Claudiu Isopescu (1894-1956) „Apostol al culturii române” în Italia
Claudiu Isopescu (1894-1956), an „Apostle of Romanian Culture” in Italy

Summary/Abstract: This study, conducted with an interdisciplinary methodology, deals with one of the most important promoters of Romanian culture in interwar Italy, Claudiu Isopescu (1894-1956), known mainly as the founder of the Department of Romanian language and literature at the University „La Sapienza” in Rome, but also as a promoter of Romanian language education in other Italian universities. Claudiu Isopescu has been engaged in Italy in a complex mission as a teacher, publicist, researcher, organizer of cultural events, translator and coordinator of the first Italian monographs dedicated to Romanian authors. He was also the creator of an important collection of Romanian books in Rome (Fondo Isopescu, Biblioteca Alessandrina). After a brief presentation of the sources used, in particular those found in the Italian and Romanian archives, and of his rich correspondence with important personalities of the interwar period (Giovanni Gentile, Vittorio Rossi, Giulio Bertoni, George Călinescu, Mircea Eliade, Nicolae Iorga, etc.), we focused on the activity and work of the Romanian intellectual, in an attempt to deepen the reception he enjoyed to the present day. Although we discussed all aspects of his activity, we focused in particular on his work as a teacher of Romanian language and literature, publicist and researcher. The aim of our study was to understand the value of his contribution to the development of Italian-Romanian cultural relations, in particular the significance of his scientific work, and to explore the idea of cultural apostolate that is reflected in his historiographical and literary reception.

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