Modernizare Si Imobilism
Modernization And Immobilism

Author(s): Valeriu Leu
Subject(s): History, Anthropology, Social Sciences, Language and Literature Studies, Cultural history, Studies of Literature, Social history, Romanian Literature, Cultural Anthropology / Ethnology, Source Material
Published by: Editura Mega Print SRL
Keywords: Banat rural society; memorialistic writings; modernization; everyday life; historical mentalities;
Summary/Abstract: This volume offers a reconstruction of the rural world of Banat at the beginning of the twentieth century, based on a diverse corpus of memorialistic writings. While historians of modern Banat have access to substantial archival material, documentation concerning everyday rural life remains scarce, as most archival holdings consist of administrative and economic records tied to mining, metallurgy, and industry. The daily experiences, concerns, and mentalities of Banat’s Romanian villagers are therefore difficult to access through traditional sources. In this context, memorialistic texts, often preserved in private collections and authored by individuals of modest social standing, become indispensable for understanding rural society. The selected writings reveal a dynamic world undergoing rapid modernization. Traditional structures were challenged by new social, cultural, and political forces: increased mobility, exposure to urban life, expanding education, and the politicization of rural communities. At the same time, deep‑rooted mental frameworks persisted, especially in the villagers’ relationship with nature and in their religious worldview. The texts illustrate both the transformative impact of modernity and the resilience of tradition. Stylistically diverse and unequal in literary quality, these memoirs nonetheless constitute valuable “alternative sources” that democratize historical inquiry by foregrounding the voices of ordinary people. The volume aims to initiate a broader effort to collect and publish rural memorialistic writings from Banat, offering a foundation for future research into the social and cultural history of the region.

• Details
• Contents