu-si slabiciunea, el s-a concentrat pe desen si compozitie. Totusi, in curand a plecat de la atelier, si atras, de conceptele artistice ale scolii lui Barbizon, a plecat din Paris catre acel satunde a deveni asociatul unor artisti precum Jean-François Millet, Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Gustave Courbet si Théodore Rousseau. Sub influenta miscarii, Grigorescu a cautat noi modalitati de expresie si a urmat curentul picturii en plein air care a fost important in Impresionism. Ca parte a expozitiei universale de la Paris,(1867), el a contribuit cu sapte lucrari. Apoi a expus la Salonul din Parisi in 1868 tabloul Tânără ţigancă . S-a intors in Romania de cateva ori si incepand cu 1870 a participat la cateva expozitii ale artistilor in viata si a celor organizate de Societatea Preitenilor Artelor Frumoase. Intre1873 si 1874 a calatorit in Italia, Greci si Viena. In 1877 a fost chemat sa insoteasca armata romana ca “pictor de frontiera” in Razboilu Roman de Independenta. In timpul bataliilor la Grivita si Oryahovo, a facut desene si schite pe care le-a folosit ulteriro pentru a crea operele la scara mare.
In 1889 operele sale au aparut in Expozitia Universala din Paris si la Ateneul Roman, Expozitii cu capodoperele sale au urmat la ateneul Roman in anii 1891, 1895, 1897, 1902, si 1905.
Din 1879 pana in 1890 el a lucrat in Franta, in special in Vitré, Bretania, si in atelierul sau din Paris.

Fisherwoman at Grandville

Oxen Cart

Peasant Woman Head










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THEODOR AMAN

The Romanian painter who after taking drawing lessons with Constantin Lecca painter, at the Central School from Craiova, goes, in 1850, to Paris, where he studies painting with Michel Martin Drolling, next, from 1851, with Francois Edouard Picot. This time he starts a historical compositions series, one of his favorites genre, in which he excels, creating a school (Last night of Mihai Viteazul, 1852; Battle from Oltenita, 1857; Battle from Alma, 1855; Union of the Principates, 1859; Romanian battle with the turks in St. George Island, 1859; Vlad Tepes and the messengers, 1861-1864; Turks driving away at Calugareni, 1872; Tudor Vladimirescu, 1874-1876; Boyards catched at dinner by Vald Tepes messengers, 1885-1887). The prestige he gained was encreased by being manager of the Fine Arts National School, since the creation of this institutions, in 1863. In his rigorous painting, the evocation symbols bring a certain freshness, in the sense of the artist situation in reality. The novelty of his paintings are responses to his social and political cares in the period of the national state formation. There are also tries to enlighten the palette, by instantaneous snapshots, which speak to us about the echo, being even pale, of his experiences with some french artist which painted outdoor, at Barbizon, near Paris, where in the 7th and 8th decades, the basis of impressionism are layed out (View with the boat on the lake; Street in Sinaia; Constanta Harbour; Family Reunion; Gunboat in Constanta Harbour; In Park etc.)

Pictorul roman care dupa ce a luat lectii de desen cu pictorul Constantin Lecca , la Scoala Centrala din Craiova, merge, in 1850, la Paris,unde studiaza pictura cu Michel Martin Drolling, apoi, din 1851, cu Francois Edouard Picot. De aceasta data incepe o serie de compozitii istorice, genul sa preferat, in care exceleaza creeind o scoala.(Utlima nopate a lui Mihai Viteazul852; Batalia de laOltenita, 1857; Batalia de la Alma, 1855; Unrea Principatelor, 1859; Batalia romanilor cu turciipe insula Sf. George , 1859; Vlad Tepes si solii, 1861-1864; Turcii retragandu-se de lat Calugareni, 1872; Tudor Vladimirescu, 1874-1876; Prestigiul castigat a fost marit prin faptul ca a ocupat postul de director al Scolii Nationale de Arte Fine, de la infiintarea acestei institutii in 1863. In pictura sa riguroasa, simbolurile evocarii aduc o anumita prospetime in sensul situatiei reale a artistului. Noutatea picturilor sale consta in raspunsurile pe care el le avea pentru grijile sociale si politice din perioada fomrarii statului national. Deasemene, el incearca sa lumineze paleta prin instantanee care vorbesc despre ecoul, chiar daca palid, al experientelor cu cativa artisti francezi cu care a pictat in exterior la Barbizon, aproape de Paris. Unde in secolele VII-VIII au fost stabilite bazele Impresionismului (Vedere cu barca pe lac, Strada in Sinaia,Portul Constanta, Reuniunea de familie, Barca in portul Constanta, In parc).










Looking in the album















Dance

Vase of Flowers

Sports

Nadia Comaneci

Born on November, 12th, 1961(Onesti, Bacau), Nadia Comaneci is a Romanian gymnast, the first gymnast in the world to get the mark 10 in an Olympic competition(Montreal, Quebec, 1976). She is the winner of five golden Olympic medals and she is considered the best gymnast of the XXth century. Her name comes from Nadejda which also means “Hope”. In 1979 she won the third supreme title in this way becoming the first sportswoman from the history of gymnastics who managed this performance. After retiring from the competition activity, she helped training other young Romanian sportive and in 1999 she was the first sportive invited to address the United Nations to launch The International Volunteering Year in 2000. in 2003 she published her book “Letters to a Young Gymnast). She created a charity clinic in Bucharest to help the orphan children from Romania.

Nascuta pe data de12 noiembrie 1961 (Onesti, Bacau), Nadia Comaneci este o gimnasta romana, prima gimnasta din lume care a primit nota 10 intr-un concurs olimpic de gimnastica (Montreal,Quebec, 1976). Este castigatoarea a cinci medalii olimpice de aur si este considerata cea mai buna gimnasta a secolului XX. Numele sau vine de la Nadejda care inseamna speranta. In anul 1979 ea a castigat al treilea tilul spurem devenind astfel primul sportive din isotria gimnasticii care a reusit acest lucru. Dupa retragerea din activitatea competitionala , ea a ajutat la antrenarea tinerilor sportive romani iar in 1999 a fost primul sportiv invitat sa vorbeasca la Natiunile Unite pentru a lansa in anul 2000 Anul International al Voluntariatului. In 2003 ea si-a publicat cartea “Scrisori catre o tanara gimnasta”. Ea a creat o clinica de caritate in Bucuresti pentru a ajuta copiii orfani din Romania.

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Gheorghe Hagi

Born on February 5th, 1965(Sacele, Constanta), Ghoerghe Hagi is a Romanian footballer of Aromanian nationality, surnamed the King of Football or Maradona from the Carpathians. As a player he wore the classic number 10( leader of the game), he made himself noticed on the field by the clarity of his actions and his dreadful hits at the gate when he himself was in the executioner position. Several of his goals have made history. Hagi sometimes passed over his opponents by dribbling and sometimes he himself found the solution of a match. Although he wasn’t excellent when it came to speed, he had a great orientation skill on the field and he always managed to be present in the best possible positions which allow him to make a decisive pass or to score from the distance. Between 1988 and 1990 he reached the international stage. He played in a semifinal (1988) and a final of the Champions Cup in 1989 (being the second player as a value in the competition after Marco van Basten) and he participated with the Romanian team in the World Cup in 1990 in Italy


Nascut pe 5feb 1965 (Sacele,Constanta), Gheorghe Hagi este un fotbalist roman de nationalitate aromana, supranumit Regele Fotbalului si Maradona din Carpati. Ca jucător, Hagi a fost un purtător clasic de număr 10 (conducător de joc) care se remarca în teren prin claritatea paselor trimise către atacanţi şi şuturile nimicitoare la poartă, atunci când se afla el însuşi în poziţie de finalizare. Câteva din golurile sale au intrat în istoria fotbalului. Hagi îşi depăşea uşor adversarii prin dribling şi găsea deseori de unul singur soluţia de rezolvare a unui meci. Deşi nu excela la capitolul viteză, se orienta excelent în teren şi reuşea să fie prezent în cele mai bune poziţii, care îi permiteau fie să paseze decisiv, fie să şuteze de la distanţă. 1988-1990: consacrarea la nivel internaţional. Hagi joacă o semifinală (în 1988) şi o finală de Cupa Campionilor în 1989 (fiind desemnat al doilea jucător ca valoare din competiţie, după Marco van Basten) şi participă cu România la Cupa Mondială din 1990 - Italia.

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Ilie Năstase


Ilie Nastase (July 19th, 1946,Bucharest) is a former professional field tennis player and one of the most important tennis players of the 1970, being number 1 in the world for two times in 1972 and 1973. Among the 57 title in the single, whici Ilie won along his career, there are: US Open in 1972, respectively French Open in 1973. In the double he won the tournaments from Wimbledon in 1973, French Open in 1970 and US Open in 1975. He also won the Master Tour four times in 1971, 1972, 1973 şi 1975. For the Romanian Davis Cup, during 18 years of perfromance, he played 146 games of single and double, winning 109 of them. Alongside Ion Tiriac, he was a finalist of the Davis Cup 3 times in 1969, 1971 and in 1972. He was two times second in the single competition from Wimbledon, in 1972, playing the final matcg against Stan Smith and in 1976 against Bjjorn Borg. Nastase was both known fom his jokes on the field and for his harsh tactics, most of them successful; this is how he got his nickname „Nasty” after sevral incidents. In 2005, „Tennis Magazine” placed him on the 28th position in the list of „the best and the greates 40 tennis players in the last 40 years”. He was four times awarded „The Best Romanian Sportive of the Year” in 1969,1972, 1973 and 1974

Ilie Năstase (n. 19 iulie 1946, Bucureşti) este un fost jucător profesionist de tenis de câmp şi unul dintre cei mai importanţi jucători de tenis ai anilor 1970, fiind numărul unu mondial de două ori, în 1972 şi 1973.Printre cele 57 de titluri la simplu, pe care Ilie Năstase le-a câştigat de-a lungul carierei sale, se numără şi US Open în 1972, respectiv French Open în 1973. La dublu a câştigat turneele de la Wimbledon în 1973, French Open în 1970 şi US Open în 1975. A câştigat de asemenea de patru ori turneul Masters în anii 1971, 1972, 1973 şi 1975. Pentru echipa de Cupa Davis a României a jucat timp de 18 ani un număr de 146 de meciuri de simplu şi dublu, câştigând 109. Alături de Ion Ţiriac a fost finalist al Cupei Davis de trei ori, în 1969, 1971 şi 1972.A fost pe locul doi în competiţia la simplu de la Wimbledon de două ori, în 1972, jucând finala împotriva lui Stan Smith şi în 1976 împotriva lui Björn Borg. Năstase era cunoscut pentru glumele sale din arenă, dar şi pentru reputaţia de a folosi tactici agresive, multe dintre acestea pline de succes, drept care a primit porecla de "Nasty" după câteva incidente. În 2005, "TENNIS Magazine" l-a plasat pe locul 28 în lista celor "40 cei mai mari jucători de tenis din ultimii 40 de ani". A fost desemnat de patru ori „Cel mai bun sportiv român al anului” (în 1969, 1972, 1973 şi 1974)..

* Spring is here *

A spring dream
by Andreea Cristodor

The snow stops,
A kind wind blows,
A little snowdrop makes his way
And to the Sun he smiles again

A little sparrow flies away,
And she is happy every day
As the big sky is very clear
And those warmer days are near.

Spring is like a fair maiden
With kind, good thoughts
Who brings around pure happiness
And love for all of us.



Spring
By Corina Paun


WellI I know it's just a spring haze
But I don't much like the look of it
They who don’t love spring may crush the flowers,
Trample every living thing…
But they can't stop the spring!

Spring this year has got me feeling
Like a horse that never left the post.
I lie in my room
Staring up at the ceiling…
Spring can really hang you up the most!

Morning's kiss wakes trees and flowers,
And to them I'd like to drink a toast.
But I walk in the park
Just to kill the lonely hours…
Spring can really hang you up the most!

All afternoon the birds twitter-twitt.
I know the tune. This is love, this is it.
Heard it before
And don't I know the score?
And I've decided that spring is a bore!



Spring twist
By Raluca Trifan

Leave me out with the trees,
This is all you should do.
It's the best kind of thing,
So I think it might bloom.

Give me up to the nature,
That is all you should feel.
It's that known kind of sadness
That I thought you should deal.

Sang the song of a bird
Reborn like Phoenix.
From its ashes again
In a swirling parade...

Of colours.