Writer Between Worlds

Soulful writing about humans and places

Category: Culture

  • Quote of the day

    “In our day, now that more subtle study and a more refined taste have reduced the art of pleasing to asystem, there prevails in modern manners a servile and deceptive conformity; so that one wouldthink every mind had been cast in the same mould. Politeness requires this thing; decorum that;ceremony has its forms, and fashion…

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  • Women, mothers and really old ladies

    Now that March 8 is behind us (a day also known as Woman’s Day or Mother’s Day in Romania and, yes, flowers are expected!), it is time to introduce you to another Romanian tradition. This time, we’re talking about a really old one, dating all the way back to the Romans: the Days of the…

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  • Dragobete, Mărțișor and beyond

    “Dragobetele pupă fetele.” Romanian folk saying (Dragobete kisses the girls) How many of you know that Romania has its very own early-Christian Valentine’s tradition? It’s a spring fertility ritual called Dragobete, which takes place on February 24, and it dates back to the Early Middle Ages. Not only this, but since the addition of Valentine’s…

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  • A Valentine’s present

    Dear friends and followers, Valentine’s is upon us. If you’re still wondering what to gift your special someone this spring, I have a very special surprise for you. The second edition of my poetry collection BEHOLD THE SEARING WIND, containing some of the most popular poems on this blog as well as many others, is…

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  • My interview with RFI Romania

    A few days ago, I was interviewed by Otilia Ghitescu from RFI Romania about our travel guide TIMISOARA23 and the European Capital of Culture 2023. You can read or listen (in Romanian), here. Our stories about Timisoara and the Banat region, beautifully illustrated by Claudia Tanasescu, can be ordered on Amazon, in paperback or e-book…

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  • In 2023, discover Timisoara and the Banat region!

    Dear friends, On January 9, 2023, Timisoara officially became European Capital of Culture 2023 (together with Veszprem and Elefsina), by taking over from last year’s capitals in a ceremony held in Athens. The first major events in Timisoara will take place during the weekend of 17-19 February 2023. Until then, if you intend to visit…

    Read more: In 2023, discover Timisoara and the Banat region!
  • Letter to Santa

    Dear Santa, How strong must a desire be for it to finally come true? When people fail to hear each other’s needs, I’ve the solution: I shall turn to you. Please give us will to do what’s right and patience to endure pain when we must meet it; strength to fight off meanness; boldness to…

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  • Winter

    So the snow comes down from the sky through an invisible sieve, hissing. Water – like a woman – in so many states, so many attires. The birds have all gone, and so has the neighing of horses. Cold. The crisp, muzzled silence the night’s only sound. Homes sleeping. Frayed blankets of white alight from…

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  • Coming soon!

    With 2023 fast approaching and Timisoara preparing to become European Capital of Culture, our storybook-style travel guide is almost ready to hit the bookstands (and your tablets)! If all goes to plan, it should be ready to pre-order on Amazon in a few weeks. At 236 pages, the paperback’s not too bulky (probably less so…

    Read more: Coming soon!
  • Excited about my upcoming book

    I’ve been putting the finishing touches on the English-language manuscript of our travel guide for Timisoara European Capital of Culture 2023 and am still amazed at how interconnected the history of my hometown is with the rest of Central and Western Europe. But I also noticed something intriguing about the city’s bridges!Did you know that…

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  • My daughter wants flip-flops

    Such is the patriarchy. Had God been Goddess for sure there’d have been a ‘Fiat calceamenta!’ in there somewhere, right after ‘Let there be light.’ Somewhere in-between crocodiles & farm animals and lone Adam begging for more cuddle time. ‘Let there be purses and handbags,’ but, above all, ‘let there be shoes,’ in all colors…

    Read more: My daughter wants flip-flops