Initiated by two dedicated scholars, Otilia Baraboi and Ileana Marin, Romania Transformed is funded by the American Romanian Cultural Society. The tuition fees from the Romanian in the High School program and part of the campaign for the Romanian Film Festival, alongside private donors, make this course possible. Thank you, we could not have done without your support!
Course Description: Romanian Literature, Art, And Film: One Century Of Cultural Transformations
Situated at the border between the East and West, Romania embodies the co-existence of cultural paradoxes informing major artistic trends and ideologies during the last 100 years. The course investigates the roots of surrealism, dadaism, theatre of the absurd, as well as practices of resistance against totalitarian regimes, and women's roles in forging a new democratic society. The students will learn about New Romanian Cinema and will have the unique possibility to attend the 6th edition of the Romanian Film Festival in Seattle at SIFF Cinema Uptown (November 15-17) and meet with Romanian film directors and actors. Taught in English, no knowledge of Romanian is required.
Instructors
Otilia Baraboi, Ph.D.
otilia.baraboi@arcsproject.org
Before coming to Seattle in 2000 from Romania, Otilia worked as a literary journalist and published short-fiction, translations and articles. She holds university degrees in French and English literatures from Romania, Switzerland, and the US. She has a Ph.D. on the politics of translation from the University of Washington, where she taught French language and literature for 17 years, and where she is currently co-teaching a course on Romanian literature and film. In 2013, she co-founded ARCS and was President of the Board for five years before becoming ARCS’ first Executive Director. For Otilia, ARCS has been a wonderful opportunity to remain connected with the vibrant culture of her birthplace, while contributing to the artistic and cultural vitality of the Pacific Northwest. As part of her work, Otilia has been managing the Romanian Film Festival in Seattle and ARCS community-based school for Romanian heritage students, as well as more than 300 cultural and educational events over the past 9 years. Her priorities are to create sustainable, community-building programs and partnerships, as well as develop ARCS' brand identity in accordance with its mission and values. Most of all, Otilia hopes that her work will have a direct, long-lasting impact on the ways in which future generations will define, celebrate and pass on their heritage. Otilia is also the President of the Ethnic Heritage Council of the Pacific Northwest and a board member of Romanian United Fund.