FRESCA SOCIETĂŢII ARDELENEŞTI DIN MUNŢII APUSENI DUPĂ UNIREA DIN 1918 – ROMANUL DRUMUL DE PE URMĂ DE OVIDIU BÎRLEA
A FRESCO OF THE TRANSYLVANIAN SOCIETY IN THE APUSENI MOUNTAINS FOLLOWING THE 1918 INION - IN OVIDIU BIRLEA`S NOVEL THE LAST JOURNEY

Summary/Abstract: Ovidiu Birlea's last novel, 'The Last Journey', is the only one that has little to do with a well-documented chronology of historical facts. Its plot develops in the period that follows World War I and the 1918 Union, showing the decay of the highlanders' life, their numerous journeys to the villages on the plain in order to sell their wooden items or milk, to find occasional work, harvesting corn to provide food for the following year. The turmoil of these people becomes more dramatic as the gold exploitation diminishes due to certain changes in the mines' administration, which are now controlled by the state; their life and traditions suffer changes and social degradation is becoming more and more serious. In spite of them being considered rightful and dignified citizens of Great Romania, their social reality is obviously years behind, which brings about much tension. The socio-political theme is present in the vivid conversations of the characters; the inhabitants of Ardeal are truly interested in the way the country is governed, ten years after the 1918 Unification. Although tolerance and patience are advised towards the difficult situation of the country, which is still not 'united', there are complaints about the abusive behaviour of those who have come from the former southern province to occupy administrative positions for which the Transylvanians are not yet sufficiently qualified.The matter of Romanian education in Ardeal is not overlooked either. We read about the Military School in Targu-Mures, which is attended by few students from Ardeal, the majority of them having come from the south with a recommendation from the Ministry and nothing else. In spite of the regulations, they did not take an entrance exam but were admitted automatically. This situation is familiar to the author, as he himself used to be a student at that prestigious high school. So, it is advisable for the candidates to be from all provinces, in the right proportion, and for the ones accepted to be distributed, proportionally, to other similar high schools, so that they may train together and help to unify the national body of officers.

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