The Athenaeum
The Role of an Ancient Architectural Program in Affirming Romania’s National Identity
The Athenaeum
The Role of an Ancient Architectural Program in Affirming Romania’s National Identity
Author(s): Vlad-Răzvan NicolescuSubject(s): Fine Arts / Performing Arts, Cultural history, Architecture, History of ideas, Sociology of Culture, 19th Century, Period(s) of Nation Building
Published by: Historický ústav SAV, v. v. i.
Keywords: identity; culture; education; Athenaeum; program; nationality
Summary/Abstract: The Athenaeum is an architectural genre adopted in the wake of Romania's extensive and accelerated processes of modernization at the end of the 19th century. Like many other civilizational forms of the West, it was introduced to span the development gap after Ottoman rule and emphasize the new direction oriented towards humanistic values and a rational society. However, the Athenaeum did not retain the status of a foreign form but instead launched into motion the forces eager for emancipation and progress of Romania, playing an active role in the decisive stages of affirming its national identity.
Journal: Architektúra & Urbanizmus
- Issue Year: 59/2025
- Issue No: 1-2
- Page Range: 6-17
- Page Count: 11
- Language: English
