CULTUL EROILOR MARELUI RĂZBOI ÎN FRANŢA ŞI ROMÂNIA
References of the Great War Cult of Heroes in France and Romania

Summary/Abstract: During the years of the Great War, France continued to be a rolemodel for the Romanian society, especially after Romania joined the Entente two years after the outburst of the war. The military disaster and refuge to Moldova represented for Romania an unprecedented experience. Moreover, the war perception for the Romanian military and political elite was shaped by these aspects and by the presence of the French military mission. There were also the English and American military mission stationed in Iaşi, as well as the Russian one. Of these, the Russian military mission had the aim of convincing the Romanian public opinion of the fact that Russia should be the only ally in the east. However, as Maria Bucur pointed out, Romanians invested emotionally in their alliance with France. The French military and medical sacrifice contributed to an alliance that remained in the collective mentality of the interwar Romania. That memorywas also shaped by General Berthelot’s involvement. Hence, similarities between the French and Romanian laws regarding the war heroes and commemorative objects, war cemetery organization and erection of war monuments are evident. When the Romanian soldiers participated at the victory parade in Paris, on 11 November 1919, they were greeted by General Berthelot. He also addressed Marshal Foch to pay attention when the family passed by. That might have been the best phrasing for a history with common episodes since the 19th century till the victorious ending of the Great War.

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